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Outdoor spaces are an attractive feature to any home, and adding a porch allows homeowners to make use of an existing wall. Adding a porch to a log home is a difficult project, because you want to add to the existing design of the home and complement the structure that's already in place. If you take care with your construction, the porch will be both handsome and structurally safe for all types of outdoor enjoyment.
Log cabins are very enjoyable to stay in during summer vacations, and some people even choose to live in them year-round. Log cabins require regular maintenance to ensure that the logs stay in good condition and don't suffer from damage or rot. Logs tend to grow darker over time from exposure to dirt and weather elements, and the drabness is unattractive. Lightening the logs to make them look like new again requires the proper equipment and some diligence.
One way to create a large fake log is to use a chicken wire frame covered in papier mache. Chicken wire lends itself to rolling into a long log shape, and covering it in papier mache is not difficult. A further advantage is that the log can be hollow if desired.
If your log home has rotted logs, you may be able to repair them instead of replacing them, but that will depend on how much damage has been done and where it is. Damage on structural load-bearing logs is more serious, and if there’s a lot of damage, the log may have to be replaced. Repairing logs costs less money and takes less time than replacing them, so most people prefer this option.
With an appearance that evokes a rustic and cozy ambiance, log cabin homes have a distinct style all their own. Owning a log home can enable an owner to capitalize on a cabin feel and home owners can lighten up the interior of their log home to create an inside space that is bright and cheerful.
Log home décor is a mix of rustic-lodge, Southwestern and American-country design. It draws its essence from centuries-old pioneer cabins with rough textures, handcrafted furniture and natural elements. Today's log homes, whether built from kits or crafted by hand, offer every amenity available in other architectural styles, including contemporary kitchens set against log walls. If you don't live in a log home but long for the inviting warmth of one, you can still achieve this rustic look in your kitchen.
There are many types of insects that bore into wood including carpenter bees, termites, ants and beetles. Beetles that infest wood include longhorned beetles, flat-headed borers, deathwatch beetles and powderpost beetles. Some beetles bore into and eat wood throughout their life cycles and some only eat wood in the larval stage. Some choose seasoned dry wood as their primary food source while others favor moist or rotting wood as their primary food source. Wood surfaces that are unprotected, untreated or have a damaged finish are most susceptible to insect damage. Fixing damage in a log home can be challenging if…
Many people are attracted to log cabins because the look like part of nature instead of a dwelling that disrupts the environment. This natural theme should continue inside the cabin with the floors. Floors are an extension of walls and can enhance the natural feel of the cabin. However, the color of wood floors can complement the decor and fit the taste of the homeowner and purpose of the room.
Historic log cabins still stand throughout Europe and America, testifying to the durability of these basic homes. Log cabin building may date from the Bronze Age in northern Europe. People generally constructed their log houses from the materials at hand: the trees, plant materials and earth on the land where they built their homes. Traditionally a log house's hearth and the interior of the fireplace were made of stones or clay. Clay was also used to mend chinks in interior walls, to keep the wind out.
Hewing stone is a way of cutting stone to size for walls, floors and even sculptures. Stone workers use two simple tools to hew stone: a chisel and hammer. There are three basic types of chisels: flat-blade, point and tooth. The flat-blade is a wide flat end, much like a flathead screwdriver. The point tip comes to a four-sided point, shaped like four-sided pyramid. The tooth chisel features a square surface with four or more small points arranged on it. Each chisel creates different effects. Start with a flat-blade when first learning to hew stone.
Log homes are sturdy, traditional structures with an elemental appeal. They are used as anything from rustic mountain retreats to large lodge-like primary residences. Custom homes and those built with a purchased home kits come in various styles and building methods. The saddle joint is one of several methods for fitting logs together at corners. The inverted saddle joint is a notch only on the bottom of the logs, fitting over the log beneath it.
The rustic charm of a log cabin or home adorned with exterior logs suggests serene calm and country-style comfort. Depending on the shade of wood used for the logs, warm or cool interior wall colors will complement the home and express the decorative personality of the inhabitants.
A rustic log cabin with its thick wood walls typically last for years. Throughout its life, weather and other unforeseen elements may cause cracking or splitting of the logs. Repairing these cracks with the right materials as soon as possible will prevent extensive damage from occurring.
Painting the walls black is a common teenage wish, though not all parents go for it. Black walls may have seemed like a great idea, though they probably make your bedroom feel dark and dingy. Brighten your walls so your room isn't a depressing place to hang out. If you can pull off a bright bedroom with black walls, your parents may back off about your chosen paint color.
Log homes provide a viable building option for primary residences and vacation getaways. Contractors and homeowners construct log homes of woods such as western red cedar and pine. Log residences range from simple rustic cabins to elaborate multiple-floored structures with soaring ceilings and expansive decks. Log homes feature wood's rich visual appeal, and offer thermal mass heating and cooling benefits, Log homes also have their disadvantages, which deserve consideration.
