Frequently Asked Questions about Log Homes, Railings & Fencing

Question: Will we have to chink our new Bowron Valley Log Home?

Answer: No, there is absolutely no need of chinking. Our logs and notches fit very tight and we add insulation inside the groove of the logs leaving a beautiful and natural appearance.

Question: What is the heat efficiency of a Bowron Valley Log Home?

Answer: The heat efficiency of our houses is very good. Contrary to conventional houses where you actually have to insulate the walls, a log home has its own built in natural insulation coming from the logs itself. That's why our log homes keep the warmth in the winter and feel cool in the summer, having a way better heat efficiency than conventional houses.

Question: How much will I have to spend on a Bowron Valley Log Home?

Answer: That is a tricky question because without knowing your specific wishes and ideas it is very hard to give an exact amount. The price depends on various factors, for example do you want any log inside walls, what kind of roof system would you like, do you want a loft etc. On an average, though, your Bowron Valley Log Home will cost CDN $25.00 -40.00/sq foot. We will be happy to give you an exact estimate knowing your specifics.

Question: How is a Bowron Valley Log Home wired?

Answer: According to your specifications we pre-drill the logs for all wiring in our yard prior to shipment, so by the time you get your house the electrical is ready to be installed.

Question: I heard that sometimes rather green wood is used for building. How do you handle this?

Answer: Our wood is air-dried in our yard after being hand peeled and we test our logs with a moisture meter before we work with it to make sure that the wood is more than adequately dry.

Question: Will you help with the design of our home?

Answer: We most definitely do. According to your needs and wishes we will help you design your own dream home. As well, we can provide you with a variety of floor plans to give you new ideas and perspectives.

Question: What kind of notches do you use?

Answer: We commonly use the Half Norwegian or Saddle Notch, Full Norwegian upon request and our speciality is angle notches .

Question: How is delivery arranged?

Answer: Before taking apart your building on our site we carefully label every single log. Then the logs are put on a trailer and shipped right to your building site. Set up is easy and only takes 1-2 days depending on the building size. The costs for shipment are on the client but we can arrange for the shipment.

Question: Sometimes I see pictures of log homes with a bigger railing. Is that necessary?

Answer: Not in our case. We produce our railing from birch hardwood as opposed to most railings which are made from soft wood. Therefore our railing is very, very sturdy and a bigger diameter for post and spindles is simply not necessary. The look of our railing is fantastic and it goes very well with a log home, adding a certain airy touch without looking flimsy.

Question: We have little kids and are concerned about the safety of a railing.

Answer: On top of being a very sturdy hardwood railing we space our spindles at approx 3" intervals making it very safe.

Question: What kind of joint do you use?

Answer: We use mortise and tenon, a very strong and beautiful joint that does not require any screws or nails.

Question: How difficult is installation?

Answer: Installation is very easy. We deliver our railing as single pieces which are simply put together. Every 8' section is packaged separately and we provide an installation sheet to make setup as simple as possible.

Question: How about staining?

Answer: We want you to enjoy your home and to have as little work as possible so for a minimal extra fee we can deliver your railing fully stained with a superior brand name exterior/interior stain.

Question: How is the fence set up?

Answer: Setting up the fence is very easy as we use mortise and tenon, that means you don't even need a screw!

Question: How long will the fence last?

Answer: Provided you preserve the wood with a good exterior wood stain the fence will last you for many years to come.

Question: We will require quite a bit of fencing and staining it seems like a big effort.

Answer: Yes it does, doesn't it? We can save you the effort, though. For an extra fee we will stain your fence with an excellent brand name exterior stain before delivery.

Question: At times we will pasture our 2 horses in the enclosed area. Will your fencing be sturdy enough?

Answer: Our fencing is made from hardwood birch with a mortise and tenon joint, making for a very sturdy fence. If you add a string or two of electric fencing it will be absolutely suitable for keeping your horses where you want them to be.

Question: The landscape of our property is a little tricky, with a lot of ups and downs. How will that work with your fencing?

Answer: Not a problem, simply tell us the approximate angle of your terrain and we make the tenon and mortise accordingly.

Question: Do you build gates as well?

Answer: Certainly! Actually, our gates work out to be only a little bit more expensive than a rail section and they blend beautifully with our fencing.