F.A.Q.

Most all of our wood is harvested directly out of Northern Michigan and it’s Upper Peninsula. Since the state was founded in 1837, Michigan has had a reputation of producing the utmost quality in its timber and wood products.

To start with, we’ve been sawing, milling, drying and molding lumber since 1978, (over 40 years!). We live with the trees that we manufacture our products from and there’s nothing more proudly common in our employees, than pleasing each and every customer with the highest quality wood products and services, that no one else can match! We are widely known for our commitment in going that extra mile just to satisfy you. We’re family friendly and leave our customers feeling the same.

We’ve had repeat customers who have come back to us time and time again, trying to replicate the look and feel they’ve had in a previous home with our products. They come back mainly because they’re assured in how our wood products perform, look and make the atmosphere feel so warm and rich, and know they’ll be met with our friendly services and the care in achieving that look again. So, it’s second nature for our friends to look us up for our unique brand of wood.

Our products are kiln dried to a minimum moisture content to prevent shrinking and cracking. Each board is thoroughly inspected and if any defects are found, they are removed to assure the best quality possible. All of our products are tongue-n-groove and end-matched. We perform each stage of the milling process ourselves, everything from sawing the log, kiln drying, and precise milling to ensure that you are buying the best in quality and design available.

Big savings on materials and labor, by not having to measure and cut every board to fall on a stud. You measure and cut only once per row. The piece you cut off is the starter piece on the next row. It’s what we call “no-waste”, so there’s no need to purchase extra material for waste. We are and have been the country’s innovator in establishing end-matching log siding and knotty pine paneling to the world’s market.

This is not “Old-School” log siding or paneling that home centers and large lumber outlets carry, which are the typical 10′, 12′ and 16′ lengths. Most often their products are lap siding with semi-squared off ends, where face nailing and defecting (cutting/squaring up the ends, cutting out loose knots, cracks and warps) are required on the job, which leads to wasted material, labor and higher costs! Each board must be cut to fall half way on a 16″ or 24″ center stud, where once again extra cutting and more nailing are required. Not so!….with our end-matched products!

Since our products are all end-matched, we can inspect for defects as the boards are precisely milled. If any defects are found, they are removed to ensure that the customer receives all usable products and the best quality wood available.

In view of the fact that we are cutting out any defects in the wood, the finish product is produced into 8′ random lengths. The majority of the log siding and paneling product is 8′ with some random pieces mixed in. These 8′ random lengths allow for a very easy installation process; thus, the shorter lengths are easier for the installer to handle, the boards are straighter and have less variance, and the random boards help break up the joint pattern on the wall and/or ceiling giving a superior end result. All-in-all it is a “No-waste” installation with premium quality materials! With the 4″ & 5″ paneling sizes only, the product mix will have a slightly higher concentration of shorter than 8′ pieces mixed in with all the 8 footers.

For exterior quarter log siding we recommend the use of galvanized siding nails (8 penny ring shank) or corrosion resistant decking screws (2″ – 2.5″ long). For exterior half log siding we recommend the use of corrosion resistant decking screws (2.5″ – 3″ long) or galvanized siding nails (14 penny ring shank). For interior products like Knotty Pine Paneling any finish nails or brads would suffice (16 gauge 1.75″- 2.0″) . Additional info at the following link:  https://www.woodworkersshoppe.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/09-Fasteners.pdf

All of our wood products are made of solid-untreated fresh-cut logs, which are harvested right from local & federal controlled forests. We rough saw each log into various widths and sizes, using best practices in conservation, then kiln dry to perfection in our Hi-tech drying facilities and computer lab. We then add that final Woodworkers Shoppe touch to each piece of material in our planer shoppe by adding a log siding or paneling profile with our unique “End-matching” system of tongue-n-groove” on the ends of each piece.

The only way to achieve an eco-friendly authentic ‘Log Home Look’ of natural beauty, is with our hand-selected, solid-untreated wood. All of our wood products, right from the log in the forest to the paneling or log siding installed on your home, is provided with concerns in protecting our natural environment for ages to come. We make use of every shaving and sliver of wood, right down to the tiniest of sawdust granules, by recycling and by the use in other products in local area businesses and farms. We literally manufacture a “No-waste” product with respect to the forests we live in!

We recommend the following brand wood finishes below. Over the years we have tried and tested several different brands of finish. These are premium finishes and perform outstandingly on our Exterior Log Siding.

