
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Comments from Jack on June 2, 2025

Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Honest Abe Living May 2025
Honest Abe Living
May 2025
This is our FREE Honest Abe Log Homes interactive magazine, Click on the link below to learn more about all of our log home products and services.
https://www.honestabe.com/honest-abe-living/honest-abe-living-may-2025/
In this issue ...
Selecting furniture
Creating your interior spaces
Beef stroganoff recipe
Aztec model floor rendering and floor plan
News From Jack ...
This is The Blog for LogHomesByJack. It can be found at LogHomesByJack.com by clicking on the upper left corner. News from Jack contains many posts related to log and timber frame homes, stains, suggestions and Q&As. Also posted are all of our monthly e-magazines from Honest Abe Living as well as photos, floor plans, stain info and more.
Contact Jack with your comments, questions or to set up a meeting.
Always Available by Appointment
HutslarJack@gmail.com or 336-407-2157
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Fireplaces
Fireplaces ... very popular options in Log Homes
and our Eco-Panel Timber Frame Homes
The options include real wood burning fire places. Pricing for stone fireplaces can go well into five figures. They look fabulous. When great room views involve large window systems, fireplaces can be placed on the side or back walls. The drawback with open stone fireplaces is that they pull heat from your home right up the flue. Hard wood burns best. It does not line the flue with that highly flammable residue.
Wood stove and gas log inserts are much more efficient than traditional fireplaces. Free standing wood and pellet stoves are more economical to purchase. They are more efficient and come in many styles. Blowers are suggested or ceiling fans to disperse the heat. Choose wisely grasshopper.
Saturday, May 3, 2025
DIY: Clearing land for your log home
What is the nature of your property where you build your log home?
Is the property heavily wooded?
You can find someone local to do the clearing. Depending on what you want, all cleared or just make a clearing for the driveway, home and septic drain field.
Tell the guy with the big toys what you want. Where the home goes. Where the septic fields goes!
** It is Best for you to be there while the dozer work is being done. Otherwise, they might tend to knock down everything so you can plant grass everywhere. This would be common in the suburbs but not out in forested land.
Less grass = less mowing. Grass only over the septic field is a good work saving goal. Mulch everything else.
Clearing Trees. If there are trees that you want to save, put a yellow ribbon around them.
At our place, my wife and I went in first and sawed the tops off of trees where we wanted the driveway to be cut. We left 3 to 4 feet standing for the dozer to push over. A curved driveway is nice.
When done, we brought in a wood/tree chipper guy. They made three large piles of mulch from our trees. We used up in about 12 months or so. It cost the same to have all the trees hauled off. So we took that cost in free mulch.
** Note that you can take down trees while clearing the land. However, if you come back later and want to remove some trees, you may have to jump through the usual county environmental process hoops.
Your driveway can be curved or straight. Curved offers more character.
You are welcome . . . Jack
Friday, May 2, 2025
All Material Packages Are Not Created Equal
Thursday, May 1, 2025
NEWS from Jack, my blog => Jack at LogHomesByJack Information Center
News From Jack . My Blog . On My Web Site
Log Homes . Timber Frame Homes . Eco-Panel Homes
Man Caves . She Sheds
We can meet there from 7am to 7pm by appointment [closed on Mondays] or anytime at any nearby restaurant, coffee shop or your property.
336-407-2157 [m] or Jack@LogHomesByJack.com
Sansin Enviro Stains
Jack Hutslar, Authorized Dealer
Ask Jack about Sansin Enviro Stains for your wood projects.
Water based. Low VOCs. Breathable. Many colors. Nationwide service.
SDF for exteriors. Purity for interiors. Floors. DEC for porches and decks. Firestop flame retardant. Sansin.com
LogHomesByJack on Facebook. 336-407-2157. Jack@LogHomesByJack.com
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Log Home Living . April 2025
Honest Abe Living is our FREE Honest Abe Log Homes interactive magazine, Click on the link below to learn more about all of our log home products and services.
https://www.honestabe.com/honest-abe-living/honest-abe-living-april-2025/
In this issue …
Positioning your log home on the property
Curb appeal
Recipe
Darlington 2 floor plan with options
Link to see all floor plans
= = = = =
News From Jack ...
