Bob & Josie Fletcher ~ Ward Log Homes

Ward Comfort System-5

Only Ward offers the Comfort System-5, a unique method of log wall construction that is weather-tight and energy-efficient.

Evolved over 80-plus years, the Comfort System-5 has been perfected into a technically superior system that prevents air and water from infiltrating the structure. While taking full advantage of the energy-efficient cedar walls, our unique method of log wall construction with the exclusive 5-point log sealing system ensures a tight and lasting fit.

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Throughout the structure, vertical posts are used to bolt the log rows and minimize downward log movement.

Every interior partition has a 4x4 post against the log wall, bolted solidly to prevent settling.

From the northernmost corners of the United States to the hot, humid South and the arid Southwest, Ward Cedar Log Homes are designed to withstand virtually any climate. So it's not surprising that most Ward Cedar Log Homes built today are used for year-round living. Our homes are designed to deliver superior energy efficiency, which minimizes heating & cooling costs.

Comfort System-5 Log Wall Features

Northern White Cedar
Naturally, it all begins with the superior wood, known for its structural stability, energy efficiency and natural resistance to the elements and insects.

Drip Edge
A drip edge and notch milled beneath the drip-edge exterior eliminate the capillary action of water, channeling moisture away from your home.

Exterior Bead of Caulking
An exterior bead of caulking specifically formulated for elasticity and durability creates a weathertight seal against the elements.

Internal Foam Backer Rod
An internal foam backer rod creates a second barrier to perfect the weathertight lock, preventing cold air and water from penetrating and warm air from escaping. And because the caulking will not adhere to the backer rod, Ward creates the necessary two-sided wood adhesion that sealant experts require under their warranties.

Tongue-and-Groove Joinery
The tongue-and-groove joinery with closed-cell gasket material applied to all tongues and end joints during construction provides a mechanical barrier to the elements, creating the tightest log home possible. This prevents leaks and ensures maximum energy efficiency.

Every vertical window and door frame is fastened to each log row to prevent downward log movement.

Butt-And-Pass Corners

Ward was the inventor of the interlocking "butt-and-pass" corner and log joinery system. Instead of the square log ends butting against the face of each other, logs alternately extend past one another. Each log fits together in a tongue-and-groove fashion, with the foam sealant, backer rod and caulking providing superior protection.

Independent testing by the National Bureau of Standards has demonstrated that log homes, with their tremendous thermal mass, consume less energy than frame houses. Moreover, Ward's Northern White Cedar's large cell structure traps air to create natural insulation.

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