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Alternative Septic for Log Homes, SIPS vs Log Walls, Thermal Mass Insulation

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Home|Newsletters|Alternative Septic for Log Homes, SIPS vs Log Walls, Thermal Mass Insulation

Alternative Septic for Log Homes, SIPS vs Log Walls, Thermal Mass Insulation

August 12, 2013

Good Morning!

The Maine blueberry harvest is starting and predictions are that it will be a good one this year. (At least that summer rain pattern yielded something positive.) Maine blueberries are a terrific treat, and if you get a chance to sample some, enjoy!

This month we take a look at alternative septic systems for areas where soils or other conditions won’t allow a traditional set-up. There are some interesting options to discuss with your soils engineer.

With the emphasis in building on energy efficiency, we get a lot of questions about how our Energy Envelope System® with whole log walls compares to other building styles. Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs have been in use for about a decade or so, and some log home manufacturers are incorporating them into their design. We take a look at the SIP and how it stacks up against Katahdin’s Energy Envelope System.

Many log home owners are looking at more contemporary treatments for the interiors of their log homes. Though many leave their interior walls natural, some folks are trying our different semi-transparent or transparent stains for a fresh modern look. We explore some options this month.

In our Green Tip, we take a look at a new way to add thermal mass to the interior of your log home to enhance the natural thermal mass in whole logs. This new insulation material uses its physical properties to store and release heat at a certain target temperature, easing the load on heating and air conditioning systems throughout the day.

We’ve also set our exhibit schedule for fall log home shows, which begin in September. If you have a chance to attend one, I would highly recommend taking some time to visit. These shows are a tremendous opportunity to learn more about log homes and see what new ideas are out there. We make sure we have plenty of local dealers to answer all your questions.

We’re always looking for new article ideas to answer your questions!  Drop us a line and we’ll try to include them in upcoming newsletters. Just click here to reach us.

Sincerely,

David Gordon
President

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Alternative Septic Systems

What are the options for homeowners when that  “perfect location” doesn’t have the appropriate soils for a standard septic system? There are several solutions to research, and which option you choose may depend on the individual situation encountered.
Read more.

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SIP Panels vs. Whole Logs

For homebuilders interested in energy efficiency and fuel savings, some builders are tapping into Structural Insulated Panels or SIPs as a structural option to stick built and increasingly whole log homes. Many “hybrid” log home designs also rely on SIPs for the guts of the building envelope. We thought we’d take a look at SIPs to see how they compare to Katahdin’s Energy Envelope System® over a wide range of factors. Check out the comparison here.

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Interior Finishing Options – Tips for Maximizing Wood Walls   

Log homes are typically finished on the exterior with a stain and protective finish to maximize the beauty of the wood. More often, log home owners are also looking to enhance the wood grain on interior walls with a wide palette of colors in semi-transparent and transparent stains. Get some tips here.

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Five Fall Log Home Shows On the Roster   

While for many families August 2013 marks “Back to School” sales, for Katahdin it means planning and packing up our road show!  See where we’re going!

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Green Tip: Thermal Mass Insulation Through Phase Change Materials
Most log home enthusiasts understand the benefits of thermal mass in storing and release heat within the logs themselves. It’s one of the reasons log homes feel so comfortable. So what if you could enhance that thermal mass element in your log home? Some engineers have come up with a nifty new way to retain excess heat and release it slowly during the evening. See how it works.

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