About Us
Beran’s Handcrafted Log Cabins is located in Grand Marais, MN and specializes in hand built, full scribed log cabins. A small business that caters to people who would like a cozy, small to medium sized log home. The log structures are built on site with locally harvested timber and then reassembled on YOUR favorite piece of property.
The Building Process
How to Get Started- If you have been thinking about buying a log cabin, the first step is figuring out exactly what you want. Whether you have found a model or just know how many bedrooms you would like, Isaak Beran can help find an option that best suits your needs. Log home CAD designers are used to generate floorplans and 3D modeling to ensure the building is completed right the first time. The 3D modeling also allows the owner to do a virtual walk though so they can see exactly how the finished product will look. This is an option and is not required, cabins can be built using only blueprints as well. During planning and construction, Beran will work with contractors in charge of other aspects of home building to insure a well integrated, turn key home. Once the owner has chosen to act as the General Contractor or hire one, the building process can begin.
Cutting and Peeling- Red pine is most commonly used at Beran's. The trees are cut in the middle of winter, when the sap content is lower to help reduce checking and staining as the logs dry. Logs are hand peeled in the spring using drawknives and then treated with a preservative to help reduce sap stain (blue stain) and keep all insects out of the logs. Its no problem to incorporate unique trees from your property into the log shell.
Hand Scribing- The logs are full scribed, meaning the notches, laterals, and fly ways (log ends) are mirror images of the log below. This method allows for a tight fit, chink less style of cabin. This greatly improves insulation and eliminates air flow to make these cabins energy efficient. No chinking material is visible between each log course.
Notching- Saddle notches are used in our craft, which keeps everything tight as the logs naturally settle and shrink. Certain logs have modified lock notches which are used in areas such as the top log courses and trusses.
Windows and Doors- Openings are cut out according to the plans once the log shell is reassembled on the owners property. Since log cabins settle, doors and windows will have keyways that allow the log walls to move freely along the framing.
Roof- A log roof is commonly compromised of log posts and log trusses that will hold purlins and ridge logs overhead. The purlins and ridge logs are flattened with precision to accept common roofing materials.
Reassembly- Each log is given a specific number and letter that makes the reassembly a breeze, much like a kit. The log cabins are taken apart and hauled to the owners property once the foundation and floor is in place. Assembly can be completed by the homeowner or Beran's, which on average, takes 5 days to complete the log shell.