FAQs

While some log home companies offer cedar as a premium upgrade, Ward Cedar Log Homes builds exclusively with Northern White Cedar - and we've done so for over 100 years. It's not an extra-cost option. It's our standard because it performs better than pine, spruce, or other softwoods often used in log home kits. 

When you compare apples to apples, our cedar log home kits are competitively priced and come with added long-term value, durability, and energy performance that other woods can't match.

Northern White Cedar stands out for several reasons:

• high natural resistance to rot or decay
• The most natural resistance to insects
• The best insulation value per inch
• more dimensionally stable than most woods
• doesn't warp, crack, and twist as much as other woods
• easy to work, cut, plane, and nail
• a beautiful light color, with small brown knots

Cedar's characteristics are widely known.  In fact, one of the three model building codes in the United States allows the use of cedar anywhere the use of pressure treated lumber is required.

Don't just take our word about all of the reasons to use Northern White Cedar. Research cedar log homes that are three to five years old. Compare them to pine or spruce log cabins over the same span. Ask the homeowners. Visit the library and study the wood technology books. And reputable sources such as Log Home Living Magazine state that cedar is "Highly resistant to decay" and is "A finer grade of wood."  

We believe you'll see why Northern White Cedar is the clear choice for your log home or log cabin kit. 

Here is a Breakdown of Wood Species Used in Log Homes.

At Ward Cedar Log Homes, we use only the heartwood of Northern White Cedar, the strongest, most durable part of the tree, in our log home kits and log cabin kits. No part of the cedar goes to waste, and our entire process is designed to get the most out of every log. 

Each log is milled into a cant, a square timber made from the heartwood, often referred to as the "jewel" of the cedar tree. Heartwood is naturally rot-resistant and does not require pressure treatment, making it a preferred alternative to treated lumber in many building codes.

• The rest of the wood doesn't go to waste and is used for:
• Trim for windows and doors
• Porch, deck, loft, and stair railings
• Tongue-and-groove interior paneling
• Cedar decking
• Mulch from excess wood that doesn't meet grade

Using the heartwood ensures that your cedar log home has the strength, stability, and resistance to decay that it deserves. 

Every log used in our log home kits and log cabin ktis is carefully processed from Northern White Cedar for it's strength, stability, and beauty.

Here is how it's done:

1. Milling: Each log is cut into a "cant," a rough-sawn square timber consisting only of cedar's jewel — its heartwood.  
2. Air-drying: The logs are naturally dried to ensure a more stable log that is less likely to warp, twist, crack or check(small cracks 1/8" or less).
3. Planing and profiling: Once properly dried, planing gives each side its unique profile.  
4. Final cutting and grading: After your custom log home plans are finalized, each log is cut to exact specifications. Every log is inspected a total of three times by our independently certified log graders to meet our high standards.
5. No chemical treatment required: Because cedar is naturally insect and moisture-resistant, treatment with harsh chemicals or preservatives is not necessary.
6. Delivery: Your materials are labeled for easy on-site assembly and delivered that works with your schedule and timeline — typically within 30 to 90 days of final plan approval. 

To see what's included in a typical log home package, visit our Materials Package page. 

Moisture content, wood species and log joinery systems are all important factors that affect the amount of shrinkage and settlement a homeowner will deal with. Using dry cedar is the major factor that Ward uses to control shrinkage and settlement. Dry cedar logs produce the tightest log homes.  In fact, Ward's air-dried Northern White Cedar log homes experience virtually no settling, so there are no specially engineered slip-joints or bolts to tighten.  The lack of movement also ensures that the seal placed between the logs remains relatively undisturbed for a tighter, more energy-efficient and stable log wall, yielding greater energy savings and comfort for our clients.

Ward addresses settling and shrinkage issues long before construction begins:

• Ward uses Northern White Cedar exclusively, which is known for its dimensional stability.
• Careful, slow air-drying helps prevent logs from warping, twisting, cracking or checking.
• Throughout the structure, vertical wood posts are used to bolt the log rows along with vertical jambs of rough buck and minimize downward log movement.
• Every interior partition has a 4'x4' post against the log wall, bolted solidly to prevent settling.
• Every vertical window and door frame is fastened to each log row to prevent downward log movement.

Visit homes three to five years old to see how the total system reacts to this process.  You will see for yourself how dry cedar logs produce the tightest log homes.