Cabins often have a rustic country style that is down home and comfortable. This type of home is often built in more rural settings near mountains, rivers, lakes and outdoor activities. The cabin is usually a second home or getaway for a family who wants to relax and enjoy nature without the fuss of urban concerns, work or lots of neighbors. Decorating a cabin should center on the kind of activities and feeling you want to experience while staying in the cabin.
Bring the rustic charm of your log home into your bathroom with some organic touches. From the paint color to the floor rug, your bathroom must present a cohesive statement of natural beauty and charm. Avoid overaccessorizing, which detracts from the understated simplicity of a log home. Instead of outfitting your bathroom in moose- or bear-themed accents, visualize a bathroom that welcomes the outdoors inside and offers a tranquil escape. This can be accomplished with simple touches placed strategically around your bathroom.
A coat of paint can do more than add a new look to a room. With certain paint additives, the new color can also repel insects such as ants, silverfish, mites and fleas. The additive works with either oil-based or water-based paints. Because the insect repellent is derived from plants, it is regarded safe to use around plants and pets. To use the additive, you only need to mix it with paint and stir.
Colorado is a beautiful place to buy or rent a house or vacation home. Beautiful landscapes and a plethora of outdoor activities make Colorado an ideal destination. The most common houses are made from brick, stucco or log. Houses are available in a diverse range of styles and sizes from mansions to one-room log cabins and high-rise apartment buildings.
The quality and workmanship of log homes have improved over the last 20 years. Advancements have been made in notch technology, gasket materials, pegging and log bolting. Newer exterior finishes that allow logs to breathe properly are available for both seasoned or unseasoned logs. Log chinking, to stop the filtration of cold air, has improved dramatically from the days of moss, mud and straw. Today's chinking compounds come in a variety of shades to match different woods, are water soluble and very flexible. The new products adhere well to wood and expand and contract to accommodate settling timber. Life expectancy…
Log homes are made from specially treated logs that give the building an old-fashioned look. Proper care and cleaning of the logs on the outside of the house keep it looking great and protect the wood from damage.
When considering a construction project, it is important to know what class of construction you are about to undertake. The category of construction matters because you need to be able to find the right construction teams and ask the right questions about their experience. Just as important, you need to be able to file for the appropriate permits with your jurisdiction, so that construction on your property is lawful and transferrable. Finally, codes may vary for different classes of construction, so knowing the construction class helps keep work and later use of the work within code.
Maybe you have planned and plotted, designing your dream log cabin to become the home of your dreams. On the other hand, maybe you have an already existing log home that suits your tastes perfectly. However you come by your log home, decorating it to fit your lifestyle and to suit the character of your home should become a priority when you move in. Go with a rustic country or a simple Western theme to help enhance the natural charm of your log cabin.
When adding cabinets to a log home you often want to make sure the cabinets match with the feel and the look of the log home. This can be accomplished by matching the wood style of the cabin itself or finding woods providing contrast to the look of the cabin. Cabinets today can either be actually old or made to look as though they are an old style.
Clear wood finish preserves and highlights the beauty of the natural wood exterior and interior of a log home. A wood finish product that seals the logs or log siding protects your investment. When purchasing the clear wood finish product, read the label to determine the amount needed for the square footage of the log home. Applying a clear finish is a worthy but time-consuming chore that is part of the maintenance of the log home. Clear finish is used to enhance the natural look of the logs without the color of stain or paint.
Buying insurance on your log home is an essential step in protecting yourself against unforeseen accidents or disasters. Some insurers are hesitant to provide log home owners with insurance because of the increased risk of fire damage to the home but that doesn't mean you need to go without a policy. Shopping around to find the right insurer -- and the right policy -- is crucial. Don't automatically accept an insurer just because they're willing to insure your home. Select one who offers the right policy for your needs and budget.
Low humidity levels in your home can make your family uncomfortable, drying out sinuses and even causing nosebleeds. Humidity levels can also affect the integrity of your wood flooring.
When deciding how to decorate the exterior of a log home, consider using nature as your blueprint. While sitting outdoors, take notice of the colors and materials around you. Adding too many brightly colored items may distract from the natural beauty of a log home, while colors and materials found in nature will compliment the log home. Decorating the exterior of a log home can create a relaxing, comfortable atmosphere to sit and breathe in the fresh air while enjoying a beverage or reading a book.
A dovetail joint is the most common technique used in carpentry to joint two pieces of wood together in a corner. Its design is relatively simple as it requires no mechanical fasteners to create an impressively strong connection. Mankind has been using this technique before history was recorded. Building a log home with dovetail joints can be a challenging task, but it will yield a strong but eloquently designed home. The first step is building the dovetail jig.
Log homes are generally constructed from rough-hewn timber that is susceptible to rot and other damage over long periods of time. If your log home is showing signs of damage, there are a number of products and materials you can use to repair it. Some products may be best applied by a professional due to difficult application methods or toxicity.
