General

General (4)

Friday, 11 May 2012 15:42

Design & Engineering

Written by

We at Creasey Log Homes understand the need for quality, informed design at the outset of a log home building project.  Although highly educated in a number of areas, even a licensed architect typically does not understand the specialized demands of log home construction.  It is for this reason that we offer in-house design services.  The end result for you as our customer is a seamless integration between designer and builder offering you a more holistic approach to building with better communication and more informed decisions along the way.

All of our conceptual and construction document production is performed utilizing CADD (Computer-Aided Design & Drafting).  The benefits include clarity, accuracy, and quicker editing capability.  Information can also more easily be transferred and utilized by our structural engineer operating a similar system.

In addition to design, Creasey Log Homes offers many other pre-construction services as well.  A summary of those, as well as further explanation of our design process, follows: 

1) PRE-DESIGN 

PROPERTY RESEARCH & FEASIBILITY

This is where we take some time to establish exactly what can and can't be done on the property before committing to design ideas that may or may not work based on zoning, critical areas, buffers, and the like. This phase includes work such as:

            -Pursue Critical Area Determination (King County only)

            -Drainfield Design & Water Requirements (Verify what's been done & obtain copies of approvals)

            -Zoning Study

                        -Research Property Line Setbacks

                        -Discover Limitations On Building Massing

            -Determine Applicable Studies Required

                        -Wetland Delineation And/Or Mitigation

                        -Geotechnical Study

            -Survey (If Deemed Necessary)

AS-BUILT ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS (REMODELS/ADDITIONS ONLY)

At the same time as Property Research is being done we can essentially "survey" the building and prepare accurate drawings of the current conditions.  This will serve as a future basis for the Design phase- i.e., we need to know exactly what is there in order to design accurately around it.  This phase includes work such as:

            -Field Measure Existing Building(s)

            -Draft All Relevant Existing Built Conditions

2) DESIGN

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

Once we verify our limitations and have existing conditions defined we can come up with the overall concept.  This phase includes work such as:

            -Graphically Define Overall Scope Of Project

            -Basic Space Planning

            -Determine Essential Elements Of Building Massing (Overall "Look" Of Home)

ARCHITECTURAL DEVELOPMENT

After the overall concept is determined we define it in greater detail.  This phase includes work such as:

            -Firm Dimensions Of All Rooms & Elements (Windows, Door Sizes, etc.)

            -Elevations Defined By Materials, Heights, Window Openings, etc.)

            -Preliminary Construction Estimates

3) CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS & ENGINEERING

This phase produces the actual working drawings that are built with or "blueprints."  This phase includes work such as:

            -Develop Architectural Drawings w/ Notes & Dimensions

            -Draft Framing Plans & Relevant Details

            -Format All Sheet Layouts

            -Perform Plan Check For Building Code Compliance & Quality Standards

            -Facilitate Structural Engineering Services

            -Revise Architectural Drawings As Necessary To Reflect Final Engineering

4) FINAL CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATES

Once all Construction Documents & Engineering reviews are complete, sufficient detail is established such that the Final Construction Estimate can be performed.  Hard-line costs are determined, not only for labor and materials  supplied by Creasey Log Homes, but for necessary sub-contractors as well.  This phase includes work such as:

            -Material Quantity Take-Offs

            -Proposals For Labor

            -Bid Management; i.e. Communicating All Necessary Information To Sub- Contractors & Reviewing Bids

            -Preparation Of The Final Construction Proposal

5) PERMITTING

All materials required for a building permit review are packaged together and submitted to the building department.  This phase includes work such as:

            -Complete All Relevant Applications

            -Create A Site Development Plan

            -Package & Prepare Documents For Submittal

            -Permit Intake

 

 

 

 

Sunday, 22 January 2012 13:34

Testimonials

Written by

"When you work with Terry, you can be assured that the job will be tackled above and beyond your expectations. Terry has a passion and a creativity that is contagious. He treats each project, despite the size, with great care and professionalism. His love for his work and eagerness to please is well worth the time and money. " -Julie R., Skykomish River Family Retreat


 

"Terry Creasey (Creasey Log Homes) is a remarkably gifted builder and an impeccably honest man. He was able to take our cluster of diagrams, pictures, descriptions, ideas, and turn them into an absolute work of art that we call Casa de Arboles (the house of trees).

We had many custom features in mind for our dream home. Probably the most extreme request was flat interior walls that would be easier to clean, easier to decorate, and coincidentally create a remarkable display of the wood grain. To create a light interior, we also wanted four cathedral peaks in the roofline. We also wanted to create a waterfall feature, incorporated into the stone fireplace. When we shopped our ideas around to other home builders, we heard a chorus of "Oh, we don't do that... For that kind of custom work, you'll need to talk to Terry Creasey". From the day we met Terry, we never heard, "We can't do that." With Terry, it was always, "Yes, I've done that..." or "I think we can do that...", or "Let me think about how we can...", usually followed by a 7am wake-up call with his new idea for how we could accomplish the request.

