Thinking of putting in your own fireplace? I did it.

HOW TO INSTALL YOUR OWN WOOD BURNING FIRE PLACE

In our ranch home, I installed two insert fireplaces that burn wood. We really wanted a Wood burning fireplace. I Had never done one before , so my wife checked on costs and we were astounded at the quotes we received. I had already framed them.

All that had to be done was to cut the hole in the roof, run the pipe and attach. We were quoted $4000.00 for both. We called all fireplace stores in the Wausau area, one would not even give us a quote. This did not include stone or any finish facade.

So, we took a trip to Menard's. We purchased all the materials for two fireplaces for less than $1500.00. ( including fans for both, and screens) It was really fairly simple.

Measure the width and height of the insert, frame it with 2 x 4 and use plywood to in close.

I had a bit of fun with my design. In the bedroom I placed the fireplace in the corner and put it up on a 2 foot hearth and ran window blocks underneath with eclectic and lighting for night light effects (we install red colored bulbs when the fireplace is not in use or during the Summer months) Then I ceramic tiled the base. I used extra beams that I had from building log homes, and ran them up the sides and used one beam as the mantle from wall to wall. It is a very impressive look.

This creative placement did not cost any thing. I did another atypical design in the living room as well. I must say that I pride myself on using material that I have on hand to keep costs down.

Now as far as the piping goes, I used a double wall pipe, ran it threw the hole in the roof, re shingled the roof and made sure that it did not leak. I used tar , caulk and metal flashing . They have not leaked, knock on wood.

We love our fireplaces. I just wanted to share with anyone who is thinking about putting in their own , that they can do it. Do not be intimated.




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My first home of the season. A Hochstetler log cabin.

Building a Hochsettler log cabin, first home of the year. Many log home companies closed during this period of the recession. Others, the companies that focused on integrity , a fair price for a quality product, thrive.

Log home building is beginning to pick up. I felt the crunch coming about two years ago. After my big bang of 2002 when I built about 9-12 homes , I could see that each year, more and more homeowners, wanting to build a log home , simply gave up. The stumbling block ...money. Banks who pre-approved homeowners, pulled out at the last minute. The recession , the scare, has put a freeze on this industry. Lenders and homeowners were simply afraid.

Log home companies that I have dealt with and built for, have gone out of business. Amerilink, out of north Carolina, who built an impressive model home site consisting of several (four) model homes out of New York,( Patriot Log Home Builders built there largest 3500 sq. ft cabin) has closed. They focused on affordable pricing and in house construction ( managed there own building teams "In the Woods").

Jim Brana Log homes, a company that took pride in their elitism , it appears has filed bankruptcy and is in the process of restructuring.

Many of my fellow builders, have been out of work or have changed careers. (some to satellite dish installation)

I have seen over the years many trends in building. The log cabin is a secure homestead, an heirloom that one passes down to generations. It stands the test and rigors of time. Many people intuitively sense the security a log home gives to them.

The desire to own and live in a log home is still alive and well. The homeowner is cautious , and rightly so. He is looking for that integrity , honesty and affordability.

Hochstetler is out of Ohio , it a is Amish run milling company that gives prices that can't be beat. They have a beam roof and floor system which is superior. it is the traditional look that most people are striving for. I begin building this home in a few weeks. I will be posting the building process.




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Kiln Drying what is it?

Kiln-drying provides many important benefits. First, it produces logs that are more uniform and dimensionally stable. Drying in a controlled environment minimizes checking. Also, any logs that exhibit severe stress changes prior to milling can be culled. The result will be a more uniform appearance for wall logs and tighter wood joints.

Second, timbers are sanitized when they are heated to 180 degrees F. in a kiln. Such heat kills mold, wood decay fungi, and any insects, their eggs, or larvae.

Third, pitch in the wood is crystallized by the heat of the kiln. This prevents the sticky substance from seeping through the logs.

Fourth, more than 10,000 pounds of water can be removed from a typical log house during the kiln-drying process. This significantly reduces weight for both shipping and worksite handling of the logs.



The final benefit to proper kiln-drying is that interior and exterior finishes can be immediately applied after construction. These finish applications tend to penetrate deeper and therefore last longer on kin-dried wood.

While it is true that some of these benefits may also be realized by proper air drying, there are some benefits that simply don't result from anything except kiln-drying. Kiln-drying can reduce wood moisture below what is possible with air-drying. This results in better end-use performance in heated buildings and in low-humidity locations. Additional benefits besides those above include more stabile wood, increased strength and stiffness, and tighter holding of screws. Strongwood logs are never sprayed or treated with any kind of chemicals.



I am amazed as I travel and look at homes from many different manufacturers and review their marketing materials. Many companies claim that they kiln-dry their logs. Some boast that they do not kiln dry but that they air dry their logs and suggest that it is better than kiln-drying. Because the logs of some companies are not fully dried, some manufacturers have unnecessarily elaborate assembly systems to account for shrinkage or settling. Some companies indicate that they dry their logs down to 23% moisture. Others do better and dry down to the critical 15% to 19% range. But, you have to read the fine print to find that they may actually only dry to the first 1 inch of thickness!

