Finalists for the "Green Log Awards" were recently announced.

The GREEN LOG Home & Lifestyle Awards™ were created in response to the growing demand for green building solutions.

The goal of the awards is to locate and shine a spotlight on those companies and individuals who are enabling healthier homes and lifestyles. -- GREEN LOG Home & Lifestyle Awards

What this means for people like you and me is... a great list of environmentally-friendly log home products and suppliers!

So, if you're trying to make your currently log home more "green" or you'll soon be building your very own green log home, here are some companies that will make your life easier!

We are considering using structural insulated panels (SIPs) from Superior Walls in the basement of our log home.

Superior Walls are a pre-cast (not pre-fab, they say) concrete foundation and insulated wall system.

We like this product mostly for the following reasons:
#1 Energy-efficiency

#2 Less time required to do the job

#3 They can handle all details of your excavation from start to finish, or simply install the foundation & walls -- whichever you prefer

The reasons stated in their brochure for choosing Superior Walls include:

Reduces energy leakage.
Lowers energy utilities.
Conforms to nearly any home design.
Reduces your building time.
Saves valuable natural resources.
Reduces the potential for mold & mildew.
Ready in virtually any weather.
Reduces on-site soil contamination.
Meets new national standards.
Reduces jobsite waste.
Pre-engineered for energy and strength.
Guaranteed for 15 years.

There is only one "catch"...

Our current dilemma: Whether to use composite decking for the porches and decks of our new log home or not.

First thought...
It's a log home/ Why in the world would we want to use non-log products in our all-log dream home? I know. I certainly feel guilty even thinking about using "fake wood" in our log home. But if I can get a similar look and quality product with less maintenance, then I'm all for it.

Second thought...
Composite decking uses recycled materials, is longer lasting, and requires less maintenance & upkeep. I can just look out our back window for a firsthand reminder of the problems we've had with our wood deck, wood railings, wood stairs, and wood fence. (And they're only 5 years old!)

Of course the biggest drawback to using composite decking is that "fake" look that sometimes results. That is the biggest factor holding us back at this point.

So I'm wondering... Have any of you used the newer composite decking materials for decks or porches? Or, perhaps you've seen a completed project (in person) that was built using composite decking?

If so, we welcome your thoughts...

Got an interesting email from Joe this weekend...

Just beginning to layout plans for possible log home in TN. Have you considered Geothermal. Everything I read sounds good and I'm thinking that I have to dig out the basement so why not look at this option placed in surrounding opening. Electricity may be cheap in TN but not here in FL. Also looking at prefabbed basement as in this OLD House. Meeting with TN log home and Honest Abe next week." -- Joe

This topic might be of interest to others, so here are my thoughts...

A few years ago, I saved this statement that I found in a magazine or online:

Log homes are stronger & sturdier and more likely to survive tornadoes & hurricanes, largely due to all of the inner-locking joints.

Unfortunately... I didn't write down the source. (It was long before I had this website.) So, I recently decided to do a little research in hopes of determining a log home's ability to withstand hurricanes and tornadoes.

On websites discussing common log home myths, I found this...

Log homes are stronger than conventional homes. This is almost completely true, because it's actually the massive log walls that provide strength. Even though other parts of a log home may not be as strong as the walls, the walls tend to hold everything together in times of storms or earthquakes. Source

And this...

Log homes have established a record of surviving other natural disasters in much better condition than frame houses. Ripped from their foundations by floodwaters, they've been known to simply float intact down the river. During Hurricane Hugo, a log home was the only Carolina beachfront home to remain standing. Florida log homes survived the destructive winds of Hurricane Andrew in 1992 with only minor damage, and in areas of utter devastation during recent California earthquakes, log homes were among the few dwellings that escaped major damage." Source (.pdf)

With hurricane season upon us (June 1 through November 30), I thought it might be worthwhile to see how well log homes fare under typical hurricane conditions.

Through my teenage years and all through college, I used to sleep with an electric blanket.

Why? Because it's always been hard for me to get warm once I catch a chill. And there's nothing more uncomfortable than going to bed when you're chilly and not being able to get warm enough to fall asleep.

Well, I recently read an article entitled "Will Using An Electric Blanket Save Energy?" and I think I might be going back to an electric blanket once again!

Here's why...

Here's how Low-E windows and porches work together to utilize passive solar energy in log homes...