Technology developed over the last half a century makes Honka’s unparalleled quality and energy efficiency possible.

Energy efficiency means comfort

Honka log homes are warm in the winter, cool in the summer because the logs fit together so precisely, creating a snug barrier to air infiltration. Honka’s patented Ball Notch Corner, available in their laminated log series, is three times more energy efficient than traditionally scribed logs.

No need for chinking

Energy efficiency in a home is all about air exchange or, better said, “How tight is your home construction?” In a log home, the ability to prevent air infiltration is dependent on the quality of the seal between the logs. According to the Log Homes Council (Copyright 2004), there are five points of emphasis in determining the quality of this seal:

• Precision fit
  
• Maximized surface point contact
  
• Waterproof sealer that won’t dry out or crack or need replacement
  
• Ease of assembly
  
• Straightness of the wood
  

Failure of any of these 5 elements can dramatically reduce the energy efficiency of your home, resulting in higher utility bills and uncomfortable drafts in your home.

Honka technology excels in all five of these areas:

• Honka logs are CNC-machined to precise tolerances
  
• Honka's Swedish cope provides wrap- around contact, even where you can’t see it
  
• Honka's polypropylene seal is waterproof and won’t degrade like caulk and rubber gaskets
  
• Installation of the seal is simple, and requires no maintenance, like chinking.
  
• Four wedges provide additional grip and seal the length of each log
  
• Density of the polar pine logs and straight growth minimize risk of twisting, checking and warping
  
• No chinking is required due to the tightness of the joinery and surface point contact.

Honka log homes can be even more energy efficient than typically built stick frame homes. According to the Log Homes Council, part of the National Association of Home Builders, the thermal mass of Honka’s logs radiate the warmth they collect during the day in the winter back into the house in the evening, Conversely the logs radiate the coolness they collect during the night in the summer back into the house during the next day.

Wedges for warmth

All Honka logs utilize the same wedged log techniques to keep cold air out of your log home. The bottom of each coped Honka log has four sharp wedges the full length of the log that bite into the top of the log beneath it. A polypropylene (think long underwear) sealing strip that wicks away moisture is tacked on to the top of the lower log to form an extremely effective air infiltration barrier between the wedges.