Initial Planning For Your Log Home

Before your logs can be delivered, you will have to make sure that there is an access road to the site for heavy vehicles and the delivery truck. First you spread crushed stone on the road for heavy traffic. After delivery of the logs and heavy equipment have completed their work you can top of the access road with fine stone or asphalt and use it as your driveway to your home. When you have created the access road, the next step is to clear the trees and brush from your lot. You will also need to have your well installed. When the well is installed the drainage field and septic tank can be installed. Before beginning construction there is one more thing that you need in place, and that is to map out the homes location. Footings are the first part of the foundation to be built. They are then approved by the building inspector, and then the foundation walls can be constructed. Foundations are usually made of concrete blocks or poured concrete. Most of the time concrete blocks are used for log homes. Make sure your builder takes the steps to ensure a waterproof well-drained foundation.

Log Wall Shrinkage

Wood starts to contract and shrink as it dries. Many factors play a part in the amount of shrinkage that will occur in the logs. Newly cut or "green" logs retain water. After the tree is cut and the logs start to dry, water begins to evaporate until the moisture level reaches the saturation point, thats around 30 percent level. After it reaches the saturation point it continues to shrink until it reaches the next stage, which is 19 percent. As well, logs that have been kiln dried will shrink a little. Shrinkage will occur in the same direction as the logs growth rings, and it shrinks very little lengthway. Shrinkage across the logs cause the logs to split along the grain, known as checking. Shrinkage of green wood can be as much as 1 to 2 inches in height. If your home is constructed carefully according to the plans, you should not experience any shrinkage problems.

Know What's In You Log Home Package

Before you decide on your log home package, make sure you know what is included in the log home package kit. Kits can range from just enough materials to build the basic shell to all the materials and fixtures necessary to finish the home. Just about every producer will offer one or more log home packages with a variety of contents and costs, this helps to decide the buying process. Log home packages are not all inclusive. Packages do not include the cost of the land, the cost to clear the lot nor the cost to install the septic systems. Building the foundation and installing mechanical systems such as electric, plumbing, heating and cooling are extras. Also, remember that erection of the log walls and the delivery of the logs are all extra costs. Most everything inside the home, such as kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing fixtures, hardware, cabinets and appliances are extra. Companies that include windows and doors purchase them at a discount and some of those savings are passed on to you, making it a better idea than buying your own windows and doors yourself.

Log Home Manufacturers

While researching log home manufacturers you will notice that most log home manufacturers develop a master engineering plan with which all their homes comply. This plan will detail how the manufacturers components connect to one another. The building system ensures that all the manufacturers log homes are built in accordance with the system and how it will be structurally sound. When you purchase a log home kit, the kit will or should include blueprints and a construction manual that shows the contractor how to assemble the log walls. Some packages include windows, doors, roofing, interior partition walls and lumber needed to complete the house. When the kit is delivered, someone such as a contractor should be there to accept it. The log home producer wants their home as well built as possible, since their reputation is riding on it. As you compare log home manufacturers, ask about the types of onsite assistance that are available, and when it comes time to buy, make sure this assistance is written in the contract.

Solar Panels For Your Log Home

Standard pv solar panels are rectangular, up to 4 feet long and 2 feet wide, and has an aluminum frame around it a few inches thick. Each frame is then bolted to a larger frame to make an impressive display. This then can be mounted to piers in the ground, to a south facing deck or firmly mounted to a roof by mounting brackets. Before installing your panels there are some considerations for their exact location, like where the most sunshine is, the pitch of the roof, the way the house faces, or if you want to hide the solar panels. If your roof is metal you can use solar laminates with a minimum of 16 inches between seams, they are flexible peel-and-stick panels and less than a quarter-inch thick and designed to stick to your metal roof, and best of all you don't need any framing or mounting hardware, To connect between panels you would use connectors. Solar panels can be installed on shingled roofs as well and require you to install waterproof underlayment beneath the solar shingles.

