Cedar Knoll Log Homes

Cedar Knoll Log Homes has manufactured log home kits since 1979, operating from upstate New York with an in-house supply chain from sourcing through milling to final kit fabrication. If you're considering a log ADU, either for its aesthetic, the insulation properties of log walls, or the craft appeal of building with wood, Cedar Knoll's four-decade track record makes it a destination worth investigating.

Log home construction is fundamentally different from stick framing or timber framing. Walls are built from stacked, interlocking log courses rather than studs. Each log sits horizontally, notched at the ends to lock into the log course below, and the stacking creates an inherently rigid structure. No interior framing, no drywall: the logs are the primary structure and the finished interior surface simultaneously. That means lower material counts per square foot than stick construction, but logs themselves are heavier and require different assembly techniques. Log structures are also thick-walled, which provides substantial insulation and thermal mass that stick-frame homes don't match.

Cedar Knoll sources logs from the Northeast, focusing on Eastern White Cedar and Northern White Pine. White pine is traditional for log homes: it's relatively soft, which makes it easier to notch and mill than harder woods, it's resistant to decay, and it has a clear, light grain that many builders find appealing aesthetically. Cedar has similar properties and adds aromatic and rot-resistant qualities that appeal to buyers willing to pay the premium. Sourcing regionally keeps shipping costs reasonable and means the logs are acclimated to the climate where they'll be built. Cedar Knoll mills its own logs, air-dries and kiln-dries them in-house, and fabricates the complete kit. That vertical integration (from tree to shipped kit) reduces supply-chain complexity and allows Cedar Knoll to maintain quality control over every step.

The kit includes pre-notched log courses, which means the core work of notching (the most time-consuming part of log building) is done at the factory. On-site, log courses are stacked in sequence, typically using a spline system where a groove or notch is pre-cut into each log and a wooden spline (or in some cases, a synthetic chinking material) sits between courses to seal joints. Some log home kits use hand-notching and chinking, which is more labor-intensive and results in a more traditional appearance but requires more on-site skill. Cedar Knoll's approach is typically spline-based, which speeds on-site assembly and is more forgiving of small irregularities. The kit also includes all connecting hardware, and most kits include doors and windows, or at least the window frames.

For ADU builders, log homes offer some practical advantages. A one-bedroom log ADU, say 600 to 800 square feet, requires fewer log courses than a full-size house because the building is taller than it is wide. The stacking goes quickly: a small log building can often be log-stacked in a week or two by a small crew with experience. The log walls provide the insulation envelope on their own, which eliminates the need for exterior rigid foam or blown-in cavity insulation that other kit systems require. That simplifies the build. The downside is that logs are heavy, requiring crane assistance to stack the walls, and logs continue to move slightly as they dry and settle over the first year or two after construction. That movement means plumbing runs and HVAC ducts must be planned carefully so they're not stressed as the wood shifts. Modern log homes account for that by designing flexible mechanical runs and leaving clearance around where logs meet other systems.

Cedar Knoll offers custom design services, meaning you're not limited to a pre-set catalog of models. You can work with the company to develop a log ADU plan suited to your site, your budget, and your aesthetic preferences. Custom design does add time to the front end: engineering and fabrication planning takes weeks. But it also means the kit is right-sized for your needs rather than forcing compromise to fit a standard model. For ADU applications where you're working with a specific site constraint, small footprint, or unique zoning requirement, custom design is often necessary.

The material cost for a log kit falls somewhere between stick-frame and timber-frame: logs cost more per linear foot than dimensional lumber, but you need fewer of them. The hand labor to notch at the factory is substantial, so the kit cost reflects that craftsmanship. Cedar Knoll doesn't publish pricing on their website, which means buyers need to request a quote and provide floor plans or descriptions of what they want. That's standard for custom log home builders. Budget expectations vary widely based on log size, wood species, and design complexity, but log kits typically run in the $30,000 to $60,000 range for a small ADU kit before installation labor.

Shipping is a practical consideration. Log kits are bulky and heavy, which means shipping costs scale with distance. If you're building in the Northeast, shipping from upstate New York is manageable and economical. Shipping to the West Coast or South adds substantial cost. Cedar Knoll ships nationwide, but the economics favor regional customers. Your site also needs to accommodate the arrival and staging of bundled logs: a clear space with good access for a truck, and ideally some weather protection for the logs while they wait to be stacked. Log assembly timelines assume stable weather, since logs need to be visibly exposed as they dry during and after construction. Covering the building envelope quickly is important to prevent water damage.

Assembly timelines for a log ADU are tighter than for a stick-built ADU but similar to or slightly longer than a panelized system, depending on crew skill and size. A small log structure can be log-stacked in 2 to 4 weeks by a crew experienced with log homes, but finding that expertise matters. The stacking itself is the most labor-intensive part of the log build; once the walls are up and the roof on, the work is conventional framing, mechanical, and finishing. Cedar Knoll provides guidance and often has relationships with contractors and log builders in your area who understand their kits.

Maintenance is a factor that log home owners need to accept. Log walls need periodic sealing or staining to protect against weathering, typically every 5 to 10 years depending on exposure and climate. The logs will continue to move subtly over years as wood seasons, and chinking between logs may eventually need resealing. None of that is particularly expensive or difficult, but it's ongoing housekeeping that stick-frame or panel homes don't require. It's the trade for having the log aesthetic and the thermal mass and the way logs smell like a real forest.

Cedar Knoll Log Homes is an excellent choice if you want a traditional log ADU, you're comfortable with the aesthetic and the maintenance that comes with it, and you're building in a region where log homes are common enough that skilled log builders are available to help with assembly and finishing. The 40-plus-year track record, in-house milling and sourcing, and custom design flexibility make the company reliable for getting a log kit that will actually work for your site and your needs.