With full log construction, you may choose logs in a wide range of sizes, depending on species. Logs are precision-sawn with a wide, flat surface for increased stability and ease in stacking. Corners are "V" notched with a pre-cut miter for total structural integrity. Corners and courses are securely fastened with lag bolts. As the logs are stacked and fastened, they're also sealed with memory foam gasketing and caulk.

The Wilderness Company originated and perfected the insulated wall system, called Ultra-R for the Greatwood line of homes. Ultra-R logs are sawn with a flat side and spiked to a conventional wall of 2" x 6" studs. A full 6 inches of fiberglass insulation and 1/2 inch of OSB insulation seal out the elements.

The interior walls can be finished with half logs, dry wall or knotty pine. Interior logs can be used to provide a full log look wherever desired. Ultra-R also makes wiring and plumbing easier to install.

A word about energy efficiency... All logs are natural insulators. Solid log walls (either full or insulated) store heat and don't lose their coolness as quickly as conventionally built walls. Insulating ability is most often measured in terms of R-value, or the resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.

In a log home, R-value factors combined with thermal mass (a term that describes the insulating effect of air trapped within a log) create an insulation barrier that's warmer in cold weather and cooler in hot.