Yes. One of the reasons Ward builds exclusively with Northern White Cedar is because it's naturally low-maintenance, especially when compared to other woods commonly used in log homes and log cabin kits. 

Polyurethane applied to the interior walls is all that's required to keep your Ward Cedar Log Home looking as new and beautiful as the day you moved in.  A quality exterior stain like Q-8 Log Oil will help maintain the beauty of your log home's exterior walls.

Regular cleaning, occasional inspections, and basic upkeep are typically all it takes to keep your cedar log home looking its best. We're happy to offer guidance on maintenance tips and recommend products - just ask. 

Absolutely!  One thing that Ward has learned over the years is that log home enthusiasts have very different ideas of what they want in their log home!  Most of the homes Ward provides are customer-designed for each family.  Ward's materials packages can also be custom-designed to fit your needs.

Whether you want to:

• Make changes to one of our existing log home floor plans
• Combine ideas from multiple designs
• Start completely from scratch

- Our team will work with you to bring your vision to life. There is no extra fee for customizing your home. We believe your cedar log home should be a reflection of how you live, not a one-size-fits-all. You can bring ideas from magazine clippings, sketches, other plans, or start with a conversation, and we'll help you shape it into a buildable design. 

Read more: Finding the Right Home Design for You 
Also helpful: Criteria for Determining Design.

Yes, and many homeowners do. With Ward Cedar Log Homes, it's easy to expand your living space beyond the walls of your custom log home.

Whether you are dreaming of a quiet front porch for morning coffee or a spacious wraparound deck for entertaining, we can incorporate outdoor living features into your log home kit design from the beginning

Popular options include:
Screened-in porches
Decks
Gracious verandas
Attached or detached garages
Carports or barns - all designed to match the look of your cedar log home

These features can be customized to suit your property and your lifestyle. Many of our existing floor plans already include porches and garages, or we can modify any plan to fit what you need. 

Don't let sloped ceilings stop you from having the room you need. Many of our log home kits and log cabin designs include a second story or loft area. Add dormers to increase the height of the outside wall and create more second-floor living space. Choose either shed or gable roof dormers to provide the exterior style you prefer.  Learn how to add more space with usable dormers.
 

Interior walls can be finished just like any traditional interior wall — tongue-and-groove paneling, available in either pine or cedar, comes standard for a solid log wall look.  Another popular choice is drywall, which gives you the flexibility to paint or wallpaper areas of your choice.  Some of the most beautiful Ward Cedar Log Homes use a variety of interior finishes to achieve an attractive and balanced combination of color and texture.

See examples in our photo gallery

You have a few exterior options when designing your log home kit or cedar log cabin with Ward.

Ward was the first company to offer the classic "D"-shaped log, giving our customers the perfect blend of the traditional log home look on the exterior, with a smooth, more finished look inside.  Logs are available in both 6" and 8" profiles.  Or, you can choose a milled exterior clapboard-style log if you prefer a more conventional exterior look. Our traditional interlocking corners give a look that's reminiscent of yesteryears.  Or you can choose to square off the corners and finish them with cedar trim for a more modern look.

Explore exterior styles in our photo gallery

Yes. When you build with Ward Cedar Log Homes, you're never on your own. Our local representatives, backed by our in-house engineering team in Maine, are here to help you design a custom log home or log cabin kit that fits your lifestyle, land, and budget. 

We will work closely with you through every state of the design process, helping you create a complete set of working plans, including:

• Floor plans that meet your needs
• Foundation layout and dimensions
• Floor, ceiling, and roof framing plans
• Elevations and construction details

Whether you are starting with one of our existing log home floor plans or designing from scratch, our team is here to guide you through it, step by step.

Representatives can help you design a home that meets your specific requirements.  Supported by our in-house design team in Maine, they will work closely with you throughout the finalization of the complete set of working plans, which includes floor plans; foundation dimensions; a floor, ceiling and roof framing plan; elevations; and related details.

The total cost to build a log home or log cabin kit varies depending on several factors, but we are here to help you estimate it with confidence.

Some of the biggest cost variables include:

• Your geographic location and local labor rates
• Site prep and land conditions
• Design complexity and home size
• Whether you hire a general contractor or build it yourself
• Choice of finishes, fixtures, and custom features

A common rule of thumb: your completed turnkey log home (excluding raw land) will typically cost three to three and a half times the package price. This gives you a realistic starting point as you plan your budget.

