Laken Logs

For Some At The Lake, Tree-trunk Walls Make For Dramatic Lakeside Living

                Readers who tour the shores of Smith Mountain Lake by watercraft can’t help but notice the spectacular new lakeside homes being built here. And in the upper reaches of SML’s rivers and creeks, where lots often have a tree-lined north-woods look, we’re seeing more and more structures that perfectly fit their wooded surroundings — homes built of sturdy, stately, beautiful logs. Yes, log homes have become part of the Smith Mountain Lakescape, and their owners are among the most enthusiastic proponents of log-home living.  

                Jan and Dana Kuhn are prime examples. “The house just surrounds us in wood,” gushed Jan, whose spacious modern kitchen offers cove-view windows on two walls (“I wanted to be able to keep tabs on the kids’ activity at the dock,” she said) and opens wide into great-room space that showcases exposed-timber roof beams finished in linseed oil to preserve the natural look.  

                The logs, fittings, windows and doors for the Kuhn’s airy, inviting home on Craddock Creek were supplied by West Virginia-based Appalachian Log Structures (www.applog.com) based on a plan Dana developed for a 5,000-square-foot, three-level dwelling where the family could savor Lake-activity weekends. The logs were trucked to the site in 2001, pre-cut, numbered, and ready to be assembled by builder Phil Johnson.

                “We chose a log home for the look and feel,” said Dana, “but are finding it extremely livable.” Another benefit: “The incredible insulation value full-log walls provide. The house is draft-free and relatively inexpensive to heat and cool.”

                “Some log homes are subject to problems from settling,” added Appalachian’s SML-area representative Allen Dahl, “but we use steel tensioning rods and fittings that can be adjusted to keep everything square as the house ages. Plus, all of our logs are pressure treated for insect resistance. Owners get a 25-year warranty against termites built right into the structure.”

                Jack Hutslar is the area agent for Honest Abe log homes of Moss, Tenn. (www.honestabe.com). He and his wife Sally occupy a 3,400-square-foot heavy-timber walkout overlooking the 16th green at Mariners Landing Golf and Country Club.

                “Walls of solid wood are a passive energy system,” he explained. “They soak up and hold the warm or cool air generated by the HVAC system, offering 30-40 percent better energy efficiency than traditionally insulated 2-by-4 walls.”

                A log home typically takes 8-14 months to build — about the same as a stick-built home of comparable size. Building cost, too, is comparable though, according to Phil Cressman of Cressman Log Homes, owners tend to get enthusiastic about their log home projects and add extras – towering stone fireplaces, exposed roof joists and log collar ties, wrap-around decks, covered porches and the like. Phil, a Class A contractor, is creating a family log-home community among the trees on a nine-acre Blackwater River bluff, across from the 4-H Center. Son Chip is the site boss when a Cressman home gets built, making sure it all happens according to plan.

                The Cressmans have also built several log homes farther up the Blackwater, primarily in Admiral’s Landing. Becky and Tom Dunkenberger chose a scenic point near B46 for their perched vacation/retirement retreat that features exquisite water views from three sides. The logs came from Southland Log Homes of Irmo, S.C. (www.southlandloghomes.com), to fit a Southland-offered plan that Becky and Tom expanded to fit their needs and tastes.

                “The builder also suggested a number of modifications along the way,” Becky recalled. “The only mistakes we made were when we ignored his advice.”

                Asked what she likes best about log-home living, Becky exclaimed, “Everything! The house just seems to fit perfectly in wooded, lakeside surroundings. It’s the perfect place to enjoy our grandchildren.”

                Both the Dunkenbergers and the Kuhns describe the log exteriors as being fairly low maintenance, requiring just some caulking and resealing every five years or so. Dana Kuhn contends that completed log homes take a quick jump in value over what it costs to build them “…because they look so cool.”  His advice for a trouble-free project is to start with a quality log-home manufacturer and then choose a builder with log home experience. “Allen Dahl was also a terrific resource,” he added.

                While log-home living may not be for everyone, few can resist a second admiring glance at a soaring tree-trunk and glass structure perched majestically on a dramatic piece of SML waterfront.