Choosing a log home system is more about choosing what kind of home you want than anything else. There are many ways to choose a log home system. You can go for straight-line, or create your own path driveway or layout. You can choose a single line, double line, or even a conifold layout.
The main deciding factor when choosing a log home design is the exterior look. There are many ways to make the wood look nice and the owner is not the only one who can build it this way. It is also important in a well-built log home to have enough wood for its size.
When looking at how well built a log home is, it is important to look at how easily it can be damaged. A well-built log home will not necessarily be easy to use and obtain ownership of due to its small size.
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Softwood is lighter than hardwood
This is a fact that most homebuilders do not tell you about hardwood floors. Because of the natural process of growing trees, flooring materials such as tree roots and Douglas fir or pine needles are present in the wood.
This makes hardwood floors heavier than carpet, which is comprised of synthetic fibers. This can add up in cost over a carpeted home!
Additionally, because of the naturally occurring density of hardwood species, flooring companies cannot use exactly same thicknesses of wood in one piece of flooring. Instead, they must use different types of wood to make the thicknesses meet their needs.
This is why you will often see two different colored oak floors side by side on your home! They do not match, but they look nice together.
Hardwood holds up better over time
This is the most important part of your log home. If you do not use these layers in your log home, they will fall apart over time. These include paper towels, stain resistant material, and foam or blankets to cushion your mattress and/or couch against the wood.
Depending on what kind of heat source you are using for your fire, your wood must be kiln dried or proofed before use. This is to ensure it is sturdy enough to withstand the flames over the course of time.
Kiln drying is almost always done on a hot dryer day or night before use. Proofing the wood takes a little bit more work and effort, but is definitely worth it in the end. You want to make sure that none of the moisture has seeped out, because then it will not hold up under heat.
Softwood cracks more easily
Another factor that can make a log home hard is tree species. Softwood trees such as Oaks, maples, and pecan trees are more likely to crack due to stress.
Stress can come from being in a tree for many years, or from living in an area where trees are abundant. When these trees are removed in a log home project, the owner is left with only hard logs to construct the home.
If you’re looking into building a new log homes or replanting an existing one, then I suggest looking into some of the aforementioned factors above to help your home project.
Whether you are building your own new log homes or taking advantage of current ones, here are some things that should be done in order of importance: weatherproofing before construction, identifying appropriate materials for your project, finding reliable wood suppliers, and owning up to mistakes.
Both hardwood and softwood have their own benefits and drawbacks
This is a long paragraph, so let’s start small. We will talk about both hardwood and softwood later in the article, so for now, we can start off with the benefits of each.
The first benefit of both wood types is that they are beautiful. Each type has a different look that you can’t forget. Softwood is usually more visible than hardwood, as it sticks out more.
As you can probably tell by the length of this article, this talk is going to take a while to do. Both wood types take time and patience to use properly.
Hardwoods tend to be more expensive than softwoods
Some woods are more suitable than others for building a home with. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
anianj is right: If you are looking at homebuilding with less than complete tree cover in mind, you would be better off in a timber frame or log home. These can be very sturdy and beautiful!
The cost of hardwoods is proportional to the amount of plywood or other layers of construction they require. This can be costly for some!
The biggest downside to wood is water penetration. If you are planning on having water in your home during a rainy season, then this may be an issue for you.
Some woods cannot be naturally dried out completely, which is another down side. Having to purchase extra drying equipment is also costed.
Log homes hold heat better than other homes do
This is a major factor that causes people to try log homes for Homeownership. When you can control the heat and cold temperatures in your home, you can set it and forget it!
When you own a log home, you have two significant problems to worry about when it comes to temperature: winters are long and cold, and summers are short and hot.
With only one way to regulate temperature in your home, such as using a fireplace or a hot tub, this is definitely an area where homeowners should train themselves. Learn how to take care of a log home so that you can finally enjoy the heat and comfort of your own home!
Another issue we mention below that must be corrected before attempting any renovations on your log home is weathering. If you do not have enough weathering on your property, it can cause paint chips or pieces to come off as it rains or when someone repairs it. these may break down and expose fragile wood surfaces making future owners fight over this issue.
Log homes can crack if they are not maintained properly
This can be true of any home, of log homes or conventional homes. If your log home is not appearing healthy, then it may be cracking or falling apart.
If you are talking to someone who is not a log expert, it is still important to maintain your log home. You do not make changes to your home without first consulting with a professionalized organization such as the American Society for Built Environments (ASRE).
This includes identifying and treating water leaks, replacing insulation and loose roofing if necessary, and identifying proper venting and cooling needs. all of which can help preserve your property investment for years to come.
Log homes require more maintenance than normal houses do
This is due to the special features of a log home such as casings or walls, or lack thereof. There are special features such as windows, doors, and flooring.
Because of this, it is important that your home is equipped with proper insulation and cooling systems. Insulation works by blocking the insulating material in a building materials package and other buildings around you.
Cooling systems work by using air movement or exposed heat sources. With a little knowledge and planning, these systems can work well with you. However, there are some things to watch out for when working with them.
Watch out for over-insulated homes, weak heating and cooling systems, and poor ventilation. If these conditions exist in your home, then it may require some repairs or replacement.