Log Home Information

Log homebuilders hire a lot of contractors for various aspects of the building process.  Over time, these contractors become very experienced and have the desire to spread their wings and venture off into new directions.  If you are one of these contractors, this information is for you.

The decision to start a log home business is nothing to take lightly, as with any business decision.  There are a lot of things to consider, as well as a lot of people that must be involved in the process.  One decision you can make is to go the route of a franchise.  There are a lot of franchise opportunities, some of which are online.

Here are some examples of franchises available online:

• Lincoln Log Homes Franchise
• Kodiak Log Homes Dealer Information
• American Log Homes: Become a Dealer
• Flint River Log Homes
• Become an Alta Dealer

Depending on where you are located, it should be fairly simple to locate a log home franchise opportunity in your area.  In addition to conducting keyword searches on the Internet, contact log homebuilders in your phone book.  This will also give you the opportunity to find out from first hand experience what it is like to run a log home business.  Ask a lot of questions, and then speak to a financial specialist.

When someone tells you they own a country style log home, what is the first thought that comes to mind?  Do you immediately find yourself thinking about the log home’s exterior and what the setting is outside the log home?  Or, do you think about the log home’s interior and how it is decorated?

Could a combination of the two be a country log home style?

This is an interesting question to explore, particularly for those who are interested in building a log home or buying an existing log home.  How country style is defined depends solely on the homeowner’s tastes, styles, and thoughts unless, of course, you are an architect or an interior decorator speaking to a client about design choices and styles.  Then, there are style titles you have to live and breath by.  For the everyday consumer, though, how country style is defined really has no hard and fast rules.

Think about how you would define country style and, if this is a style you want featured throughout your log home, don’t forget to bring this style to your exterior.  Outdoor living spaces, and outdoor rooms are just as important to the design concepts as the interiors.  Particularly in log homes considering how log home design reflects so many outdoor elements and architectural elements.

The first thing log homeowners should think about when visiting the land they intend to build on is how the house will be positioned for the best views.  Yes, the design of the home and how the windows are positioned will have an impact on this thought process.  However, the ultimate positioning of the log home will be of greater importance.

Why?  It does not matter how many windows you have in the home unless they are facing good views.  The last thing anyone wants, particularly log homeowners who are interested in making the views part of their design scheme, is to have a view of nothing interesting, beautiful, or appealing.

Position the home untraditionally if need be.  For example, rather than squaring it to the road the driveway leads from, change it so the log home is on a slant.  Juxtaposition with natural elements is integral in good log home design, positioning and building.  Do not compromise what you want for what you think others are expecting to see.  There tends to be a standard most are expected to follow when it comes to positioning a home.  Take advantage of your views and do not let anyone take advantage of you!

What?  Is this true?  Great question!  This is one that pops into the minds of many; those who own log homes and those with the dream of being a log homeowner.  It makes sense that one would believe a log home would be a fire hazard, but are they really?  They are, after all, made virtually completely out of material that is flammable.

Let’s demystify this misconception, shall we?

Believe it or not, log homes and log cabins are not fire hazards.  It’s been reported by builders and owners that log homes and log cabins are less susceptible to fires than a traditionally stick built home.  This is due mostly in part to the fact that small timbers are much easier to set ablaze than a heavier log.  Traditional homes are built with much smaller materials than a log home or a log cabin.

So, worry not, combustible materials are not the make up of a typical log home or log cabin construction.  While materials will become charred should a fire start, but the fear of losing your home to fire shouldn’t be an issue.  Go ahead and buy that log home, build that log home, buy that log cabin, or build that log cabin and feel safe doing so!

Opportunities to learn how to become a log homebuilder by trade or for your own building projects is just a mouse click away.  Did you know that you could attend workshops and classes geared specifically toward this type of craftsmanship?  Be a log home builder by taking classes such as these:

1. Log Home Builders Association: offers two-day classes.
2. Great Lakes School of Log Building:  offers hands on classes that range between five and ten days. 
3. Rocky Mountain Workshops: offers hands on workshops that are between four and seven days long.
4. Carolina Log Center:  between April and September, take advantage of FREE log home building seminars.  Register now!
5. Timbersmith Log Homes: offering a seventeen-weekend course geared toward building a career in the log home building industry.

This is just a sampling of what is available.  With some digging and a few phone calls, there are sure to be a number of classes, courses, and workshops available in your area.  If you’re interested in being an owner-builder or work for a log home company, take this important step toward ensuring your success.