Log homes have a rustic appeal
that other homes can't duplicate. Hasn't everyone
dreamed of living in a log cabin at one time or another?
Log homes are a symbol of the rugged American Pioneer
and Adventurer. Log home have grown tremendously in
popularity in the past decade. 15 years ago there
were only a couple dozen log home kit manufacturers
in North America. Today there are hundreds of Manufacturers
with 1000's of different kits.
Log home suppliers
get their logs from the Wilderness areas in the U.S.
and Canada. You don't need to worry that 1000's of
trees are cut down to build you dream log home. Often,
living trees are not cut for log homes today. Trees
that have fallen or "dead standing" timber
is used.
The lumber is hauled to a mill where the logs are
lathe-turned and shaped. After shaping holes are drilled
for electrical wires and connecting bolts. The lumber
is then cut to length to form a kit.
Log home manufacturers
make standard kits which assemble like "Lincoln
Logs". They are assembled at the plant and then
numbered and disassembled. The logs are loaded on
a semi-truck and driven to the site.
Each of the companies
includes slightly different items in their kit. Most
however include the items to complete the shell of
the house including exterior doors, windows, shingles,
porch decking. When you get done the exterior is basically
complete with the interior needed to be done.
Some companies create
custom kits. You supply the floor plans and exterior
elevations and they will make a kit. As with any custom
building work the price increases as does the time
for completion.
Log home are unique to build and own. They take special
equipment and skill to build. Usually the manufacturer
will have a crew that will erect the log structure.
Owner builders that construct a log home usually leave
the erection of log to the professionals.
Most people look at log home kits and infer that because
the kit is relatively inexpensive that log homes are
inexpensive to build. The truth is that log home are
generally 10-15% more expensive than traditional custom
framed homes. Even though the kit contains the shell,
it doesn't cover any of the interior walls, electrical,
plumbing, heating, foundation, laterals, cabinets,
floor covering etc. etc. It is also important to note
that many trades and materials such as cabinets, heating,
electrical and plumbing are more time consuming and
expensive when installed in a log home.
www.loghomes.com
Probably one of the best online sources for log homes.
www.loghome.net
A log home manufacturers directory.
www.cedar-log-homes.com
You can order log home kits online. Sizes from 900-3000sq.ft.
www.oregonloghomes.com
A leader in custom log homes for 30 years.