This is The Blog for LogHomesByJack. It can be found at LogHomesByJack.com by clicking on the upper left corner. News from Jack contains many posts related to log and timber frame homes, stains, suggestions and Q&As. Also posted are all of our monthly e-magazines from Honest Abe Living as well as photos, floor plans, stain info and more.
Contact Jack with your comments, questions or to set up a meeting.
Always Available by Appointment
HutslarJack@gmail.com or 336-407-2157
Friday, April 4, 2025
DeSocio II Log Home Custom Design at 3720sf
This model features 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with one luxury bath and walk in closet, an open great room, loft, covered porches on all sides plus a 2 car garage with a room over [FROG]. The chinked 6x12 log is used throughout.
Note the view from the great room. We always emphasize “Where Is The View” when a large window array is featured in the planning, usually in the great room, but sometimes on the gable end.
Note: Our Photo Gallery at LogHomesByJack.com shows more photos of the DeSocia model.
The material package price varies depending on the numerous options that the client prefers: Log style. Roof system. Windows. Basement or Crawl space. Garage or FROG. Breezeway. Porch-deck configuration. etc.
All of our models can usually be made larger or smaller.
More information is available with Jack Hutslar or LogHomesByJack on Facebook. To meet, call Jack at 336-407-2157 [m]
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
DIY: Gaps between Logs
DIY: Fixing Gaps between Logs
Back in the day, and even today, we see photos of log cabins the have 2 to 3 inch gaps between each row of logs. Back then these gaps were filled with a mixture of mud and straw. This filler might have been dressed up with some form of white wash. If not, it would be the color of the mud
We have since learned how to build this chinked style log system in a more efficient manner. At Honest Abe, we “fit” thinner T&G log sections between each course of logs. We call them splines. Then we add foam and chinking [not caulk] to each side of these splines. [Photos] Some chinking comes in several colors or it can be stained. Some chinking cannot be stained.
Back to the question we see periodically. How does one chink the exposed gaps that we see in these old style log homes? [Photo] How do you fill these gaps when there is no consistent distance between the gaps?
Here is one option:
[1] Find 2 to 3 inch wide sheets of polyurethane like you see in those inexpensive white coolers and cups. Cut them into strips to fit each gap. Stuff them in snugly so they do not move. You can also do this with wood strips but uneven gaps between the logs make this a real chore.
[2] Brace the foam so that does not move. Get creative.
[3] Then paste chinking as directed on to the inside and outside of each foam strip. If you can do the inside and outside at the same time, that teamwork will help keep the foam in place.
Warning: Do not fill the gaps between logs with cement. Wood does not like cement, even at the bottom porch posts, fences or mail box post holes.
Option 2: Mix mud and straw. Work it into the gaps. Then trowel it down to a smooth surface, inside and out.
Sansin.com, a company that I represent, has all of the chinking and chinking tools needed.
See Jack Hutslar and LogHomesByJack.com on Facebook
and on my Blog – News from Jack - 336-407-2157
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Open Floor Plans for Dining Rooms Kitchens Great Rooms
Open Dining Areas and Kitchens ...
very nice gathering places in log homes. No one person is isolated back in a walled off kitchen while others congregate and enjoy the company.
Great rooms with large window systems [LR DR KI] are very popular options that enhance the large open area . Great Views add to their attractiveness. To meet, contact Jack at LogHomesByJack on Facebook. LogHomesByJack.com. Serving VA and NC plus any underserved area. 336-407-2157 [m].
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Photo Gallery of Log Homes by Honest Abe Log Homes
Photo Gallery
Westport Model
https://www.honestabe.com/honest-abe-log-homes-photo-collection/
Photo Gallery of Log Homes by Honest Abe Log Homes with LogHomesByJack
100+ photo files. Many options. Log or Eco-Panel.
