Log home companies produce factory-made or hand-crafted log homes with solid walls ranging from 6 to 15 inches in thickness. Thermal mass characteristics of log walls make log homes as energy efficient as conventionally insulated walls.

Solid wood log homes are one of the most environmentally-compatible housing choices because of their thermal mass characteristics and the renewability of the building materials. The log homes industry is part of a process that nurtures and replenishes the nation's forests for generations to come.

Styles of log homes vary greatly and many manufacturers can custom design homes.

Annual production of log home packages has increased 41% since 1988 -- from 15,854 to 22,412 in 1995 -- according to a survey by the Log Home Living Institute (LHLI).  This billion dollar a year industry represents 6.5% of the custom-built housing market.

There are currently more than 400,000 log homes in the U.S. and Canada.

The average log home package sells for $42,000 US. The finished price of a log home, excluding land, averages $149,000 US, according to LHLI.

The typical log home owner is married with family income of more than $50,000 US, has a college degree and uses the home as a primary residence.

The top ten U.S. states producing log homes are: Tennessee, Montana, Wisconsin, Idaho, New York, Texas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Washington. The top ten states for construction of log homes are: Colorado, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Minnesota.