Looking for a great way to add extra space to your log home, while still staying within your budget? if so, then I would recommend considering a walk-out basement.

Here’s how we decided to add a basement to our log home floor plan...

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!

Missy M wrote in recently:

I am remodeling bsmnt I have 2 poles that can't b moved I saw on tv, make the poles look like real trees....they never said how or where they bought the materials Can u help, suggestions?

If log homes are your thing and 'rustic' is your game, then you're going to love these pictures of real tree accents and the use of rustic looking logs (or heavy timber) inside a log home.

You'll also see photos of fun ways to incorporate trees and heavy timber logs into the exterior characteristics of your log home.

Check it out...

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"...

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...