The grass is green and it’s a beautiful time of year for a trip to Beaver Mountain! This is one of our furnished model homes, which are open Monday through Saturday by appointment. Call JoAnn at 800-233-2770 to schedule your day at the Mountain!

             A lot of you may have heard the words “Energy Star” but do you know what it really is?  Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products originated in the United States in 1992 by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the Dept. of Energy.  Homes, buildings, and products carrying the Energy Star service mark generally use 20-30% less energy than required by federal standards.  

            Did you know that new homes that are Energy Star qualified use at least 15% less energy than a standard home. Now you ask well how does Beaver Mountain fits into all this?…simply by providing you with the high quality products that meet the strict federal guidelines.

            We mainly use Andersen® Series 400 windows.  Andersen® was one of the first window companies in the nation to meet Energy Star performance requirements in all geographical regions.  They have won several Energy Star awards including the 2012 Energy Star award for sustained excellence. An Andersen® 400 series window has a low-e (low-emissivity) coating, which is like sunblock for your window protecting your furniture and home from U-V light.  Andersen® Series 400 windows have a low maintenance exterior and a natural wood interior which creates timeless beauty and durability; they also help keep a warm room warm and a cool room cool.

            When you enter your home all you will see is the beauty of a Therma-Tru® door but have the knowledge that that door is not only beautiful but energy efficient.  Not only is Therma-Tru® an energy star company they are also a green company.  By using methods such as using recycled content, fiberglass as a wood substitute, sustainable forestry, and reducing landfill waste not only is a Therma-Tru® door good for your home it’s good for the environment.

One of the best ways to start your log home journey is by visiting log home producers (not just dealers) and their corporate model homes. And when you come to Beaver Mountain, it’s more than just a visit to a model home, it’s an experience. From our three gorgeous furnished model log homes, to the hundreds of plans and ideas in our Design Center and our showroom full of samples and displays located in the beautiful Catskill Mountains, you could spend a day browsing and dreaming.

Our Open House schedule for the Spring and Summer months are:

• Saturday, May 19th:  8:30a-4:30p
• Saturday, June 9th:  8:30a-4:30p
• Saturday, July 14th:  8:30a-4:30p
• Saturday, August 11th:  8:30a-4:30p
• Saturday, September 8th:  8:30a-4:30p

Holidays mean spending time with family and friends, so we close our offices for the following holidays this summer.

• Monday, May 28th for the Memorial Day Holiday
• Tuesday, July 3rd and Wednesday, July 4th for the Independence Day Holiday
• Monday, September 3rd for Labor Day

Remember to check our website, www.beavermtn.com/specialevents, frequently as changes to the above schedule may occur.

Beaver Mountain’s three model log homes on display, shown daily by appointment, – please call us at 1-800-233-2770 for an appointment to review your plans. Our model log homes are open for browsing and dreaming during our monthly OPEN HOUSES, other dates are available by appointment.

Beaver Mountain’s Model Log Homes, Design Center and Showroom are located six (6) miles west of Hancock, NY on NY Rt 17 / I-86.

To schedule an appointment and/or more information call JoAnn at 1-800-233-2770!

We’re so confident that you’ll love what you see that we offer a “Travel Reimbursement Program.” If you schedule an appointment and make the trip to see us, when you purchase a Beaver Mountain Home, we will reimburse you the cost of travel and lodging.  Call for Details!

Every year Beaver Mountain Log and Cedar Home hosts a Builders Appreciation Day where the model homes are closed and it’s all about thanking our builders. 

This year we had a total of 68 in attendance.  There were 33 builders with guests and our 35 generous sponsors, who without their support this day would not be possible.  The day started out with a meet and greet with coffee and donuts and a fishbowl filled with screws that the builders had to guess how many…the lucky winner of that was Lenny Crescimanno whose guess was the closest at 928 of the 999 that we in there.  Once everyone arrived and signed in, Bob Murphy from Huber gave an excellent presentation on the ZIP system roof and wall sheathing.  After Bob’s presentation Ken Clark, President of Beaver Mountain Log and Cedar Homes, gave all in attendance an update on the company and the direction it is headed.

At noon everyone sat down to a BBQ chicken lunch from Brooks, which we know is the real reason everyone attended.  It was an absolutely delicious lunch complete with salads, cookies, beans, and camaraderie.  During the BBQ lunch our builders were able to  interact with the various vendors that were set up throughout the room to ask questions and look at the products.

After lunch, Paul Peebles from Perma-Chink kept the crowd awake with a presentation on Woodcare and Staining.  His presentation was very informative and well put together.

We ended the day with door prizes from our generous sponsors.  As well as two special winners who were given a new ZIP tape dispenser that Bob Murphy (Huber) generously donated after he was done with his presentation. 

The Grand Prize winner was Skip Thomas who won Milwaukee bevel bottom power plainer.  Congratulations and thank you to all!

Beaver Mountain is proud to announce that Joan Decker is once again “Top Sales Performer”.  This is the 6th year Joan has earned this honor.  She has recently been awarded Top Sales Performer for achieving the highest sales volume in 2011.  Joan has been with the Beaver Mountain family since June 1993, and says her favorite part of the job is meeting with people, hearing about their vision, and advising and guiding them through the build until their home is ready to move into!  Also, working with the rest of the dedicated people here at Beaver Mountain makes each day enjoyable.  “I have been here  19 of the 30 year Beaver Mountain has been producing homes, and I am proud to represent such a reputable company, and quality product”, said Joan.