Sashco’s – Transformation Log & Timber – Oil Base
Perma-chink’s – Ultra-2 and Ultra-7  – Water Base – 5 year Warranty!
Continental’s – WeatherSeal Exterior – Oil Base
Sashco’s – Capture Stain – Water Base
U.C. Coating’s – Seal Once – Water Base

We use all of these finishes exclusively in all our exterior prefinishing processes. You’ll save large costs by having your stain/finish professionally applied before it arrives. No need to hire a messy painter for on-site applications!

Caulking is only required at butt joints and never needed on any tongue-n-groove ends or surfaces. We have taken 80% of the caulking out of your job! Caulking is still necessary around windows, doors, electrical boxes and corner pieces.  A nice bead of caulking is required in these areas to keep insects and moisture from creeping behind the siding and trim and potentially causing problems. We use Sashco and Perma-chink brands of caulking found here on our online webstore, The Log Home Shoppe:

With the oil-based finishes, they are a two coat application from the get-go. (One coat is necessary for routine maintenance applications)
The water-based finishes are a stain application (one or two coats depending on the product), and will have a clear sealer coat applied over the stain for the final look. (One coat of the clear coat is necessary for routine maintenance applications)

Depending on the amount of sun your home is exposed to, the finish will last 3-6 years before maintenance coats are needed. If the home is highly exposed to the sun, (especially on the South & West sides), you can expect to reapply every 3-4 years. If the home is well shaded or protected by covered porch, then 5 or more years are the general life expectancy.

Read the each manufacturers application guides for their recommendations.

Simply the different profiles/design of the log…
Quarter log siding is 1-3/8 inches thick and has a slightly rounded face, giving it the appearance of a quarter log. It’s the most economical version at achieving a natural log home look!
Half log siding is 2-1/2 inches thick and has a well rounded face, giving it the appearance of a half log. For the true log home look without the full log price!
Both quarter log & half log are available in widths of 6 and 8 inches in smooth or hand-hewn surface.
Premier log siding is 2-7/8 inches thick (after hewn) and has a deep log profile with a narrower width tongue. It is available in widths of 8 and 10 inches in hand-hewn only. For a deeper, richer upscale look!

Our wood products are kiln dried to a very low moisture content. This helps prevent shrinking and cracking and keeps it to a bare minimum.

Over the years our customers have been more satisfied by coming up with their own dream home, instead of settling for a limited floor plan. This way you can plan your home to fit your unique personality. Our products can be used with any conventional stick built home. So you come up with plans and we’ll provide the materials to make it happen.

We are nestled in a small town in Northern Michigan called Comins. Where we have more trees than people!

We have a network of dealers throughout Michigan and bordering states, with a few located some distance from us. We are able to provide you our products in the best means possible. Our company is setup to supply very large or very small amounts of quality wood products to anywhere in the world. Just let us know where you’re located and we’ll get it to you! Discounted and Free deliveries are offered based on the amount of product purchased and your destination!

We have quite a number of methods for shipping our products within the United States, Canada and Internationally.

1.) For small to large loads, one method is by our own trucks. Charged by the mile (one-way), with 3 trailer sizes that can haul up to 8, 12 or 16 units of material. (a unit is basically 42″W x 98″L x 32″H – weighing between 1,500 – 1,800 lbs.)

2.) For even larger loads, we have full semi truck teams that we arrange for delivery to your destination. This way we can guarantee that our wood products will arrive un-damaged by weather or common shipping abuse.

3.) Another method for smaller orders is by common carrier (Fed-Ex Freight, Con-way, etc.). This can many times be the most economical means of shipping your order safely. Because of our frequency in using these carriers, our highly discounted rates are based on weight and distance.  Check out our shipping policy…

4.) For smaller items and individual pieces, we make use of discounted shipping rates offered to us by Fed-Ex Ground and UPS services.

International orders overseas are not a problem either. We’ve made many shipments by qualified international boat carriers or by small package & freight shipments through our common carriers. Each and every international order is quoted on an individual basis

The easiest way to measure your walls for our paneling or siding is using the square foot method. To figure the square foot wall coverage simply measure the length of the wall and multiply it by the height of the wall. Each wall should be measured and calculated individually deducting the window and door openings for an exact square footage figure. Click here for a printable guide on measuring square foot.

Click here for a map to The Woodworkers Shoppe.