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How
long do they last? |
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We've
been in Log Houses in Europe that are 400 years old and still being lived
in! We expect Artichouses to last at least 200 years when properly maintained.
Artichouse's own government-backed state of the art sawmill in Sodankyla,
Lapland, cuts and numbers each log specifically for your house. We understand
that this is the most technologically advanced mill in Finland! They even
use their sawdust and off-cuts to heat the town. |
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What
about our climate? |
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There
are a great many Artichouse Log Houses throughout Europe and in Japan, in
areas where the weather is damper, colder, dryer and hotter than here, and
they stand up beautifully to this. Don't forget that Log is a natural material
and 'breathes'. |
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Isn't
insurance very expensive? |
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No
-it isn't! It's a little more than for a 'standard' house. Our houses are
quality approved so are, even in this age of difficult insurance, not a
problem area. We have blue-chip Irish insurers for your Artichome. |
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What
about maintenance? |
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In
our climate the outer logs need two coats of standard wood preservative
immediately after building, and then one coat every 4-5 years after that
depending on the location. There are many eco-friendly options available
in Ireland, in either natural or coloured preservatives, and we are happy
to give you information. |
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What
about building? |
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Building
arrangements may be surprisingly flexible. We can cater as much for the
self-build client as for those who want a ‘turn-key’ arrangement; even a
combination of these if you have the expertise to carry out some of the
work yourself. Our experienced builders are normally happy to work on a
consultancy basis if required, or indeed construct, say, the log frame and
inner walls for you. If you have a local builder with whom you’d prefer
to work we would be pleased to discuss this with you. The most important
thing to us is that your house is erected to proper standards, and that
you are happy with the end result. Complete construction drawings are supplied
by Artichouse once your house is ordered, which show details of foundation
requirements, walls, roof etc. |
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Do
I need Planning Permission? |
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Quite
possibly. Check with your local Planning Authority. We have eco-friendly
contacts in most areas with specialist knowledge who can apply for you at
a reasonable cost. Smaller garden rooms, extensions, extra accommodation
or ‘smoking’ areas up to 40+ sq m may often be built without planning permission. |
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What
about rot, vermin, and fire? |
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The
wood we use is cut from forests in Lapland, North of the Arctic Circle -
the Northernmost part of Europe where trees will grow. Every tree cut is
replaced by three more. Where it might take a log 25 years to reach a suitable
diameter here in Ireland, it takes over 180 years in Finland. The logs are
so dense that in some cases it is impossible to count the rings with the
naked eye, so these problems are unlikely to arise as the logs char rather
than burn. |
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What
about my health? |
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Log
houses do not generate dust and are easy-care! You don’t need fitted carpets
or lots of fabric, the log walls breathe and at all times give a healthy
atmosphere. They are warm and cosy in winter, and cool in hot weather. Our
customers find that their heating bills are significantly reduced, and that
their own energy levels often increase in their log houses. |
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Finance? |
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We
will give you a contact with a ‘smoothed path’ for mortgages for Artichouses,
where you are virtually guaranteed your loan once your financial information
is ok. Our contact trains lending officers and is impartial and reasonable,
can save considerable time at ‘draw-down’ and will keep you informed of
how your application is going. |
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May
I have what I want? |
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You
can have exactly what you want as long as it is buildable! You can plan
your own or choose from thousands of plans available from Artichouse. Once
you are committed to the project we will help design your dream house for
you, and work to budget as required. Sensitivity to the site is as critical
as it is to your own needs, both current and future. The Planning Authority
parameters must be taken into consideration. A small non-returnable deposit
- from €950 + VAT for a small house - is made for special drawings from
a sketch plan, which can then be used as part of your planning application.
The nett amount is then offset against the final cost of your house. |
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What
else can you supply? |
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We
can supply your Sauna benching and fittings – at extremely low cost. Enough
wood for the kitchen, wardrobes, shelves etc too may be ordered at the same
time as your house. We can also supply beautiful wooden flooring and panelling
for pre-existing houses if required, or all the wood needed to build a concrete-walled
house if PP wasn’t forthcoming for log. Information about grey water recycling,
geothermic heating and sheep-wool insulation & sound insulation is also
available. We work closely with an independent Energy Auditor who can design
optimum heat/energy on foot of your plans. He can advise also on relevance
and usage of solar heating. |
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I
think I know what I want, but . . . |
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Kenneth
Edwards, who is probably Ireland's most respected Interior Designer and
Architect is our Irish Design Consultant and may be available to design
your ideal interior and layouts. We also work with a Master Feng Shui practitioner
if this is your wish, and several other architects in various parts of the
country. Gerry Roberts, our experienced Technical Director, is happy to
go through the feasibility of original ideas and sketches with you. |
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Must
all my walls be log? |
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No.
It is quite feasible to have a mixture of interior plaster walls and log
or log panelling. Plaster can be a cheaper base too for tiling if you want
this in bathroom and kitchen, although it’s only really needed for splash-backs
& excessive heat. In split level buildings it is often advisable to have
the walls of the lower floor in concrete or stone. |
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Any
other questions? |
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If
it's not in the literature please do phone Gerry at 01-2805815 [mobile 086-2382704]
or Daphne at 01-2802879 [mobile 08682-55565]. We'll be happy to discuss
your ideas. |
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We
can give you your Dream Home!! |
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