[Sirrotica]

Since I was a teenager, I have always wanted to live in/build a log cabin. Now at 68 YO it may be my last chance to live the dream.

Asking any members here to relate your observations/experiences about this one of a kind home. If you built one some of the pitfalls I could avoid, and any useful information I could use in my search for a company to supply the timber, as well as what to look for in a contractor that could carry out this type of a build. I'm not looking to build a log palace, just maybe 2000 sq. ft. of space is fine for my purposes

I've already been through building a stick built house back in the early 90s, so I've lived the, contractors missing deadlines, suppliers that back ordered supplies, weather delays, and 100 other little inconveniences that come up when building a home.

Thanks in advance for anyone willing to share their experiences.

[GT182]

They can be pretty expensive, but they are gorgeous when done. Some log home builders also go around and tear down old barns and use the barn's innards with log walls. Also expensive.

I've wanted to live in a log home also but not with the Warden. She'd want to paint everything inside white. I'm not about to ruin good antique wood or logs. I'd even go with an old barn that's in good shape and turn it into a home. Living quarters in the hay loft and the working part of the barn a garage.

Best I've see, but couldn't figure out why, was a house built inside of a barn. Come to find out it was to cheat on taxes. And it worked.

[Dick Boneske]

Log homes are beautiful. As was pointed out above, they are expensive to build. They also require a lot of maintenance. Every 5-7 years, the caulking and wood finish needs to be addressed.

[Chief of the 60's]

Was going to build one until I found they were high maintenance.

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by Dick Boneske

Log homes are beautiful. As was pointed out above, they are expensive to build. They also require a lot of maintenance. Every 5-7 years, the caulking and wood finish needs to be addressed.

Dick, I'm fully aware of the maintenance required, and the initial expense, I've been trying to find a way to own one forever. I just want to know from someone that has built/constructed one, if the have any first hand experience of do's, or don'ts from their experience that they'd like to pass along. Money saving tips, etc. when it comes to the purchase.

Since log homes are a small percentage of all the homes owned in the US, there may not be any members here that have any direct experience with them, but I figured I'd ask here on PY. I also know there are a few general contractors that frequent the forums, and maybe they'd respond also.

I'm going to an Amish owned mill works near Mansfield Ohio, and have an appointment with their sales staff on Saturday to look at models and price their kits out. Just trying to get a little more info if possible before then to make me a more informed buyer.

It's no where near a done deal, but I'm still going to pursue my dream if it's feasible. If it's not feasible then it's not meant to be, simple as that.

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

Was going to build one until I found they were high maintenance.

I'm fine with the maintenance schedule, when I was growing up all the homes were wood siding, and my first home I bought in the early 70s was wood sided, so painting regularly, is much the same as sealing the wood. My second home had cedar shake siding, same thing, they have to be stained every few years to keep up the outside of the house. I just love natural wood structures, and the maintenance is just part of the allure.

Gary, I'd be divorced in a minute if I had a wife that wanted to paint the trim in my house white. We have a next door neighbor that did the same in her house, I can't stand covering up the warmth of natural wood with white paint........

[Mr Anonymous]

A neighbor of mine has one, and it is absolutely gorgeous. And he spends a small fortune heating and cooling it. He said OH climate isn't the best choice for this reason alone. He said "It couldnt cost any more unless I had a machine that fed dollar bills directly into a fire in the middle of the room im trying to heat".

[67drake]

Maybe try here. The site isn’t as active as it used to be, but still a lot of us around, or search the archives.

https://www.homesteadingtoday.com/forums/

[Tim john]

Couple things to consider. Go with Cedar logs to eliminate bug infestation and the obvious Wood Peckers looking for them, very minimal rot with Cedar compared to Pine over time. Also in the unfortunate circumstances of a fire a log is pretty easily saved, just sand blast the logs to remove the charcoal/burn and they clean up really well. The beauty of a log home far out weighs the maintenance burden in my opinion. I too will own/build one come retirement.

Tim john---

[GT182]

Yeah Brad, I've been thinking that same line of thought too for 28 years.

[63 Pontiac]

Don't do the 'kit' log home. Do a traditional Appalachian hewn log home instead. With a proper foundation, well cut half dovetail joints, and a good roof the home will last for generations. And look damn good doing it.

