Services Offered:

Log Cabin Restoration

Appalachia is filled with historic structures that embody the past, offering us a glimpse of stories long-forgotten of the pioneers and days of old. Squirrel Hollow Woodworks is dedicated to restoring and preserving vintage cabins built in the traditional style, rescuing from decay and the brink of death structures and materials once thought lost.

Squirrel Hollow also specializes in bringing refined, rustic spaces to life, assisting clients in creating a handmade home that exudes warmth, strength, and security through the use of natural materials.

The small cabin to the shown on the left is an example of a completed restoration.  The cabin was completely taken down, the foundation re-dug, foundations stones reset and reorganized, sills replaced, its chestnut logs cleaned and debarked, and replaced where necessary. The wall under the gable in this photo was created using white oak logs harvested from the owner’s property. Rafters were also cut from the owner’s woods and pegged in the traditional fashion. A custom standing seam metal roof was fabricated and the gable ends refreshed. The cabin is ready for the next 100 years of service and beyond.

Chinking:

The most requested service we provide is log cabin chinking.

The modern method of proper chinking of antique cabins is done by applying mortar on metal lath, as shown in the picture to the right. Proper chinking will last decades and not rot the logs from the inside out. Proper chinking always repels water to the outside of the logs and creates visual interest that highlights a cabin’s unique contours. This means chinking is not gopped on haphazardly to cover blemishes in a cabin.

All of these considerations makes the chinking process both tedious and time consuming, but the reward is an attractive cabin that will stand the rest of time.

Standing Seam Metal Roofing

Metal is one of the traditional roofing materials used throughout the Shenandoah Valley and mid-Atlantic region. In addition to antique log cabin work, Squirrel Hollow specializes in practicing the art of installing traditional standing seam roofs on homes and outbuildings, using the methods that have been practiced for centuries throughout Europe and North America.

Furniture
My first specialty in working with reclaimed wood was in creating refined rustic pieces to accentuate one’s home. I continue to create furniture on a commissioned basis.

 

Log Cabin Inspection/Process:

Before undertaking any restoration project, Squirrel Hollow requires that it undertake a site visit and inspection of the building under consideration. This begins with a personal visit to the site and discussion with the owner or owner’s representative of the scope of work, project challenges and variables, and the production of a written report with findings and cost estimates within 10 calendar days. The report will contain a summary of onsite comments and considerations, further reflections obtained after the visit, and costs for remediation.

The standard fee for this service is $450.  This amount will be deducted from the total cost of future work completed on the proposed project.