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Log Homes and Timber Frame Homes may have the lowest carbon footprint of any other type of construction. A carbon footprint is the measurement of carbon dioxide released as a result of using a particular product or other human activity. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere and major contributor to global warming.

A report prepared by the Edinburgh Center for Carbon Management (ECCM) compared the carbon dioxide footprints of three structures and the benefits when more timber was introduced into the construction. The results were astounding. ECCM estimated that there could be up to an 88% reduction of greenhouse gases by using log or timber structural elements wherever possible rather than other conventional building materials. The reduction of greenhouse gases was achieved by replacing materials high energy, high CO2 production values, such as steel and concrete, with solid wood. The report states that the production of steel and concrete materials accounts for 10% of the total global emissions of greenhouse gases. These materials have a high CO2 output created during the extraction of raw materials, refining, processing and manufacturing of the finished product. As reported in a study published by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, the energy consumed to process a tree into a finished sawn timber is about one-tenth of steel production.

In another report prepared by The Consortium for Research on Renewable Industrial Materials (CORRIM) compared four different structure using different wall systems – two woods, one concrete and one steel. The report found that the steel wall system generated 33% more greenhouses gases than wood and the concrete wall generated 80% more greenhouse gases than wood. The study also reported that the wood structures out-performed the steel and concrete houses in energy use and the impact on air and water quality.

Wood walls are typically framed or solid. Conventionally framed walls use a combination a several materials including processed wood products such as plywood or other laminated wood products, fiberglass insulation, exterior siding, interior sheetrock and some type of wall covering. Solid wood walls using logs or timbers have basically one product – the log or timber. The energy consumed and the CO2 produced in the production of logs and timbers is a fraction compared to the production of all the various materials in a conventionally framed wall.

Consumers are much more aware the environmental impact of using different materials and are being increasing sensitive to the hazards of exposure to chemically processed materials. Logs and timbers are 100% natural. As a natural product, they do not emit VOCs or other pollutants into the outdoor or indoor space. Trees are produced from soil, water and air combined with the energy from the sun, in a miraculous process of photosynthesis. Ecologically and environmentally, solid wood is the only building product that is renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, energy efficient and extremely beautiful.

Sustained and plantation forest growth actually reduces greenhouse gases by consuming CO2 out of the atmosphere while the trees are growing. Political pressure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, such as the Kyoto Protocol, is sure to continue and it will become increasingly important to find solution. The use of solid wood construction such as log homes and timber homes can make a positive contribution.

Dunwoody offers typical North Atlanta homes in the plantation style that is recognized as typical of the Southern States, and also of the more modern style of housing. At one time you wouldn’t expect to find condos in Dunwoody, but it is now being heralded as the potential new Buckhead and now apartments and high rise condos are becoming more common.

This is in conformation with the increasing prominence of Atlanta in the commercial and business world in general, and to be truthful you will find that house prices in this part of the South will not hold for long. As the recession in the USA deepens, the prices in Atlanta seem to be unaffected, and this is one area of the USA where property speculation has not yet died.

Investors still purchase Atlanta properties, and Dunwoody is beginning to attract their attention. If you have a need for a home in this area by virtue of your work, then take the step now because it might soon be too late to secure a reasonable property at a realistic price for you. Demand raises prices, and demand is starting to increase in Dunwoody.

The home of R&B artist Usher, Cindy Wilson of the B-52s and rapper Khia, Dunwoody would appear the place to be if you are of a musical nature, but there is a lot more to this district of Atlanta than just popular music. Due to its ‘close in’ location, and the reasons already stated, property prices are soaring, and now is the time to buy. Leave it too late and you might have problems since many property investors are becoming interested in Dunwoody.

There is now a wide range of properties available in Dunwoody, including family homes, apartments, condos and even land on which to build your own home. Whether you wish to purchase or rent, you will find a good choice of available properties here. If you are familiar with the panhandle of Sandy Springs, then that is practically surrounded by Dunwoody, of which many Sandy Springs residents believe themselves to be part.

