Pinecraft Log Homes: We build your dream log cabin
What Sets Pinecraft Log Homes Apart
I use traditional skills and modern power tools to build your dream log cabin by hand. No factories, no CNC machines, no robots. Just men at saw horses with chainsaws and hand tools.
The two most significant differences between Pinecraft Log Homes and the large companies that dominate Google search results are who does the work and how it gets done.
Many of the top-ranking companies are structured around large teams — with office staff focused on marketing, sales, and managing web presence, and production crews operating CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines to manufacture components. These automated systems reduce the need for skilled carpentry, allowing for higher production volumes but often with little to no emphasis on traditional craftsmanship.
At Pinecraft Log Homes, things are done differently. When you call, you’ll likely speak directly with me, Dan — unless I’m out in the yard milling logs or cutting dovetail joints with a chainsaw. I designed and maintain this website, personally prepare estimates and drawings, and work side by side with a small crew of experienced craftsmen to build each cabin by hand.
While I can’t match the volume of the larger operations, what I offer is something far more personal and meaningful: a truly custom, handcrafted log home experience. By working with me, you’re not just hiring a builder — you’re partnering with someone who lives and breathes the craft. And in doing so, you're helping preserve the rich tradition of authentic log home building.
Half Dovetail: A strong authentic notch
Half dovetails are a great type of notch. They are shaped to fit together tightly, creating a strong corner that stays in place just by using their shape and the weight of the logs.
This simple notch is one of my favorites to cut and build with. It works really well and gives the cabin a clean, authentic look.
Using half dovetails is a clear sign of a skilled log home builder. You might notice that many other builders don’t use this notch — but to me, it’s one of the best choices for a strong and beautiful log home.
The Beauty of Live Edge Logs
Live edge logs give each log home its own unique character. Without them, a log cabin can look plain and lack personality.
They’re like a fingerprint—no two are ever the same. Even if two cabins are built the same size, the live edge logs will always make each one look different.
Using live edge logs is another sign of true craftsmanship. It takes real skill and experience to build with logs that aren’t square on all sides.
At Pinecraft Log Homes, we proudly work with live edge logs. It’s not something you see often, and we think that’s a shame—because this natural, handcrafted detail is one of the things that sets us apart from other log home companies.
Hand Hewing: A True Log Building Tradition
Before sawmills were common, builders used hand tools to flatten logs. This old method is called hand hewing, and it was done using an axe or an adze to shape the round log into a flat surface.
Today, we mill our logs flat so we can make better use of the leftover wood, turning it into boards and other materials. But if a customer wants a more historic look, we’re happy to hand hew the log faces to give that authentic, handcrafted feel.
Knowing how to hand hew is another sign of a skilled log home builder. While a few companies still offer it, Pinecraft Log Homes is proud to keep this tradition alive—one more way we stand apart from the rest.
Quality Craftsmanship
Quality craftsmanship is something every builder and trades person should aim for. It should be the foundation that guides every choice we make.
My personal goal is always to do the best work possible. Even if I don’t reach perfection, I use it as the standard I work toward on every project.
When I was learning the trade, my mentor Gary had a saying: “It’s either right or it’s wrong.” He wasn’t expecting perfection—but he did expect it to be done well. If it wasn’t, he had me do it again. I really appreciated that. It taught me that good work means doing it right the first time, and never cutting corners.
This focus on quality is the fourth sign of a skilled log home builder. But honestly, I believe every builder should take pride in their work and aim for that same high standard.
Beautiful Log Homes
You might think building a log home is simple—take a pile of live edge logs, hand hew them, cut dovetails at the ends, stack them up, add a roof, and you have a beautiful cabin. But in reality, there is much more knowledge and skill involved.
That’s where I come in. I use everything I learned as an apprentice and journeyman, along with years of experience running Pinecraft Log Homes, to build the log cabin of your dreams.
Hand-hewn log cabins are truly special because each one has its own unique character. They feel warm and connect you to both history and nature. The texture of the hand-hewn logs and the natural live edges create a look that you won’t find in any other style of home. Building an authentic hand-hewn log cabin takes strength, skill, and experience, and the quality of hand-hewn work cannot be matched. Every cabin is custom-designed, so yours will be one of a kind.
Pinecraft Log Homes is based in Oley Pennsylvania but travels all over the country building log homes
