Log Homes Journal

A log cabin is both attractive and cheaper than any traditional home. Different log cabins are built from logs with varied thickness as thick logs are used in large cabins to add extra strength and insulation. The type of logs used in the log cabin give a different appeal to the log cabin home. There are two types of logs, one is the rough cut round logs and the other one is milled logs which easily fit together due to their uniformity. Now pre-milled logs come in kit form so building a log cabin is both cheap as well as enjoyable task.

Building log cabin

Earlier the log cabins were built like wooden fences by setting different sized logs perpendicularly in a gutter so as to form the wall of the cabin. But now log cabins are formed by placing the logs parallel to each other and connecting their last part with notches. The log cabins can be built by any construction company or manufacturer and sometimes people buy it in kit form for self builds.

The Building permit requirements of log cabins vary from county to county so keep this in mind while building and purchasing any log cabin. If you want it to get built by a builder then get quotes from different cabin builders and get feedback from their previous clients. Also check the credibility of the builder from local builders association. If you want to build a log cabin by taking a construction loan then collect the updated quotes from contractors like masons, plumbers, roofers and electricians. Also add the service charges along with the cost of the items. Sometimes sourcing of water is done by installing a septic tank. The foundations of log cabin require more digging so select the foundation slabs accordingly.

Buying log cabin

But before buying log cabins take an overview of the size and position of plot. Then consider the desired square footage and also access to services like power, water and sewers. While buying any log cabin for sale investigate different log cabin home plans and log cabin kits in the market. Even some builders specialized in cabin building and log cabin kit assembly suggests the suitable type of log cabin for the plot.

Now even one can check out on the internet about different log cabin plans and kits on sites. Even the details of log cabins with pictures are available to the customer on the website. There are different log cabins suitable for different purposes so select the log cabin according to the requirement. If you are buying a log cabin to be used as a home office then ensure enough power and telecom points as well as shelves and cupboards to place the stock and accessories. Even check the locking system of the cabin so as to keep the business safe. Check out your budget and desired features so as to make the log cabin selection easy as the company agents can also then easily locate the desired log cabin for the client.

Log cabins set in the middle of a green open space under an open, blue sky – looks like the very picture of beauty, doesn’t it? Picture postcard perfect beauty. Log cabins have a certain rustic charm about them, which is an undeniable fact, and they’ve been around for a long time. They have the simplest of structures and can be found all over the world, both in rural and urban areas wherever wood has been readily available. It is believed that log cabins began to be constructed initially in the northern part of Europe, around 3500 BC. Later on, the construction of such cabins began in the USA, Germany, Russia and Scandinavia. A number of the log cabins constructed years ago still stand in some parts of the world.

The styles in which log cabins have been constructed vary from one part of the world to another. Two common styles of log cabins, classified on the basis of the style of their roofs, are the purlin style and the gable style. In the middle of the 18th century, elaborate log cabins began to be constructed, known as the Adirondack style of cabins. At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, a number of log cabins began to be constructed as a part of the United States Park Service, most of which were built as per the Adirondack style.

The construction of a log cabin is rather simple, as it is usually built with logs horizontally piled one on top of one another. Logs used for building a cabin can not be picked on a random basis. They need to be selected carefully as logs with only a few knots are preferred, as such logs can be smoothed easily with a bit of whittling. This ensures that the gaps between the logs are as small as possible. In days gone by the gaps were filled in with grass and sticks, known as ‘chinking’, or with mud, known as ‘daubing’.

Major decisions to be taken when constructing a log cabin are – the cabin size, number of storeys, the type of roof, and the type of doors and windows. Years ago the availability of logs as well as that of labour were two of the most important factors affecting the size of the cabin. For instance, if logs were not readily available in the vicinity of the site, the size of the cabin would have to be restricted. Similarly, if labour – human or animal – was not available near the site, again the cabin size would have to be restricted.

In today’s times however, the construction of log cabins has been made extremely simple by the availability of ready-to-erect log cabin kits. Such cabins have the same look and feel as traditional log cabins, but are cheaper and easier to construct. You do not have to look for the various materials for construction and collect them from different places, as they are readily available in a single kit. Moreover, when log cabin kits are being used, there is no need for cranes and other heavy equipment. Due to their advantages, log cabin kits are widely preferred by people all over the world.

