94 | Canterbury: Natural Habitat Homes BUILDING US sourced logs prove a win-win Natural Habitat Homes are incredibly solid and have “legendary” high insulation value. T Russell Fredric 32 Fletchers Rd, Loburn | (03) 312 8963 | sales@loburnsawmill.co.nz | loburnsawmill.co.nz MILLED TIMBER • FIREWOOD GARDENING SUPPLIES NEW PORTABLE CABINS • Our Log Homes have high insulation & incredible strength built with Natural Timbers • Logs & timbers are kiln dried - so don’t have to allow for any settling of timbers • Windows & doors are specially fitted so insulation/warmth is not lost through poor fitting • Our homes are full of natural timber character • In house timber treatment, stain & preservation systems ensure your log home will be well protected from the elements Call 03 310 0544 for a free consultation | www.naturalhabitat.co.nz Natural Habitat Homes Importers of Beautiful Quality Natural Timber Homes Natural Habitat Homes owner Steve Kirner says it’s surprising the amount of people who come to him who have a long-held dream to own a log home. He knows exactly what they mean, but when he and his wife, Heather, were looking to build one in 2007 the options in New Zealand were limited. “We couldn’t really afford it within New Zealand’s product range and the products just weren’t here either,” Steve says. They also did not have the luxury of the longer time and expense it would take for a fully scribed, hand-crafted log home to be built. “After a fair amount of googling and some further investigation of some of the nicer options, we found a source company in the United States that ticked all of the boxes and after spending some considerable time with them in the United States we immediately felt comfortable with them on a personal level. “We found no problems with the local council regarding the product or build process, and after checking with an architect found that our proposed house actually met all required regulations and standards.” We were so happy with the end result, including the final cost, they knew the homes would a great option for like-minded people, so what started as a journey to build their own dream home became a business venture. Natural Habitat Homes’ logs and other products are still sourced from the same company that Steve and Heather visited in 2007. Natural Habitat Homes has now been building log homes throughout New Zealand for 15 years, as well as exporting some timber cladding products to Indian, New Caledonia and Norfolk Island. The source of the logs is perhaps a little surprising. They primarily come from dead-standing Engelmann Spruce found at high elevations in the Rocky Mountains. Beetle epidemics kill the trees but do not harm the wood, leaving a tree dead but still standing and sound. The trees stand for years or even decades and along with the dry climate and natural curing process become dry, less than 15% moisture, producing stable timber for homes that have no shrinkage, which results in a very quiet natural timber home. This is great use of a resource that might otherwise be waisted, and their removal assists regeneration, Steve says. Other timbers such as Western Red Cedar, Oregon, Cypress, and Juniper are also available while much of the balance of the conventional materials are sourced here in New Zealand, offering the internal finish of choice including painted or wallpapered walls, or interior log and wood panelling. Ceilings can likewise be tongue-and-groove timber or conventional materials. Wall logs are available in numerous profiles and sizes, including fully round, rectangular, and D-shaped. Other timbers include Cedar are available in any profile required. The D-shaped logs are the most popular because it gives the round log appearance on the outside, but it gives a flat wall on the inside which doesn’t accumulate dust in the grooves and is easier to hang things on.” Most profiles feature a double tongueand-groove for a tight fit and a drip cap for shedding water. Natural Habitat Homes website showcases a range of pre-designed customisable plans from one to four bedroom, with fully bespoke designs also available. Natural Habitat Homes are incredibly solid and both here in NZ and overseas have survived tornadoes, earthquakes and other natural disasters when most others have not, they can be built on a concrete or wooden floor and inherently have “legendary” high insulation value. Although traditionally more expensive to build, with the skyrocketing cost of materials in New Zealand they are now more on par with conventional build costs, and with the benefit of being able to include loft space in the roof cavity homes of a larger volume can be built on a smaller footprint. “We couldn’t really afford it within New Zealand’s product range and the products just weren’t here either.”
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