Log Homes

The actual price that you pay for having log cabins built will not only depend on its size, but also the logs used to build it. Some cabins will be constructed using handcrafted logs and can prove to be extremely expensive. Whilst if you are looking for a cheaper alternative then select one that is made using hand milled logs instead.

In this article, we explain some more about the differences between milled and handcrafted logs. This will help you to make a more informed decision as to which is the best option for you. Milled logs are those which have either been passed through a sawmill, planer or lathe to get them to the right lengths and widths. These as you will soon find generally are of a much more uniformed size and profile.

In addition, what you will often find that milled log cabins are ones where the wood has been either air or kiln dried. This enables the right amount of moisture to be extracted from the wood before they are used to build a home with.

As for the surface of these logs, they are generally smooth and flat and could even have been coped as well. Also in a large number of cases, they will have tongue and groove joints along the sides where they are to join. This not only makes the construction process easier but helps to provide a much stronger and stable outer shell to the cabin. But if you want, the outer side of the log can remain rough to provide a much more rustic look to your cabin.

Generally, the wood that is used for milled log cabins comes from trees such as cedars, pines or spruces as well as firs. The least expensive type of milled log cabin is one that has been made using either pine or spruce. Whereas if you are willing to pay more then the option is to go for one made from cedar.

As for handcrafted logs, these will have been prepared by being hand peeled using either a drawknife or through the use of water. The actual logs themselves when being prepared are green and will only have been cut and hauled a few days or weeks before. Unlike milled logs these are allowed to air dry only as kiln drying is a very expensive process, as these need to be dried whilst they are still their full lengths after cutting.

As well as pine and spruce being favorite trees for making handcrafted log cabins from other trees that are used are the Douglas fir, Oak, Juniper, Cyprus and Alpine Fir. The last tree mentioned is also known as a True Fir.

As mentioned the cost you pay for buying and having log cabins constructed will not only depend on the way in which the logs have been prepared. You also need to take into consideration the size of the cabin you are having built. The bigger the cabin then the more labour intensive and the more logs will be needed in order to build it. If you want to save money but would like a large cabin then you are better off going for milled rather than handcrafted logs.

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Different people have different preferences and that can be observed in the type of homes they build. Log homes have had their presence since the 20th Century and are still popular. However such homes require extra attention where the decor is concerned and here are some basic tips to keep in mind while styling your log home decor.Striking a balance between the log home d?cor and the home?s interiors may seem like a difficult task. This is because log homes do not have flat walls which can be painted or wall papered. Log homes comprise of wooden walls, wooden staircases and doors and sometimes even wooden floorings. Complementing the wooden look with a suitable interior to bring out a pleasing and original look is extremely important.Log homes with lighter wood and stains were originally coordinated with blue and white hues and this complemented the log home d?cor very well. Similarly, log homes having darker wood and stains were coordinated with brighter colors like red and green. To decide the color combination to be used in a log home d?cor, the precise shade of the wood has to be understood. Generally blue and white hues are popular in log home d?cor.Though color scheme plays an important role in the log home d?cor, equal attention should be paid to the overall interiors. Log homes are generally designed in country style and therefore modern contemporary d?cor does not compliment log homes. The interior Log home d?cor should ideally comprise of shorter, simpler curtains, area rugs instead of carpets, prudently chosen work of art coupled with traditional wooden rocking chair type furniture having simple fabric cushions. Modern art and modern furniture may spoil the look of a log home d?cor and give it an uncoordinated look.Even after taking the above into consideration, the main aim should be to give the log home d?cor an appealing and warm look. Thus each family may decide what suits them best. Though a common observation is that the style in most log home d?cor is similar and this is even evident in a survey of log homes conducted by a home d?cor magazine. The reason for this may be simple ? log home d?cor does not offer the freedom to be innovative due to their underlining look and character or simply that those who prefer log homes have the same preferences in d?cor as well.Adam Peters is the author of more resources published at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com A focused website that offers the best articles on traditional home decor and interiorsArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Peters Article

Tags: log homes, log cabin homes, log cabin

The actual price that you pay for having log cabins built will not only depend on its size, but also the logs used to build it. Some cabins will be constructed using handcrafted logs and can prove to be extremely expensive. Whilst if you are looking for a cheaper alternative then select one that is made using hand milled logs instead.

It is important therefore before you actually decide on getting such a cabin built you know the difference between milled and handcrafted logs. Generally, those that are milled have been prepared using either a sawmill, a lathe or a planer. This then ensures that each log will be cut to a specific profile or shape. As you will soon discover milled logs have a far more uniformed shape and size to them compared to handcrafted ones.

In addition, what you will often find that milled log cabins are ones where the wood has been either air or kiln dried. This enables the right amount of moisture to be extracted from the wood before they are used to build a home with.

As for the surface of these logs, they are generally smooth and flat and could even have been coped as well. Also in a large number of cases, they will have tongue and groove joints along the sides where they are to join. This not only makes the construction process easier but helps to provide a much stronger and stable outer shell to the cabin. But if you want, the outer side of the log can remain rough to provide a much more rustic look to your cabin.

Generally, the wood that is used for milled log cabins comes from trees such as cedars, pines or spruces as well as firs. The least expensive type of milled log cabin is one that has been made using either pine or spruce. Whereas if you are willing to pay more then the option is to go for one made from cedar.

Now let us look at a cabin that is made using handcrafted logs. These will have been prepared by either being hand peeled with a drawknife or water peeled. The logs used are only a matter of days or weeks old after being cut down so will still be green. Because of the size of the logs this ones are usually allowed to dry in the air as kiln drying is a very expensive process. Also there are not many kilns are available that these sizes of logs would be able to fit into.

Just like with milled log cabins those who make handcrafted ones like to use pine and spruce trees. However, there are some log cabin manufacturers who prefer to use either Douglas fir, Oak, Juniper, Cyprus or Alpine Fir (True Firs) instead.

As mentioned the cost you pay for buying and having log cabins constructed will not only depend on the way in which the logs have been prepared. You also need to take into consideration the size of the cabin you are having built. The bigger the cabin then the more labour intensive and the more logs will be needed in order to build it. If you want to save money but would like a large cabin then you are better off going for milled rather than handcrafted logs.

Tags: log homes, log cabin homes, log cabin