Log Homes – The Epitome of Rustic Beauty

Log homes are a timeless, classic style that evokes a feeling of history and quality. They are also an eco-friendly and energy-efficient choice for a home. For more information, just click the Visit Website to proceed.

Log builders harvest their wood from standing dead timbers, which improves forest health and reduces wildfire risk. Milling creates minimal construction waste, and most companies use reclaimed lumber for flooring.

Log homes are the epitome of rustic beauty, providing a cozy atmosphere that draws in family and friends. The unique texture and beauty of the wood evoke a sense of the outdoors without sacrificing modern comforts and amenities such as vaulted ceilings, kitchens, central air & heat, and spacious floor plans.

In addition to their aesthetic appeal, log homes are also extremely energy efficient. Because of their massive size, logs can retain heat in winter and release it in summer, helping keep your house comfortable and reducing energy costs. Furthermore, their dense nature makes them natural sound barriers, creating a peaceful and serene living space.

Today’s environmentally-conscious builders use materials sourced from sustainable forests to construct their log homes. Using only the most responsible timber suppliers ensures that other trees are being saved and the environment is protected. Additionally, many builders offer options for reclaimed timber or recycled materials for the exterior siding of your home.

Log homes can withstand harsh weather conditions such as high winds and heavy snowfall, protecting the interior of your house. Their solid construction is naturally resistant to moisture, rot, and pests, making them a great choice for homeowners in any climate.

Log homes offer the opportunity for a lifestyle that is both environmentally friendly and in tune with nature. The natural beauty of wood, coupled with the rustic ambiance, creates a visually appealing environment that allows the log homeowner to connect with the outdoors. This connection with nature is a major draw for many log homeowners and is often a part of why they choose to live in a log home.

In addition, the natural materials in a log home do not require a lot of chemical coatings like other building materials, which helps prevent harmful off-gassing that can affect indoor air quality. With low-VOC stains and regular HVAC maintenance, log homes provide a healthy environment for families and pets.

Another eco-friendly feature of log homes is their energy efficiency. Because of the thermal mass in a log home, they use less energy to heat during the winter and cool in the summer. Log homes are also built with a large percentage of open space, which helps with ventilation and makes the house more breathable. This can reduce energy costs by eliminating the need for mechanical air conditioning in the summer.

A common misconception of log homes is that they destroy forests, which is untrue. Today’s ecologically conscious builders use logs that are harvested from sustainable forests. These forests are carefully managed to ensure that the growth of new trees outpaces consumption. Many log home companies use standing dead timbers (dead trees killed by insects or fire that have been left to decompose naturally), improving forest health and decreasing the risk of wildfires.

Log homes are built from natural materials, unlike conventional houses’ cement, iron, and drywall. This makes them far more environmentally friendly than homes constructed from artificial materials. However, as with any home, some maintenance is necessary to keep your log cabin in tip-top shape.

A good place to start is a preventative inspection of your log house. Inspecting your cabin regularly can help catch problems before they become major issues and ensures that the logs, chinking, and caulking are all in good working order.

This is especially important for areas that are prone to severe weather conditions. A regular check-up by a professional can help prevent damage from rain, snow, and hail that could otherwise cause serious structural problems.

Another important consideration is the choice of wood for your log home. Most builders use cedar, naturally resistant to rot and insect infestation. This helps reduce expensive maintenance and chemical treatments to protect pine logs from fungus and pests.

Also, by choosing a quality log company, you can be sure that your logs are harvested from sustainable forests, meaning new trees are planted to replace those removed to make way for your beautiful home. This can help reduce the amount of carbon released into the air, which is a good thing for the environment and your health. It’s also a good idea to avoid planting trees too close to your log home, as these will trap moisture against the walls of your home. This can lead to mold, mildew, and structural problems in the future.

Unlike cement, iron, and drywall found in conventional homes, log homes use natural materials. That alone helps them meet stringent building codes in many areas.

