Log Home Exterior

Out buildings serve a number of uses, including storage, garden sheds, and playhouses.  How the outbuilding is used is just as important as how it is designed.  There is a solution for every log homeowner’s needs, particularly space planning issues.  Build an out building.

Remember riding through the countryside and seeing interesting outbuildings next to beautifully built homes or farm houses?  Have you ever perused a book or magazine and thought, that kind of storage would really be helpful on my property?  Are you looking for a place for your kids to play and really embrace their imaginations?  Build an out building!

Create a design that mirrors your log home as much as possible so it will tie in with the landscaping and overall look of the property.  It does not have to be an exact replica of the log home, but rather a feature of the home.  For example, if there is a farmer’s porch on the front of the log home, create a porch similar to that look on your out building.

There are a number of contractors that have out building design plans and kits available.  These out buildings can be erected by hiring the contractor or, if preferred, an experienced do-it-yourselfer can complete this project.  Home improvement stores also sell out building design plans with easy to follow instructions.

There are many misconceptions about the bark found on log home siding, the number one being that it will not last.  Homes, both log homes and shingle sided homes, have incorporated use of bark in with materials successfully for decades.  The majority of these homes are still standing, many decades later, intact.

Another misconception is that bark must be chemically treated in order to stand up to harsh weather and other natural elements.  Bark, left untreated, is a natural green resource.  There is no need to chemically treat it, seal it, or use any other kind of treatment to keep it strong.

Because bark shingles are by-products of the log home industry it is very common to see them used to side portions of the log home, the roof, or the porch’s roof.  It is also common to see them uses on out buildings, such as sheds, gazebos, and portions of a garage exterior.  Bark maintains the rustic appeal log homebuilders and log homeowners seek.

It is not recommended that homeowners stain bark, or try to fix what Mother Nature does to bark over time in terms of color.  Accept the natural beauty of the bark, and let it become sun bleached or weather honed.  This is how the bark would react if it were still on the tree, so why mess with natural beauty.  Staining of bark has been done in some cases, but it tends to deflect from the intended appearance too much to be recommended regularly by builders.

I’m finally back from a short break. I think I spent half my time stuck in the lodge at a ski resort in Kalispell. While sitting in the lodge I had plenty of time to check out log homes and lodges on the wifi while I watched my boyfriend make a fool of himself attempting to show off at snowboarding.

Here’s one of the classic homes that makes you feel like you are ushered into an entirely different era and age and puts you directly into a classic American movie.

This cabin setting next to a pond was built by Hearthstone Log and Timber Frame Homes, one of our premier Log Home Builders from Tennessee.

Named the Yoder Cabin, This cabin was a special project for a father and two sons. The project guided one son into an architectural career. This home was featured on the cover of Log Home Design magazine on September 2007 .

Custom Modular Homes can be converted to Modular Log Homes utilizing Log Siding, and other high quality Log Home Products and they add amazing value to a modular home. Let’s say you have a 10 year old modular home in the wild woods of Michigan and you are looking to spruce it up a bit. One really amazing way is to convert your modular home into a log home using some high quality log home products such as those we sell over at Natural Log Siding.

With a bit of exterior development the addition of log siding is really simple and can be done by a home owner. It adds tremendous value for resale and lowers your heating expenses as well. It gives you a rustic look that will last for a long long time.

Since most of the country is currently being blanketed by a wintry mix, I thought now would be a good time to talk roof leaks. After all that white stuff may be fun to play in, but it’s gotta melt sometime and you can guarantee a mess will be left behind. The weight of all that snow on your roof combined with the below freezing temps can cause some serious leaks which must be taken care of immediately.

The first thing you need to do is INSPECT. Start inside the attic, grab a strong flashlight, a screwdriver/knife, some wire (any will do), and something to mark potential leaks with such as chalk. Take your time paying considerable attention to darkened areas and any soft spots that may be lurking in the shadows. Use that flashlight to scan the roof for any openings in the shingles. If and when you come across any openings, take that wire you’ve brought with you and poke it through so you can find it on the outside. One thing you need to be aware of is that if your shingles are made of wood (since we are dealing with log cabins in this case chances they probably are) beams of light coming through the shingles at an angle may automatically close when they get wet. Once you’ve scanned the inside, go up top and take a look at the outside of your roof. Look for any areas that seem to be sagging, check for seals that may be damaged along the edges, and watch for any signs of dry rot.

Next up you’ve got to decide to repair or replace any damaged shingles.

To REPAIR a damaged or split wooden shingle, use a hammer to tap it back into place and a few well placed roofing nails to secure it. Cover the nail heads with a good coating of roofing cement and then fill in any gaps in the shingle as well.

To REPLACE a damaged shingle the first thing you need to do is pull out any loose and or rotted pieces from the damaged area.  You may have to use a hacksaw to get the old roofing nails out. If so be careful to not damage the sheathing underneath. Insert the replacement shingle making sure it juts out over the one below about 1/4 of an inch leaving the same amount . Before you get down, check and make sure it’s even with those around it.

Understandably this isn’t something that can be done while it’s coming a blizzard outside, but it’s important that once the storm passes to always do a quick inspection of your roof in order to catch problems before they get out of hand.