The outcomes of his craftsmanship are remarkable. There isn't a single feature in the house that disappoints us. Terry's standards are so high that any feature he's satisfied with will far exceed our expectations. We never had a moment's concern about the quality of our home's construction. Terry does a lot of log-home renovation and repair, as well as decades of log home building, so he has seen the long-term outcomes of shoddy workmanship or planning mistakes. He has the experience to keep us novice log-home-owners out of trouble.

As pleasing and remarkable as his craftsmanship is, we believe the honesty and integrity of the man and his company is even more remarkable. Due to the complexity of our home, it was nearly impossible to create a contract to cover the unknown costs of features that had never been created before. We essentially built our home with a handshake agreement and the hope that Creasey Log Homes would treat us fairly. Our trust was never betrayed. If a concern arose regarding a budget item or a subcontractor performance, Terry and his company were prompt and proactive in resolving the issue, remaining engaged until the home-owners were satisfied.

Working with Terry Creasey and Creasey Log Homes to build our home has been a remarkable and refreshing experience. Terry is an amazing artist working in the medium of logs. Creasey Log Homes is a family business that has a well-deserved reputation for honesty and integrity. We highly recommend them to anyone who will listen!"  -Jim K. & Maggie D., Monroe, Wa


 

Creasey Log Homes is a multi-faceted business, catering not only to the log home industry, but also projects that require skill, talent, problem-solving, and above all, integrity. Whether asking Terry's "behind-the- scenes" office staff questions--and getting the answers to those questions quickly-- to working with Terry Creasey personally, as he patiently and thoroughly explains mundane and intricate details of a project, my dealings with Creasey Log Homes has been great.
 
Your project will be given personal attention and thoughtful care, and the work done will have true artistic quality, as well as integrity and honesty. You won't have to worry about your project when it's on Creasey's name, because his name alone bears a testament to quality craftsmanship and honest work.
 
My experience with not only Terry Creasey, but staff and subcontractors, has proven to be solid and respectable. The work thus far has been of quality design (I have more projects than just one going!), accurate and timely billing, clear answers to questions, and all the while being treated with courteous and friendly professionalism.
 
I recommend Creasey Log Homes to everyone who has a unique building project or remodeling, inspecting conditions (such as a log home's condition), or even some 'simple' repairs. I am very happy to have met Terry about one year ago (in Jan 2011), and have been very pleased with his kindness, generosity, and of course, his solid work ethic and workmanship.
 
Thank you, Terry and staff, for the quality business and customer service you've provided. I look forward to our future dealings, and hope for more imaginative work for Terry to work his "creative genius" on, and the support I can lend your locally-based business.  -Charinda S., Monroe, Wa
 

"Alison and I are delighted to recommend Creasey Log Homes. In all our experience of working with them – new construction, remodeling or landscaping - Creasey have been endlessly helpful and committed to giving us very best results. In fact, they go further: they are true craftsmen who have been able to bring an imaginative extra to every piece of work. You can't include creativity as a line item, but it's a delightful extra! "  -Donald & Alison F., Woodinville, Wa

 

I would gladly recommend Creasey Log Homes to others on a regular basis. All of your staff made us feel like our project was important, always showing concern for detail. Terry Creasey is quite the artist/designer!  Many great suggestions on the design and build were achieved and our project looks awesome as we have had many compliments from our friends, and even neighbors we don't know just walking down the street calling out to us to say how nice it looks.  Thank you for making our home your priority and creating a beautiful end result!  We will be contacting you for all future work to our home without a doubt!  -Dave & Dawn H., Duvall, Wa

 

 

 

Thursday, 23 June 2011 17:31

Why Creasey Log Homes

Written by

Reputation

  • Over 30 years of log building experience

Artisanship

  • Unmatched craftsmanship 
  • Artistic and creative solutions

Materials

  • Only "Naturally Seasoned" logs from trusted sources 
  • Eco-friendly

Options

  • Handcrafted (chinked) or round-milled profiles 
  • Closed-shell or Turnkey packages or anywhere in between 
  • Conventional-framed or log-accented 
  • New technologies including Apex brand Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)
Wednesday, 22 June 2011 13:30

FAQ

Written by
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are dead-standing dry logs and why do you use them?