Moreover, they can save on energy costs due to their inherent insulation and thermal mass qualities. This helps keep interiors warm in winter and cool in summer.

In fact, with the right design and construction, you can build a home that meets Energy Star standards and saves you a lot of money on your monthly energy bill. That is achieved by optimizing the cabin’s design, minimizing air leakage, and controlling moisture content in the logs.

A great way to increase the energy efficiency of your log home is by using ENERGY STAR-certified doors and windows. These help reduce heat loss and enhance the beauty of your log home.

Another important aspect is insulating the walls and roof. For best results, choose insulation with an R-value of at least 40. This is the highest possible R-value for any wood material and provides maximum energy savings.

To further improve the energy efficiency of your log home, consider a radiant floor heating system. This is a more economical and environmentally friendly heating option that uses heated PEX water tubing to warm the interior of your home.

The thermal mass properties of the logs in a log cabin also contribute to energy efficiency. They can absorb the sun’s heat during the day and then radiate it back into the house at night. This significantly reduces reliance on the HVAC to maintain an even temperature.

Aside from adding insulation and installing ENERGY STAR-rated windows and doors, you can also improve the energy efficiency of your log home by choosing a light color stain. This reflects more sunlight into the living space and cuts down on artificial lighting needs, which can be a huge money saver.

Log homes are more than just a roof over your head. They offer a lifestyle choice that connects you with nature and the heritage of our country’s pioneering spirit. Nothing can match the beauty and emotion of a handcrafted log home in a world of cookie-cutter houses.

The good news is that, despite being more expensive than conventional homes, log cabins are less cost-prohibitive than you might think. The upfront costs for a log cabin are typically higher due to the fact that the construction requires more experienced builders, and the logs have to be custom-crafted, milled, and sized. However, as the construction proceeds, the costs tend to level out because a log cabin is built much more efficiently than a traditional house.

Unlike other materials, such as vinyl siding, most log companies use wood from sustainable forests harvested only after a set number of trees have been planted to replace them. The logs are also crafted to fit together without gaps, which helps reduce construction waste.

In addition to being environmentally friendly, log homes are extremely energy efficient. Wood has a natural property known as a thermal mass that helps retain heat in the winter and cool air in the summer. This is a significant advantage over other types of construction, especially in cold climates.

In addition, since the wood does not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as other building materials do, your log home will be a healthier place to live. This may help with allergies and asthma, especially if you opt for low-VOC stains. Many log homeowners find that their living spaces have a clean, calming atmosphere that promotes health and well-being.

Tips For a Successful Kitchen Remodel

kitchen remodel

When remodeling your kitchen, the layout is a big decision. It depends on your current kitchen layout, your desired outcome, and your budget. “While some kitchens only need updating, others require a complete redesign”, – according to professionals at Kitchen Remodel Shreveport. As always, keep in mind your budget and the impact of the remodel on the value of your home. Ultimately, the kitchen should be a functional space, not just a showpiece. To find the best kitchen layout, use the following tips to help you design a kitchen that meets your needs.

First, you need to contact a licensed contractor. You should get at least three estimates from contractors. When getting estimates, ask for timetables. If possible, walk through the kitchen with the contractor. Determine your budget before you start the remodel. Next, determine the type of materials and finishes you want for your kitchen. Make sure the contractor you hire knows how to work within your budget. In general, a kitchen remodel should be completed in four to six weeks, but this may depend on the scope of the renovation.

Next, determine the scope of work you want done. Before hiring a contractor, write down an exact list of the tasks you would like to have completed. Remember, you don’t have to be overly technical, but make sure to state specifically what you want a contractor to do. For example, if you want to paint your walls, have the plumbing hooked up or add new light fixtures, a detailed list will help you communicate exactly what you want.