Residents of this town have a strong feeling of community spirit, and the Dunwoody Homeowners Association is one of the most influential and powerful in the whole of the USA. The town itself (it has not yet been awarded city status) is thriving, and new schools are being built to cater for the increasing population of new and young families. Because of the expansion of the city of Atlanta into the suburbs, Dunwoody is now one of the most desirable residential areas in the whole of the city.

Without the commercialism of Buckhead, Dunwoody is only minutes from the business areas by public transportation, and has its own shopping and dining areas, thus rendering it extremely attractive to employees of the many corporations that have centered their head offices in Georgia. With a low crime rate and excellent recreational facilities, the demand for family homes in Dunwoody has never been greater, and also has never been better provided.

Homes in Dunwoody range in price from around $200,000 to about $4 million, with an average of around $300,000 – $400,000 for a good family home with 4 bedrooms and a good garden and backyard for these fabulous summer barbecues you will be hosting. Quite frankly, if you work in North Atlanta, then Dunwoody is for you, although, the transportation system is so good that Dunwoody is good wherever in Atlanta you have to travel to.

If you are not familiar with Atlanta, Dunwoody sits to the north, and is practically devoid of crime. It consists mainly of single family homes, with no sharing, and one or two condos and apartments that are rapidly increasing due to the increase in the commercial properties bringing more jobs to the area.

Basically it is one of the most prestigious areas of Atlanta housing single professionals and professional families. There are several good private and public schools and this is definitely the place for young executives with families that like eating out at good restaurants and can afford good housing. Public transport is excellent and appears to be designed for urban professionals that commute to work by train rather than by car.

The housing is improving and if you intend to purchase a home in this part of Atlanta, make your mind up soon, because prices are rising and the town of Dunwoody is rapidly becoming the place to live. Affordable homes in Dunwoody are becoming scarcer and more expensive by the day.

Introduction

With its thick walls of solid wood, a log home is one of the best-insulated buildings in which you could choose to live. But the nature of a log home’s construction also presents a unique challenge: the opportunity for air to pass through the gaps between the logs.

Fortunately, air infiltration is a challenge that’s easily met, thanks to caulking, the general term for the seals that are introduced between logs. With the right caulking method, or “caulk joint” as it is generally termed, a log home can achieve thermal efficiencies to rival those of any building method.

Two key elements are essential to effective caulking. First, the caulk used must form a “wet” seal, one that adheres to the wood surfaces rather than just filling the gaps between them. And second, it needs to be elastic (a quality sometimes referred to as “memory”), either stretching or compressing as the shapes of the logs themselves subtly move through natural expansion or contraction.

Another way of thinking about a caulk’s effectiveness is in terms of “adhesion” and “cohesion.” Good adhesion means that the caulk sticks to the log well. Good adhesion means that it holds together well under stress. Obviously, a balance of both properties is necessary for a caulk to work properly.

With those elements met, four principles govern the most efficient caulk joint design: caulk depth, points of adhesion, a caulk “well,” and the conditions under which the caulk is applied. Each principle is fairly simple to grasp, and understanding them all will help anyone buying, building, or restoring a log home make the right energy-efficient decisions.

Principle 1: Apply the Right Caulk Depth

In general, the depth of caulk in a joint is more important than the width of the caulk’s application. Why? Put as simply as possible, the most critical factor is that the caulk have enough mass at any given point to absorb any movement in the logs. As a rule, whatever its width, the depth of a caulk joint does not need to be any more than 1/2 inch or any less than 1/4 inch. Also, a deeper joint is preferable to one that is too thin.

Principle 2: Provide Two Caulk Adhesion Points

Caulk works best when it adheres only to two elements, namely the two logs between which it is applied, so that the seal will hold if and when any movement occurs in the logs. Adhesion to three or more points, by contrast, would cause the caulk to be pulled in multiple directions, thus increasing the likelihood that the seal will break away from one or more of the points of adhesion. Placing a backing rod inside the well With this principle in mind, any backing materials included in a caulk joint should provide a surface to which the caulk does not adhere. Doing so allows the caulk to remain at its most elastic.