Beaver Mountain is also proud to announce the 2011 Most Valuable Performer (MVP) was Michael “Mike” Santamaria, our Customer Service  Coordinator.  Mike was selected as MVP for his extra effort in Beaver Mountain’s retail sales of custom milled wood components and wood care products, a growing part of our business, and his continued effort to build relationships by providing outstanding customer and builder service.  Mike has been a part of the Beaver Mountain family since 2000.  He said that his favorite part of the job “is never knowing what the next call will bring.  I like the challenge of finding a positive resolution to any customer or builder issue.”

Congratulations to both of you!

For 30 years you’ve trusted Beaver Mountain Log and Cedar Homes to help make your dream become a reality.  Now Beaver Mountain is using a product that has been  dedicated to providing the highest level of security to homes and businesses for 90 years…Schlage Locksets.

Whether it’s your new permanent residence or a weekend home, Schlage locksets can be anything from innovative electronic communicating locksets to elegant high-security handle sets, levers, knobs, and decorative hardware.

If you’re concerned with security because it’s your weekend home or you’re away from home for long periods of time due to work or vacation then think about the Schlage Nexia™ Home Intelligence system.  This system puts your home in the palm of your hand.  It’s web and mobile based access means greater peace of mind because you’re always in control of security and energy consumption.

With this system you can grant access remotely, receive and email or text alerts when a guest or family member enters their access code.  You can also manage the lights and HVAC systems to conserve energy or turn lights on and off in different areas of the home for added security at night when you’re away. Installation is also quick and simple-similar to Schlage’s keypad locks and keypad deadbolts.

Beaver Mountain Log and Cedar Homes would like to welcome Jenna Skinner to its family.  Jenna is the new Administrative Assistant responsible for the office duties here at Beaver Mountain as well as customer service. 

Jenna lives in Downsville with her husband, 3 children, and 2 dogs.  In her spare time she enjoys camping, hiking, gardening, reading, cooking and just hanging out with family.

So you’re ready to build but you and your partner can’t decide between a traditional log home and a contemporary timber frame one.  Beaver Mountain’s answer–combine them for a custom hybrid home!  A log hybrid home is built using conventional construction techniques along with both structural and non-structural log elements.  Design and style are limitless with this type of construction. You can combine round logs with square timbers, stucco, cedar, or fiber cement shakes with siding accent whatever you want it’s a completely blank canvas.

Hybrid log homes are also energy effcient.  At Beaver Mountain Log and Cedar Homes we can not only show you how to get an Energy Star rating, but give you design tips on making your home more green also.  When we build your home it’s always with energy efficiency in mind.  We use low E-glass Pella and Andersen windows and our entrance and patio doors are fiberglass Therma-Tru to keep your glass areas more energy efficient.

So when you’re ready to build your new custom hybrid log home come see us and we’ll help turn your dream into a reality!

Q:  What exactly is WOODguard?

A: WOODguard is a one coat, oil based preservative for the exterior of log homes and wood sidings.

Q: Is it just clear or can I tint it?

A:  It depends on your taste.  WOODguard comes either clear or in the following tints:  Honey Base, Tawny Cypress, Dark Walnut, Honey 2000, Warm Pecan, or Iron Gray.

Q:  Does it protect from UV rays?

A:  Yes, WOODguard is formulated with “trans-oxide” pigments and colorless titanium dioxide (Ti02) to reduce fading caused by UV light.

Q:  When do I apply it, how much, and how long does it last?

A: New construction needs to be prepared with Mill Glaze Away first before treating the wood with WoodGuard.  You should apply WOODguard to the point of refusal when applied with a brush, coarse spray, or roller….never with an airless sprayer.   The general rule of thumb for how much to use is one gallon for an approximate area of 150 sq ft for resawn cedar siding and 200 sq ft for mill finished logs & siding.  A rough calculation to use would be Area=length of home x height of your home x 1.4 (the 1.4 compensates for your windows and doors).  The manufacturer recommends applying your second coat with 12-18 months of the original application, then every 3-5 years after that.

Q.  Why is my WOODguard darker than I expected?

A: WOODguard goes on dark and lightens as it cures.  If it is not going on dark then you are not applying it to the point of refusal.

Q: Is WOODguard safe?

A: WOODguard is an EPA registered wood preservative and is also VOC compliant meeting all current state air quality requirements.

Q: What are the benefits to applying WOODguard to my home?

A: There are many benefits to applying WOODguard to your home.  It helps control fungus, mold, mildew, wood decay and insect infestation such as termites.

When you’re ready to make your log home dream a reality remember these four interior tips to help keep the inside as beautiful as the outside.

Humidity:  heating systems can draw large amounts of moisture from the logs.  A humidifier may be needed to maintain moisture content and help reduce log checking.

Proper Ventilation:  kitchens need to be well ventilated because the oils that are released during cooking can discolor cabinetry, ceilings, and other nearby wood.  The rest of your home should be ventilated, but you don’t want drafts bringing in the extra dust. 

Preventing UV Damage:  selecting Low-E glass for windows and doors and using a “UV boost” with the initial coat of stain on log floors and walls will help prevent discoloration of interior wood. 

Protective Stain:  a water based acrylic stain is best because it allows wood to breathe and provides a tough film that can be dusted and cleaned easily.  Also remember to use it in areas susceptible to water damage such as the bathroom and laundry room.  The water base stain also never yellows and helps with the discoloration of the chinking.