LOG HOME TIPS
TO MAKE YOUR DREAM COME TRUE
LOG HOMES AND LOG CABINS — They appeal to our affinity for the natural, historic, and handmade — but you can forget the stereotype of young Abe Lincoln's humble one-room cabin. Most of today's log homes and cabins are custom built as primary residences for "affluent, educated people looking for a different lifestyle."
—Kevin Ireland, Editor-in-chief of Log Home Living Magazine
- RESEARCH
The importance of research is stressed by successful log home and log cabin owners. Besides looking differently, log homes and log cabins are also made, sold and built differently. Separate from the home itself is the process of purchasing land, settling in the country and funding the home and its creation. The process of purchasing and constructing a log home or log cabin can be a challenge, but discovering what's involved and all your alternatives will assist you in achieving success.
- COLLECT IDEAS
Collecting various ideas about the design and decorating of your dream log home or log cabin is a very useful activity, but know what you are looking for. Flip through different log home magazines, but learn to look for details inside the bigger picture. If you see a picture of a luxurious log home or log cabin that, realistically, is not in tune with your particular tastes or it just too expensive for you to handle, look closer and you may spot a decorating idea, door, fireplace, etc. that may be perfect for your new log home or log cabin. Creating a binder divided into different sections enables you to save and sort various pictures. When it comes time to meet with a designer, your collection of ideas will be simple to go through and look at. During this stage, ask yourself why you want a log home or log cabin as opposed to an ordinary home. The answer given by most people is: They love the way a log house looks!!
- CHOOSE A LOOK
Not all log homes and log cabins look alike, yet their look is very unique. After viewing different log homes and log cabins and collecting different pictures, your perception of log homes and log cabins will become more refined. With all the different styles available, try to recognize what it is about each look that you like best.
The largest differences are square or round logs, handcrafted or milled, chinking or not. Milled logs are formed with precision machinery, whereas handcrafted logs can be hewn to give a flat, finished look, or peeled and hand-scribed to provide uniformity and an even, tight fit. The signature feature of a log home is its corners. They may be intersecting, overlapping, or interlocking and it is important to familiarize yourself with these types of corners and choose which you like best. Some manufacturers provide full length logs which give a seamless wall finish while other manufacturers provide short logs which give your walls a random jointed finish. Full length logs are slightly more expensive but provide a superior finished product.
As you collect ideas for your log home or log cabin, there are other, more subtle characteristics you will become aware of.
- FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD
Instead of trying to find out what the home you want will cost, figure out how much money you can pay for it. Your cash on hand (savings plus equity) added to the amount you can or want to borrow equals your budget.
- KNOW WHEN AND HOW TO COMPROMISE
Unless you have infinite resources, you will not be able to have everything you desire in your log home or log cabin. Not to worry. Most people find themselves in this situation. The solution is easy. You can simplify your design or make the size of your house smaller. Remember also that fewer corners equals less cost, and that it is less expensive to build up than out. Switch to carpeting instead of hardwood floors, a woodstove instead of a stone fireplace, and standard cabinets for custom-made ones. Over time, the features you can't afford now may be within reach later.
To save money, you can also combine full log and framed construction, especially in a two-story home. In fact, most two-story log houses are full log only on the first level. You can face the outside of the second level with a matching wood treatment, like board and batten, or even purchase log siding that matches your logs.
- EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
Hidden costs are bound to occur. Site preparation, design changes after construction begins and improvements once the project is in full swing are the main budget-breakers. Always allow 10 to 15 percent more than you budgeted for in order to afford these costs.
- BUY YOUR LAND FIRST
The site you have purchased to place your log home or log cabin on will influence its size and shape. Your log home's future surroundings will have a big impact on its design. No matter how desirable, any property must have access to water and waste disposal (usually a well and septic system). You will also need access to roads and utilities; if your site is in a distant region, make sure you know what these will cost. Some land is sold with covenants that may prohibit log construction, and you may meet with some environmental restrictions.
- PUT TOGETHER YOUR BUILDING "TEAM" EARLY
To make the whole process go smoother, have a designer, general contractor, and log producer committed before you begin designing and building your log house. Although the final decision is yours, you will benefit greatly from their expertise and different points of view.