Principle 3: Create a Caulk Well

Superior caulks have enough elasticity to absorb 25 to 50 percent of the total movement in the joint they fill. To allow for that movement, caulk joints require “wells,” spaces that allow the joint to absorb that movement. For a reliable seal, the caulk well should be two to four times larger than the movement that is anticipated for that joint, thus reflecting the 25 to 50 percent absorption properties of the caulk being used.  Obviously, the greater the movement expected in a particular joint, the larger its caulk well should be. Log homeowners can also take comfort from the fact that high-quality caulks currently being sold are capable of absorbing far greater movement than that for which they are rated.

Principle 4: Apply Caulk Under Optimum Conditions

Because logs expand or contract in response to temperature and humidity, the climate conditions at the time caulk joints are applied will affect the seal formed. On a very hot, humid day, for example, a joint will be at its smallest, since wood expands under such conditions; so caulk applied at such a time will later be subject to the maximum stretching. By contrast, a joint will be at its largest on the coldest, driest of days; so caulk applied then will later be subject to the maximum compression. With this principle in mind, it is wise to select a caulk with properties that best suit the range of local climate conditions, and to apply it at the most stable, least extreme point in the climate cycle. But smart log home builders will also apply caulk at optimum times; for example, sealing caulk joints on the cooler side of a home will work most effectively on a warmer day, while those on the side of a home that gets more direct and prolonged exposure to sunlight would best be sealed on a cooler day.

Conclusion

By aiming to apply all four principles described above, you’ll maximize the effectiveness of your caulk joint seal. That may require you and your builder or contractor to implement sealing techniques that go beyond the most obvious and simple solutions. Keep these guidelines in mind, and you’ll thus enjoy the maximum benefits of log homes’ superior insulation and energy-saving capabilities.

Buying your first home is the most exciting and pleasing experience but this happiness turns into disaster if you fail to deal matters properly. The whole process may complicate for the first timer or people who don’t understand these matters. Better to hire a well reputable real estate agent who has deep knowledge about your concern area. If you spent more amount than your estimated cost you might get into trouble. Finding the perfect home that totally fits in your budget is the most important thing in home buying process.

Start your research about what kind of home you want and what is your budget limit and most important find out which communities are offering such homes. New Jersey is the 4th largest state of US and on of the most demanding place to live in. the state has more opportunities for every age group. People wants to live here and desire to start a family in their new home. Large numbers of home communities are in service of people offering different home designs and styles at different prices. But everyone loves to build their dream home at dream location with all the modern facilities of life. For our customers’ convenience and ease we narrow down your list by introducing you best home communities in NJ with affordable home prices, fits right in your budget.

Choose best home that fits in your budget in finest communities of NJ. Our recommended communities are located at premium locations with thoughtful design and excellent building. One of our favorite communities in Burlington County, NJ is situated at peaceful Chesterfield, which is also voted as number one Best Place to Live in Burlington County. Traditions at Chesterfield, a beautiful and well develop community has everything that is in wish list of home buyers. This community is designed by professionals with number of exquisite homes, ranging from Single Family Homes to Luxury Garden Homes and Carriage Collection of Townhomes.

Due to its immense popularity in short period of time all the townhomes at this community is already sold out! The most important reason behind this popularity is reasonable prices as compared to the market. Traditions at Chesterfield build worth watching homes at county’s most demanding location, near to the New York and Philadelphia City. The community has easy access to all the major highways.
Residents can enjoy The Shoppes at Old York Village within walking distance of your new home. The community is planned as Smart Growth and make sure there will be guarantee preservation of land.

Traditions at Chesterfield offer variety of home designs to choose from according to your family requirements and needs. Either chooses from our single family classics or from our luxury garden homes. Choice is unlimited! We bestow nine splendid single family homes and three beautiful garden homes. Let’s have a look at our single family homes first and choose that fits in your budget.