Radiant Floor Heat For Your Log Home

Radiant floor heating is like geothermal heating its an alternative to a furnace. The way it works is it pumps hot water through many different tubes beneath the floor. If radiant heat is on the ground floor it will be embedded in concrete, but you can also staple it beneath a subfloor, so that you will have heat to the floor above. The end result of this type of heating is the warmth you feel from head to toe and you won't be spreading dust and allergens around your home. Although radiant heating has its advantages, its quite costly, its about twice the cost of conventional heating systems. Typically you can save anywhere from 40 to 60 percent on radiant heating compared to a forced air furnace. The return on the system will be within three to five years. Radiant floor heating has an even warmth throughout your log home, and will worth considering.

Cultured Stone For Your Log Home

Cultured stone is made by pouring concrete into moulds that take their shape like real pieces of rock. Cuts need to be hidden along the mortar lines to maintain the real look. You can use them for interior or exterior applications, and they are light and less expensive than the real stone. Cultured stone installs like tile. It can be applied over plywood, foam insulation, block walls, concrete or even drywall. You should organize your site for setting up your equipment . You would want all your materials close to where you are going to install the cultured stone. You will probably need a rubber hammer, stiff bristle brush, angle driver, and diamond cutting blades for cutting the stone. Open all the boxes of stone and choose an assortment of sizes and shapes from each box to make sure that the look always appears natural. If your new at this you might begin by laying out the pieces in front of your work area so that you have a variety of shapes and sizes to choose from. Try to fit two or three stones at a time.

Glass in Your Log Home

It might be interesting to know that a good way to introduce light into your log home would be to use glass block. Glass block helps to break up the long horizontal lines of logs in your home. It's also great for efficiency, as well, it gives the feeling of 'green' home design, and it is 100% recyclable. You can also incorporate stained and leaded glass in your log home. For example, you can insert stained glass into your door to add a splash of colour. Maybe a stained glass window over your whirlpool bath. It will provide light, colour and privacy. In the kitchen you can install glass in your cabinetry. Shower and tub enclosures could be of glass block. But using glass you don't have to be restricted. Another way to bring glass into your home would be to add it to your front entry. You can add sidelights and other glass windows to open up spaces and welcome quests. Different glass designs can work well in any room in your house. Don't forget to add skylights , when well placed they can add an abundance of natural light to your log home.

For more information, visit our website at Muskoka Log Homes.

Log Home Space For Kids

If you have kids you may want to consider space for them when building your log home. Allowing your kids to take part in the design process is both educational and also makes family bonding stronger. A place or places in your home that may be used for family time together are kitchens and living rooms, and the kids private space would be their bedrooms and possibly a playroom. When it comes to designing the bedroom (where they will probably spend most of their time) think about where it should go, having kids bedrooms close to the master bedroom doesn't allow for much privacy for mom and dad or the kids. When it comes to bathrooms, kids should have one adjacent to their rooms, you could also incorporate separate sinks so that two will be able to use it at the same time. Once you decide where the bedrooms will go you can determine the designing of that room. For example, storage space, window seats, shelves, desks and bunk beds. You could even ask your children to write down things that they do in there everyday, such as; sleeping, studying, painting and reading.

For more information on log homes, please visit our website at Muskoka Log Homes.

Your Log Home Floor Plan

When you are looking at log home floor plans, don't overlook comfort and price. When designing your home look at ways to not include unnecessary space like multiple dining areas and inefficient plumbing and other wasted space. You will also want to look at your property and assess how your home will best fit on to that property. Here are some suggestions that will help you with your decision on what floor plan suits your needs. Don't settle on a floor plan that doesn't fit your needs. Make sure you know your property, before you create a design, spend time on the property and get a feel for where your house will best fit in.

Additional information can be found on our website at Muskoka Log Homes & Chalets Inc.

