People are the most important ingredient to any industry. Since the log home industry is relatively new, this fact becomes even stronger. Jim Barna Log Homes is named after its founder who is still active in the day-to-day operation of the company. Who is this man, Jim Barna, and what does he have to offer the industry? This question is best answered in Jim's own words, "When I founded this company in 1976, I made a personal pledge that I would devote my full time and energies to building a company that would become the leader in the manufacture of log homes and products and that I would set the standards for our industry, year after year."

When the company was established in 1976, Jim was not at all pleased with the antiquated joining methods which were prevalent in the log home industry. His first step was to design equipment that would lock the logs together to give the finished home structural integrity. This equipment cuts a tongue and groove configuration on the top and bottom of each log. This was a giant step forward and is still the basis for locking together most log structures. The Jim Barna log home building process is a complete system because it integrates the proven log building elements with modern building techniques. Modern techniques, coupled with age-old building concepts, equal a system that will last for many generations.

The next important ingredient necessary to assure a completely stable home is the wood species from which the home is constructed. Jim Barna utilizes southern yellow pine, white pine, and western red cedar as its primary wood species. The leading species is slow grown, short-leaf southern yellow pine. This timber has a high tensile strength and an average tree age of fifty years. The timber is kiln dried to aid in the reduction of a high shrinkage factor.

Jim Barna's complete selection of log profiles allow our customers to utilize the shape and look of our logs that best integrates with the architectural styles they have in mind. Our full range of log styles include Full Round, Square, "D", and Swedish Cope. Our Full Round System available in 6-1/2", 8 or 9 inch diameter logs. "D'" System logs available in 8 or 9 inch diameters. Our Square Log System features 6 X 12 inch double tongue and groove with dovetail corners. Our Swedish Cope is a 10" log coming either hand hewn or draw knifed.

Since Jim Barna Log Systems is utilizing a natural product in the manufacture of its products, we are also concerned about the ecology factor. For this reason, we practice the concept of the three Es . . . environmentally sound, energy efficient, and economical advantages:

Environmentally sound
Selective cutting promotes health of forests and regrowth for the years to come. Most timbers come from the thinning of our national forests, and we promote and fund reforestation projects.

Energy efficient
Solid log walls store heat and are up to 35 percent more efficient than man-made materials. Our advanced engineered joining system reduces air infiltration.

Economical
The thermal quality of logs helps save money on heating and cooling, and solid wood is more resistant to wear and tear.

The experience of living in a home built from natural products gives one the feeling of pride, contentment, and security. Jim Barna Log Systems is committed to preserving this relationship between man's ingenuity and nature while offering all the comforts of modern-day living. We invite you to join the thousands of satisfied customers who personally live in one of our homes by the purchase of a log home of distinction.

We Dare You to Compare Apples to Apples

   Jim Barna has the highest quality and most complete total system in the log home industry. We feel so strongly about this statement that we are willing to have you compare our total system with the offerings of the competition. If they offer you the same or comparable materials and components, we will gladly beat their price. While others tell you they are the best, we are willing to put money behind our claims.                                                                                                             

Ask yourself these questions - "Does brand X offer all of the same items in their Total Systems package as Jim Barna? Am I getting a complete system or a system with hidden costs?"

Designing Your Log Home

At Jim Barna Log Systems, approximately 95% of our customers purchase custom homes. Although this isn't the easiest way to do business, we are proud to offer you the home you want, designed and manufactured according to your dreams. We specialize in total customization and assist in most stages of development, including ideas, site selection and working drawings.

If you want to start from scratch with your home design, you can depend on our full time, in-house log home design professionals to turn your ideas into a workable blueprint for cost-efficient construction.

Many people like the concepts featured in our standard models but want them modified to suit their particular lifestyle. We can relocate interior walls or window and door locations according to your needs. In addition, we can expand living spaces, add rooms or incorporate special features to satisfy your own design specifications. All of these procedures are carried out by working closely and listening carefully to the desires and needs of the customer.

   We take your ideas and translate them into architecturally sound building plans. These plans will meet your local building codes and assure you that your design is both economical and feasible. Most people also need assistance in determining final cost estimates on their home. We offer this service free of charge.

In addition to the above-mentioned features, we strive to see that your construction goals are met. We provide one full day of free on-site technical assistance.

The reasons why you should consider Jim Barna Log Systems

Experience - Over 12,000 log homes in the past 28 years.

Versatility - Multiple log profiles, wood species, and building systems.

Engineering - We maintain our own in-house engineering staff.

Technology - The proper equipment and infrastructure to manufacture and to season our wood products.

Services - Our real service to the customer kicks in gear after the sale has as been made.

Complete operation under the same ownership - All the way from the harvesting of the timber through design, through manufacturing, through production.