In some cases, an architect, builder, and log producer may have worked together on several projects, which may benefit you, however, don't be intimidated by a pushy designer or builder with impressive credentials. Professionals are trained to solve problems creatively, but their solution may not be best for you. Remember, you will be the one who is living in the house.
- DESIGN FOR PROTECTION
With purposeful design, you can decrease maintenance problems by keeping logs dry. Features like wide overhangs and porches, logs placed well off the ground to avoid splashback from mud and rain, no plants touching logs and clearing trees around the house to avoid constant shade should be considered. Luckily, these features enhance the appearance of a log home. Porches that protect the logs also add traditional appeal and stonework around the foundation of the log home or log cabin raises the logs and offers a flattering transition.
- FIND A COMPANY THAT WILL BUILD WHAT YOU WANT
Because there are more that 400 log home and log cabin producers, it is important to concentrate on choosing a log home and log cabin company that will build you a house that looks the way you want it to. Hopefully that company will be High Mountain Log Homes.
- KNOW HOW YOUR LOG HOME AND LOG CABIN PRODUCER PROVIDES FOR SETTLEMENT
It's a fact. Wood shrinks. It is a natural condition of wood in use and is not a problem.
Wood is an organic building material and that's one of the reasons it is so attractive.
Water occurs naturally in wood. When it evaporates after a tree is cut down, this causes shrinkage. Some log home and log cabin producers use freshly cut "green" wood, while others use kiln or air dried logs. Trees that have dried before they are cut are referred to as "standing dead logs", and many Western companies use these.
Fastening and sealing systems must accommodate log movement. How this is dealt with has implications for plumbing, cabinets, windows, doors, and stairs.
- UNDERSTAND COMMON LOG HOME MYTHS
Many people have misconceived notions about log homes and log cabins.
Here are the realities:
Log homes and log cabins are NOT maintenance free
Log homes and log cabins are NOT an inexpensive alternative to ordinary homes
There is NO "best" type of wood to use
You probably can't and probably shouldn't build a log house or log cabin yourself.
High Mountain Log Home's staff are happy to answer any questions you might have — We all live in log houses!
- FIND OUT WHAT YOUR LOG HOME OR LOG CABIN PACKAGE INCLUDES, AND WHAT IT DOESN'T
Learning how log houses are sold is very important. You buy the log package and have it assembled by the log builders on your site and on your foundation. Once this happens, you need a qualified builder to complete your home. Log home and log cabin packages come walls-only, with windows and doors, or with roof systems. Logs can be pre-cut or random lengths. The materials that are included in your package make up a very small part of the total materials needed to finish your home. (Click here to see what High Mountain Log Home Packages include)
- HIRE THE BEST BUILDER, NOT THE CHEAPEST
The nicest land and the best logs will turn into a huge disappointment if your log home or log cabin is handed over to an incompetent builder. This is the most important part of the entire process.
Always hire a builder who has built log homes and log cabins before and make sure to take a look at some of these homes. The majority of complaints can be traced to a bad builder.
- DECIDE HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO BE INVOLVED
Although some people get involved for the pride, savings, and/or experience, unless you are good with tools it is best to allow professional trades people complete your log home or log cabin. Be aware that the work is time consuming and detail oriented, and you may not save as much money as you think if you act as your own contractor. A licensed contractor knows the good subcontractors and can generally buy materials cheaper that you.
You will, however, be asked to make many decisions as the work on your log home or log cabin progresses. This is usually more than enough work for most people. However, enjoy the process! Creating a log home or log cabin which will last a lifetime should be an awesome experience!
- BE REALISTIC
From buying the land and choosing a company to finalizing a design, hiring a log home builder, and having the log home or log cabin actually built, allow yourself enough time to plan properly.
Logs have so much character. With their natural variations and imperfections, a log's make-up is what gives log homes and log cabins their distinctive look. If you deem these characteristics to be flaws, you will drive yourself mad searching endlessly for the "perfect" log.
If you understand before you begin the project that building your log home or log cabin may cost more and take longer than you thought, you won't be let down or stressed out when it occurs.
No matter what advice you may receive, the dream of a log home or log cabin coming true is up to you.
After you have done your due diligence,
we hope you will choose a quality built, handcrafted log home
or log cabin and that you will allow the Canuel family
of High Mountain Log Homes to build it for you.
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