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Curtis Hare, president of Deep Creek Log Homes, is committed to the concept of custom-made, trouble-free log homes. Deep Creek Log Homes has over 30 years of experience, bringing homes from concept to reality.
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Since 1984, when Glu-Lam-Log first introduced laminated logs, builders and homeowners alike have had nothing but favorable comments about the intrinsic performance benefits of the logs. Warping, twisting, checking, and shrinking have essentially become problems of the past. In fact, clients report that homes built in the 80’s and 90’s still don’t have any checks and the logs remain as worry free and beautiful as they day they were stacked. What little criticism there was came from builders and clients whose aesthetic preferences leaned more towards rounder, more rustic looking logs.
Enter the folks at Deep Creek Log Homes in Wendell, North Carolina. With decades of log home experience and an association with Glu-Lam-Log that dates back to the early 1990’s, Deep Creek and its predecessors have served as the eyes and ears of Glu-Lam-Log in a market that’s a long way from Montana. Early on, they insisted that that we expand our laminated log product offering to include a double tongue and groove configuration to eliminate local objections to our original Single T&G logs. They took the same kind of initiative when they insisted that there is a waiting and willing market for a rounder, more rustic looking laminated log. They were so convinced that they even came all the way out to Montana to press their point.
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Our new hand crafted, hand peeled laminated log features a deeply curved, hand peeled exterior profile that looks exactly like a hand crafted 8” round log.
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New product development is really a function of recognizing what people want and then finding a way to produce it. So, when a company as credible as Deep Creek reported that, “Everyone out here is asking about laminated logs, but the standard profile looks too artificial for people who prefer a more handcrafted look,” we listened carefully. We even admitted that we had considered a similar concept years before, but dismissed it because of potential milling problems and difficulties is sourcing the unusually thick, kiln-dried, lam specification wood that would be required for the outside lamination of the log. However, Curtis Hare, who now owns the company, and Evan Balazsi who is now a building contractor doing construction for selected Deep Creek projects, weren’t prepared to take “No” for an answer. They encouraged us to try again and even expressed a willingness to work with us to field test the product.
So, try again we did. Two years later, all major issues were resolved, and we introduced what we now call our “Hand Crafted Laminated Log”.
Before making the new logs generally available to the market, we sent samples of the logs, and matching log cabin siding, to an elite group of builder/dealers we’ve come to trust over the years. Leaving as little as possible to chance, we wanted to make one last check to assure the new logs lived up to expectations for quality and appearance.
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“H-Notch” corners give an authentic hand crafted look to the home. Glu-Lam-Log offers notching as an option, but Evan chose to cut them himself on site. Log ends extend approximately 8” past the house.
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When Deep Creek Log Homes received its samples, they immediately thought of Jeff Stallings, recalling that Jeff yearned for a no-headache, authentic looking log home to tuck back on his property as a weekend retreat from a very busy and hectic business life. According to Jeff, “When I saw those new handcrafted, hand peeled, laminated log samples, I knew I had found the right logs for our home.”
Working together from a generic set of plans and pictures extracted from a magazine, the Stallings and Deep Creek Log Homes design resources developed a working set of plans. Then, with plans in hand, and a truckload of handcrafted laminated logs, matching siding hand peeled railings, posts, beams, T&G paneling and decking to draw from, the Deep Creek crew personalized the project and brought it to life. In the spirit of the new handcrafted log design, elements like notched corners, railings, and beams were hand cut and fitted at the building site.
“This ended up being a whole lot more house that we ever expected,” says Jeff, “but the project went smoothly and we couldn’t be happier.” When we asked Jeff for some comments on the materials used in the house he said, “I’m very well pleased. Everything is really high quality and the logs are just beautiful.”
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Looking down from the loft the beautiful, clear coated, hickory hardwood floor shines in the sunlight.
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When asked what he liked best about the house, there was no hesitation. “The deck! There’s just nothing like sitting on the deck, looking out at the woods and wildlife. It’s so peaceful!” When asked what he was most proud of, the response was just as quick: “There’s no visible drywall in the house. It’s all wood.”Since this was the first home ever built with our handcrafted laminated logs, we were particularly interested in comments from the people who worked with them. According to Evan Balazsi, who was acting as the construction manager and the lead builder on the project, the logs stacked perfectly and look beautiful. “We used the half log siding on the gables, and it’s a dead match. You can’t tell where the logs end and the siding begins. The same holds true for the matching interior paneling. It’s got the same stack height and v-groove depth as the logs. The rails we assembled turned out great. They were fitted on site with tools that were bought in Montana.”
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Rough sawn beams, custom cabinets, and a bar combine with contrasting stainless steel appliances, black granite counter tops, and a convenient layout to create a perfect blend of natural beauty and functionality.
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What about the minor checking we thought was possible as a side effect of using extra thick timbers on the outer lamination of the log? According to the crew, there are a few, but they’re not much thicker than a fingernail and they actually compliment the more rustic, handcrafted look that was hoped for in the log. When exterior finish was applied the minor checks virtually disappeared.
Note: This is a revision of a “Home Tour” that was first published to our web site in July 2003. Some pictures, captions, and copy have been revised. More than two years later, the property is beautifully landscaped and the logs and siding continue to look like new. Since completion of the Stallings project, our hand crafted lam logs and matching siding have grown in popularity. A number of additional homes have been built, and we hope to publish additional “Home Tours” as photos become available.