Carpenter bees give your home a one-two punch. The adult bee burrows deep into the wood of your home and lays hundreds of eggs. Like many species of animal, the carpenter bee returns to its place of birth to lay eggs, in other words, your home. The second punch comes when woodpeckers come to peck into these burrows for a snack of carpenter bee larvae. An application of insecticide to a wood stain will kill the bees already present and later will kill any insect that walks on the surface of the wood.
You can design a log home to suit just about any taste and fit nearly any budget. This type of home's structural strength and beauty has timeless appeal. In addition, logs provide natural insulation to help make the home energy efficient. Log homes offer versatile options for layouts and materials. Interiors, for example, look great with open beams and natural stone materials, which can range from river rocks to granite. In designing the exterior, your opportunities to incorporate various roof lines and porch additions are limitless.
Found nestled amongst pines and oaks, log homes are becoming a more common sight in many rural areas. They naturally blend with the scenery, creating the feel of earlier times. Easily decorated to fit the scenery, log homes create a rustic, bucolic feel, and can be constructed using kits. Each kit comes with detailed instructions. Prices are also going down in 2010, making a log home an attractive option for many would-be home builders.
Whether your log home is two years old or 200 years old, it is important to keep the outer surfaces of the logs in good condition. Insects, pollen, weather and even dirt can, over time, damage the exterior of your log home. Carefully inspecting the outside of your home at least once a year will indicate what treatments are needed to preserve the integrity of the logs.
The log cabin is part of American history. As settlers moved west, they built houses of whatever logs they could find. Some lasted a century or more, but most decayed and disappeared. Today, log homes include heat and electricity and are built with logs treated to withstand the destructive forces of weather and insects. Treating a log home starts with the basic logs.
Log homes were introduced to America by Scandinavian settlers in the early 1600's. Valued for appearance, energy efficiency and economy, log homes are still being built. Logs are squared off to make flat walls in the hand-hewn style, and the corners are joined with a dove-tail notch. Rounded logs, on the other hand, are stacked together and joined at the corners with a saddle notch, creating the traditional log cabin look. As the logs dry, they shrink and tighten, creating a tight seam. This is the simplest form of log house building.
Building your own log cabin may sound like an intimidating task, but it is one of the simplest structures you can build by yourself. If you are willing to do the work, the advantage of owning a home for much less than a standard house outweighs the costs and labor associated with building a log home; however, you must be diligent and plan at least a couple of months ahead of time.
One of the major complaints about a truly modern house is that its design often feels cold and sterile. This is due to the simplicity of design that is employed when creating a modern structure, which results in a sleek and unencumbered look. You can warm up the cool backdrop of modern design by adding touches of texture to the room with log timbers, either in the addition of architectural elements or with furniture.
Regular maintenance will keep your log home looking its best and help prevent insects and rot from harming the logs. Staining seals the wood and helps it shed water and keeps out insects. Depending on the area of the country you live in and how much sunlight or shade your home is exposed to, you may need to stain your logs every few years. Choose a stain recommended by your home manufacturer. You can hire someone to do the work for you or do the job yourself.
Log cabin homes are often located in rustic areas, surrounded by nature. These beautiful retreats can embody warmth and comfort if they are decorated properly. If you own a log cabin, you can choose from many decorating styles and tools that will bring out your home's best features. Work with your cabin's surrounding areas and basic design style to enhance its charm.
Pioneers moving west to settle America faced two immediate challenges when they reached their destinations: food and shelter. They felled trees to clear land for crops and used the logs to build small cabins. Early settlers used hand tools to fashion these logs into beams and lumber because they lacked access to sawmills. Today, the imperfections of hand shaping provide much of the value and charm of homes created with hewn beams.
You may dream of living in a spectacular north woods cabin or upscale log home. One way to make that dream a reality is to re-side your existing home with log siding. Log siding might even do more than just turn your home into an enchanting cabin in the woods; it may increase the value of your home significantly. If you are a competent weekend carpenter, you may consider doing this yourself depending on the size of your house.
Many people build or purchase log homes because of their appearance, safety and other reasons, but you may have trouble finding insurance for the log home of your dreams. Since log homes typically burn much more slowly than frame construction houses, it may seem strange that insurance for log homes is often more expensive and more difficult to find. Several factors contribute to this, and knowing them can help you insure your home more easily.
Log cabins provide peaceful woodland retreats for some and full-time homes for others. Forms of decorating a log cabin can take on anything from an upscale modern look to a country woodland theme. Regardless of the way you intend to decorate your space, the addition of carpet can add a feel of warmth and provide a soft walking surface within a room. You may choose to place carpet throughout the entire cabin or only in select rooms. Color choices that work in a log cabin are nearly limitless.
Log houses are rustic. Decorating a log home is easy if you have a theme in mind to steer the look and feel of your log home's interior. Identifying furnishings and home accessories that pay homage to your home's nature-driven style makes decorating a log home a simple and pleasurable process.