Remember to research prices before hiring a contractor. Prices for kitchen remodels range from two hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the materials and labor involved. The one-third rule of thumb is to spend one-third of the budget on cabinetry, while the rest goes toward upgrades. You can save money by hiring a professional, although you should remember that they charge on average about $100-$200 per hour. If your budget is low, make sure to do some research on prices for kitchen materials before committing to a remodel.

Lighting is another important consideration when remodeling your kitchen. If you’re rewiring the entire kitchen, you may need to hire an electrician to assist you. Many homeowners choose to leave their existing lighting. Hidden lighting is a great way to brighten up a kitchen countertop and add some interest to the area. A great way to add some more lighting to your kitchen is to place a few recessed lighting fixtures in strategic places. This way, you can easily access the area without worrying about the light.

The first step in planning a kitchen remodel is to decide what you want. Search online for ideas and bookmark them for later. A variety of styles and layouts will inspire you and give you ideas for your new space. Consider your current kitchen floor plan and how you use it. Once you have a clear picture of what you want, you can start to plan your budget, materials, and labor. If you don’t decide what you want, you might end up paying more money than you planned.

Choosing materials is an important aspect of the process, as kitchens are expensive and will take weeks to complete. You should plan your kitchen remodel months in advance so you can find the best prices and minimize any stress during the construction phase. By planning ahead, you can reduce the stress of the project while adding value to your home. There are several steps in kitchen remodeling, and it begins with the selection of new cabinets and countertops. Selecting cabinet door styles and colors is an essential step, as it sets the tone for the overall look. Having samples of the countertop material will allow you plenty of time to decide on your favorite and most suitable.

During the remodel, you should pay attention to the overall design of your kitchen. If the kitchen is outdated and in need of a revamp, this could detract from its appeal to prospective buyers. Choose materials that emphasize the best aspects of the room and complement the entire house. Remember that you should also consider how the new kitchen will impact the overall design of the house. It should also complement the rest of the house, so you don’t end up with an aesthetically distracting kitchen.

Painting or refinishing cabinets can give your kitchen a whole new look while saving you between 30 and 40% of the overall cost. However, cabinet refacing may not be as affordable as painting. It is possible to paint existing cabinets, but it will cost you at least $6,800. The cost of new cabinets can run as much as $13,700. You can also save money by refinishing your hardwood floors. The cost of a new backsplash will be far less than the cost of new cabinets.

NKBA Seeks Hall of Fame Nominations


HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — The National Kitchen & Bath Associations is now accepting nominations for 2022 inductees to the Kitchen and Bath Hall of Fame,recognizing individuals “for their significant and enduring contributions” to the kitchen and bath industry, the association announced.

Nominees will be reviewed based on outstanding achievement, leadership and corporate citizenship, according to the NKBA.

“The Kitchen & Bath Hall of Fame recognizes the pinnacle of excellence in K&B design, invention, entrepreneurship and service to the industry,” said Bill Darcy, CEO of the NKBA.

“These are the people whose contributions have impacted our homes and industry work in notable ways,” Darcy said. “We encourage our members to help celebrate these remarkable individuals by nominating them for this prestigious honor.”

Although nominees are not limited to NKBA members, nominations must be submitted by NKBA members. Each selection is based on merit of the nominee, not by the number of nominations. All nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee. Nominations must be submitted online on NKBA.org. The deadline for nominations is 5:00 pm ET, Sept. 30, 2021.

New inductees will be recognized during the NKBA Kitchen & Bath Design + Industry Awards on Feb. 7, as part of the 2022 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Orlando, FL.

The NKBA created the Kitchen & Bath Hall of Fame in 1989, and over the last three decades has inducted more than 90 individuals, who are featured in a special gallery at NKBA’s Hackettstown, NJ headquarters.

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LIXIL Plumbing Workshops for Women


New York — LIXIL Americas, the parent company of kitchen/bath plumbing products manufacturer American Standard, partnered with Tools & Tiaras Inc. to sponsor a plumbing-focused workshop as part of a multi-day summer camp designed to introduce young girls and women to the skilled trade industry, the company announced.

