Frequently Asked Questions

Your Log Home and Building Supply Questions Answered

Our Frequently Asked Questions section is designed to address common inquiries regarding our products, services, and company policies. This resource offers a comprehensive overview, allowing you to quickly and effortlessly access the information you need. Whether you’re curious about product specifications, seeking clarity on our services, or have questions about our policies, you’ll find well-organized and detailed answers here. We’ve compiled these frequently asked questions based on customer feedback, ensuring that the content is both relevant and helpful. We aim to provide you with a seamless experience, enhancing your understanding and satisfaction with our offerings.

Log Home Frequently Asked Questions

Log construction is energy efficient due to its thermal mass. This keeps homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Log homes are often built in harsh climates.

See the Log Homes Council article for more details on the energy performance of log homes.

Only the exterior walls are constructed from solid logs. The interior partition walls are conventionally framed to accommodate the pipes and drains.

During log home construction, wire chases are drilled on site to run electrical wiring through log walls. Similarly, wiring can also be run through partition walls.

Roof wiring needs should also be considered before installing roof decking for ceiling lights and fans.

Although log homes are relatively easy to maintain, you’ll need to periodically apply a good log home preservative. However, the maintenance schedule depends on the house design, climate conditions, home site, sun and wind exposure, etc. The article prepared by the Log Homes Council offers more information on log home preservation.

One of the most common problems homeowners face when planning their home is finding out how much lumber they need to cover a particular wall. Lumber prices are quoted by the linear (running) foot, but most people only know how many square feet they have. If you already know how many square feet you have to cover, you can easily convert that amount to linear feet.

Converting Square Feet to Linear Feet:

1. Start with the amount of square feet you have to cover and multiply it by 12.
2. Next, divide that figure by the actual face width of the board you plan to use. This will give you the linear footage. Note: the actual dimensions of the board will almost always be slightly smaller than the nominal dimensions. We note this width in the details of each product as the “Stack Height” or “Coverage” specification.

Example:
You have 1,000 square feet of wall space that you would like to cover with a 1×8 Tongue and Groove board. The 1×8 in this case has an actual face width of 7”. Convert your square feet amount to linear feet.

  1. 1,000 square feet X 12 = 12,000
  2. 12,000 ÷ 7 = 1,714 linear feet

Carpenter Bees present one of the most common maintenance problems log homeowners face. These insects tunnel into log homes to nest which can cause significant damage and headaches. We have found that the following products when used in conjunction with other traditional methods can greatly decrease the problems carpenter bees can cause.

Bug Juice

FAQs, Frequently Asked Questions Bug Juice is the first ever EPA-registered insecticide paint additive designed for interior and exterior use. Bug-Juice kills crawling and flying insects on contact. Not only does Bug-Juice not affect the color of the coating, it will also not affect the drying time and process.

Bee Gone

FAQs, Frequently Asked Questions Bee Gone is an EPA-registered Pyrethroid insecticide that can be applied in WOODguard or water to wooden structural surfaces on residential buildings. Bee Gone controls a wide range of insects, including beetles, spiders, and all forms of bees. Bee Gone may also be used to control home-invading insects as a residual spray on outside surfaces, such as walks, garbage areas, window frames, doorways, porches, and patios.

For more information on carpenter bees and dealing with existing carpenter bee holes, please see the Log Homes Council’s Tech Note on Controlling Carpenter Bees.

For New Construction and Weathered Wood:
  1. First, clean the wood thoroughly by using water to remove any dirt or mill glaze. A pressure washer works best if set at no more than 500-1000 PSI and is at least one foot away from the log surface.
  2. After wetting the entire surface, use a solution of 2 oz. powdered Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP), 1-quart household bleach, and 3-quarts water that is applied with a garden pump sprayer. To avoid streaking, apply this mixture from the bottom to the top of the wall.
  3. Next, let the TSP bleach/water solution sit on the wood for approximately 10-15 minutes, depending upon the severity of the discoloration. It is advised to keep the surface wet and use a bristled brush to lightly scrub any mold or mildew that may remain on the logs.
  4. Remove the solution by using a pressure washer (set at 500-1000 PSI) and starting from the top of the wall, again keeping it at least one foot from the surface.
  5. Allow 3-5 days to completely dry before applying any stains or sealants.

East Tennessee Building Supply Frequently Asked Questions:

Given the great pricing we offer, one can assume our low overhead is a factor. Moreover, we utilize the same suppliers as other companies, eliminating any price disparities.

Additionally, we don’t spend heavily on print or other media ads. Instead, we rely on our reputation for quality materials and practices.

With many years of prior experience in the log home industry, Charles and associates started East Tennessee Building Supply in 2006.

As a small company with low overhead, we can help you save money compared to other companies.

To arrange shipping, take advantage of our discounts available for delivery anywhere within the continental states. Additionally, please note that sales tax is collected on all sales or deliveries in Tennessee. For a no-obligation quote, please contact our office.

We do not offer financial assistance, but we provide a list of lenders who understand log home building. This makes your project more manageable.

When reporting defects or damages, contact your sales representative within 3 days of receiving the material.

For returns, we charge a 25% restocking fee and accept only items in original condition. The buyer will be responsible for shipping costs. Additionally, we will deduct any credit card fees from the refund.

To reach Greeneville, head towards the Northeast corner of Tennessee where it’s located in Greene County. It’s approximately 30 miles Southwest of Johnson City.

Your Inquiries Could Be Our Next Featured Frequently Asked Questions!

Tips From Our Experts

Helpful Tips for Applying Chinking to Your Log Home

  • Carefully inspect logs for defects, deterioration, or insect damage. Make appropriate repairs where necessary.
  • Clean logs with ammonia/water or alcohol/water solution to remove all dirt, debris, oil, or previous chinking. DO NOT clean with petroleum distillates or detergents – they leave a residue that interferes with adhesion.
  • Follow the stain manufacturer’s instructions before chinking. Make sure that your stain is compatible with the chinking you choose. Some coating uses oils that may be non-drying and can lead to adhesion problems.
  • Make sure that the wood coating has fully cured and is free of oil residue or wax before applying chinking.
  • Check the weather forecast. Chinking is best applied in dry, warm weather and also when there is no threat of rain. The more humidity that is present, the longer the cure time.
  • Only apply chinking when the wood surface temperature is between 40º F and 90º F and when no frost is present. To avoid blistering, do not apply the chinking in direct sunlight, and try to keep it sheltered from the sun for 1-2 days.
  • Chinking will perform better if the product is stored at room temperature and kept warm. If the product gets too cold it will not tool as well.
  • Install a bond breaker such as mylar tape, backer board, or backer rod, depending on the chink joint to make sure there is a proper 2-point adhesion.
  • Above all, follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely! Most chinking products have a warranty, but chinking must be applied according to the manufacturer’s guidelines to be valid.
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