Log cabin construction began to spring up in America during the 17th and 18th centuries as Eastern and Central European immigrants brought their log construction knowledge with them. Frontier settlers of the late 18th and 19th centuries built log homes as they cleared woodland and moved south- and westward. Many of these structures are still standing, but a number of them are in need of repairs or reconstruction due to internal and external rotting. Replacing rotten logs may be necessary if the structural damage is greater than 50 percent, but if there is only partial rotting, repairs and reconstruction can…
Log homes come in a number of different styles and feature different types of decor and light fixtures, depending upon where they're located in the U.S. While these sturdy, comfortable homes are usually decorated in rustic style, (including the lighting), with the preponderance of luxury cabin retreats, seeing lighting that reflects this trend isn't unusual.
Building a home from logs is a time-honored method that results in a sturdy and aesthetically appealing house. As a type of construction with a long history over many different geographical regions, there are many different methods of constructing a log home. Details such as the way in which the logs are finished, the type of joint used at the corners of the home and even the direction in which the logs are placed can vary from one home to another.
A log home kit consists of logs and other materials that are pre-cut in a factory and shipped to a destination for on-site assembly. Building a log home from a kit can save time and money, but before purchasing, consumers must educate themselves on the differences between kits.
Whether built from recently felled tree trunks or from kiln-dried, factory-sized logs, the log cabin evokes a certain nostalgia and serves as a cost-effective and energy-efficient rustic construction. When shepherding the building style into the 20th century and beyond, builders had to find suitable ways of incorporating electrical wiring into the essentially solid wood frame. If you're planning to build a log cabin, and have every intention of using your laptop and electric razor inside, there are many solutions that marry traditional and modern building practices.
Log homes are the typical image of rustic living, with an abundance of wood in the structure and the decor. Wood is a natural material and it absorbs light, creating a drab interior without home decor to balance out the wood. You can brighten up the interior of a log home using different home decor elements, which will transform the rustic look and feel, while keeping all the charm.
No log cabin is complete without chinking--the mortar-like, elastic material that fills the joints between the logs. Like the icing on a cake, chinking enhances your cabin with a decorative finishing touch, but it also serves some very practical purposes. Chinking seals the log joints, thereby preventing pests from entering the cabin, keeping rain and snow out and insulating your home. It's an important aspect of your cabin and should be applied correctly--and that means having the right tools.
Log houses are desirable for their distinctive characteristics and solid construction. These rustic-looking homes, which can actually be quite lavish, are often associated with the mountains, especially as a vacation home or ski lodge. The appearance of log homes lends itself automatically to certain styles of decor; specifically, country, western or rustic styles. In the end, however, the choice of decor ultimately depends on the homeowner's personality. Still, there are some ways you can decorate a log home bathroom that will complement the natural structure of the home.
Preparing pine trees for home building can take up to a year. Once the logs are cut, trimmed, and barked they must be left lying straight and allowed to dry which can take several months depending on the time of year they are cut and the temperature. Green logs will shrink as they dry decreasing the overall circumference of the log. The building must be done with dry logs; building with green logs will result in cracks and gaps opening up between the logs on the walls as they dry.
Modern log cabin homes offer the charm of old-style living combined with comfort and even rustic elegance. For all their beauty, log cabin homes require special care to help preserve them. By giving the proper attention to the special needs of a log cabin home, you can help ensure yours will last a lifetime.
Log homes are susceptible to damage caused by water, sun and insects. Before serious infestation incurs, log home owners can prevent damage from insects by adding insecticides to stains, paints or preservatives; by treating logs during construction and by spot treatments.
Log cabin homes are especially wonderful spaces to decorate due to their use of rustic, earthy and nature-inspired elements. Whether a year-round residence or a seasonal retreat, log cabins are cozy and relaxing and a favorite style of many homeowners. Decorating a log cabin results in a home with a casual, lodge-style appearance for homeowners to enjoy throughout the year with their family and friends.
Log home decor is usually rustic and nature inspired in design. While there are many ways to enhance the interior decoration of a log cabin house, the exterior decor is also a very important element in the overall design of the home as well. By incorporating items, such as cedar shutters, rustic window boxes, outdoor porch rugs, Adirondack-style furniture and rocking chairs, rustic front doors and water features, the outside of a log home looks and feels as beautiful as the inside. Creating an outdoor, rustic-accented space is attainable for most homeowners with a few decorating tips, and the result…
If you're dreaming about building your own log home, you already have succumbed to the allure of this type of house. The beauty and texture of the logs evoke warmth and the bounty of nature, and speaks volumes about the type of person you are. They are also eco-friendly, energy efficient, durable and architecturally pleasing. When selecting the type of log home to build, the choices are many and varied. The two main types are handcrafted and milled, and there are advantages and disadvantages to each.
When the need arrives to understand fundamental differences between a log home and stick built residential dwelling, popular comparisons concentrate frequently on material wall composition. Although primary qualities can be easily identified by observing external architecture and interior partitioning, certain foundation and roofing aspects common to both log home and stick-built constructions should also be considered.
Many people like the beauty and efficiency of log homes. The logs of a log house need to be cleaned and sealed on a regular basis to keep the house looking its best and prevent weather damage.
