Frequently Asked Questions

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 What separates Southland from all the other log home companies?

Quality and Value: Every log we produce is kiln dried, precut, numbered,   graded, and treated in our mill. More people trust Southland to produce their log home than any other log company in the country. This allows us to distribute our materials at a much lower price. This also keeps the builders quality of work and pricing in line.

 What kind of maintenance comes with owning a Southland Log Home?

 Because your logs have been properly dried & treated, the only maintenance our homes carry is spraying the stain to the exterior only, every 5-7 years. This upholds our Lifetime Warranty and keeps your logs a beautiful honey color. This is an inexpensive process that many homeowners do themselves. It sure beats painting or pressure washing an ordinary house.

How many floor plans do you offer?

Most Southland Log Homes are custom designed around your ideas, your land,  and even your furniture. Although we have numerous standard plans to choose from, we've also converted sketches from napkins into dream homes. The possibilities are truly endless. Our fulltime and trained sales staff will help you develop a plan to fit your lifestyle and budget. Our designers and engineers will take it from there to make your dream a reality.

 What comes with your log home package?

 Southland provides blueprints, drawn to code for your county, along with  complete dry-in materials. We don't provide any materials that you or your contractor can purchase locally for less. Southland will draw up a line itemed  materials list that demonstrates the buying power we have. We also have a  technical service department that will do a free comparison with any other package to show you why Southland is the Number One log home distributor in  the USA.

How much does it cost to build a Southland Log Home?

It costs less than a brick home, much less than other log home companies, & more than a vinyl siding or mobile home if it's done in a "turn key" fashion. Also, some of our customers choose to participate on some level in the building process. This investment builds thousands of dollars worth of equity in your home. Our custom designing allows us to develop your floor plan around your  budget. Contact us today for free plan development and pricing.

Do you build anywhere?

Southland sends package all over the country and across seas. Even after paying for shipment, Southland is able to distribute your log package a lot less expensive than other companies. We handle all logistics for delivery and shop  around for the lowest delivery cost. We also supply a complete builders list of  contractors with Southland Log Home experience.

How well insulated are your homes compared to conventional construction?

Our kiln dried log walls outperform an R-15 conventionally framed wall. Because   our logs hold a high "thermal mass", they can heat and cool as much as 25% better than conventional construction. In addition, our windows and doors are all double paned, Low-E, and argon gas filled to improve energy efficiency.

Will you finance my new log home?

Southland Log Homes Mortgage Company has helped thousands of families live their dream of owning a log home. We allow our home owners to participate as much or little as they like. Furthermore, we don't require "Log Comparables" for  appraisal, as finding a log home in your neighborhood that has been sold   recently typically doesn't exist. Contact us today to get pre-qualified. This is the  first step to owning your new Southland Log Home.

Who builds your homes?

Anyone can. Southland does provide a complete builders list of contractors with experience building our homes. They can just get your home dried in or build it in  a turn key fashion. Many of our customers build it themselves because every log  is precut and numbered, while others choose a local builder.

 Does it cost more to insure a log home?

 No. Log homes are insured the same as any wood framed home.

 How long does it take to build?

 Construction time depends on how large your plan is, what needs to be done to     your jobsite to prepare for delivery, and if financing is required. Contact your log  home specialist today to develop your ideal timeframe.

 Why do we use mainly yellow pine, and every one else says it is not the best to build with?

 Pine logs are very strong. Because our logs are kiln dried, graded, and treated      here in the mill, we are able to provide a limited lifetime guarantee and produce the log with the most structural integrity. Cypress logs cannot be dried properly before being installed. This means your logs will continue to settle as they dry out. Cypress also produces a musky odor from its high moisture content. White  cedar logs don't have the structural value to hold up by themselves. This is why   you see small diameters and "Vertical Wall Stiffeners" every 8' in cedar log   homes. Those "stiffeners" are required to hold up the wall. Pine logs also have a   beautiful wood grain that adds that extra character to your log home.

 What is the difference between kiln-dried and air-dried logs? Which is better?

 Dried lumber must carry an 18% moisture content in order to be considered  dried. Since logs air dry at a rate of one inch per year, a company would have to  cut and dry store an 8" log for four years. No company does this. Kiln drying can pre-shrink your logs as well and kill any insect larva that may be in that log before  we got it. BEWARE OF SETTLING JACK AND SLIP NOTCHES that other  companies supply. This normally means your logs are still green and will   continue to shrink and settle after being constructed.

 Why does SLH use caulk and nobody else does?

 Every log home in the county requires some sort of caulking or chinking.   Because logs naturally expand and contract, no two logs will ever fit perfectly together. Each log carries it's own characteristics. Caulking the joints insures that no air or water will ever penetrate your log wall. We provide the caulk in your  package so you don't have to buy it once you realize it's needed. Its tan color lets it blend in beautifully with your logs.

 Do insects get in your home?

 No, your logs and siding are treated with Timbor (borate compound) here in the mill. The stain we supply contains an insect deterrent as well. Just like conventional construction, your land is treated also. Our model home, built in   1978, is a great testimony to how beautiful and strong your log home will be for years to come.

 Do you have a list of references that I can speak with about your homes?

 Yes we do, normally someone in your area. Southland has been an active member of the Better Business Bureau for over twenty years. We guarantee the quality of our materials in writing and provide the best price to boot.