In most cases, the final cost of your cedar log home will be comparable to a stick-built home of similar quality, square footage, and finishes.

Ward's Sales Representatives are trained to help you determine a realistic completed cost. Many of them are experienced builders and can offer personalized estimates. If not, they can connect you with trusted contractors in your area. 

Read more: Variables that can affect the cost per square foot of a log home.
Explore our plans and pricing range.
 

Yes. When you choose Ward Cedar Log Homes, you're not left on your own to figure out construction. Your local Ward Representative is factory-trained to guide you and your builder through the log home construction process, including unloading, sorting, and assembling your log home kit.

In some cases, your rep is a professional builder themselves. If not, they can recommend experienced log home contractors in your area who are familiar with our systems and materials.

We understand how important it is to have the right team in place. That's why we're committed to making sure you have the guidance and referrals you need to build with confidence.

Read our guide: What to look for in a Log Home Builder

You're never on your own with Ward. Whether you are a homeowner managing the build or working with a contractor, we offer construction support for your log home kit.

Here's how we help:

• Unlimited technical assistance is just a phone call away
• Personal construction seminars are available if your builder needs extra guidance
• Our toll-free number (1-800-341-1566) connects you directly with our expert team, many of whom have decades of experience with log home construction
• Your Ward Representative can also walk you or your contractor through specific details on-site or remotely

From foundation to final finish, we're here to make sure your cedar log home is built the right way.

Looking for construction tips or support? Contact us.

Yes. Our log home kits are designed to be contractor-friendly, even in regions where log homes aren't common. Whether you are working with an experienced builder or someone new to log construction, they'll find our system clear and easy to follow.

Here's what we provide to support a smooth build:

• Detailed construction blueprints with precise measurements
• A comprehensive 100-page Construction Instruction Manual
• Pre-cut and numbered logs with our tongue-and-groove and dado end-cut system - no log cutting is needed on-site
• Clearly labeled materials for fast, efficient assembly
• Direct support from our team if questions come up during the build

Thanks to our pre-engineered systems, many models can be erected by a three-person crew in less than a few weeks. That's the benefit of working with a proven, pre-cut log home kit from Ward Cedar Log Homes. 

Learn more about what's included in our log home kits

Ward homes utilize a conventional flooring system and studded partitions, making the installation of wiring and plumbing just as easy as in a traditionally framed house.  In addition, any type of heating, ventilation or air conditioning system can be used. Interior wall switches and outlets are also installed in a conventional manner.  For exterior walls, wires may be run through holes drilled in the logs or in channels that will be covered by support posts and door trim.  Outlets and switches are mortised into the exterior walls.
 

No problem. If a Ward sales representative is not available in your area, Ward's Corporate Sales Representative, Ron Silliboy, is available to consult with you from the earliest stages of design through delivery and construction.

Whether you're planning a log home kit in a remote location or simply don't have a rep nearby, you'll still receive the same high level of personalized support Ward is known for. Our team regularly assists homeowners across the country through phone, email, and virtual meetings.

Our commitment to customer service is often called the gold standard of the log home industry, and that applies no matter where you are building. 

Get in touch to start planning your log home

Delivery typically takes 8 to 12 weeks after you place your order and final plans have been approved.  If you are building a custom-designed log home, production may take slightly longer, especially during peak seasons.

We will work together to schedule a date that is good for both you and Ward. Our goal is to make sure your log home package arrives when you're ready, not before and not too late. 

Do you have a specific timeline in mind? Let's talk

Ward has been delivering log home kits for over a century, and we take great pride in the fact that we have never missed a delivery date. Your log home materials package will arrive on-site using a private trucking company that offers competitive rates, often lower than common carriers or other log home companies. 

