Featured Log Builder: West Coast Log Homes

Premier Log House Builders in British Columbia

Log house builders located in Gibsons, British Columbia. West Coast Log Homes is located in the natural forest surroundings of British Columbia's Sunshine Coast. West Coast Log Homes are the premier builder of some of the finest custom log houses in Canada. They blend old-world log house craftsmanship with the natural beauty of Western Red Cedar; their builders create custom log houses that transcend the character of the wood which results in structural works of art that pay homage to the beautiful Canadian forests. Only at West Coast Log Homes can you find logs that have a natural surface. This is done with pressure washing which maintains all of the natural characters of the logs and highlights the beautiful features such as knots and flare. These British Columbia log house builders use traditional joinery, with uncompromising attention to detail and traditional wood-on-wood joinery which sets them apart from other log house builders. They take pride in showcasing the craftsmanship found in every one of their homes.

Sustainable Sourcing Practices

At West Coast Log Homes they source all of their logs from sustainably managed second-growth forests. They selectively harvest their trees by hand, choosing only the logs that best meet the aesthetic character and structural needs of each log house project. They work only in managed forests and in areas that are pre-selected for harvesting, they survey the woodlot to first assess the quality of each tree before sending any crews in to begin the removal process. Once in, they cut low to the ground to help preserve the beauty of the tree base. They use slings instead of metal grapples to help bring the tree out of the forest, and by doing this, they avoid scrapes and scratches, to help preserve the natural surface of every tree. All of their harvesting techniques are sustainable, low impact, practices that ensure the longevity and the beauty of the forests.

Careful Harvesting Techniques for Quality Logs

Undamaged logs. To pressure wash the logs, they must first be harvested in a manner that leaves the outer layer of wood undamaged. Usually, logs are handled by large machinery without any concern for damaging the outer surface of the log. However, since they remove the bark using high-pressure water, any damage that might be present would cause the wood to blow-out as the high-pressure water scours the surface of the log. This is why West Coast Log Homes use these unique logging methods to ensure the logs are harvested in a much more careful manner than they would typically be for other purposes. At the heart of their quality log homes is Western Red Cedar, wood that is known for its rich character and long-lasting. West Coast Log Homes use only the finest Western Red Cedar that is available.

Properties of Western Red Cedar

The natural oils in the wood give a distinct aromatic fragrance while also acting as a preservative, helping to prevent decay and warding off insects. The tight, straight grain of Western Red Cedar delivers resistance to any warping, splitting and twisting, and handles moisture extremely well. Western Red Cedar is free of any pitch and resins and accepts a variety of finishes with ease. Cedar has exceptional insulation properties that far exceed most varieties of wood.