FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is "kiln dried"?
Why is kiln drying important?
What type of components does your company use?
What packages do you offer?
Will you build my home for me?

What is "kiln dried"?
     In it’s simplest form kiln drying means using heat inside a container of some type to help extract water from wood. Be careful when someone uses this term. Ask them how long the logs are in the kiln, at what temperature and how do they measure the moisture content. There are no government standards on what constitutes a kiln and how long something has to be in it to be called "kiln dried". At Kuhns Bros. our rough sawn cants are dried in OUR OWN kilns from 4 to 6 weeks at an average temperature of 160 degrees. We use the oven dry ratio method, the most accurate method know to measure moisture content of the entire log, not just the surface. We certify in writing the moisture content of our logs to be 15% on average.

Why is kiln drying important?
     PROPERLY KILN DRIED logs have many benefits. They are more stable and uniform to build with. Slow drying minimizes checking, twisting, warping and bowing. Any of the problems associated with wood drying takes place in our kiln, not in your walls after your house is built. Sap is crystallized, no sticky mess in your home. There is the added benefit of weight reduction. Each log is lighter to work with and to ship. The amount of water removed from the average house is 10,000 pounds! When someone says kiln drying cost more ask them how much it would cost to ship 10,000 pounds of material to your jobsite. Probably the biggest benefit from kiln drying is it PRESHRINKS your logs. Because each log is preshrunk we can utilize a much simpler construction method and sealant system. With out tongue and groove joinery utilizing butyl rubber sealant between the logs (on the inside of the wall as each log is laid in place) we virtually eliminate the need to caulk. In fact, on several of our log profiles there is NO CAULK TO MAINTAIN except around window and door trim. We do not use shims or jack screw under our posts. We do not use throughbolts in our log walls. If a company says they kiln dry and then use these items ask them why. Ask them if they will certify the moisture content and guarantee it in writing. At Kuhns Bros. we certify all of our logs for moisture content and grade them to Construction Industry Standards (more stringent than the log home industry standards).

What type of components does your company use?
     We are proud to supply only the highest quality products in our package. ANDERSEN WINDOWS ~ TAMKO ~ HERITAGE SHINGLES ~ THERMATRU DOORS ~ WOODGUARD PRESERVATIVE, the number one rated preservative in the log home industry. All first rate products, no cheap stuff here. After all, this your home. Would you want it any other way.

What packages do you offer?
     If there is an area that is cause for confusion this is it. Kuhns Bros. offers 3 different packages to choose from. They are Log and Timber, Weathertight, and Finish Material. If you choose all 3 we call it our "No Shop" package. With our "No Shop" package we will guarantee that only seven additional on site components are required to construct a turn key home. These items are Electrical and Plumbing systems, HVAC, Masonry, Cabinetry, Finish floor coverings and Labor. . ALL of our packages come with a comprehensive 5 page material list so you know exactly what your are getting before you buy. In fact Log Home Living magazine has been using our material list for several years to show just how complete a package can be.

Will you build my home for me?
     Dream River Log Home Sales is here to assist you in any way we can. We will inform you of the options available to you from weathertight to turn key. We can supply you with a list of contractors experienced at building log homes. Kuhns Bros. Log Homes Inc. (KBLH) manufactures log home building components and provides building material packages for the construction of homes. KBLH Inc. does not provide construction services.