The appeal of a log or timber home is the first indicator that such a dream dwelling is in a homeowner’s future. Both building materials captivate the imagination and conjure up images of days spent in leisure, enjoying beautiful mountain or lakeside vistas, watching wildlife, and generally relaxing. But which is best, log or timber? Most often, the decision to build with log or timber comes down to that age-old bugaboo—pricing. Comparing the cost of log versus timber inevitably s…
One of the greatest challenges in making interior log home space livable is taking full advantage of light, overcoming the tendency of the home’s primary building material, the wood itself, to create dim, dark areas inside. In addition, preserving and protecting the wood from the ravages of time and the effects of moisture, dust, and dirt keep the log home interior looking beautiful for years. The first line of defense and the best way to lighten up your log home…
With smart planning, you can create a home that’s beautiful to look at and does a beautiful job conserving energy. The design phase of building a log home is a perfect time to consider energy efficiency, as you can build in features that will make your home naturally efficient. You’ll end up with a home that will not only save money on power bills but will be comfortable to live in—free from drafts and moisture, with consistent temperatures throughout. Log homes on the whole are efficient buildin…
For many people, becoming a log home owner takes years of planning and saving funds. Once you’ve built your dream log home, you want to do everything possible to protect your investment. Regular maintenance is certainly important, and carefully selecting high-performing stains and finishes will help preserve the beauty and integrity of your home for years to come. Stains and finishes protect the logs from the elements, including sun, wind, and rain—strong forces that can cause severe damage over t…
The average log home can take anywhere from four to eight months or more to build, depending on its size. A custom log home is well worth the time and effort. Prior to construction, you plan for months, sometimes years, to make this vision become real. Because of the many stages that happen before the home is ready to move in, the construction process can seem daunting. Understanding the steps beforehand makes you a well-prepared consumer. It is your knowledge and passion to build a log home that help g…
Different topographies and climates can impact the log home construction process, and can also impact your experiences as a log home owner. A structure built in the southeastern United States, for example, must be able to withstand hurricanes and tolerate high levels of humidity, while one constructed on the West Coast has to stand up to earthquakes. The elements can take their toll in areas where high winds or extreme cold are prevalent, and natural&nbs…
There’s no definitive answer on when the buying process begins. For some folks, it begins the first time they clip a photograph of a log cabin from a magazine and start a file. For other people, it’s the first time they walk into a log home model and start picking out floorplans. When it comes to building a custom log home, the buying procedure isn’t only about money. It’s a progression that lasts from concept to completion with steps in between. “A lot of patience is needed thr…
We often pour energy and creativity into the “public” rooms in our houses: great rooms, kitchens, and entertainment rooms. But we should reserve some of that care and effort to create an idyllic environment in our most personal rooms: the bedrooms. Resist the temptation to make your bedroom multifunctional: studies show that we sleep better when we reserve our bedrooms for relaxation, not work. From layout to furnishings, your bedroom designs should reflect your …
During the 32 years that Ellis Nunn has been designing luxury log and timber homes he’s seen many different design trends come and go. A member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Council of Architects Registration Board (NCARB), Nunn is president of Ellis Nunn & Associates Architecture in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Nunn’s firm specializes in high-end mountain-style and log home architecture. Over the last three decades Nunn has designed over 300 log homes. A leader in t…
While some economists continue to lament that one of the longest recessions in U.S. history persists, signs of recovery and a return to economic vitality are surely coming around. Despite a lingering concern for the future, those looking for the log home of a lifetime can take heart. Somewhat ironically, there may never be a better time to buy. The reasons for this sudden surge of opportunity are varied; however, the most dramatic lies in the price of money, the funding that makes a log home purchase po…
A home is the epitome of self-expression. It shows the world your personal style and hints at what is important to you. It offers an escape from the world, creating a sanctuary for those who pass through its doors. But building the ideal sanctuary involves planning and budgeting to accommodate all the design options you might desire. Beginning with the structure, a home will speak volumes about who lives in it and where it is sited. But what about the design deta…
Landscaping should be at the top of your list when you begin to plan your log home. A National Gardening Association survey found a well-designed and maintained landscape can increase the value of your home by as much as 15-25 percent. “Too often the landscape is an afterthought” says Maureen Parker, owner of Common Ground Landscapes in Boyne City, Michigan, “and landscape architecture is much more than plantings. Planning for your landscape starts with positioning your …
