As you probably know, Earth Day is this weekend on Sunday the 22nd. Earth Day is a relatively new phenomenon, dating back to 1970. Through the years it has meant different things to different people, and each year it makes us ponder our role in promoting a sustainable and ecologically-friendly method of building. Below are three aspects that we’re pretty proud to talk about.
Energy Star® certified Real Log Homes
To earn the ENERGY STAR®, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC) an include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes. A REAL LOG HOME® home can easily exceed the minimal requirement to achieve an ENERGY STAR® rating.
Wood is a Natural, Recyclable, and Renewable Resource
Wood is a natural, recyclable and renewable resource. It grows on its own with no man made inputs, just solar energy, soil nutrients and rain. And although it must be harvested and transported, the overall use of non-renewable energy is far less than concrete or steel. Most of all, wood is a durable building material. With sensible protection from the elements, wood buildings, including log homes and log cabins, have lasted centuries. And thanks to our state-of-the-art manufacturing process, your log home is precisely cut to ensure a tight fit, and less waste.
Reduce and Reuse
Cut-offs from our manufacturing process are recycled locally, and made available at no cost to people who use them for fuel and a variety of crafts and other projects. The sawdust from the process is provided free to local farmers. Metal strapping and other materials are gathered and recycled. Our tools are cleaned with citrus-based cleaners that won’t harm the environment, and most of our shops’ trucks and forklifts are powered with biodiesel fuel.