LogHomesByJack on Facebook
Serving VA NC plus any underserved area
Always available by appointment
HutslarJack@gmail.com. 336-407-2157 [m]
Monday, March 24, 2025
Floor Plan Catalog by Honest Abe Log Homes
Honest Abe Log Home
Floor Plans Catalog 2021
+ + +
Click Here Below
https://www.honestabe.com/get-honest-abe-floor-plan-catalog
Floor Plans
Go to => LogHomesByJack.com
Upper Left Link to Floor Plans
Click on that
Our floor plans are suitable for all of our "very green" Log, Eco-Panel and Timber Frame homes.
Easily Modified ... Too big? We can usually make it smaller. Too small? We can always make it larger. Want to blend in two different models? Piece of cake for us. Not possible for some other companies!
+ + +
To set up a meeting, contact:
HutslarJack@gmail.com at 336-407-2157 [m]
Authorized Log Home Dealer since 2001**
Friday, March 21, 2025
Sansin.com Enviro Stains is what we offer
Sansin.com Enviro Stains is what we offer
These water based wood stains allow the wood to breathe. Used for hundreds of years in old Northern Europe. Will not blister~peal~scratch. 100 colors. No fillers that turn dark. Safe. No dangerous or harsh odors. Water clean up. Nationwide service. Free shipping on large orders.
SDF for exteriors.
Purity for interiors.
SDF Floors.
DEC for porches and decks.
Firestop flame retardant.
*** See LogHomesByJack on Facebook and on line. 336-407-2157
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Delivery times for material packages
Material Package Delivery Note From Jack
This is to inform you that our material package delivery times have moved back closer to what we called normal.
In the last four years our package deliveries have taken as long as 6 or 7 months to get to the job site.
Prior to that time we were able get your material on the job site in 45 days or less.
Now we have been able to move that delivery schedule back down to six to ten weeks.
Visit LogHomesByJack.com and see my blog, floor plans and photo gallery there at News from Jack
For more information and to set up a meeting, contact jack at ...
336-407-2157
800 767-4916
HutslarJack@gmail.com
Resources for Log Homes By Jack - Internet Links
Resources for Log Homes By Jack
Internet Links
LogHomesByJack.com
News from Jack – The Blog
https://loghomesbyjack.blogspot.com
Floor plan catalog by Honest Abe Log Homes
Photo Gallery by Honest Abe Log Homes
https://www.honestabe.com/honest-abe-log-homes-photo-collection/
Timber Frame Home Photos by Honest Abe Log Homes – The Harbor Rest - 4000sf
https://www.honestabe.com/pictures/timber-frame-homes/sanders-harbor-rest-timber-sip/
Honest Abe Log Homes
Sansin Enviro Stains
Eco Panel Systems
Jack Hutslar
336-407-2157 [m[ or 800-767-4916
P O Box 2424
Forest VA 24551
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Clayton model log home at 1726sf
The Clayton model Log Home
by Honest Abe Log Homes
A colonial two story throw-back style log home of our early settlers at 1726sf with one bedroom down and two bedrooms up.
The material package price varies depending on the many options that can selected: Log style. Roof. Windows. Basement or Crawl space. Garage or FROG. Breezeway. Porch-deck configuration. etc. It can be made larger or smaller.
Find more information Jack Hutslar or LogHomesByJack on Facebook, in our Photo Gallery here or call Jack at 336-407-2157 [m]
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Log Home Living by Honest Abe . March 2025
Log Home Living . March 2025
https://www.honestabe.com/honest-abe-living/honest-abe-living-march-2025/
Big Charm in a Compact Space: Designing a Cozy Cabin
There’s something undeniably appealing about a small log home. Whether you are looking for a weekend getaway or a downsized lifestyle.
And more …
Recipes
Decorating a small cabin
Franklin Cottage Floor Plan
= = = = =
News From Jack is The Blog for LogHomesByJack. It can be found at LogHomesByJack.com by clicking on the upper left corner. News from Jack contains many posts related to log and timber frame homes, stains, suggestions and Q&As. Also posted are all of our monthly e-magazines from Honest Abe Living as well as photos, floor plans, stain info and more.
Contact Jack with your comments, questions or to set up a meeting.
Always Available by Appointment
HutslarJack@gmail.com or 336-407-2157