Initially, log cabins were built by travelers to stay en route. They were not meant to be permanent dwellings. With the passage of time, they began to be used as residences, as well as outbuildings for various purposes such as storage of garden equipment and raising animals. Some people use log cabins as an extension of their home: as a gym; an office; as a playroom; or as a place for rest and relaxation.

In conclusion, log cabins have been around for a long time because they have always been versatile and remain an asset for any homeowner.

Log cabin kit homes – what are they? Log cabin building kits are logs that have been cut, milled, dried and shaped into ‘packages’ called log cabin kit homes. These cabin kits can be as simple as the logs and fasteners only, or the kits can include nearly all of the exterior components of the cabin. The other main kind of log cabin home would be a ‘handcrafted home’, one where the logs are shaped by hand using special tools.

The major advantages of log cabin building kits are generally lower costs, simplified estimating and construction methods and faster construction of the cabin home. Created in the controlled environment of the manufacturer, the logs will be more uniform in shape than handcrafted logs.

The logs can be trucked in and assembled on your building site relatively quickly by knowledgable builders. Log cabin kit homes can be purchased in nearly complete exterior systems that include the logs, fasteners, roof system, windows and doors, porches and more.

The logs are available in a variety of shapes – round, square, rectangular, beveled and ‘D-shaped’ logs are common examples. Milled logs will have the outer sapwood planed off before the logs are shaped. Most log cabin kit homes manufacturers cut the logs in such a way as to create a tongue or groove so each log will interlock with the log above and below it in the wall. This interlocking system will likely be enhanced by the use of other materials that will help keep air and water from penetrating the log wall.

How do you find log cabin building kits that may be right for you?

The fastest way is to go online and visit various log cabin kit homes manufacturers websites. You’ll want to be looking for the log cabin building kits that have an appearance you enjoy. See what you prefer – large diameter versus smaller diameter logs, color of the log wood, shapes of logs available and how the corner treatment looks to you.

As you find cabin kits you like, see how long the company has been in business. You’ll want to know they have been around a number of years which is one important factor to consider. Review the kit choices – what is included, what is not included. See if you can narrow your choices down to 3-4 companies that you may be most interested in.

At this point, you would be ready to visit the companies and talk with their staff. How do you find them – are they pleasant, courteous, really interested in answering your questions and even offer suggestions for your situation? Or are they high-pressure and inflexible? If they cannot provide something you want, are they truthful and up-front that they cannot do it that way?

You’ll want to pay attention to your intuition and gut feel. Maybe you’ll further narrow the list to, say, two manufacturers. Then you can contact 2-3 log cabin home builders with experience in building with these manufacturer’s logs and fastener systems. Obtain estimates for building your log cabin kit home on your property.

You can also learn a lot about log cabin kit homes by viewing cabin plans that have been successfully built somewhere. Every plan that you see can give you design ideas that you had not thought of. You can make a scrapbook of the things you may want in your log home design. Organize a project notebook where you’ll keep the builder estimates, schedules and so on.

Creating the log cabin building kit home design that will provide you much enjoyment can be a lot of effort. However, it’s your personal involvement, enthusiasm and persistence that will help ensure that your project becomes the log cabin building kit home that you’ll enjoy for many years to come.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

The garden log cabins are set up in the middle of green space and are liked by people all around the world. A garden log cabin adds glamour and style to the house. If one need to add some extra space in the home then log cabin is an attractive and practical answer to the problem.

The style and size of log cabin depends on both budget and requirements. Decide firstly about its size, location and structure in the garden. The construction of garden log cabin depends on different factors like the cabin size, storey number, roof type and the type of doors and windows. The log cabins are built by piling the logs horizontally one on top of one another. The logs used for building the cabin are selected carefully as the logs with fewer knots are smoothed easily leaving minimum gap between the logs. As if the gap is left then with time it might get filled up with grass, mud and sticks.

