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LOG CABINS AND HOMES
Conestoga 8
Bringing affordable yet luxurious log cabin living to the public is at the core of the company’s values. Offering an escape from every day life, these cabins are a salute to simpler times.
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Combining American Heritage with Modern Living. by Rachel Goldberg
Log cabins offer an escape from the stress of everyday life, but their high costs and difficult maintenance have discouraged many of those who dream of owning one. Conestoga Log Cabins and Homes has made that dream attainable with their simplified approach to manufacturing high-quality, low maintenance structures at affordable prices. “There’s an emotion that goes along with owning a log home that provides a peacefulness that you don’t experience in your everyday traditionally built home,” said company president Ronald Myer. “Owners want something they can relax in that takes them back in time when life moved slower. Log homes provide a feeling that you can’t get from other types of construction.” Though log cabins’ aesthetic appeal lies in their connection to an older way of life, Conestoga uses the most cutting-edge 1. Elkhorn Ridge Resort, Spearfish, S.D. These 520 sq. ft. cabins are the Heritage model. Featuring a covered porch and a loft, these one-bedroom camping cabins are ideal for a rustic getaway. Photo courtesy of Conestoga Log Cabins. 2. Shenandoah Crossings Farm and Club Resort in Gordonsville, VA. These custom cabins feature three bedrooms and two and a half baths. Photo courtesy of Bluegreen Vacations Unlimited. 4 Construction Leaders Today
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technology to ensure that they are functional and easy to build. The company’s plant is one of the most automated in the industry, Myer said. “We use software to take the design and convert it into machine language, and then have the machine optimize the cutting to assure complete accuracy of every cut and drill done to the components of the log cabin kit.” Using this method, the company can flawlessly produce multi-cabin or bunkhouse orders from a campground or resort or custom designed models for individuals. Because of factory automation, the log home kits include barcoded pieces making it easy to assemble, so anyone can build them, even without construction expertise. Families can build their own cabin from the complete kit provided by Conestoga. Unlike other log cabins, Conestoga’s Everlast logs do not require additional adjustment every year. Their timber frame model, which features sturdy interlocking joints, makes the classic log cabin easy to obtain. This style
would traditionally be seen in larger, more expensive homes, but Conestoga’s version is affordable and easy to build. “Because it’s a mortise and tenon joinery of the logs they essentially go together like a puzzle,” said Myer. “It provides a very solid and rustic-looking log cabin that is very easy to assemble and can also meet all current and future energy codes.” The company is keeping up with the latest in energy-efficient building technology, and their design and manufacturing process make them the most “green” in the industry. Their products will meet even the most stringent energy requirements, which can be a challenge with cabins located all over the country. Their unique dual thermal log wall system makes the cabins more energyefficient by putting insulation between two log walls, providing an additional barrier to prevent heat from escaping, lowering costs and impact to the environment. “It is the only true log wall system in the log home industry that meets the new 2010 energy codes.” They are constructed
3. Hemlock Haven Cabins in Hico, WV. A custom Grand Haven model cabin. At 1,220 sq. ft., this spacious cabin has lots of extras, including a side deck and large loft. Photo courtesy of Cynthia Ruckpaul.
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with Conestoga’s Everlast log, a laminated wood which is longer- the company’s web site and have it reproduced at the Conestoga lasting and requires less maintenance than traditional logs. factory, down to the furniture and fixtures. They can choose to Unlike other manufacturers who use a variety of wood, build it themselves or have a crew from Conestoga come and Conestoga consistently chooses the same species of trees from build the log home. planted forests in North America so that they do not disrupt “The difference in our kits is that we do a lot of the work that existing forests. The automated manufacturing process means was traditionally done on-site. Before you had a lot of cutting and that they can cut logs efficiently and eliminate waste. drilling that you needed to do on-site, that is now done at our The durability and ease of maintaining their products make factory so that now it is as simple as putting together an airplane Conestoga the preferred choice when campgrounds or resorts model,” said Myer. “All the pieces fit; you just need to put the decide to increase rentals by providing rental cabins. The cabins pieces together in the right order.” have proved extremely popular for vacationers who want to Unlike most log home companies that use dealers to sell their experience a natural setting with the comforts they can’t get from log homes, Conestoga employs full time sales representatives. The an RV or camping tent. company boasts a loyal and experienced staff with over 7 years of “We had a project where we put in 29 log cabins at a resort,” experience, a level unheard of in his industry, said Myer. He aims said Myer. “As soon as they were built and ready to be rented, to hire knowledgeable and consistent employees who can help all 29 were booked for the entire year. Campground and resort customers get what they need and hold their hands through the owners always tell us that our log cabins are the first to be rented entire design and building process. to capacity.” Their cabins can be found in campgrounds all over America and even other parts of the world, so campers know that they can Rustic Natural Cedar Furniture Co. has been a national leader in rustic furniture rely on having a quality place to stay. manufacturing for over 35 years and they have been the premier furniture supplier for “It’s one of the advantages of having lots Conestoga Log Homes for the last 10 years. Rustic offers a wide array of superior quality of cabins throughout the United States,” products and services such as an optional clear lacquer on all indoor products to preMyer said. There’s always one of our log vent wear and tear from daily use, as well as drop shipping to anywhere in the United cabins that you can look at or stay in no States. Their friendly staff has the knowledge and experience to help customers reduce matter what state you are in.” Customers can also design a cabin on
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The high quality of Conestoga’s products and service keep clients coming back for more. “We keep a very detailed customer database so we can track customer’s projects and meet any future needs they may have.” Myer said. By establishing positive relationship with clients, he said, the company has benefited from repeat business and frequent referrals. Commitment to their customers helped the company stay successful in the midst of economic crisis. During the recession, Myer said, customers were less willing to commit to building projects and banks were not financing these projects. Conestoga kept prices low for their customers “by keeping our process efficient, by providing a simplified solution for assembly, and meeting the customer’s needs and not trying to sell them something they don’t need.” Creating a balance between the dream and 4. Ashland Resort, Northfork, W.V. The Outdoorsman model, at 350 sq. ft. with one bedroom, one bath, a loft and a covered porch, is a great choice for a hunting cabin. Photo courtesy of Conestoga Log Cabins.
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reality of owning a log home has proved a successful strategy for Myer and Conestoga Log Cabins and Homes. Whether you prefer a traditional log home, the old world timber frame, or the energy eďŹƒcient dual wall system, Conestoga will have your log cabin finished in no time. With affordable prices and low maintenance, he said, people can enjoy living in their log home without worrying about the complexity of building and maintaining and with over 3,000 log cabins sold, Conestoga is proud to have helped many people achieve their dream. CLT
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5. The Alpine Ridge remains one of our most popular choices for a log home. At 1,638 sq. ft. with two bedrooms and one bath, it is a spacious structure that features a tall cathedral ceiling, glass front wall, wrap-around deck loft, full basement, and so much more. Photo courtesy of Conestoga Log Cabins.
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