Log Home Construction, Remodeling and Additions in Medford Lakes
Log home construction, restoration, and additions, done the right way.
A Different Kind of Homebuilding Expertise
Log construction isn't something every builder does well, or does often. It has its own materials, its own techniques, and its own way of going wrong when someone treats it like a standard framing job with logs stacked on top. Whether you own a log home that needs restoring, you're planning an addition that has to match the original construction, or you're building new, this is work that rewards doing it the right way and punishes shortcuts.
Common Types of Log Construction
Log homes in this area generally fall into one of three categories:
- Whole log is traditional log cabin construction, full round or hewn logs stacked to form the structural wall itself.
- Half log, sometimes called log siding, is conventional framed construction with half-round logs applied to the exterior to match a whole-log structure. This is common on additions and garages built to blend with an existing log home.
- Milled log uses logs that have been machine-profiled to a consistent shape, functioning more like a manufactured log siding system than hand-worked timber.
Knowing which type you're working with, and building or repairing it the correct way for that type, is where a lot of the real expertise comes in.
Doing It Right
Log construction has a lot of small decisions that determine whether it lasts for decades or starts rotting within a few years.
We source whole cedar logs locally in New Jersey rather than pine. Pine is more available and less expensive, but it isn't durable enough for the long term, it eventually rots, and the sap continues leaching from the log for years after installation. Cedar holds up.
Every log gets hand-hewn, removing the bark completely, then sealed and stained on every side, not just the face that shows. A log that's only sealed on the visible surface will rot from the back, where nobody's looking until it's already a problem.
We also use spacers behind the logs to allow for air circulation, which helps prevent the trapped moisture that leads to rot. Between the logs, we use a foam backer rod paired with a flexible chinking product that allows for natural expansion and contraction, so the seal doesn't crack and fail as the wood moves with the seasons.
None of this is difficult to explain. It's just easy to skip, and hard to notice was skipped until years later.
Restoration and Additions
If you own an existing log home, restoration work can range from resealing and restaining to sanding logs back down to bare wood and starting fresh, depending on how much wear the structure has taken over the years.
If you're adding onto a log home, especially in a community like Medford Lakes, matching the original construction matters, both for how the finished addition looks and for staying consistent with local expectations around preserving a log home's character. We build additions using conventional framing with a half-log exterior that matches the existing structure, so the addition reads as part of the house rather than an obvious add-on.
From First Conversation to Finished Log Work
Here's what the process typically looks like, whether you're restoring an existing log home, adding onto one, or building new.
- First conversation. You talk directly with us about the project, whether that's restoring existing logs, building an addition that needs to match, or a new log home from the ground up.
- Evaluation. We assess the condition of existing logs, or the site and design for new construction, so you know what you're actually working with before anything moves forward.
- Sourcing and preparation. Cedar is sourced locally, hand-hewn, and sealed on all sides before it ever becomes part of your home.
- Construction or restoration. Logs go up, or existing logs get sanded, sealed, and restained, with proper spacing, backer rod, and chinking done correctly the first time.
- Walkthrough and final details. Making sure everything's right before we call it done.
This is the short version. Visit Our Process for the complete picture, from first conversation to move-in.
See Our Work
Custom Home Solutions
Home Additions
Home Renovations
Before and After
Living Spaces: Inside and Out
FAQs
Why cedar instead of pine?
Cedar holds up over the long term. Pine is more common because it's cheaper, but it isn't durable enough for log construction, it eventually rots, and the sap keeps leaching from the wood long after installation.
Can you restore an existing log home?
Yes. Depending on its condition, that can mean resealing and restaining the existing logs, or sanding them down to bare wood and starting over.
If I add onto my log home, does the addition need to match the original construction?
In most cases, yes, especially in communities like Medford Lakes where preserving a log home's character matters. We build additions to match the look and construction style of the existing house.
What is the most popular color for log cabins?
Golden honey and natural wood tones are the most popular choices for log cabins because they highlight the authentic grain of the wood.
Ready to Talk About Your Log Cabin Home?
Like what you’re hearing? Give us a call and tell us what you’re thinking. We’ll talk through your ideas, answer your questions, and help you figure out where to go from there. Call (609) 975-9920 or contact us to start the conversation.