Growing families, additional indoor or outdoor entertaining space, accommodations for overnight guests, and storage needs are just a few of the reasons that homeowners choose to add on to their existing residences. Depending on the circumstances, the process typically involves an assessment of existing structures, land usage, and particularly the look, feel, and utilitarian result the owner hopes to achieve. Owners of both log and traditionally constructed homes experience ev…
The deep texture and rich colors of reclaimed wood afford distinctive log homes and their discerning owners the opportunity to step out of the crowd. Old-growth timber, recovered from a cabin built during pioneer days or given new life when rescued from a commercial building that was bustling a century ago, adds flair to a log home like nothing else. “The actual industry term that predates the modern ecological push is ‘antique materials,’” explains Allen Halcomb, president of MossCreek, a custom design…
If you are in the process of designing a log home, or just dreaming about it, this room-by-room list is designed to spark your imagination and help ensure that you include all of your needs and wants in your floorplan. Photo by Karl Neumann Great Rooms 1. Position windows to “frame” the picture of your view. 2. Anchor a large living area with a stone fireplace; it will provide a natural focal point in harmony with the outdoors. 3. Use hand-forged log straps to add a custom touch to your home. 4. Give yo…
Shiny metal vessel sinks sit atop a rustic wood countertop in this light-filled bathroom. The sink hardware was mounted on the wall to save counter space. The owners get a nice view of the outdoors in the large mirror while standing at the sink. Double vanities are a nice luxury in a master bathroom. The striations in the stone used on the tub surround mimic the logs on the outer wall. The owners can relax in the large t…
When you hear the word “roof” probably the first image that pops into your head is the tried and true asphalt shingle roof that is ubiquitous in the United States. When you dream of your log home, you most likely envision a more rustic roof that will complement the wood and architectural style you have selected. The good news is that you can have a beautiful roof that enhances your log home and is also durable, sustainable, and energy-efficient. If you are co…
The successful search for a good builder is a key component of your log and timber homebuilding journey. Choosing the right builder to make your dream home a reality is nothing short of essential. One way to find log and timber homebuilders is to reach out to your log home producer. Chances are good that their experience and recommendations will get the builder selection process going in the right direction. “If you are working with a log home manufacturer’s representative, this woul…
Nobody likes to vacuum, but we all have to do it from time to time. However, most homeowners would agree that vacuuming is child’s play compared to dealing with a broken appliance, a drafty window, or a stained countertop. While the vacuuming may be a fact of life, the other chores on this list don’t have to be—at least when it comes to your new log home. The secret is keeping an eye out for easy maintenance when planning and designing many of the home’s interior features. To help wi…
The wants and needs of log and timber home purchasers vary widely, and dealers respond to individual preferences with everything from a basic package with finishes left at the buyer’s discretion to complete turnkey projects. “We know that ‘one size does not fit all,’ explains Robert Lambert of Natural Element Homes in Athens, Tennessee. “In fact, we never deliver a home that is exactly like any other home we have ever done. There is always some degree of customization, either to th…
If you thought barn doors, reclaimed wood wall coverings, and open-beam ceilings were only the domain of rural log cabin homes, think again. It’s 2018 and pretty much everyone from the single-family homeowner to the loft dweller to the apartment renter wants these and other rustic elements blended into their abodes. Driven by TV personalities like Joanna Gaines of Fixer Upper, who uses whitewashed shiplap and barn doors in any area of the house where she sees fit, this tre…
There’s no question why people are drawn to building on rural property, especially log and timber home owners. What “rural” means can vary depending on who you ask. One person might just mean “not urban” while others might be talking about dense forests or farmland. But most agree on some shared benefits: no two pieces of property are alike, there’s room to spread out without bumping into your neighbor, and you can be miles from the has…
Log homes and fireplaces go together like horses and carriages, to misquote a vintage song. More often than not, the fireplace is the focal point of the home and the primary gathering spot for family and friends. There’s nothing better than sitting in front of a crackling fire and inhaling that wonderful wood smoke. While you are enjoying the warmth and beauty of the fire, the heat in the rest of your home is being sucked up the chimney along with your ha…
For the average individual, buying or selling a home is an event that may occur only once or twice in a lifetime—particularly when the object of the transaction is a log home. The apparently daunting task of securing the best mortgage for the purchase of a log home requires an element of trust in the professionals who provide such services on a regular basis. Taking the mystery out of the mortgage is one of the primary responsibilities of the real estate …
