Whether you’re looking for a cozy cabin in the mountains or a quaint lakeside retreat, log house kits are an affordable way to get a home of your own.
Choosing a kit isn’t always as simple as it seems, though. Keep reading for tips on what to look for when deciding on one.
Cost
There are many different log house kits available on the market today. These can range from simple shell packages to full-blown kits with flooring, interior finishing, and electrical work included. These options can be expensive, so it is important to shop around and compare the costs of each kit.
A typical A-frame cabin kit can cost between $150 and $175 per square foot. This includes all the materials needed to build the home, including a roof, siding and windows. Some companies may also include a plan for building the house as part of their kit, which can be helpful if you are a DIY type of person.
These kits take a lot of the time and material shopping out of the process. This means that you can focus on more important aspects of the building process, like choosing a location and decorating your new cabin.
The cost of a log house kit is usually much less than the cost of building a traditional home. These kits are typically pre-assembled, so you can start construction very quickly. This can make it easier to stay on budget and avoid mistakes.
Another major advantage of log house kits is that they are very versatile. They can fit on any piece of ground, whether it is a flat lot or an irregularly shaped one. This makes them a popular choice for people who want to build a cabin on an empty lot, in an existing building or even in an urban area.
Some companies also offer a variety of custom-made floor plans. For example, New York-based Finger Lakes Log Homes specializes in a few specific kits, like the 1,280-square-foot Keuka ranch home. These kits can be customized to match your family’s needs and lifestyle.
A custom-built log home can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on the size and complexity of the project. This is because custom log houses require more time from the design and building teams to layout, ensure structural integrity, and build the home piece by piece.
Design
A log cabin kit can be a great choice if you want a log house but don’t have the time to build one from scratch. These homes are easy to construct and come with pre-cut, numbered and lettered materials and plans for construction.
If you’re building a log home from a kit, you’ll need to ensure that the company you choose offers a warranty and maintenance schedule. The manufacturer should also be registered with the Log Builders Association or the Home Builders Association, which means they adhere to strict guidelines and provide quality products.
Some companies, such as Coventry Log Homes, offer a variety of log home kits that are designed to be energy efficient and sustainable. Their kits are made from kiln-dried pine or cedar and include all of the materials you need to build your cabin.
They also offer a range of floor plans and styles to suit your lifestyle and budget. Some of their designs include expansive picture windows, great rooms, and ranch layouts.
These pre-built log cabins are crafted from high-quality hand cut timber with a charming old-fashioned style. They are available in tiny home floor plans or small cabin sizes, and can be customized with your own choice of interior design details.
Another advantage of log house kits is that they are typically 10-20% less expensive than new builds. However, they do have their drawbacks, and it’s important to plan for these before you buy your kit.
The cost of a log cabin kit is dependent on the materials used, how you customize the cabin, and how you add features to the structure. It can be very costly to add flooring, electrical materials, and plumbing, so you’ll want to make sure that your costs will fit within your budget before buying a log cabin kit.
The most important factor when choosing a kit is the type of logs that are used. These can range from a variety of milled logs (D-logs or half-logs) to bespoke logs, and there are also various notch types, including scandinavian saddle notch. The notch type you choose can have an impact on the overall appearance of your cabin and how it will perform in the elements.
Maintenance
When you build a log home you’ll want to do your best to keep it looking good. That means cleaning it up, staining and sealing it, repairing any cracks and holes, and keeping the exterior free of pests or insects.
You’ll also need to seal any gaps and cracks, including around windows, doors, and trim boards, so moisture doesn’t get into the house and cause damage. Using expanding insulating foam caulk, such as Energy Seal or Woodsman, is a good way to do this, the Log Home Store says.
Another maintenance task to perform on a log home is to regularly wash it. This includes washing the bottom half of each log (the areas that are not glued to the foundation) with a mixture of water and a wood-friendly cleaner, like Perma-Chink Log Wash, once or twice a year.
Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule will help prevent wood from becoming darkened and damaged by exposure to rain or snow, which can rot the wood. It will also keep it clean of dirt, pollen, bird droppings and other debris.
Inspect your log home at least once a year to look for any damage that could need repair. This will include stains that need refreshed or topcoats, checks and cracks that need filling, and signs of moisture, mildew or mold, notes Kathy Murdock, president of Perma-Chink Systems, Inc., a manufacturer of log home cleaners, stains and sealers since 1981.
Taking care of your log home is important, especially to prevent costly repairs. If you follow a maintenance checklist, your log cabin will not only last longer but also look better.
The National Association of Home Builders recommends keeping water away from your log home by installing gutters and a downspout. Keeping the water out of your logs will also reduce the likelihood of wood rot or insect infestation.
It’s important to protect your log home from ground moisture as well, by keeping the foundation a bit higher than 2 feet off the ground. This will prevent the rain from splashing and causing moss, fungus and mold to grow on the logs.
Environmental impact
Log houses are a great option for those looking to build an environmentally friendly home. They use wood, a renewable resource that can be recycled, and they are often built in local areas to reduce transportation costs. In addition, log homes tend to be more energy efficient than traditional stick-framed buildings.
When properly designed, log homes can be up to 3x more energy efficient than conventionally insulated houses. This is due to the thermal mass of log walls, as well as a tight sealant system and high-quality insulation on roof, windows and doors.
Additionally, log houses are typically more comfortable than other types of homes, requiring less energy to heat and cool. This can reduce the amount of energy required for other household needs and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.
This is because the walls of a log house help regulate temperature and humidity, reducing the need for air conditioning in the summer. Since the wood is a natural thermal insulator, it can also help keep temperatures warmer in the winter.
Another environmental benefit of log homes is that they can help to keep carbon in the forest, which reduces the need for burning fossil fuels. This can help to conserve the earth’s resources and keep our waterways clean.
In addition to being a greener building material, log houses are also a healthier choice for people. They help to prevent a variety of health conditions, such as stress, hypertension and depression. Living in a log house can also help to improve the overall quality of life, as it promotes relaxation and a sense of wellbeing.
As an added bonus, many log houses are also made from reclaimed materials, which saves money on construction and repairs. This helps to reduce the environmental impact of construction and repair, as well as reduce the amount of waste that is created during the building process.
Moreover, the wood used to construct log homes is typically sourced from sustainable forests. This helps to reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing and transportation, while also preserving the wood’s beauty and strength.