Deciding on a type of log home ceiling may make or break the look and feel of your new log home. Many log home owners seek a grand open look that has that warm feeling of natural woods with a massive bold timber structure. There are several methods of ceiling construction, including tongue and groove decking, beam and deck, and vaulted log purlins. Tongue and groove ceilings can be made from pine, cypress, aspen, cedar, spruce and many other species of wood. Regular building materials such as drywall may also be used.
Dovetail notches hold the ends of hand-hewn logs together, using gravity to lock the corners of the house. With a little practice, you can cut dovetails quickly by eye, with minimal measuring. A 2-inch depth for each notch is reasonable for logs about 6 inches thick, but you may want to cut dovetails 3 inches or more if you're using larger logs, so they'll fit closer together, requiring less chinking to fill the gaps. If you're working with round logs, hew them roughly flat on the inside and outside, at least near the ends where they cross.
For someone who has a forested property and a lot of time and energy, a log home can be a satisfying project and a relatively inexpensive way to acquire a house. The techniques of log building have been honed over many hundreds of years, and all the skills and methods are available in a number of books. Buying more than one book on the subject will provide multiple perspectives and help alleviate any gaps of knowledge on the part of any one author.
Log homes and cabins have an old-world, rustic appeal that conjures romantic images of the frontier lifestyle, when life was harder but also, in ways, simpler. As such, keeping with simple designs for interior decoration keeps with the spirit of the place. But in a modern world, we often have need of shelving for our many books, DVDs, CDs and even knickknacks. In addressing your shelving needs, keep in mind your home's rustic appeal.
If you are dreaming of building your home, the best route is the log home. The construction is uncomplicated and uses only a few common, easy-to-find tools and materials. Before you can start putting your house together, you must treat the logs for building. This is called curing, and what you do is remove all the moisture from the logs so you can seal them and keep new moisture from getting in. The ideal method is a combination of air and kiln curing.
If you would like to paint your log home, there are a pair of important things you should consider before you get started. First, because log homes are not ideal candidates for paint adhesion, you must prepare the surface to accept paint, or you will end up with a finish that peels and flakes away, over time. In addition, because log surfaces contain lots of cracks and fissures, you will need to employ a specific application process to ensure that every crevice is fully saturated with paint.
Log homes have risen greatly in popularity since the 1990s as many people use these rustic-looking structures as their primary residences. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the United States has about 500,000 log homes with 26,000 built annually. Log homes comprise about 7 percent of the custom housing market.
A log home is a structure of incomparable beauty, blending into its environment while providing its owners with an unsurpassed living environment. Building a log home is more than a science, it is a specialized skill and is considered an art form by many. Those who would build their own homes take great satisfaction in learning to build from scratch, and many have great success once they have learned the skills they need to accomplish their goal.
Maintenance is an important factor in protecting the investment, beauty, and durability of a cedar log home. Even though cedar is resistant to rot and insects it is not impervious to them. The Log Homes Council recommends basing your maintenance program on your site and geographic location because different regions have different effects on log durability. Investing the time, effort and expense of maintaining your log home can save you the higher costs of repair and restoration.
For centuries, homes constructed of logs have provided shelter, durability and warmth. Unfortunately, log homes that have not had a program of regular maintenance may have areas of mold buildup or damage to the stain or finish on the logs. Water, mold and dust accumulation may have stained the logs. The do-it-yourself homeowner, with a few basic tools and chemicals, can remove these stains and return the logs to their original beauty.
For centuries, beautiful homes have been fashioned from logs. While many of these homes have been lovingly preserved, unfortunately many have suffered damage caused by neglect and poor maintenance. If your log home is showing signs of rot from sun, moisture or insect infestation, return it to its original beauty and structural integrity by repairing or replacing rotted logs.
Log homes are especially venerable to moisture and insect infestation. Built of natural materials, log structures are often damaged from neglect and lack of preventative maintenance. Termites, carpenter bees and many species of invasive beetles can do considerable damage. Moisture against the foundation or leaking from under the eves can rot the wood. It is possible to restore a damaged home to its original beauty by replacing damaged logs and establishing a program of regular maintenance.
You have many options for preserving and protecting the logs of your log home. Moisture is the most critical factor when considering the proper coating since moisture speeds up, or enables all other sources of log deterioration. Those other sources include wood-loving insects, molds and the area climate. Log home coatings also bring out the natural wood grain and beauty of the logs.
Many different species of insects bore into log homes or standing timber that is then cut for building log structures. These hungry wood-boring insects feed on the starch reserves stored within the wood. Such damaging infestations can be controlled with relatively simple chemical treatments. The insects cannot survive in treated wood. If damage occurs in an untreated log home, repairs are required and preventive measures must be applied to avert a new infestation.
Wood shrinks as it loses moisture. If the outside of a wood log loses moisture faster than the inside, the pressure from the moisture inside against the shrinking outside produces cracks---called checking. Then, the wood swells again as it absorbs moisture from its surroundings. Logs used for log homes require careful processing and humidity-level monitoring before, during and after construction to protect from either checking or swelling.
