THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 13, 1996 TAG: 9607110306
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ANAHITA WAGER-SMITH SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: 107 lines
Log homes aren't just for vacations any more.
Building with logs is an American tradition dating back to colonial days and although today's designs are far removed from the one-room wilderness log cabins of the past, their inherent benefits and the feelings they evoke remain.
As modern construction techniques have replaced the colonial craftsman in the building of log homes, so too have modern designs transformed these once simple structures into bright spacious showcases of contemporary living.
Today's log homes may feature vaulted ceilings, skylights, hexagon-shaped living rooms, state-of-the-art kitchens and any other modern design feature that you wish to incorporate.
``Years ago people used the term log cabins and associated the structures with small dark lodges,'' says David Peck, who owns Blackwater Log Homes in Virginia Beach with his wife, Kristen. ``But today your imagination is the limit in building a log home. They are not hunting or ski lodges any more.''
Blackwater Log Homes is a dealer for Summit Log Homes of Boone, N.C., which acts as the general contractor.
The Pecks are constructing their own log home and business site at 2913 W. Gibbs Road deep in rural Virginia Beach. The breathtaking 5,300 square-foot dwelling combines a traditional look with a contemporary design.
The Pecks' venture began a few years ago when they started extensive research on the subject of log-home construction. They're the first ones to tell you there is a little more work involved in this type of a home and research is the key for anyone interested in building or purchasing one.
Given the variety of available species of wood, construction techniques and design possibilities, it is crucial for potential home buyers to educate themselves, according to the Pecks.
Having participated in building their own home from the ground up, the Kristen and David are well-informed and uniquely qualified to pass their expertise on to others seeking to build a log home.
There are many benefits to owning such a structure aside from the feelings of warmth and stability they tend to evoke. According to Woodie L. Walker, owner of Country Living Inc. of Suffolk, a dealer for Heritage Log Homes, many home buyers are drawn to log homes because of their character and uniqueness of design.
Walker says he has seen a shift in demand over the years from cottage style log homes to single-family primary homes to a recent increase in demand for second homes.
Log homes also offer greater protection from the elements according to Matt Dobson, an Industry Program Manager with the National Association of Home Builders.
Dobson says these structures are typically over-engineered and better capable of withstanding natural disasters. He believes that with proper maintenance and treatment, log homes last longer than conventional homes.
Bob Chianelli, president of CBC Enterprises, has lived in a log home in the Middle Plantation neighborhood of Virginia Beach for 15 months. He was impressed with the low interior and exterior maintenance of the home.
According to Chianelli, the house required very little painting and minimal flooring repairs. These structures are natural insulators against both heat in the summer and cold in the winter.
However, Chianelli says, this type of structure has to be designed properly to take advantage of this benefit. He recommends such a home to those interested in a simpler lifestyle, but he emphasizes the importance of choosing the right location.
According to Dobson the cost of building a log home is in the neighborhood of $80 to $85 per square foot versus $65 per square foot for a conventional home. He attributes the variance to the type of construction and resulting labor cost.
However, buyers can save money by doing some of the construction themselves. Also, he sees the market as a mix between primary single-family residences and vacation homes.
If you are considering a log home, you will want to take into consideration that ``the two primary aspects of this type of construction lie in choosing the right species of wood and the right general contractor,'' says George R. Melnyk, president of Premier Millwork and Lumber of Virginia Beach.
A wide array of resources are readily available if you would like to begin your search for your own ideal home. The Log Home Council is a good place to begin.
As a member of the Building Systems Councils, a division of the National Association of Home Builders, the LHC promotes log homes and sets industry standards. The LHC will send out various publications for minimal costs.
``An American Dream, The Log Home,'' a pamphlet from the LHC, explains the basics and provides a list of member log home manufacturers.
If you have access to the Internet, you will get a directory of North American companies related to log homes that have Home Pages and access to ``question and answer'' discussion groups at http://www.wood working.com/log homes/.
There are also several magazines that may prove useful including; Log Home Living, Log Home Illustrated and Log Home Design, which are frequently available on local newstands.
For further information contact Blackwater Log Homes at 421-7164, Country Living Inc. at 539-5647 and the National Association of Home Builders at 1-800-368-5242. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by GARY C. KNAPP
Kristen and David Peck are constructing a combination log home,
office and model in the Blackwater Borough of Virginia Beach.
The Pecks are agents for Summit Log Homes of Boone, N.C. Their home
contains 5,300 square feet.
ON THE COVER
Kristen and David Peck, owners of Blackwater Log Homes, and sons
Ryan, 3, and Connor, 6 months. by CNB