Cleaning Your Log Home

Log homes are a lot easier to maintain than a conventional home, and they also have better air quality than a conventional home. This is partly because of the natural construction. There really isn't any man-made materials built into a log home that people are sometimes allergic to. Log homes typically have a better seal than stick-frame homes. If you want to make cleaning your log home easier use a clear coat on the logs, that way all you have to do once a year is go over them with a duster such as a swiffer. Make sure you have a filtration system in your home because as with any home (according to the EPA) the air inside your home is more polluted than the outside air. You should also have your well water tested by someone in that field and if a problem with your water is determined you should look at a good filtration system to correct the problem. Investing in central vacuuming allows you to vacuum less frequently because of its deep-cleaning ability. In log homes inlets can be installed in the floor. Keeping your home clean will help keep a clean bill of health.

Good Air Ventilation In Your Log Home

One of the reasons for installing a ventilation system in your log home is to control the buildup of heat, moisture and harmful air pollutants. Examples are everywhere in your home, including too much heat in your attic, basement moisture and furnace and water heater exhaust. Since moisture is the main cause of wood decay having ventilation is critical in your log home. You need adequate ventilation in your roof to prevent the accumulation of excessive heat and moisture. You should have exhaust fans in your bathroom and laundry to prevent mildew and mould. Kitchen fans get rid of moisture, smoke and cooking odors. Make sure they are all vented to the outside. Basements and crawlspaces should never be overlooked when it comes to ventilation, they are notorious for gathering moisture. For crawlspaces all you need to do is install grilles in the walls. Whenever possible always try to put more windows in the basement since daylight allows for natural ventilation.

Keeping Your Log Home Casual

Keeping your log home casual can be easily incorporated into your floorplan. Your home can be informal, meaning that you shouldn't get hung up on rules or traditions. Try to eliminate formal dining rooms and entry ways, maybe a better idea with your dining room is to make it a part of your kitchen and make your entry way really welcoming by hanging coats and hats on a tree hanger. Another idea of keeping your home casual would be to incorporate a sleeping porch, even if it is only for part of the year, it makes you feel like you are out of doors. Other ideas of informality is lack of clutter and simplicity, having too much stuff like knick-knacks and too much furniture doesn't make for a relaxing atmosphere. Having room to breathe is the atmosphere you want to create. Open floorplans lets us want to live in our homes because it feels more casual. Remember that open spaces does not allow for you to escape for quiet times. More successful houses have open areas as well as a room just for relaxing, reading, watching TV or exercising.

For more information on log homes, please visit our website at Muskoka Log Homes & Chalets Inc.

Cutting Costs On The Exterior When Building Your Log Home

Stonework can add significantly to the costs of finishing the exterior of your log home. Look for other less expensive means to finish the outside of your home. Custom windows can add extra costs to your log home, any windows other than square or rectangular can mean a doubling of its price. Instead of log gable ends why not use log siding , full logs on gable ends could mean a lot more maintenance, so log siding can save you money in the long run. Avoid fancy doors, they add cost. Keep the fancy door for your entry only, and use standard doors for other areas. Use wood for decks instead of composite decking or other non wood material. It may save you money in the long run, but it is very costly up front. Go for an elevated foundation, if log work is too close to the ground, moisture can damage the logs. The rule of thumb is, "The simpler the house the less expensive it will be."

For additional information on log homes, please visit our website at Muskoka Log Homes & Chalets Inc.

Saving on Energy when designing your Log Home

When building your log home think of ways to save on energy. Place biggest windows on the south side and the least on the north wall. You should place the most used rooms, such as kitchen, living room, dining room, etc, on the south or east side of your home. Rooms that can be kept cool, such as laundry rooms, bedrooms and storage rooms work better on the north and west sides. Almost everyone loves cathedral ceilings, but when designing your log home consider the fact that you will be heating all that extra space, which means that you would have to install a bigger HVAC systems, additional ventilation and additional heat systems to balance the temperature. Chose energy efficient heating and cooling, the most efficient by far is geothermal heat pumps. These use water or air circulating through pipes underground where the temperature remains a constant 58 degrees. Heating cost with a geothermal system are as much as 80 percent less than with other types of systems. The biggest disadvantage is the high installation costs of this kind of system.

For more information, visit our website at Muskoka Log Homes & Chalets Inc.