Log homes settle over time, so at some point you're going to have to add caulk, sometimes called chinking, between the logs. Mortar-type chinking has evolved to a more progressive method of sealing using caulk material designed to allow for the natural movement of the structure. Closing these gaps saves energy by blocking up areas through which air and heat can escape. Depending on the size of the log home, it's possible to complete this caulking project in three or four days and reap the savings for years.
A deck can provide a log home owner with a place to relax in the evening with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and contemplate the events of the day. Decks at the rear of the house are also frequently home to a grill and dining table, where people can enjoy cooking outdoors in warmer weather. Building a deck onto your existing log home does not have to be a long and difficult endeavor. The process can be as simple or as complex as the log home owner wishes to make it.
Log homes are prone to insect infestations, regardless of the kind of logs used. Some log homes are made from log types, such as pine, spruce and fir, that are inherently susceptible to infestations due to the high sapwood content. Even the more insect-resistant types, such as cedar and cypress, also may lose resistance in time. A borax treatment for a log home is a preventive measure that controls insect infestations. Borax or sodium borate is a white powder that is an insecticide and an effective anti-fungal agent. When owners suspect the presence of these agents-of-decay, they usually seek professional…
Log homes offer a combination of beauty, timelessness and energy efficiency. Whether a log home is a primary residence or a vacation cabin, protecting this investment should be a priority. Interior finishes for log homes protect against moisture and help absorb odors, make log homes easier to clean and prevent discoloration. For this reason, selecting the best interior finish is an important choice that can enhance a log home and protect it for years to come.
Many people are attracted to the cozy, natural and environmentally friendly aspects of log home living. A solid wood home, when properly constructed and sealed, offers thermal mass benefits. Thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb, store and release stored heat over time. Log homes offer many of the style options as other types of construction but all perimeter interior walls offer the warmth and beauty of the natural logs.
Log homes are showing up in more than just rural mountain locales, but also on open plains and small towns across United States. As log homes become more than just a weekend getaway, homeowners have to learn the tips and techniques to keep them clean. Log home cleaning is an indoor and outdoor process, just like life in any other home style.
Chinking is the material placed between logs in a log structure to seal any cracks or gaps between the logs and provide a more weather tight exterior to the home. Chinking can weather and decay and may require replacement from time to time. Historically, chinking was a mud and straw mixture. Modern chinking material is often synthetic and in some ways resembles caulk used to seal gaps around windows and doors.
Even though log homes are quite beautiful, the over-abundance of wood and wood grain can sometimes create a dull and lifeless interior. In the absence of completely rebuilding your home, inject some life, color and light into your log home with some simple solutions. These techniques and suggestions work well not only in log homes, but in conventional homes as well.
A log cabin is a rustic home and a DIY project. There are several types of log cabins for your DIY project and many ways to approach this involved process. If you are considering building your own cabin, take time to research the many options at your disposal.
Hand-hewn logs can be used to build an entire structure or may just be used in an addition or to add character to a single room. Whatever the use, hand hewing is a skill which can be developed with the right process and some time and patience. The satisfaction of hewing logs can be unmatched for the person who thrives on creating.
Homemade log homes are rustic, natural structures often built in a rural setting. A lakeside or mountainside cabin is often a homemade log home and a fine vacation retreat. There are many different ways to build a log home, so if you are considering buying one, think about which type fits you budget, tastes and area.
A log home is a natural structure with a rustic design. It is made from real timber logs that are either hand-hewn or pre-manufactured and cut to specific length and style at a factory. No matter what type of home you choose, either a kit home or a hand-built home, there are issues--from design flaws to wiring complications. Be aware of these before you purchase a new or used log home.
A log home is a classic, rustic building made of log timbers, which are hand-shaped or pre-manufactured, that are assembled on-site. The log home has no interior framed walls as in a typical house, so wiring it requires a different approach than simply running wires through the inside of the walls.
A log home needs all interior wood treated over the years to preserve the wood and prevent rot, according to the USDA Forest Service. Shop for non-discoloring, low-toxicity oils, stains and varnishes and research which is best for the type of wood your logs are made of. Treat the wood to keep your log cabin interior in tip-top and sparkling shape.
Refinishing your log home is a crucial part of ownership. Depending on the environment the home is located in, the wood can be liable to decay. Proper refinishing should be done once a year. It will not only make you home more aesthetically pleasing, but it will prevent rotting.
Cutting timber for a log home can be challenging in respects to the manpower and the execution it takes to cut down a tree. To make things a little easier, invest in protective gear to protect yourself from injury and machinery that will make cutting timber less grueling. If you need help and assistance, enlist a professional forester to guide you in choosing the right type of trees to cut down.
There are many advantages that come with living in a log home. These popular structures consist of the planet's oldest and most sustainable building material. They have an incomparable natural look and have become the fastest-growing type of custom home. More than 20,000 people choose to build a home out of logs each year, and there are some specific reasons for this.
