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Lulu, Bart, and the kids in front of their newly completed home.
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Research, planning, budgeting and sweat equity. Those four things helped Bart and Lulu Garton create a show case home that welcomes and delights the couple's many guests. The ones who are most delighted, however, are the Gartons themselves.
Unlike some couples, the Gartons agreed from the beginning that they wanted to own a log home. And like many, they started doing their home work when it came time to build on their Edwards, Colorado lot. They knew what sort of budget they had to work and traveled to a log home seminar to gather information.
It was here that the Gartons had the opportunity to learn more about Glu-Lam-Log Homes. "They were very personable people," Bart said. "We felt we could trust them ... we still feel that way."
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With a sunroom leading to a large deck, the Garton's home was built with guests in mind.
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Glu-Lam markets two types of homes: ones made from laminated logs that are essentially structural laminated beams that have been milled to various log profiles; and traditional milled pine and western red cedar logs. The company also manufactures log cabin siding..
The Gartons visited a home built with laminated logs manufactured by Glu-Lam-Log, Inc., and there was no doubt about it -- it was what they wanted. As Bart said when they first saw it, “We knew right off the bat, that was it. It was exactly as we pictured it in our minds.”
The prow design, with eight-inch, D-shaped laminated logs as well as log siding, was just what they wanted on the exterior, but the Gartons love the open concept and set about redesigning the interior of the 3,800 sq. ft. home. They love to entertain, so that thought was in mind during the entire process. A large, open great room, vaulted ceilings and a kitchen that doesn't hinder conversation with people in other areas of the house add to that concept. "We took out tons of walls," Bart said, "We even re-engineered the trusses -- we built with guests in mind."
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The Gartons might have saved money by acting as their own general contractors, but as the kitchen shows, they didn't have to compromise quality.
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To keep within their budget, the Gartons acted as their own general contractors and, happily, Bart was in a slow time at work when the construction began and he got to do the "boy things" like pour concrete, etc.; and when his business got busy, Lulus work slowed down and she took over and saw to much of the finer details.
The home is heated solely by in- floor heating. A gas fireplace was put in, due to a state moratorium on burning wood. Bart admits that he has come to like the fact that he can turn on a switch and have instant fire in the hearth.
The cooperation and help of friends and relatives helped the Gartons stay within their budget. "Lots of friends came over to do things," Bart said, "We wouldn't have been able to do it otherwise." In the end, they had spent approximately $85 a square foot. The home is a showpiece and attracts a great deal of attention. "We have a reputation for being richer than we are," Bart said, laughing.
