Art, whether it’s a painting, sculpture, photograph, poster, pottery, art glass, quilt, or other medium, will both enhance and personalize your home. It can serve as a focal point and conversation starter, ground or brighten a space, and add color and texture to a room. Selecting artwork for your home is a matter of personal preference and taste, and your choices speak to who you are and what your interests are. The most important thing about art…
The maintenance-free home—log, timber, or otherwise—is an illusion. But the low-maintenance log or timber home is within reach. While the exact definition of “low maintenance” may vary from one person to another, the idea is consistent. Build or buy a home that stands up to the rigors of the climate and weather where the real estate is located. From planning to design to construction, the maintenance needs of a log or timber home relate directly to the step-b…
The roaring fire with shadows dancing and welcoming warmth will always be a source of beauty and comfort for those who love log and timber homes. Whether providing a source of heat or decorative accent—or both—the fireplace and woodstove are essential elements in the look and feel of the home. When it comes to that look and feel, the selection and efficiency of fireplaces and woodstoves is better than ever. Wood burning, gas, and electric alternatives …
You’ve dreamed of owning a log home, and now you’re ready to start putting plans on paper. The first step in making your dream come true is to find the right piece of land. Are you looking for a cozy retreat in the mountains or a getaway at the lake? Do you want a remote location, or quick access to grocery stores, restaurants, and medical care? Whatever your needs, there are a few factors to consider as you begin to design and develop a “green” building site. Site Selecti…
Surprisingly, the look and quality of interior and exterior doors often come as afterthoughts in the construction of log and timber homes. However, a missed opportunity to brighten an entryway, welcome guests, and increase the “wow factor” can be corrected. It’s never too late to spruce up doors, keeping an eye on cost and environmentally friendly factors. Getting in touch with the ins and outs of interior and exterior doors is easier than you think. Craftsme…
When talking about green building, energy efficiency, and passive solar design, you may hear the term “thermal mass.” The term refers to the ability of a material to stabilize the temperature of your home by storing heat from the sun (called solar gain) during the day, then slowly releasing it at night. Some people add a thermal mass feature to help store solar heat, but luckily for log home owners, logs themselves have considerable thermal mass naturally. Therma…
The dream of owning a second home is far from dead. Signs of the housing market’s resuscitation are visible around the country, with certain areas emerging as the hottest spots (and best real estate investments) you can make. With interest rates still incredibly low (5.25 percent for a 30-year fixed, as reported by Wells Fargo [www.wellsfargo.com] at the time of publication) and excellent builders still available and eager to work, these could be your best conditions for getting that…
The log home lifestyle is within reach of homeowners everywhere, whether their current homes are of conventional or log construction. More popular than ever, log additions to existing residential structures are gaining momentum with creativity and affordability. A log addition to a home of any style may be accomplished with planning, consultation, and vision. “The sky is the limit on what you can do with a full-scribe handcrafted log home,” comments Brad Neu, president of Montana Log Homes, “and w…
Do you want your vacation getaway home to be an exact duplicate of your main home? Of course not! Your leisure life is far more relaxed and free than your everyday life so you’ll want that to be reflected in your home away from home. Perhaps you are attracted to a different architectural and decorative style that you’d like to explore. Go a bit more sleek and modern or maybe indulge your love for a rustic, natural feel. If the colors used in your main home are neutral, take a chance …
Seasons change. Log and timber home owners are wise to heed the advice that seems to be everywhere. Winterize to protect your investment, prevent larger maintenance issues, and ensure the best of experiences regardless of temperature, snow, ice, and howling winds. Basic prevention makes all the difference. Begin with a general inspection, much of which can be completed by homeowners themselves. Service providers are also available to make light work of seasonal chores. “The first thing to do is to inspe…
Considering the rising costs of energy and the environmental awareness that is so necessary as natural resources become more scarce every day, log home owners are taking advantage of opportunities to maximize the energy efficiency of their homes on a regular basis. While doing so, they discover not only that savings in real dollars may be substantial, but also that their personal impact on the environment is becoming “greener.” Those who are constructing their log homes and those who are purchasing an e…
Who hasn’t been drawn to the warmth of a sunny spot on a cold day, or cooled off in the shade during the dog days of summer? Passive solar design takes that natural comfort and incorporates it into the design of your house. Put simply, you can design your home to gather and make use of the sun’s light and warmth in the winter, while minimizing the warming effects of the sun in the summer. The result: a comfortable, bright, efficient home. There are many factors to take into consideration when inco…
