Business Details
Custom Log Cabin Building Systems & Solutions
For over four decades, our team has specialized in crafting custom log cabin solutions that blend innovation with timeless design. Our expertise spans from Japan to Alaska, addressing unique architectural challenges through proprietary building systems. We developed Schafer Systems through extensive refinement of log home projects, ensuring each component meets rigorous standards for durability and aesthetics. Our approach prioritizes site-specific solutions, combining handcrafted materials with advanced engineering to deliver structures that withstand environmental challenges.With a legacy rooted in Edgewood Log Homes, we now offer factory-direct access to our most impactful systems, supported by a team with decades of hands-on experience in log construction. Our commitment to quality is evidenced by international projects, including over 50 homes in Japan and high-elevation builds in Telluride, CO, all completed without callbacks. We maintain active involvement in every project phase, from CAD design to on-site installation, ensuring seamless execution of complex architectural visions.
Services
Glass Forest
Thermal Blanket
SchaferWall
SchaferWood
Custom Log Cabin Design
Log Wall Systems
Timber Roof Solutions
Antique Wood Finishes
International Project Support
CAD Drafting Services
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of specialized log home construction expertise
- Our proprietary Schafer Systems solve common log home challenges
- Factory-direct access to pre-engineered, site-specific building components
- Proven track record with 800+ international projects including 50+ in Japan
- Integrated design-to-installation process ensures project continuity
Services
Glass Forest
Trim-less architectural glass walls integrate seamlessly with natural surroundings using hand-stripped cedar trees. Custom-designed for specific building sites, these walls eliminate visual barriers between interior spaces and landscapes. Fabricated by AGNORA and installed by Big Cabin experts, the system combines aesthetic appeal with structural integrity.
Thermal Blanket
Solid foam insulation roof system prevents ice dams, reduces heat loss, and provides wildfire protection. Features textured timber planks for structural support and thermal R-value permanence. Delivers both functional performance and distinctive aesthetic appeal through its unique material combination and construction methodology.
SchaferWall
Patented compressed log wall system eliminates settling issues through kiln-dried, panelized construction. Includes pre-installed windows, doors, and electrical provisions with finished trim. Installs in days rather than months while maintaining traditional log aesthetics and structural durability across extreme environmental conditions.
SchaferWood
Proprietary wood treatment process creates reclaimed aesthetics without material sourcing challenges. Combines double brushing, charring, and coloring techniques to produce durable, prefinished textures for siding, trim, and interior elements. Delivers consistent, long-lasting finishes that maintain visual character over decades.
Custom Log Cabin Design
Full-service design and construction support for custom log homes, including floor plan development and international project coordination. Integrates proprietary systems with client-specific requirements, offering solutions from weekend retreats to luxury mountain residences with adaptable expansion capabilities and site-optimized features.
People
Brian Schafer
Founder and CEO
40-year industry veteran who pioneered Schafer Systems through Edgewood Log Homes. Founded Big Cabin to make proprietary building technologies accessible through direct factory distribution while maintaining commitment to innovation and quality craftsmanship.
Milan Brodina
Project Management Lead Designer & CAD Technician
Master's degree in Wood Engineering with specialized expertise in roofing design and log construction. Former Production Manager at Natural Log Homes, bringing international market experience and CAD proficiency to custom project execution and technical design.
Max Krieger
Production Foreman
39-year veteran with comprehensive operational experience across all production aspects. Oversees quality control for complex international shipments and high-elevation builds, maintaining perfect project completion record for over 50 Japan-bound and Telluride-based log home projects.
Heath Warnock
Design Specialist
Idaho native with extensive design experience across US locations. Combines outdoor lifestyle expertise with architectural creativity, specializing in translating client visions into functional log home solutions that integrate with natural environments.
Questions
What makes Big Cabin's log cabin systems unique?
Our proprietary Schafer Systems combine traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering, featuring pre-engineered components like Glass Forest and Thermal Blanket that solve common log home challenges while maintaining aesthetic integrity.
Do you work on international projects?
Yes, we have extensive international experience including over 50 completed projects in Japan, with specialized logistics and design adaptations for different climates and building codes.
What's included in the SchaferWall system?
SchaferWall provides prebuilt, kiln-dried log walls with electrical provisions, finished trim, and pre-fit windows/doors, eliminating settling issues and reducing installation time to days instead of months.
Can you accommodate custom design requests?
Our team offers full design consultation and CAD drafting services to create site-specific solutions that integrate our systems with unique architectural visions and local environmental considerations.
What areas do you serve in the US?
We operate nationwide with completed projects in mountain regions like Telluride, coastal areas, and major cities including Seattle, Portland, and Salt Lake City, adapting designs to local conditions.
