Good Morning!
It’s funny how sometimes the most basic part of our business — our name — is still a subject of discussion, even after 40 years! Simply, our name is derived from Mount Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine at 5,269 feet. Mount Katahdin is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail and the centerpiece of Baxter State Park, one of the largest state parks in the US. Katahdin (pronounced keh – TAH – din) is the name given by the Penobscot Indians, meaning “greatest mountain.” It is visible from our offices and homes here in Oakfield, and is a visual reminder of the natural beauty we are fortunate to enjoy each day.
And while we enjoy Mother Nature’s beauty, we also are mindful this month of natural dangers we are subject to when the weather turns. We cover some basics – shelter, water, warmth/coolness, power- to keep in mind when designing a log home to cope with emergencies in safety and comfort.
Log homes are naturally situated in rural settings, and with that remoteness comes some building tasks not found in the suburbs. One essential is getting power to your new home. While it’s a good idea to let your builder deal with the electrification process, it’s a good idea to know what’s involved so that the process can move forward smoothly.
Radiant heat has been around for a while and it provides one of the warmest, and highly efficient, ways to heat a home. We take a look at some of the new options for installing and running a radiant heat system.
Wintertime is when many log home companies present special offers. We feel it’s especially important that our customers understand what is included in these packages, and how we might compare. We welcome the opportunity to go head-to-head with some of these off-season specials. Our Green Tip offers a new solution for customers wanting a solid wood front door. A new process enables installation of a long-lasting solid wood door that will provide protection and beauty for years to come. And finally, we’ve started to identify the log home shows where we plan to exhibit. We’ve provided a preview of some of the shows we’re looking at.
We hope you’ll enjoy this month’s newsletter! If you have any questions, please 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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Strategies for Storms
Every year, it seems that somewhere we experience a disastrous storm. Building a new log home offers a unique opportunity to design in features that can make surviving a storm much easier for your family. We cover the basics under the four necessities: shelter, water, heat/cooling and light/power. Read more.
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Powering Up-Getting Connected to the Electrical Grid
Many new log homes are built on undeveloped land, which in many instances requires bring in electricity and other utilities to the site. Even if your have a general contractor or builder, a little knowledge about how to connect to the electrical grid is helpful to know in advance, particularly when developing a budget. Learn more.
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New Options for Radiant Heat
Radiant heat has been used in homes for quite a while, and the reasons are easy to understand. We explore several new choices for installing and charging radiant heat. See what’s new!
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What’s in the Package:
Know what you’re buying
Winter is the time when many log home manufacturers begin promotions, including Katahdin. We have seen many of these marketing opportunities over the years from some of our competitors. Pricing is usually pretty attractive, until the bargain package arrives and you realize how much is still needed to complete the home. Learn how to compare.
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2014 Log Home Show Preview!
Though we’re still mapping out the Spring 2014 Log Home Show exhibit schedule, we thought an early heads up was in order. Learn more here.
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Green Tip: Torrefied Wood Doors
Many log home enthusiasts have had to forego their desire for wood exterior doors. If your design doesn’t have an overhang, faces south and is exposed to excess UV exposure, requires a dark stain or paint to fit into the design, a wooden door just wasn’t practical-until now! Check it out here.
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