The drying processes used by many log manufacturers is not that easy to decipher. You can be assured that Strongwood logs are dried to 15% to 19% ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE LOG. This drying process takes 28 to 34 days at optimum temperature. Remember, quality comes from paying attention to details and not from finding shortcuts or creating explanations for what it is not done properly. We want your home to last a lifetime.
(from http://www.strongwoodloghome.com/News/)

Partiot Log Home Builders recomends Homeowners purchase from Orginal Log Cabin Home for quality, fair price and smooth building process

This is a Log Home Company that I highly recommend. Why? There are no surprises. Other log companies can intentionally or unintentionally mislead the buyer. In my years of building,(twenty years plus) I have seen far too many homeowners disheartened during the building process, when it should be joyful and rewarding.

For instance, the homeowner often thinks that they have purchased all the material necessary to build their log home, when in fact , they did not. I suggest that you ask many question's and have your builder look over the material list when you are being sold a "complete kit".

As a builder, for many other companies , I would find myself, far too often, short on materials. This costs precious time, it both delays our building and puts your move in date, off. In addition, it inflicts an unnecessary additional strain on the homeowner, for he is often told to purchase and deliver the materials at his cost and wait for the reimbursement from the company. Most homeowners work full time, or are out of state during the building phase. If a general contractor is on board, the homeowner might be charged for his time to take care of the material shortage. I believe that all the material, if not a bit more, should be delivered. I have seldom encountered material shortages with The Original Log Cabin Home company,as they send 10 % over what is required, in their packages. If something is overlooked, they respond quickly and efficiently.

Sales staff, either due to their lack of knowledge or their over zealous pursuit of closing the sale, often neglect to inform the purchaser of necessary elements to make the building process go smoothly. Remember, it begins with the sales representative. I have always found Original Log Cabin Homes staff, to be trustworthy, educated and works well with its builders.

It is important to point out, that I have no affiliation to any log home company. I am a independent builder who has built for many companies. As a result, I have the benefit of my experience to share with the public. I have seen how one company treats its homeowner, builder, how it responds to adversity and complaints from an outsiders prospective. Therefore, I am able to compare one log home company to another . I do not sell log homes, I build them.

I have seen poor quality materials delivered to my sites, where homeowners were sold windows, that I believe were below industry standards. Some gave the cheapest windows on the market. I advise you to ask what manufacturer windows you are receiving. I have seen windows that were warped and wouldn't even open. If homeowners didn't like it, they had to purchase a better quality product. Quality windows and doors are a must.

As a builder, I don't get surprises either from the Original Log Cabin Home company. Some companies force builders to build in methods that make no sense out in the field to the experienced builder. There designs are well engineered.

The log home company that I had the worst experience's with, is no longer in business. Others have failed as well, many that appeared reputable. Original Log Cabin Homes has stood the test of time, especially during the present economic woes. Because they have a good product, price, experienced and knowledgeable sales staff and a sense of obligation and ethical conduct toward their recommended builders and the homeowner.

I am happy to answer any questions for those considering purchasing a log home and give my opinion on what I experienced with a particular company. I am not here however to put down other companies. Remember, all the companies will claim that they are the best.

Remember, that once a log home is purchased you must also make a careful decision who builds it. DO NOT let a construction team who has not had experience with log homes build your home. Do not let a stick frame builder attempt to make your dream come true. Yes, the price will be cheaper. Do not let your home be there Guinea pig. Building a log home is a specialized trade, requiring different tools, methods and expertise.

Come and join me on myspace.

http://www.myspace.com/mikehompertz. This is a photo of me in Key West, where I go to rest after building like a mad man. When I build someones log home, I work seven days a week, as I am away from home, why would I not want to get finished? My days off are when it rains. I work and play hard.

Extreme Makeover-Home Edition...I was invited to help build in 2007.

A Katahdin Cedar Log Home was built in Maine by EXTREME HOME MAKE OVER

 



What a mansion of a log home!

 This is the home that I helped to build on Extreme Makeover-Home Edition. Believe it or not, it only took seven days!! I was invited to consult from Katadhin cedar log homes,  flown out of my home state of Wisconsin, to Maine, where all my expenses were paid. It was a great experience.

Archived  News

About Katahdin Cedar Log Homes : Extreme Makeover
Home Makeover to Help Family in Wells is Aired November 14, 2005
Portland Press Herald
Author: Trevor Maxwell
House in Wells to Get TV makeover: County Firms to Donate Services  
September 29, 2005
Bangor Daily News - Bangor, Me.
Author: Jen Lynds
A Knock, Then Gift as Big as a House 
September 28, 2005
Portland Press Herald
Author: Ray Routhier




Ty Pennington From Extreme Home Makeover

Very bad photo quality but you can still make out that's me and Ty!I was one of the few men who had the guts to grab him and insite on a photograph! I remember the men calling out "Hey Wisconsin, what you doing?"

 

Yep fellows, even Paige  Hemmis signed my shirt, when she was writing on my back I said

" Dont write your phone number down because I wont call you" She had a good chuckle and I received a big heart with her signature. I am special!

Photos



this is the shirt they gave us, look close and you can see that I had it signed by the lead T.V. Personalizes !

Front page of print for extreme home make over where Mike HOmpertz log home builder participated





getting started on log homes

My company is Patriot log Home Builders, and my name is Mr. Hompertz

This is my first posting but I will be giving alot of information about what log home company I feel is best, I have had over twenty years experience with many different companies. I have buildt for several from all over the country. I have tips on what to look for and what to avoid when selecting a log home company. If you are building and have already purchased your log home package I am the man to talk to .