How-To Archives – Page 29 of 37 – Log Cabin Homes Magazine

To DIY or Not to DIY

by Mike Haskew | Jul 9, 2021 | Building, How-To, Planning

Serious research, careful planning, and good old sweat equity help put the brakes on cost when building that perfect log home. Each lends itself to a more reasonable bottom line, bringing value and satisfaction to the process while potentially lowering the “hassle factor.” While research and planning are basic, some log home owners choose to invest their own talent and expertise during the construction process, performing certain tasks themselves rather than paying a premium for contracted services. Fro…

Today’s Trends in Log Home Design

by Karen Doss Bowman | Jul 9, 2021 | Designing, How-To

For many Americans, living in a log home is a dream come true. The typical log home owner is unlike most others, seeking an eclectic style that exudes warmth, comfort, and a touch of personality. While some may choose to go with a log home company’s stock floorplan as a starting point, others have their own design ideas in mind. We talked to a few log home industry leaders to find out what trends seem to be driving customers’ design choices these days. Blue…

Avoiding Financial Pitfalls

by Mike Haskew | Jul 9, 2021 | Financing, How-To, Planning

Before the saw connects with the wood, it is always good advice to measure twice and cut once. In other words, avoid those mistakes that cost time and money, and maybe worst of all, turn an otherwise pleasant experience into a frustrating ordeal. Designing and building that dream log home can be one of the most rewarding experiences of a lifetime. To be sure that the process flows smoothly from start to finish, it pays to listen to the voices of experience. Common miscues can lead to problems, and there…

Design Advice from the Experts

by Jennifer Donahue | Jul 9, 2021 | Building, How-To, Planning

It’s no surprise your log or timber frame home builder seems to know just the right place to put that reading nook you wanted, or the perfect way to orient your home to take advantage of the views. With hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of homes built and many hours working with homeowners, these professionals have seen it all. And they can tell you what works, and what doesn’t, based on that experience. With just a little bit of investigation, we were able …

Storing Heat from the Sun

by By Jennifer Donohue | Jul 9, 2021 | Energy Efficiency, How-To

There are many ways to store the heat from sunlight that enters your home, including stone floors and masonry interior walls. Another way people are choosing to capture that heat is through the use of Trombe walls . Trombe walls are named after Felix Trombe, the French engineer who developed them. The technique is to build a portion of the south wall of the home with a high thermal mass material such as concrete, then cover and seal it with a pane of glass a few inches from the surface of the wall on th…

Maximizing Energy Efficiency

by Mike Haskew | Jul 9, 2021 | Energy Efficiency, How-To, Planning

For decades the assessment of energy efficiency in log homes has been the subject of debate. Building codes differ from one jurisdiction to another, while climate, cost, and quality of construction also weigh in. Finding the proper balance to achieve the necessary efficiency means identifying the components of log construction that will realize the best return on investment. Rob Pickett has spent more than 40 years in the log home industry, operating his own…

Master Bedroom Trends

by By Donna Peak | Jul 9, 2021 | Bedrooms, Designing, How-To, Room-By-Room

Most homeowners consider the master bedroom their sanctuary. It’s the one space in the house that’s totally private. Owners go there to feel snug, secure, and “away from it all.” But five years ago, log home enthusiasts were building bedrooms so large they rivaled the size of many people’s entire homes. Voluminous footage, vaulted ceilings, chambers within the chambers became commonplace. Features like elaborate exercise nooks, coffee bars—even kitchenettes—started popping up. …

Exterior Log Finish Primer

by Mike Haskew | photo Roger Wade | Jul 9, 2021 | How-To, Maintaining

Low-maintenance, long-lasting good looks, environmental friendliness, and reasonable cost are just some of the elements that factor into choosing the right log home exterior finish. Evaluating the available options may be a challenge, but an understanding of the basics helps ease the process and produce the desired results. Paul Peebles, a commercial sales representative at Perma-Chink Systems, agrees that appearance, longevity, value, and environmental considera…

How to Get Financing in Today’s Market

by Tracy M. Ruff | Jul 9, 2021 | Financing, How-To

You have dreamed about living in a log home for years. You have collected photos and stashed away log company floorplans and magazine clips. You’ve probably done a lot of the fun stuff, but have you thought about how you’re going to pay for this dream? If you are like most Americans, you will have to take out a mortgage to pay for your dream home. And, with a brand-new log home, you will also have to take out a loan to get it built. To be better prepared before yo…

The Great Outdoors

by Mike Haskew | Jul 9, 2021 | How-To, Outdoor Spaces, Planning, Room-By-Room

Living next door to the outdoors holds the greatest appeal for log home owners, and making the most of outdoor living space is steadily rising on the wish lists of those building and buying new homes or enhancing existing outdoor amenities. From wraparound porches and extended decks to patios, pergolas, pools, and full kitchens, creativity and craftsmanship drive spectacular results. “We just started a line of outdoor living spa…

Energy-Saving Techniques

by Jennifer Donahue | Jul 9, 2021 | Energy Efficiency, How-To

Saving energy is often a top concern of homeowners, whether driven by a desire to lower their utility expenses or tread lightly on the earth. Each year we see new technologies that help make saving energy easier than ever, but there are some tried-and-true methods to consider as well. Built-In Efficiency The most important thing you can do to reduce energy consumption is ensure that you are building a home with the least amount of air leakage as possible. That begins with the des…

Up the Wall

by Laura Cleveland | Jul 9, 2021 | Designing, How-To

If you have chosen to build a log or timber frame home, no doubt it is the beauty of the wood that drew you in. All-log walls are fantastic design elements. By selecting a square or D-log profile, it is easier to hang artwork, display shelves, and cabinetry on the flat interior surface. For a timber frame or post-and-beam home, you can opt for wood walls, but with the use of SIPs (structural insulated panels) between the timbers the sky is the limit for wall treatments. Many homeowne…