About EZ Log Structures
Our head office is in Europe and we have salespeople and dealers across North America.
Kits are manufactured in Europe and shipped to North America to dealers or direct to the customer.
Interlocking building systems have been produced in Europe since the early 1970’s. EZ Log Structures were introduced to North America in 2010. Today we have a network of dealers/retailers across Canada and the USA.
Design
Yes, most Premium cabins and homes minor modifications can be made . Floor plans can be modified, roof slopes increased or decreased, windows & doors added and walls can be increased in height by adding rows. Decorative garden sheds can not be modified as they are mass produced.
Charges will vary depending on additional materials required.
Yes, there are very few restrictions with this method of construction. If floor plans or sketches are provided, a quotation can be provided, usually within a few days.
When adding closets using the interlocking logs, they are stacked to the ceiling and interlocking with adjoining walls. The use of materials for a closet becomes very high due to the vaulted ceilings. In addition the horns protrude into the connecting room and can be an obstruction. The solution is to frame closets using 2×4’s and covering the walls with tongue & groove boards to match the log walls or use a pre-built closet.
Yes, rough opens can be cut for locally supplied patio or specialty doors. For cabins and homes, it’s recommended that entry doors are supplied locally. The price for supplied doors is deducted and rough openings are created to accept the locally supplied doors. This allows installation of storm doors, better selection of styles and hardware, improved security and easy access to replacement parts. Details are provided on how to install local doors for this application.
Yes, attached garages must start at the same level as the building its connected with to allow consistent shrinkage between the 2 buildings.
Yes, locally purchased skylights can be installed during or after assembly.
Yes, any single wall model is done by cutting a hole and inserting a window. The window is held in place by the trims sandwiching the logs. No header is required in solid wood walls. Adding windows or doors in an insulated model should be done by a professional contractor.
Yes, pricing for windows and doors supplied are deducted and rough openings are cut to accept the windows and door being used.
Purchasing
We accept wire transfers or “Letter of Credit” with 50% deposit at order and balance prior to shipping.
State taxes are not added to invoices for orders within the USA. State taxes are administered by local authorities.
EZ Log Structures are warrantied for a period of 5 years, calculated from ship date of the product. The warranty covers: seal failures in glass, hardware, thru splitting of wall logs, and any defective components produced that cannot be used for assembly.
Each region has different costs for labor rates, permits, cost of finishing materials etc. Our kits are the most comprehensive log or solid wood kit on the market and a finished cabin or home can be 30% to 50% less than conventional construction.
Lead times for cabins and homes vary depending on model, production scheduling and delivery location. Confirmation is provided at time of order.
Garden sheds can be purchase from dealers who maintain inventory to service their local market. If not in stock the lead time will vary depending on the dealers’ next shipment.
Garden sheds are mass produced and missing components are extremely rare. Large cabins & homes that are built to order are shipped with spare logs. They come without notches and notched on site using a fine-tooth hand saw.
About our building kits
Garden sheds with 1 1/8” up to 1 5/8” thick logs are mass produced and include: treated floor beams, tongue & groove floorboards, precut numbered wall logs, windows, doors, hardware with keys, trims for windows and doors, base boards, precut gable ends, purlins (beams) tongue & groove roof boards, fascia trims.
Cabins & Homes with 2 ¾” thick logs are produced at order and include: precut numbered exterior and interior wall logs, exterior premium double glazed windows, doors, hardware with keys, trims, interior doors with hardware and trims, base boards, precut gable ends, purlins (beams) tongue & groove roof boards, fascia trims, threaded rods for junctions.
TIPS: To prevent warping of logs, do not open packages until ready to assemble. Keep the package off the ground and cover it to prevent water damage. If a log twists and is difficult to place, set one end and then use a large C-clamp for leverage to twist the log and drop into position.
Not included is electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, cabinets, exterior roof cover, insulation for walls or ceiling, window and door extender kits for insulated walls, foundation and related materials.
The most common wood type of wood used is Nordic/Baltic Spruce (Picea-Abais) but Baltic Pine (Pinus Sylvestris) may be used on specific models. Both are soft woods that grow in cold climates in northern Europe. They are a dense growth tree with 6 to 8 times the growth rings than that of standard (SPF) spruce, pine or fir. Spruce has a tighter grain with smaller knots than Pine, but both are easy to mill and lightweight.
Yes, raw materials are kiln dried to 16% moisture content and during handling are air-dried to around 14%. This is the required level of moisture to prevent splintering when making cross cuts for joints.
The wood is natural and has no treatments. Apply a clear wood preservative to the logs as soon as possible then apply an impregnating or penetrating sealer stain/ paint. Oil base is superior and brushing on treatments is better than spaying, it helps the stain/paint penetrate the cavities in the wood. Research the material suitable for the local climate. Note: some penetrating stains can bleed through the logs and show on the interior.
Sealers are not required since the logs have a deep tongue & grove. In larger buildings threaded steel rods or logs screws are used through the walls to keep the logs tight.
Yes, all log construction shrinks. Some advantages of this method are consistent sized materials and kiln drying, which allows for calculated shrinkage. Walls shrink approximately 1 ¾” for every 8’ of wall height. The building is designed to accommodate shrinkage with larger gaps at the top of rough openings that reduce in size as the building settles. At the end of one year the building will climatize and shrinkage is virtually eliminated, however there is always some small expansion and contraction in wood.
Upper cabinets attached to log walls are fastened permanently at the top with a sliding bracket used at the bottom. Back splashes, tiles, etc. must be installed to allow the upper cabinet to lower as the wall height shrinks. If the wall has been insulated on the interior, cabinets mount the same as regular construction and are not affected by shrinkage.
The softwood that we use has an R-Value of 1.4 to 1.6 per inch of thickness. A 70mm / 2 ¾” thick log is R 4.4. To achieve the required R-value in the walls for specific regions, the walls are lined with 2×4 or 2×6 studs and insulation is used between the studs. The combination of the insulation R-value and the log is higher than conventional construction and has some added comfort due to the lack of conductivity through the solid wood.
Yes, most kits meet codes without modifications. Should modifications may be required for high wind, heavier snow load, earthquake and hurricane regions, these are usually done at no charge depending on the complexity of the upgrade.
Assembly
Smaller models can be done with minimal construction knowledge, there is virtually no cutting. Larger models have more components and take time to sort to determine the locations. No heavy equipment is required for assembly. Drawings show numbered components, drawings of each part, location, size and quantity. Reviewing plans in advance reduces onsite assembly time.
The first two rows are attached to a concrete slab or wood floor using anchors, screws or brackets.
TIP: Place a moisture barrier between the first row of logs and the foundation, for both concrete and wood sub-floors. Building supply retailers offer moisture barriers or asphalt shingles can be used. Flashing can also be used under the first row.
Urban regions allow decorative sheds/portable buildings up to 100 sq’ without a permit and some regions may allow for larger models. Cabins and homes require permits except in unregulated regions. Contact your local building department for regulations.
Every model is different and depends on skill levels of the assemblers. Some models will show estimated assembly time on their feature page. For example the Toledo E cabin 24’ x 40’ can be assembled by 3 people in 10 to 12 days.
Yes, but it’s not recommended. Smaller models can be moved if plywood is attached to the walls to prevent racking and separating of logs. Larger models must have special attention and only be moved by qualified movers.
Log construction shrinks and attaching to a permanent building does not allow the logs to shrink or settle.
Yes, but it’s not recommended as damage can occur and reassembly is difficult.