Tools & Tiaras is an organization dedicated to advancing the interests of young girls and women who want to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated trade professions. The initiative is one effort to help reduce the downward labor shortage trend in the skilled trade industry. The multi-day vocational camp featured female participants, ages 13-17, who are interested in learning more about the skilled trade industry, sponsors said.

“We are committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work,” said LIXIL Americas spokesperson Debbie Drury. “Knowing that plumbers protect the health of the nation, yet the number of people entering plumbing and trade crafts is on a steady decline, we believe it is our duty to support programs that encourage the pursuit of plumbing as a profession.

“It is particularly exciting to be partnering with Tools & Tiaras, whose purpose is to empower ambitious and determined young women to knock down the social barrier of entering these trade professions,” Drury said.

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Tile of Spain Awards Call for Entries

Miami, FL – The Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturer’s Association (ASCER) has issued the call for entry for the 20th annual Tile of Spain Awards of Architecture, Interior Design and Final Degree Project.

Sponsored by Endesa, the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX) and Port Valencia, the Tile of Spain Awards promote the use of Spanish ceramic tiles in architecture and interior design projects worldwide.For the 2021 installment of the Awards, the jury will be chaired by architect Carlos Ferrater, who also led the jury during the first edition of the Awards in 2001. Carlos Ferrater is a founding partner of the Office of Architecture in Barcelona (OAB) and is a professor of Architectural Projects at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, with a long history backed by numerous awards and distinctions.The Tile of Spain Awards have a prize fund of €35,000 ($41,220.11) shared between three categories. The two main categories, Architecture and Interior Design, each have cash prizes of €15,000 ($17,665.76). The Final Degree Project award has a cash prize of €5,000 ($5,888,58). The panel of judges is also entitled to give two special mentions in each category.Entries from Spain and abroad are being accepted now through October 28, 2021. Visit www.tileofspainawards.com to enter the contest or learn more about the Tile of Spain Awards.

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2021 Home Spending Continued at ‘Dizzying Pace,’ Report Finds

DENVER — Not only did homeowners spend more on their homes in 2021, but they also completed more projects, according to a new report by Angi, the Denver-based firm that links homeowners with remodeling and other home-related professionals.

According to Angi’s report annual 2021 State of Home Spending Report – entitled The Great Shift: How the Pandemic Put Homes in Focus – surveyed homeowners spent an average of $15,680 on home improvement, home maintenance and emergency repairs in 2021, and took on an average of 14.4 separate home projects.

“The growth in home spending we witnessed continued at a dizzying pace as people have continued spending more time in their homes,” said Mischa Fisher, chief economist for Angi, whose annual report focuses on trends in home spending including drivers, obstacles, top projects and forecasts for the years ahead.

“2021 also presented homeowners with trillions of dollars of unexpected home equity and that wealth has been, at least in part, reinvested in the home through improvements, maintenance and repairs,” Fisher observed. “Pre-pandemic, people were motivated to work on their homes for a return on investment or other financial incentives. Now, they’re prioritizing projects that help their homes better suit their new normal,” she added.

The most popular home project of 2021 was interior painting, completed by nearly one in three homeowners (32%), followed by bathroom remodels (28%) and installing smart home devices (27%). Other top projects include flooring (26.7%), landscaping (24.7%), exterior painting (24.2%), kitchen remodels (23.7%), fencing (23.1%), new roofing (19.6%) and new cabinets (19.5%).

The Angi report also asked homeowners what home projects they would do if given $10,000. While the overall top project was a living room upgrade, selected by 17% of homeowners, the different priorities of men and women were clear. Male homeowners prioritized living room upgrades (18%), outdoor space upgrades (17%) and bedroom upgrades (15%), while women were more interested in kitchen remodels (21%), bathroom upgrades (17%) and outdoor space upgrades (16%).