Here's what to expect:

Delivery & Packaging

• Shipped on a flatbed truck to prevent damage
• Materials are carefully packaged and clearly labeled for fast, organized unloading
• Each log is pre-cut and numbered to match your plans for a perfect fit
• Northern White Cedar trim, log gables (for purlin roofs), porch and deck railings, round purlins are also pre-cut and included
• Ward takes full responsibilty for every piece because we cut, package and prep it ourselves

Site Access & Equipment

• Your Ward Representative will help determine if your site can accommodate large tractor-trailers
• If needed, we've delivered kits by barge, ferry, frozen lake, or even by airlift
• Materials can be unloaded with a rough-terrain forklift or a lull
• Note: Drivers are not permitted to assist with unloading 

Unloading Support

Before delivery day, your Ward Representative will walk you through:

• How to prepare the site
• How to inventory materials during unloading
• Where to place bundles for a smooth construction workflow

See the full guide: What to expect on Delivery Day.

Ward is the industry leader in "educating" the customer in this regard.  We firmly believe that the more you know about our material and services, the more likely you are to come home to Ward.  This process begins right in the Planning Guide and continues through our Purchase Agreement, both of which provide a complete list of materials and specifications for your log home kit.  The materials and specifications list in the Planning Guide also clearly lists all materials that must be supplied by the homeowner or the builder.  We suggest that you compare the two lists so that you understand exactly what you are buying and what additional materials you will need to supply.  We are proud of our completeness, quality and flexibility.

Discover what’s included (and not included) in our log home packages

Our 20-year warranty covers all log components against structural defects for 20 years and warrants that all items manufactured by Ward are free from defects in workmanship or design.  Our component suppliers also extend their individual product warranties to you as a Ward customer.  Ward has had long term relationships with all of its quality-oriented suppliers (Andersen, Schlage, CertainTeed, Perma-Chink Sealants, and any finishes) and insists that each look after any warranty claims promptly and fairly.  Ward will assist you in any claims with these companies.

Ward's Purchase Agreement covers all aspects of your home purchase clearly and in simple language.  We have spent more than 100 years perfecting our Purchase Agreement to make sure it considers the needs of both the customer and the company.  Your Ward Sales Representative will be happy to provide a sample Purchase Agreement for your review.  Our Purchase Agreement is probably the most clear and detailed in the industry.  It plainly states every material and service you will receive.

Ward is the first American log home manufacturer.  Ward founded the pre-cut, pre-packaged log home industry in 1923.  More than 100 years of experience will help to make your home a place of peace, joy and happiness. Discover our story and legacy.

Absolutely.  Ward Cedar Log Homes is very active in overseas markets.  Ward Cedar Log Homes products have been shipped to Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Philippines, Germany, the Netherlands and the Dominican Republic.  Read about the home we shipped to the Dominican Republic for a professional baseball player

Northern White Cedar has the highest insulating value-per-inch (1.43) of any native construction wood species.  This is a result of its unique cell structure, in which large, less dense cells trap pockets of air to create natural insulation.  In fact, wood is one of the best natural insulators that has more thermal mass than fiberglass and most other products.

Very!  Ward Cedar Log Homes offer superior energy efficiency.  In fact, log homes surpass frame homes in energy efficiency.  We employ the latest technology to engineer and build homes that meet the most rigid conservation standards for a year-round residence even in locations that endure harsh seasonal changes.

The National Bureau of Standards conducted independent tests on six buildings of identical size using various construction methods.  While individual experience may vary, tests show that, overall, the log house is more energy efficient than a frame house.  During the winter months, the log house performed as well as the frame house.  During the spring and fall, the log house necessitated less energy usage than its frame-house counterpart, and during the summer the log home was more economical to cool.

Ward's reputation in the log home industry for high quality materials and service is second to none!  Ward realized many years ago that a satisfied homeowner is worth more than any amount of advertising.  Ward works closely with each of its clients through every phase of the process to ensure that there are no surprises or problems.  You will become good friends with your Ward Sales Representative!

Your Ward Sales Representative will be happy to provide you with a list of satisfied Ward homeowners to contact so you can talk with those who have experienced working with Ward.

And we also suggest that you check with your Better Business Bureau for information about both the log home manufacturer and the local sales representative and/or builder of any companies that you are considering.  In more than 100 years in business, Ward has no complaints registered with any Better Business Bureau.

Check out some of our testimonials

We want you to be completely satisfied, so you can depend on your representative to keep close track of your home-building project.  Up to six different quality control reports will be completed and sent to our corporate office during the construction of your home.  Your representative even checks in with you one full year after home completion — a valuable quality control feature built right in, even after delivery.