Construction of log cabin

Now days the construction of log cabins is very simple due to availability of ready-to-erect diy log cabin kits. These log cabins are both cheap and easy to construct as the person doesn’t need to collect the construction material or other heavy equipment needed while building a traditional house. The log cabin kits have detailed assembling instructions so as to guide the client about the process of building log cabin.

Log cabin kits

The log cabin kit has cut logs according to specific log cabin plan as every log has a predetermined location like for the wall, door and window openings. These kits also contain additional components like cladding, screws, insulation, steel brackets, corner panels, window frames and windows, anchor bolts, doors frames and doors, nuts and washes, studding, roofing and flooring.

Different log cabins

Diy log cabin kits are available in different packages like the handcrafted one which has whole logs whereas the manufactured one has kiln-dried logs that are factory milled. There are different shapes of logs like the D log which is very popular as it is flat from inside and round outside. Use the type of timber like pine or cedar according to the floor plans, insulation and utility requirements.

Internet assistance

The Finn forest Log cabins have thinness of 28mm to 45mm with pre cut and pre notched tongue and grooved timbers so it’s easy to build an attractive garden log cabin. The Finn forest log cabins can be bought online through different websites.

The log cabins are built in different styles based on the roofs like, purlin style and the gable style.

One can research online about the log cabin supplies to get quick prices at different stores. Some sites even provide the facility of comparing different stores at the same time. Along with the supplies you can also search about the kits that can be made easily into cabin and by searching through internet one gets rough idea of the expenses on garden log cabin.

Log cabins may not be the first item you would think of putting on your Christmas wish list, but if you have your parents, in-laws, aunts, uncles and numerous children descending on you over the Christmas period, a log cabin used as a guest room could give you the extra space you need for your guests.

To determine what sort of log cabin will suit you, there are a few questions that need to be answered:

How much space do you have for a log cabin?

Unless you have a garden the size of a postage stamp, there should be a log cabin to suit you. Many log cabins are designed for smaller gardens where space is limited, and if space is not an issue, you could have a log cabin the size of a small house with two storeys.

Who will use your log cabin?

If young and old alike are to use your log cabin, it would be best to have a log cabin with a double door entrance so prams and wheelchairs can be easily accommodated.

What is your budget?

Small log cabins start at about £600 and can run into thousands for very large log cabins with all the extras – such as a veranda, double-glazing, window shutters, window boxes, etc. A good log cabin company will stock log cabins to suit all budgets.

Which type of log cabin should you choose?

Log cabins usually come in a high-quality DIY kit form. The log cabin kits come in a variety of wall thickness, ranging from 28mm to 45mm and are normally made from pre-cut, pre-notched, tongue and grooved kiln dried timbers for quick assembly. Shopping online is a good place to look for log cabins as they display a range of designs, provide details about each log cabin, and are often cheaper than garden centres or DIY stores.

Who is going to build your log cabin?

For some people, the idea of erecting their own log cabin is met with delight and enthusiasm, and it can be a rewarding and satisfying experience. Most log cabins only require quality basic tools, for example: a drill, hammer, screwdrivers, and a level and good log cabins come with detailed building instructions to guide you all the way. For other people, the idea of erecting their own log cabin is, well, abhorrent! The best option would be to find a local builder, or the log cabin company could recommend one for you.

Once your log cabin is built, the only problem you’ll have are your relatives fighting over who is going to stay in it!

When Christmas has been and gone, instead of leaving your log cabin empty, collecting spider webs and dust, it could earn you money as bed and breakfast accommodation. Who could resist staying overnight in a rustic yet modern accommodation? And tax-wise, a B&B can prove to be very beneficial as a home based business. However, before you start, you should check with your local planning authority, as you’ll be changing your home from residential to business. If you think a B&B would be too much work, you could rent it out to a lodger, so you would have a steady income every week/month. If you own freehold property, you will need to inform your insurers about a lodger, and if you have a mortgage, you may need permission from your mortgage lender.

Log cabins may not be what most people would choose as a Christmas present, but there aren’t many gifts that provide additional space for the home, and a way to earn extra income.