The State of Home Spending was based on Angi’s analysis of surveys fielded to 6,400 consumers in early October, the company said.

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Exertis Acquires Almo Corporation

Philadelphia – DCC Technology, a Dublin, Ireland-based technology distribution and services business that trades as Exertis, has acquired Almo Corporation in North America.

The move extends the company’s international scale in the Pro AV sector and ramps up its expansion in the North American market. The addition of Almo Corporation builds on other acquisitions in North America such as Stampede, Jam Industries, The Music People and JB&A. It expands Exertis’ Pro AV capability to form the largest specialist Pro AV business in North America.

Alongside its Pro AV business, Almo Corporation is the largest distributor of mainstream appliances, delivering a comprehensive portfolio of products including full kitchen packages with essential appliances to small and medium-sized retailers throughout the U.S. In addition, it is the leading distributor of premium appliances, serving retailers and builders designing luxury residential installations for refrigeration, ventilation and cooking in both indoor and outdoor settings. Almo’s business in consumer appliances and lifestyle products will add scale to Exertis North America’s business in the consumer channel.

Almo’s 75-year-old, third-generation, family-owned business brings 660 employees, nine distribution centers and more than 2.5 million square feet of warehousing space across North America. Almo Corporation will benefit from leveraging Exertis’ financial resources and supply-chain logistics, according to the company. The acquisition will provide Exertis North America with increased back-end economies of scale allied to the front-end specialization.

Almo will continue to be operated by the Chaiken Family, with Warren Chaiken as president and CEO and Gene Chaiken as Chairman. The combined Exertis and Almo Pro AV divisions will, in due course, be led by Sam Taylor, current exec. v.p. & COO of Almo Pro AV. Shortly after the completion of the integration, the combined business will be rebranded as Exertis Almo Pro AV.

John Dunne, a long-time senior executive with Exertis, currently leading the Exertis Pro AV team in North America, will join the Almo executive team and help lead the integration. The Premium Appliances and Mainstream Appliances divisions will continue to be led by Steve Terry and Jack Halperin, respectively.

Exertis’ expanded North American operation becomes a $2.4 billion business overseen by Martin Szpiro, managing director of Exertis North America. It forms part of the international expansion strategy of Exertis International, under Managing Director Clive Fitzharris.

Tim Griffin, DCC Technology & Exertis managing director said, “The acquisition of Almo Corporation is the largest in DCC’s history and signals our confident and ambitious intent to expand DCC Technology. By integrating Almo with our North American business, we will form the largest specialist Pro AV business in North America. Almo’s 75-year history of growth and success, combined with its longstanding relationships with industry partners and its ability to continually innovate and expand will be great assets to Exertis. In turn, we will bring significant economies of scale, global supply chain access and other benefits to the customers of Almo Corporation.”

Warren Chaiken, Almo Corporation president & CEO stated, “Having just completed a year-long celebration of 75 years of growth and business success, the time is right to give our manufacturer and channel partners a truly global distribution stage so they can operate their businesses at a greater capacity, leverage more buying power and the ability to compete for a more comprehensive position in the global supply chain. We are committed to growing with our partners by remaining their value-added distributor with larger scale and access to more products, more services and more financial support. For them, this transition will be seamless in that we will operate business as usual.”

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Quartz Products Importers Reportedly Found Evading Tariffs

MINNEAPOLIS — U.S. Customs and Border Protection has taken punitive action against several companies charged with violating U.S. trade laws by attempting to evade tariffs on quartz surface product imports from China, Cambria Company LLC announced last week.

