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Log Homes
Log homes are one of the hottest trends in
housing today. No longer simple cabins, these
spacious and luxurious dwellings have become
real status symbols. High profile celebrities
build them in resort communities; they are
especially popular in the West and on wooded
properties all over the country.
Most log houses are constructed from kits
that are shipped to the building site ready
to assemble. They can be purchased from specialty
manufacturers, most of whom will recommend
a local contractor who can build the house
on the owner’s lot. When properly constructed,
a log house is a sturdy, durable and secure
dwelling that can last for many years. They
have an appealing warm, natural rustic look
that is particularly attractive in rural
landscapes.
Consider the following if you
are thinking
of purchasing a log home:
- Log homes are generally more expensive to
build than conventional houses because they
are so labor intensive. Depending on the
size of the home, hundreds of logs need to
be shipped to the site. These logs can weigh
up to 1000 pounds. They need to be stacked
on top of one another, and windows and doors
are cut out of the walls. You will need to
hire an experienced contractor who knows
exactly how to work with these materials.
- The logs will usually shrink some as they
continue to dry out, so gaps
over the doors
and windows should be part
of the construction
process. These gaps will allow
for some natural
settling as the logs move into
their permanent
positions.
- If the log house is in a part of the country
where the exterior is exposed
to snow and
rain, the logs may begin to
rot. Rot can
be minimized by including large
roof overhangs
in the design of the house.
These overhangs
will keep water away from the
dwelling.
- Borate treatments applied to the exterior
of the house can help prevent beetles, termites
and ants from infesting the walls of log
homes. Caulking and sealing the spaces between
the logs can keep out unwanted water and
insects.
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