Unique, warm, cozy … all of these words describe log homes and those built of solid wood. While these attributes are desirable, the best news is this type of construction can appeal to your head and not just your heart. At some point, nearly all log cabin owners were one the fence about whether or not they should choose a log cabin over a more “traditional” home. Here are just a few of the practical reasons to own a long home.
1. Thermal Mass/Energy Efficiency
A material’s ability to absorb, retain and release heat energy over an extended period of time is its thermal mass, and a solid log wall offers more thermal mass capabilities than other building components do. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) calls this the “natural property in the logs that helps keep inside temperatures of a home comfortable in all seasons.” So, while the R-value of an individual timber may not score as high as a piece of high-density insulation, like a structural insulated panel, its ability to store and disseminate heat is something no manmade insulation has. And, as part of a wall system, the thermal mass of a log gets stronger. Log cabin homes that have been built and sealed properly are more energy efficient than “traditional” homes.
2. Lasting
With log buildings lasting for hundreds of years in varying climates throughout the world, it’s clear that well-built, solid-log structures stand the test of time. Of course, when designing your log home, you should always follow local building codes designed to protect your family and prevent damage from natural disasters in your area. There are log homes still in use in Europe that routinely date back more than 800 years. And one log-constructed church in Russia is reportedly more than 1,700 years young.
3. Sustainability
If you’re interested in building “green,” solid logs (especially those that are handcrafted) are a minimally processed building material. Sourcing your home’s logs locally results in an even softer carbon footprint by decreasing the energy required to transport the logs to your site.
Wood is a naturally renewable material, too, and while some anti-log home activists will tell you that log home producers are decimating the forests, nothing could be further from the truth. Most log home producers practice reforestation or take their stock from managed stands of trees, while others harvest standing-dead timbers (those that have been killed by fire, disease or insects) as these trees have a negative effect on the overall health of the forest.
Want to kick your sustainability efforts up a notch? Look for environmentally friendly stains and finishes and choose salvaged wood for your home’s floors and trim-work.
4. Fire Resistance
Many natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornadoes can cause fires due to the effects the wind and water have on power and other dangerous utilities, and tornado-carrying supercells with lightening. Wildfires are a significant danger as well. Fortunately, log homes stand up to fire better than a traditional home. This is because the large size, weight and density of the logs used in a log home. This is in contrast to other materials like drywall, which have autoignition temperatures as low as 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
A report from the Log & Timber Homes Council of the NAHB states: “Combined with the selection of beam and deck second floor and roof options often incorporated into log buildings, log structures are a top choice for endurance and integrity in a fire.”
5.Choice
The possibilities of where you could live are endless. You can build a log cabin home in the woods, in a secluded area, or in a different area of choosing.
There are a wide range of styles to choose from. The construction of a log cabin can get your creative juices flowing, and help make your dream home become a reality. . Owners of log cabins can enjoy the rustic appeal their home provides. People are constantly looking for ways to differentiate their home, and make it more aesthetically pleasing. What better way to do that than build a beautiful log cabin home in the location of your choice.
While log homes may require additional maintenance over other style homes, they also offer many benefits. If you’re a log homeowner and in need of maintenance tips to keep your home in tip-top shape, give the experts at 888 Log Guys a call today!
