Log cabins are great homes to live in. They have a very natural warm cozy feel to them which you just don’t get in conventional homes. With their rustic appearance and aesthetic beauty, building a log cabin can make you feel closer to nature and give you a huge sense of accomplishment. Although there are many benefits of staying in log homes. you must be realistic about what building a log home will involve. That’s why we’ve put together this list of things that you need to know before you build, to help you decide whether this is the right decision for you.
Table of Contents
1. Healthy In Living
Colorado Log homes are livable, comfortable, and calm. Maybe it’s built into our psychology from centuries of our ancestors living in natural settings, but everything from acoustics to even the natural smell of wood in the home results in a very warm and comfortable atmosphere. Quiet environments and calm settings reduce the stress of daily life and therefore promote healthy living.
2. Log Homes Cost More To Build
Some will say this is a myth, but let’s not kid ourselves here. There are more material and more labor involved with a log home. Period. Lots of folks decide to build their own, set their logs, etc. Sweat equity is a great way to save on your construction costs, Handcrafted homes built by the specialist can be comparatively more costly than those manufactured by machine. Energy efficient-Wood has an amazing capability of storing heat due to the property of thermal mass.
3. Provide Insulation
While wood’s thermal mass means that it’s able to store heat, it works best in temperate climates because log homes don’t give you wood-stud walls, insulation, sheathing, and wallboard. Buildings are given a thermal resistance rating called an R-value, with higher values denoting more effective insulation.
4. Energy Efficiency
Factors that can adversely affect a log building’s energy efficiency include the type of wood you choose, poor construction, and inadequate maintenance. You can help minimize air leakage by using well-seasoned cedar and spruce logs, plastic gaskets, and specialized foam sealants, and you can continue to improve efficiency with regular maintenance.
5. Need More Maintenance
All houses require maintenance, but wood attracts moisture, expanding and contracting, which causes air leaks. Moisture may also lead to rot and insects, such as ants and termites. To reduce maintenance costs, Hochstetler says to use a good finish, large overhangs, and quality kiln-dried material.
6. Log Walls Settle
It doesn’t matter if the logs are kiln dried or dead standing, the material is made up of millions of tiny cells that were once living. As those cells continue to dry out, the logs will continue to shrink. As the logs shrink, the entire structure of the home settles down. This requires a great number of special details and very close consideration in the design by your architect.
7. Insurance
Insurance premiums don’t have to be higher for log and timber homes, but not all carriers offer policies. An agent who represents several companies can help you find and evaluate ones that do. Try to use an appraiser familiar with log homes, and make sure your policy covers the replacement cost of your home and not the actual cash value.
8. Consider Your Building Location
A log home among the trees is a natural fit, while the same house in a neighborhood surrounded by brick and white columns may be less appealing to home buyers. If a log home is your long-term desire, plan, discuss the pros and cons with other log homeowners, and shop around to make sure that the dream of a log home is the right choice for you.
It is necessary to be practical in life and while building a log home. Regardless of all the low cost and energy efficiency in comparison to other typical houses. These positive things can turn to the negative thing in a moment when you do not plan the house for inevitable circumstances such as maintain the home and settling. The more you are prepared, the more your build is a success.