[NeighborsComplaint]

There was one "log home" built in the subdivision I used to live in. The HOA had bylaws prohibiting log construction ( also A frames, Domes and Aluminum siding) but he got around it by doing wood frame construction with split log fascia and full-log corners for the look. The neighbors ( all custom built homes) were not happy. The bylaws were changed afterwards to prohibit log construction and the use of sawed logs for siding. Most municipalities likewise restrict log homes.

The owner was a Postal Employee (now long retired) and every two years he would have to caulk the joints and seal it. He started out with Thompson's clear wood preservative but it didn't hold up so he switched to semitransparent stain. Last time I saw it, it was stained a solid pumpkin orange like a bad State Park ranger shed.

Seemed like a high maintenance deal to me.

[Sirrotica]

It won't be built on any HOA ground, I can assure you of that, minimum of 2 acres with no neighbors within sight.

[Cliff R]

Make sure to hang plenty of these around the outside. A couple of folks I know have log homes and carpenter bees will "swiss cheese" them if you don't take steps to keep them off the logs. Here in Ohio they have been really bad the past few years........

[sdbob]

A friend had a log home out the road he built. He said about maintenance.He owned for about 40yrs. Just sold it to his cousin,moved(him and his wife are 72) into brick ranch nearer town.
When I was self employed I built post and beam home. Very well insulated and warm. Pine board and batten exterior with cedar shake roof. The carpenter bees bored holes in the stained pine after a few years. Now its vinyl siding exterior.

[Cerberus]

Originally Posted by Tim john

Couple things to consider. Go with Cedar logs to eliminate bug infestation and the obvious Wood Peckers looking for them, very minimal rot with Cedar compared to Pine over time. Also in the unfortunate circumstances of a fire a log is pretty easily saved, just sand blast the logs to remove the charcoal/burn and they clean up really well. The beauty of a log home far out weighs the maintenance burden in my opinion. I too will own/build one come retirement.

Tim john---

Damn Wood Peckers..................

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

It won't be built on any HOA ground, I can assure you of that, minimum of 2 acres with no neighbors within sight.

2 acres???

You will see neighbors.

I have 5-1/2 acres and can see neighbors.

[TAKerry]

I have been in the building business for well over 40 years. You def. need a specialist for this project. We had a customer many years ago that had the same desires, a log home as their retirement present. One thing to consider, and I believe you have mentioned it, the actual price of a log home package is very attractive. But its kinda like how pole barns are priced in my area. Everything is extra. The package will buy the logs, no foundation, no electric, no plumbing you get the point. All of these tasks will cost twice than a normal house for installation. So the end game is that a log home is considerably more ft. vs. ft. of traditional. We ended up building a timber frame home with log siding. IMO, it looked ok, but not quite the same as a true log home. I would check around before signing with the first guy. There are quite a few log home builders in Eastern NC. A net search should turn them up, but it seems there is a log home alley in that neck of the woods.

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

2 acres???

You will see neighbors.

I have 5-1/2 acres and can see neighbors.

Not if it's on wooded property my house in PA was an acre and a half in the woods.it
. Only time I could see neighbors house was winter. I did say minimum 2 acres, most lots we've looked at have been 5-7 acres.

I don't like people worrying about what I'm doing, they need to MYOB.

[MIAGIMAN]

Go For IT!! We recently purchased a log home in the mountains in Georgia(searched for 3 yrs). The external logs have carpenter bees holes and wood pecker damage from the previous owner being a lazy/slob. I don't mind the work to keep it right. My finish is stained. The inside has beams throughout with pine planking, no plaster board, wood floors and stone in the sun room. Mine is 3 floors, looks bigger then it is, bottom level is built into the mountain on the backside, here there is a wood stove (that will heat the whole cabin), utility room , gun room, laundry room. The main living room is a must when building, its the massive stone Fireplace extending to the roof with the loft area overlooking , don't cheap out on that it makes the cabin. We have 2 triangle windows on both sides of the fireplace up high and keep things bright. My only regret is that I didn't do this 10 or 20 years ago. A "BIG MUST" is the property/setting, ours is unbelievable and makes living here perfect. Best of Luck with the adventure, I hope this helps, if I can help in anyway info email me