No and here is why.  Number 1 - You are interfering with how the logs store heat and exchange moisture with the indoor climate by covering up the log walls.  Number 2 - In the event of a construction, design, or environment issue with the log wall system, it usually begins on the outside not inside.  If the outside fails, the homeowner will not have an opportunity to see symptoms of water or air leakage on the inside surface before it is too late, causing costly repairs to the homeowner. 

Protect your investment by sealing the outside of your home where mother nature begins.  Insulating the inside can create long-term moisture issues that no homeowner wants to experience. 

The ability of a manufacturer to meet your local building codes is a very important issue.  Ward Cedar Log Homes is a member of the International Code Council (ICC).  Ward's homes are designed to meet criteria based on the International Residential Code (IRC).  It is ultimately the responsibility of the purchaser to obtain building code approval in the form of a building permit being issued.  As a purchaser, you may pass this obligation on to your builder, if he is agreeable.  Ward and your Sales Representative will work with you to make certain all building and energy codes are complied with and permits issued.

The roof is the crown jewel of every home we build, adding elegance, strength and complete protection from the elements.  We offer three roof systems to choose from: our uniquely designed exposed round purlin roof, traditional rafter construction or a manufactured truss system.

Ward was the first to use the pre-cut round purlin roof system, which gives structures tremendous strength while creating soaring cathedral ceilings, plenty of space for lofts and open, free-flowing floor plans — the trademark of a Ward Cedar Log Home.  Pre-cut gabled ends are pre-erected at our manufacturing facility, then disassembled, to ensure that the angle of each log has been perfectly cut.  Purlins may be round or square, depending upon your preference.

The Rafter Roof System is more conventional, designed with standard dimensional lumber.  Should you want to make a stronger architectural statement, specify our larger rafter option to create vaulted ceilings in which the rafters are exposed.

Ward offers a manufactured truss roof system that allows you to combine both flat and vaulted ceilings.  An attic truss system is also available should you need additional second floor living space at an economical price.

 

When it comes to the outside look of a Ward Cedar Log Home, there is a world of possibilities that guarantee eye-catching curb appeal.  Our unique building system allows you to choose clapboards, stone, bricks or many other exterior options should you desire something different than the traditional exterior log home look.  If you choose the traditional log look, leave logs natural and they'll acquire a silvery patina or apply a finish to achieve a specific color tone.  Ward also offers a choice of corner styles.  The standard package comes with full-log corners.  If you'd like, you can also specify corner boards to coordinate with clapboard or log siding.

Check out Ward's Hybrid System

Each log of Northern White Cedar is its own masterpiece, with its natural light honey color, fine grain, beautiful smooth sheen and unique arrangement of small brown knots.

Ward, as a manufacturer of log homes, does not finance homes.  But financing a log home is very easy today.  Ward will either directly or through your Sales Representative provide assistance in obtaining local financing.  Your representative will be familiar with the lenders in your area or national lenders that can help you obtain financing if necessary, saving you much time shopping. Your Ward Sales Representative knows the lender's requirements to qualify for both construction loans and final mortgages and can help you to qualify.  Some of our Representatives are also builders who may also finance the construction of your home themselves, simplifying the process even further.

For extreme climate conditions or when you're building in areas with prescriptive energy codes, Ward Cedar Log Homes offers a Hybrid/Timber home.  The 2x6 framed and insulated walls look exactly like traditional solid log walls.  When you're building in areas where energy codes are dictated.  Ward's Hybrid log home is the ideal choice, delivering an R-value of more than 30.

The Hybrid home offers insulated log walls that mimic stick-built construction, but look exactly like a traditional solid log wall, giving you the look of a full log wall home.  In addition to all the benefits of using Northern White Cedar, the system features superior energy efficiency, exterior look flexibility (choose clapboards, stone, bricks or many other exterior options should you desire something different than the traditional exterior log home look), interior choice, a variety of corner styles and easy-to-understand construction.

The Ward's Hybrid/Timber Home gives you the look of a full log wall home while providing an excellent way to reduce costs.  (And since only the walls are constructed differently than other Ward log homes, the rest of the log home package remains the same).  Discover the benefits of Ward’s Hybrid Cedar Log Home System to learn how it provides lasting protection and energy efficiency for your home.