Chinking is the mortar-like material between the horizontal joints of log homes. Chinking enhances a log home's appearance and creates a weatherproof structure, preventing air, moisture and insects from infiltrating into the home. Chinking also adds insulation. Basic homemade chinking is cost effective and offers the stability and durability of commercial chinking materials.
Log homes have a beautiful, sturdy look that many people enjoy. Such homes need maintenance just as other types of homes do, but a log home is also no more difficult to maintain than other types of homes. The frequency at which you need to reseal a log home depends on how well the construction of the joints between logs holds up. You should inspect your log walls every ten years, and any time air seems to be leaking between logs. You need to reseal only when the previous sealant is compromised.
Log homes evoke a pioneer spirit and a connection to nature in those who own them. Typical homes constructed with siding exteriors and drywall interiors are often considered more functional and practical than log homes.
When faced with the task of cleaning and restoring log homes, property owners often consider sanding the logs to remove stains and restore the beauty of older wood. While hand sanding or sanding with a mechanical sander can renew the finish, proceed with extreme caution as sanding can damage the logs. Many fine old log structures have been severely damaged by excessive sanding or other failed do-it-yourself methods.
Log homes are very popular types of residences, especially in the forested parts of North America. In general, a log home can be treated just like a home made of any other material except when it comes to cleaning and refinishing. As it is made of wood, the chemicals and tools used to do this are different. Log home sealing and refinishing is important because wood is prone to decay.
Southland log homes provide the warmth and comfort of a traditional stick-built home along with a rustic, natural appearance. Log homes are rugged and, when properly maintained, can last a lifetime. It is important to apply a finish to your log home to protect the exposed logs from the elements: moisture and the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that come from sunlight. Applying stain to log siding isn't greatly different from staining other types of wood siding, but there are a few tips and tricks that can help you achieve a quality, lasting finish.
If you live in a log home, chances are you are a lover of nature. Log homes are constructed out of natural wood logs. Nowadays, if you desire a log home but want to be environmentally friendly, the logs can be fabricated out of recycled and reusable elements. An important feature in any home is the kitchen. In a log home, design a functional kitchen that fits in to the design of the home with rustic features and elements.
There is nothing like the rustic look of a traditional log homes. In addition, modern log homes are comfortable, spacious, and energy-efficient. To keep your log home protected from the elements and looking good, it's important to stain and seal the logs. Staining a log home is relatively straight-forward, but there are a few tips and tricks that will help you achieve an attractive and long-lasting finish.
A log home symbolizes many things---comfort, country living and America in its early history. In fact, Christmas in log homes was made famous by writers of old like Laura Ingalls Wilder. To capture some of the spirit of these log cabin Christmases as they were described by old-time writers, homeowners should consider Christmas decorations that emphasize a log home's old-fashioned rustic country charm. These items are easy enough to find in antique stores, Christmas fairs, in catalogues or online and go a long way to enhancing the coziness of Christmas spent in a log home.
In some parts of the United States, log homes are a very popular form of residence. They look very rustic from the outside, and in general are like any other home when it comes to maintenance, cleaning and upkeep. The main difference from normal brick and mortar houses is that both the interior and exterior walls of log homes are the logs themselves. These logs normally cannot be well cleaned using conventional methods and usually require something with a little more kick than just soap and water.
Log homes can be beautiful, country-style homes build with a touch of nature. The use of logs is a very traditional approach to home building, and when mixed with modern design elements, an attractive home can be created that will be in style for years to come. Occasionally, mold can develop on the logs, as moisture can sometimes build up on the exterior wood of the home. It is important to clean the mold as it develops. Letting it go will only cause the mold to grow and spread, eventually turning into a much larger clean-up project.
If properly designed and built, handcrafted log homes are one of the most beautiful and enduring forms of home construction. Unfortunately, without proper maintenance, age and natural elements can take their toll. Antique and aged log homes can be restored to their original beauty and newer homes preserved by annual inspections of the logs, routine cleaning and protective maintenance.
The resurgence of the popularity of log homes has spawned many styles of log homes to choose from. If you would like a traditionally crafted log home, look for some of the age-old, hand-crafted characteristics when you shop for a log shell.
Log homes were one of the original forms of houses. Pioneers often used log homes because it was easier to build a home from logs than by trying to split the logs into boards. However, a log home is built with small spaces between the logs which must be covered. This process is called chinking and is a fairly easy, if time consuming, process. Many modern log homes still require chinking, although the materials used to chink the logs are much more durable than they were in the past.
Logs make a sturdy home with very little maintenance. Strategically applying some stain, sealant and caulk during the building phase will ensure the long life of your cabin. The caulk will seal the gaps and joints of the logs to protect them from moisture and help with the energy efficiencey of your home. Applying the caulk takes some time, a couple of tools and a little know how.