The HAMPTON is available on priced from $400,990. This floor plan offers 2,013 square ft. Of living space with an open living layout. The wonderful home offers three bedrooms, two and a half bath, a full 9′ basement and two car garages. The Hampton home design features spacious kitchen with breakfast nook that flows beautifully into a family room and dining room. Other protuberant features include a full size laundry room and an option of bath in the basement.

THE RICHMOND is priced from $464,990. This floor plan offers 2,601 square ft. of living space with four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. Two car garages, full size laundry room, gigantic kitchen with breakfast nook, full size 9′ basement and spectacular two story foyer are highlights of The Richmond home design.

THE ARLINGTON is a home design offers abundant 2,600 square ft. of living space. It has four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and two car garages. It is priced from $457,990. Arlington also features full 9’basement, an expensive laundry room, a gas fireplace and master suite with separate his and her vanities.

THE ROANOKE is an impressive home design featuring 2,998 square ft. of living space with four bedrooms with loft, two and a half bathrooms. Other highlights include splendid two story family room with gas fireplace, an oversized two car garage, custom master suite, impressive two story foyer and kitchen with breakfast nook.

THE SHENANDOAH home design is priced from $492,990. It features 3,205 square ft. of luxurious living space with four bedrooms, two and a half baths and two car garages. Other eminent features include first floor den, custom master bath with his and her vanities and dramatic oversized family room where you can spend quality time with your family and love ones.

THE WILLIAMSBURG is spectacular home priced from $502,990. The Williamsburg offer four bedrooms, two and a half baths and two car garages built on 3,549 square ft. of an abundant living space. Other highlighted features of this home design include den, first floor laundry room, full 9′ basement, lovely porch and exquisite master suite with sitting area.

THE FREDERICKSBURG is most demanding home design with 3,654 square ft. of luxury living space. The beautiful home offers four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms and two car garages. The home begins with the lovely porch and long foyer connects to the entire first floor. A full size 9′ basement and large laundry room is part of this home. Other highlights include first floor den, loft, sitting room with master bedroom and huge walk-in closets. You can get this amazing home from $543,990.

THE ALEXANDRIA is priced from $472,990. A perfect home design features 2,982 square ft. of spacious living space with four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms and two car garages. a full nine-foot basement, large family room with gas fireplace, full size laundry room, oversized kitchen and corner soaking tub in master bath are highlights of The Alexandria home design.

THE HOPEWELL home features 2,400 square ft. of ideal living space with 3 bedrooms with loft, 2.5 bathrooms and 2 car garages. A full size basement is also part of this floor plan. You can get this spectacular home at price starting from $440,990.

From these amazing homes you can choose that fits in your budget and meet your family demands and needs. For further details you can contact us at any convenient hour. We are open daily from 10am to 5pm.

Roofs are some of the most important elements of homes, because they keep the elements out, as well as keeping your house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summertime. And there are few elements of a property that help raise the value and equity like a brand new roof! Because roofing repairs can be such an extensive project that requires more than one worker and plenty of materials, however, it can also be an expensive undertaking if you go with the wrong company.

If you have a roof that is badly in need of repairs (missing shingles, damaged gutters and etcetera), then the first step is to find a roofing contractor in your area that gives free estimates on repair work. Luckily, most companies will provide you with a free inspection and give you a quote before any work begins. You should never go with any contractor that asks for a fee to give you a quote for services.

Since roofers are fairly common in metropolitan areas, it might be in your best interests to get several quotes on work before you actually settle on a contractor and sign any contracts. You might be surprised to learn that the cost for the same project can actually vary widely from one company to the next, and you might end up saving hundreds of dollars by getting more than one quote.

Also, be sure that you ask the companies how ling they have been in business, and how many satisfied customers they have services. If they are a reputable company, then they certainly have examples of past roof repairs that they have done in your city, and it might be a good idea to take a quick trip somewhere for a look at their work. Additionally, ask if they have any roofing repair clients who would be willing to give them a recommendation.

By researching local roofing contractor options before signing any contracts, you will save yourself plenty of money, add equity to your home and make sure that your property is kept up properly.