The Le Sueur, MN-based manufacturer of quartz surface products said that Customs officials, taking action under The Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA), found that 15 U.S. importers were guilty of misclassifying, undervaluing and illegally transshipping Chinese quartz surface products through Malaysia in order to evade the payment of antidumping and countervailing (AD/CVD) duties. Days later, Customs cracked down on two additional importers for illegally misclassifying their imports of Chinese quartz surface products as “crushed glass” surfaces, said Cambria, which has charged numerous Chinese producers and exporters, several Malaysian companies involved in transshipping merchandise, and numerous importers with participating in the tariff-evasion efforts.

Customs will suspend the entries of quartz surface products by the importers subject to the agency’s investigation until it receives instructions from the U.S. Commerce Dept. as to the correct AD/CVD rates that should be applied to the entries, Cambria said. Duties will then be imposed.

“Customs should be commended for its efforts in digging into the facts of this evasion scheme to ensure that the U.S. importers that were involved are held accountable for their illegal activity,” said Luke Meisner of Schagrin Associates, Cambria’s legal counsel. “Enforcement action in this investigation targets an unprecedented large number of U.S. importers and should send a clear signal to the industry that evaders can and will be caught.”

“This illegal evasion of the antidumping and countervailing duties on quartz surface products will not be tolerated,” said Arik Tendler, chief sales officer for Cambria. “Customs’ aggressive actions are important because they hold these importers accountable for their illegal evasion, deter other importers from engaging in similar evasion tactics, and ensure that the domestic industry receives the relief to which it is entitled under the U.S. trade laws.”

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Cabinet Sales Gains Extend Through July, KCMA Reports

RESTON, VA — Domestic kitchen cabinet and vanity manufacturers continued to post substantial sales gains through the first seven months of 2021, according to the latest in a series of monthly surveys by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association.

The KCMA’s latest “Trend of Business Survey” reflected a year-to-date sales increase of 18.3% through July, compared to the same seven-month period in 2020. Custom cabinet sales through the first seven months were reported up 21.5% over the same period last year, while semi-custom sales rose 17.6% and sales of stock cabinets gained 18.1%, the Reston, VA-based KCMA said.

July sales were up 7.2% compared to the same month last year, the association added.

 

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SEN to Host Design Sales Educational Program


Chicago, IL – SEN Design Group invites kitchen and bath designers and sales professionals to the Good-Better-Best Sales School, scheduled for September 8-9 at theMART in Chicago, IL. The GBB Sales School, sponsored by Custom Wood Products, Inc, Bridgewood Cabinetry and Exclusive Cabinet Agents LLC, will be conducted by SEN Design Group’s Senior Vice President, Dan Luck, an industry expert with over 43 years of experience.

The two-day program will deliver advancedtraining in the successful sales strategies that will help designers and sales professionals increase their gross profit margins by up to 40%. Participants will become proficient in the science of consumer decision-making, effectively drive the sale conversion and understand why the Good-Better-Best (GBB) selling system is so effective, according to SEN Design Group.

“As a cabinet rep wanting our dealers to maximize their sales and profitability, we are thrilled to be a partner in bringing this first class, impactful sales training program to the kitchen and bath industry,” says Vince Hodshire, principal of Exclusive Cabinet Agents, LLC.

“The GBB selling system leverages the prospect’s emotional engagement with the remodeling project,” says Luck. “Consumers like choice, but not too many choices. GBB pricing tiers remove the ‘to buy or not to buy’ step from the decision-making process.” Instead, it guides prospects through a pricing structure that offers a sense of empowerment. When consumers are presented with three options to choose from, most of them will select the middle option, which represents increased revenues.

“We at SEN Design Group seek to help businesses convert more sales and earn higher revenues,” adds Luck. “The GBB sales process has been proven to significantly increase gross profit margins, and this two-day program will give designers the most effective tools to achieve speedy closings.”

The regular tuition fee is $1,695 for this intensive two-day sales training program. Dealers who are part of a sponsor’s network can save $500, using a promotional code to register for $1,195. SEN members who have the SEN U annual education subscription as part of their membership can attend for under $300.

For additional information about the program and about membership, visit https://sendesigngroup.com.

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