Building a log home yourself is a large project that can take months to years to complete. It requires skilled workmanship and a great deal of attention to detail to ensure that the home is structurally sound and safe to live in. There are many considerations to take into account throughout the planning and building stages. At the end of the project, however, a dedicated do-it-yourself builder can stand back and admire the completed home, secure in the knowledge that it represents an application of real craftsmanship.
Log homes create an image of country living. There is a history about them that calls to mind frontier living, such as that found in "Little House on the Prairie." Some log homes are actually living history themselves dating back hundreds of years. That's the kind of durability you can get in a log home.
If you are the proud owner of a log home, you may have heard about caulking or chinking your home. While chinking is generally for gaps in the log seams that are larger than three quarters of an inch, you can safely caulk your home using caulking materials from your hardware store if your gaps are smaller than that. Especially helpful for manufactured or milled log homes, caulking is a good way to cut energy costs and improve the aesthetics of the home.
While log homes are great for warmth, style and comfort, they can also require a lot of upkeep, restoration and maintenance. Unfortunately, exterior log walls can take a beating from the elements, leaving them looking dirty, dingy and faded. While log homes can't be cleaned using regular materials and cleaners, you can use a pressure washer to clean your log home to bring back the look of new wood.
Log homes have been a part of American culture since the beginning days when pilgrims settled on American soil. Their popularity has waned in the past centuries, but many people still desire a stylish log home. There are several different log types for building a log home, depending on your building and design requirements.
Log cabins will vary from place to place in color, log style and certainly the design preferences of their owners. Their kitchens can be attired in a rustic décor or be filled with antiques and collectibles. Deciding upon how to filter light and nurture a view are important details in designing a log cabin kitchen window treatment. Choices for fabric and hardware to place in a log home kitchen window are broad.
Most log-home owners love the timeless rustic charm of their homes, yet in reality that timeless quality takes a bit of work to achieve. From the day a log structure is built, the battle is on against infiltration from water, fungi and insects. By taking a few, relatively simple steps each year, you can maintain and preserve your beautiful log home for generations to come.
To create any sort of log building, whether it be a cabin or a boat house, you will need to cure the wood. The curing process will remove most of the moisture from the wood and will make it easier to work with. If you intend to cure your own wood, you may be in for a long wait, because self-curing your wood can take up to a year and a half, depending on the wood.
Log homes are back by popular demand. They are once again proving to be energy efficient as well as environmentally friendly. Natural log construction is on the "green" list, in part because it eliminates many of the toxic materials used in insulating traditional wood frame homes. Today's log homes are both contemporary and traditional, with a style to suit every taste.
Log homes evoke images of the great outdoors: mountains, lakes, forests and wilderness. The common theme of nature and the outdoors lends itself to log cabin decorating, but still offers opportunity to show your personal style. You can bring the outdoors into decorating in small doses or use it in every aspect of the home, whether it is modern in style or traditional and rustic.
Log homes are beautiful and are often perceived by many as being status symbols. However, as with any form of home construction, there are issues that need to be thought through before building or purchasing this type of dwelling. In most cases, log homes are more expensive to build, require special construction methods and come with their own unique requirements. There are important considerations ahead for anyone interested in taking on the task of purchasing or building a log home.
Since the days of the log cabin, the porch has played an important role. Early settlement log homes were small by necessity, since smaller rooms were easier to heat in the winter. Most early log homes were just big enough for dining, cooking and sleeping. So when they not working, the family members would spend their free time on the porch. Today, with the right decor, a log home's porch can also be a charming and useful feature of the home.
If you are the proud owner of a log home, then you know the specific challenges that you face when deciding on an interior decorating style for it. Log homes are practically accessories on their own, so when choosing your decor, you need to choose items and schemes that won't overwhelm the tones and textures of the logs throughout the home. Here are some tips to remember when decorating your log home.
Blame our love affair with the log home on the Civilian Conservation Corps. In the 1930s, the government put Americans to work to pull the nation out of its economic crisis. Part of this included improvements on the national parks. Architects turned to our pioneer roots for inspiration and soon rustic structures were going up across the country. By the 60s, vacationing Americans wanted a lodge retreat just like the one at Yellowstone Park.
Log cabin decorating has become popular for country homes, hunting and fishing cabins, as well as ski lodges and vacation homes. Log cabins are representative of the pioneer life in America. Simple accents and primitive features accent log homes and create a warm and welcoming environment.
The idea of living in a charmingly rustic log home with modern conveniences is an appealing option for many people. Whether your dream home is in a wooded area, next to a lake or river, or in a gated community, living in one creates a sense of connection with nature and the elements. In addition, log homes can be very energy efficient and not only save you money but are good for the environment. Log homes are becoming increasingly popular as retirement, vacation and even primary homes, but shopping for one is different than shopping for a stick-built home.
Keeping track of all the paperwork involved in running a household can be overwhelming. There are appliance repairs, phone plans, receipts from new furniture--not to mention all the sales slips from day-to-day expenditures and mailings which need to be kept. Here is one simple method for keeping the information you need accessible and easy to find.
