~ Featured Article ~

In the November 2008 Issue of Log Homes Illustrated Magazine

Residence of  "Greg & Mary Colton"  Grand Rapids Michigan

This Custom 2400 sq ft Log Home features many Design Qualities ~ Sunken Great Room & Master Bedroom  ~

Testimony from  (Greg & Mary Colton) of Grand Rapids Michigan

After 23 years, our dream finally came true. Ever since my husband, Greg, and I were married we dreamed of building a log home. We’ve always loved the warmth and rustic charm of a log home and tried to recreate that feeling in traditional stick built houses we’ve owned over the years but it never quite worked. We looked into building a log home several times but always ended up disappointed because we just couldn’t find a way to do it within our budget. Finally, while surfing the internet, I came across Deadwood Log Homes who sells logs wholesale by the linear foot. For the first time, our dream seemed possible. Not only did they meet our budget requirements, they offered exactly what we were looking for. If we were going to do this, we wanted to do it right and, for us, that meant massive sized logs, kiln dried and hand peeled with full round corners. We prefer the hand peeled logs to milled logs because we like the variations and unique characteristics each log offers. The massive size of the logs along with the full round corners offered a rustic quality reminiscent of the old pioneer days.

Once I thoroughly checked out Deadwood Log Homes’ website, I talked to Greg about it and we decided to take the next step. I called and spoke with the owner Rick, he was very helpful and knowledgeable and answered all our questions. Greg is a licensed builder and, even though he had never built a log home before, Rick assured us he could do it and offered to help guide us through the process. We approached another builder, Ron Delp, who we knew was a very skilled carpenter and he agreed to help Greg with the construction.

For the next couple of months, Rick and I talked and emailed regularly as I worked on the plans for our custom home and Rick offered helpful tips and made adjustments to the quotes with each change until we got it exactly right. Then we placed our order and we watched the progress on the website as they cut, peeled, and dried our logs and a few weeks later, they arrived to our building site. We couldn’t believe how big they were! We were especially thrilled with the log trusses which were so massive and were going to be prominently placed over the entrance and rear of the house. Along with the logs, Rick also provided us with the stain, caulk, sill sealer, and log screws we needed. We purchased everything else from local lumber yards and retailers.

It took us eight months to build our house with Greg and Ron doing the construction while I did the staining, caulking, painting, and varnishing. My brother, Rob Zolen, did all the stone and tile work and added some of our custom features and Greg’s brother, Scott, occasionally provided additional labor so it was a collaborative effort. It was a long eight months and we were exhausted at times but it was a labor of love and worth every bit of it.

Now we’re finally in our dream home and having built it ourselves with our own blood, sweat and tears makes it that much more rewarding. It’s everything we ever hoped it would be.....There’s no better life than Log Home Living!

Mary Colton

Grand Rapids Michigan

The Home is being built using our 8"x 12" Double Round (Kiln Dried Logs) with Full Log Corners

The  ~ Sunken Great Room  ~  with Huge Glass Windows that will take your Breath Away....

Left Photo:  Half Log Siding with Full Corners Right Photo:   Solid Full Log Construction

Due to Construction Time Limits Restrains... sometimes premature graying from UV exposure happens to the Logs.    This is very common occurrence in the Log Home Industry but there is no need for alarm.    After the Home is completed, you'll need to bleach the Logs before staining.    This will bring a Bright and Clean Appearance back to the Logs surface then apply stain.    With our " Frontier Log Finish "  you'll get your Entire Log Home Package completely pre-stained and delivered to your site.   For more details  Click Here  

Above is the attached screen room that will be great for BBQ's and get togethers......

( Greg Colton ) along with ( Ron Delp ) combine their years of experience to build this Amazing Log Home.    

Deadwood Log Homes

  PO Box 531    20569 US Highway 85 North

Deadwood, South Dakota 57732

( National Headquarters in the Black Hills of South Dakota )

800-507-3341  or  605-578-1880

Fax  605-578-1090

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All rights reserved