A: Dead standing logs are the highest quality logs you can get.  These are logs that have been standing dead in a forest for possibly 5 years or more before harvest.  They have been killed by insects or flash forest fire, but the structural and aesthetic integrity remains intact.  Sap and moisture are progressively drained from the tree throughout the drying period since the log seasons in an upright position.
Most other types of logs are generally green; another way of saying they have a high moisture content.  When wet wood dries out rapidly it can shrink too fast causing cracking, turning, and twisting.  That’s a big issue when the main ingredient in a log home is the logs.  You won’t have any of those problems with our logs as you enjoy your new home.

Q: How much do logs shrink?

A: Shrinkage is one of the most important considerations when deciding upon a log home.  In a 20’ high wall there might be ¾” to 1” of settling in a dry log home.  We can easily accommodate this by proper design and construction techniques like settling spaces above windows and doors and other methods.  With minimal shrinkage like this we can offer full log gables.  A green log home might settle as much as 1” per foot or 10% of each log.

Q: Where do your logs come from? Do you have your own log yard?

A: Our logs come from Idaho, Montana, or just to the North in British Columbia.  That region has the highest quality logs that your home can be built with due to the dryness of material.

Q: Do you allow owner participation?

A: We will allow you to do as much or as little as you would like to do to save costs as long as your involvement does not impair our efforts.

Q: How does a log home perform in a fire?

A: Typically, all that is seen after a fire is smoke damage and possibly some surface charring where sustained exposure to fire has occurred.  This is because of the mass of logs.  The same home, conventionally framed might be consumed or experience total structural failure.  Our company has experience in restoring log homes that have smoke or fire damage.

Q: Is it difficult to get log home plans approved? 

A: Log homes are treated like any other home as far as permits are concerned.  We can facilitate design services when requested.

Q: What type of R-value do logs have?

A: The Washington State Energy Code essentially provides us with an equivalent R-value of R-19 when the primary heat source is other than electric resistance.  In a log home, R-value is actually not the most important measure of thermal retention.  “Thermal mass” is the ability of a material to retain heat within it and release it slowly over a period of time.  Traditional adobe structures in the American Southwest utilize this property.  During the extreme heat of the day, the interior of these homes remain cool as heat builds up in the thick walls.  As evening approaches and the air temperature cools, the heat energy finally overtakes the heat capacity of the wall and begins to be slowly released into the room, warming it.  As such, interior room temperature remains relatively constant.  The same is true with log homes.

Q: Do log homes need to be engineered?

A: Yes.  Almost every structure is required to be engineered today, even conventional framed homes.  Our engineer has years of experience engineering log homes.

Q: Where does the wiring and plumbing go in a log home?

A: We frame almost all interior walls, allowing these systems to be incorporated as usual.  When wiring is required to be in an exterior log wall, such as required receptacle outlets and wall switches at doors, we run our wiring up behind door bucks (the boards that create a rough-frame for a door to attach to in a log
wall) or pre-drilled holes in the logs.  We cut boxes into the logs at the appropriate locations for the electrical boxes.  The end product is well detailed and no exposed conduit is involved anywhere.  All plumbing is routed within framed partition walls.

Q: What do you use for a foundation?

A: Our foundations are similar to a conventional two-story home.

Q: How are the logs secured together? 

A: Our handcrafted log homes are fastened with “spikes” that have a size and spacing determined by structural engineering and is unique to each home.  Our milled log homes are similar except that specially designed screws replace spikes.  The intent is to snug the copes together as tight as possible, where this is impossible with handcrafted logs.

Q: What is chinking?  What type do you use?  Is it concrete?

A: Chinking is the material that is placed between courses of logs in a handcrafted home.  We use a product which is an acrylic, highly elastic and adhesive
chinking material, manufactured by Permachink, one of the most respected companies in the industry.  It is applied over a foam backer rod and “slicked” with specialized tools so it bonds with the logs.  It is not concrete.  Milled logs, because of the tight tolerance of the machined profiles, do not require chinking but are recommended to have joints sealed with a thin, unobtrusive sealant known as EnergySeal.

Q: What type of roofing do you use?

A: Roofing is based on owner preference.  We do typically see, however, 80-90% of our clients using metal roofing in a green or blue color.  Factors to consider are initial cost, expected life, municipal fire-rating requirements, and effects on insurance.

Q: How do you treat the logs?

A: We prefer to use "Log Finisher" by Forrest Paint Co. which is an oil- based preservative.  Our special formulation has a warm, rich color and has proved it's durability through the years.

Q: How long will it take to complete a home, start-to-finish?

A: Time varies on building design and jurisdiction.  Design can take from 2-4 months, the permit process can take 1-4 months or more depending upon
jurisdiction, and construction usually takes 6-9 months for a turnkey package (depending upon size, complexity, etc).

Q: Do you have kit packages that you offer?

A: All of our homes are one-of-a-kind.  We have started to develop a series of kit cabin packages, however.  Please call for information.