Our five point Comfort System-5™ log system is what makes Ward homes air tight, waterproof and energy efficient.  Evolved over 100-plus years, the Comfort System-5 has been perfected into a technically superior system that prevents air and water from infiltrating the structure.  The system includes milled tongue-and-groove logs, overlapping interlocking corner joints, and an exclusive sealing system.  Our five point Comfort System-5™ lets us take full advantage of the energy-efficient cedar walls, ensuring a tight and lasting fit.

Discover Ward’s Comfort System 5 – designed to keep your log home warm, efficient, and protected from the elements.

Quality materials are a way of life at Ward Cedar Log Homes.  As America's first manufacturer, the quality lesson was learned early on.  Today you can look at Ward homes that are more than 100 years old and the quality of the construction and materials still shine through.  High quality components add expected value to your Ward Cedar Log Home.  With every item, product quality, maintenance requirements and company services have been considered.  We want your Ward Cedar Log Home to provide you with many years of trouble-free service value you can count on!

Andersen 400 Series Tilt-Wash Windows and Doors

Choose from a wide range of sizes, shapes, styles and colors to achieve the custom look you desire. With Andersen High-Performance, Low-E glazing, the 400 Series tilt-wash windows insulate up to 41% better than ordinary dual-pane glass.  In addition, an exclusive Perma-Shield exterior vinyl cladding allows windows to endure the toughest elements.  Your package may also include Andersen 400 Series Frenchwood hinged and gliding patio doors, complete with screens, hardware and locksets.  Other window options are available.

Interior and Exterior Pre-Hung Doors

Pre-hung 6-panel solid Pine wood doors offer the quality and durability of premium wood doors, with the quick, trouble-free installation of a pre-hung door.  Ready-to-install, these doors come with the hinges mortised and pre-installed.  The Thurma-Tru Energy Saver exterior door is stabilized for shrinkage and swelling.  It also comes weather-stripped and includes Low-E glazing to ensure a tight seal and superior energy efficiency.

Schlage LockSets

The quality, precision and design of Schlage locksets are standard in every Ward Cedar Log Home.  Built to the highest standards of accuracy, all Schlage materials are designed to deliver easy operation for life.  Both lever and knob designs are offered in a brass finish designed to last a lifetime or chose another color.

CertainTeed Roof Shingles

CertainTeed shingles combine consistent quality with long-lasting beauty and maximum protection.  All styles offer these key features: Fiberglass mat for weather protection, greater fire resistance and longer life; water-resistant asphalt, which protects the roof from water; colorful mineral granules that help reflect the sun's rays; and a heat-activated adhesive strip that bonds shingles into a single, watertight unit.  Many styles also carry a Wind Resistance Rating for winds and gusts up to 130 mph, and all have a Class A Fire Rating, the highest available for residential applications.  Ward's standard shingle is CertainTeed Landmark Architectural.

Here is a full list of Materials in our log home package.

Ward was the inventor of the interlocking "butt-and-pass" corner and log joinery system.  Instead of the square log ends butting against the face of each other, logs alternately extend past one another.  Each log fits together in a tongue-and-groove fashion, with the foam sealant, backer rod and caulking providing superior protection.

Because of its larger cells, cedar can be air-dried, which allows moisture to migrate out of the wood, minimizing twists, cracks or checks (small cracks 1/8" or less).  Far more dimensionally stable than most other wood species, cedar exhibits minimal shrinkage and the ability to stand up to nature's toughest elements.

The dryness issue is a very important consideration in selecting your log home supplier.  It is important to understand that this issue is the moisture content and not the method of drying or the amount of time dried.  Many people believe that the slower, more natural process of air drying is better than kiln drying, which tends to create more stress (cracking and warping) in the wood.  Ward's cedar logs are slowly air-dried to an average moisture content upon delivery of 15 percent to 18 percent in the center of the log.

Checking (small cracks 1/8" or less) in a white cedar log is very minimal.  The porous nature of cedar allows it to dry without the ill effects of the process.  And, Ward uses only white cedar heartwood for wall logs as the heartwood is the most stable and resistant to decay with any species.  The heart is also a natural checking control feature: when checks do occur, they always stop at the heart.  When you stand outside of a Ward Cedar Log Home and look at the crisscrossing logs at the corner, you will see the heart in every log.  Most pine home manufacturers cannot guarantee a heart in every log; therefore, cracks may develop clear through the log.