Designing Your Log Home For Retirement

If you are planning on building your retirement log home there is no doubt you have probably been thinking of ways to lessen the amount of maintenance and considering getting around as the mobility becomes more limited. You may consider widening your doorways and hallways for the possibility of wheelchairs or walkers. Making your bathroom bigger so that there is more room to move around and installing handlebars around the walls and toilet would also be an option. It would also be ideal to allow for more space around kitchen cabinets so that a wheelchair can get through. You may as well be considering one-level living as opposed to two-level living so that you wouldn't have to be concerned about climbing stairs. It seems to make more sense to have everything on the first floor for easier getting around. Building a ramp into the house is also another option. And lastly, a relatively maintenance free home should be high on your list. Some examples of lessening maintenance issues may be; protecting your house from sun and water damage by building a porch onto your house and chosing pressure treated logs or weather resistant stains will surely ensure less maintenance on your log home

Building A Comfortable Log Home

Many of us are drawn to the warmth of log homes. The right construction and materials will ensure that the log home you are dreaming of doesn't become a costly nightmare. Finding a R-value of a conventional log home is easy. It's been determined by calculating the insulation value of the siding, sheathing, lumber, fiberglass batts and drywall, then their added up and what you get is the R-value of the home. Log homes are somewhat different. When determining the R-value of a log home don't compare it to a conventional home. What the logs don't have in R-value they will make up for in thermal mass, which means they are able to hold in the heat. When compared to conventional insulation, log homes fare very well. The most noticeable area of heat loss is in the roof where heat rises. If you have exposed rafters you will require a more rigid type of insulation. Also, the space between the window and door frames and log walls need to be insulated before trim or moulding is applied. When choosing your windows and doors, pay attention to their thermal efficiency, try to choose double paned glass,and make sure to caulk around windows and doors on the exterior. In the basement insulation should be placed between the subfloor and foundation. If you log home is properly constructed it will be one of the most efficient structures you can have.

Finishing Your Log Home Later

It's easy to go over budget especially if your not willing to settle for anything less. The thing is you need to make some compromises as you are building your 'ideal' log home. The question is; "How do you build the house you want with all the features you want?" You can plan for certain features now and delay others for later. The way to go about it would be to decide what you want now and what you can put off until later. Before you can start living in your log home you have to find out what the local building inspector considers a "finished" home. You will have to have all electrical outlets and lights properly installed. Safety is going to be the most important item for the inspector. For example, stairs and railings are always required . Lenders also require a certain level of completion before turning a construction loan into a mortgage. Most of us can do without some things, but if you are used to the convenience of something you are going to do without, you may end up missing it fast.

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Corner Log Profiles

Log profiles come in many styles. Many of these profiles were developed over hundreds of years ago as a means of providing a better log system. Each profile of log corner performs very well. Each one as its own characteristics that make it perform better in one way or another. The truth is all log homes properly built and well maintained makes the log corner profile corner more than adequate. Your choice of a log corner profile should be, 'What log corner do you find pleasing to the eye'? You should try to learn as much as you can in regards to the performance of each style of corner log so that you can understand how it works and the maintenance required over the years. Dovetail or saddlenotch create a more weathertight system. Dovetail corners are designed to keep water away from the home, which helps prevent rot. They are more expensive because of the difficulty in building them. Butt and pass have more exposure to the elements making them more problematic without ongoing maintenance. They need more maintenance than a corner post system. All corner log profiles are adequate , it really boils down to the style you prefer.

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Maintance For Your Log Home

Maintanining your log home begins with understanding the characteristics of wood. Wood is very absorbant, especially through cuts at the end and through its grain. When logs are living they have natural defenses, once the bark is stripped, they have no protection. What you need to control is the sun and water. The ultraviolet rays from the sun overtime fades the colour, the finishes and the surfaces of most materials, but the homes primary enemy is by far, "water." All construction that is done on the home is intended to keep the water away. For example, overlapping roof shingles, flashing around your chimney and dormers, roof overhangs, design and construction of walls, finishes on the logs, the way windows and doors are installed and caulked. Gutters connected to underground drains carry water away from the logs and foundation, preventing protective finishes from washing away and keeping water out of your basement. Overhangs keep sun and water off logs. You should keep logs two feet or more off the ground to prevent rot caused by water, therefore the first course of logs should be at least two to three feet above final grade. If you follow these steps it will ensure a nice dry maintenance free log home.

Forward additional information, visit our website at Muskoka Log Homes.

Choosing Your Species Of Logs

There are many reasons for people to choose different species of logs: cost, appearance, rot resistance, weight, grain, thermal efficiency and many other reasons. When it comes to choice there are many to choose from. You should begin by narrowing down your search by selecting the criteria that is most important to you, say, for example, rot resistance, appearance. Then research that species. There are many differences between the logs you choose. When all is said and done any log species is adequate if the home is built right and properly maintained. All the species of logs are good, it just comes down to what you prefer. People usually build log homes because of their appearance and the natural beauty of the logs. If you want the style of the log home to speak for itself it is better to use pine. In the end the type of stain you use will affect the appearance . It's nearly impossible to compare all the log species when it comes to cost, usually certain species will be less expensivie if their grown in your region. Cedar is a high end wood so therefore it will cost significantly more than lets say, pine. Most logs used in log homes are softwood because they are easier to build with, since they are lighter.

For additional information, please visit our website at Muskoka Log Homes.

Wondering How Much A Log Home Costs

Costs for a log home can vary greatly. It will depend on the size as well as the quality and finishes you choose. You should be aware that when a log home producer quotes you a price , you should really do your homework and know exactly what is included in that price. The quotation can include preparation of the site like installing a driveway, levelling the lot, laying the foundation, drilling a well and hooking up utilities. Log home producers can give you a ballpark estimate on the costs of building any package. Generally they have years of experience in this field. If you want to get the most for your money, you have to set priorities. Windows and doors should not be skimped on and should be of the highest quality since they are continually opened and closed. Try to stick to your original plan when building, because changing the design or materials after the building begins delays the project and increases expenses. When looking for a log home builder/producer that is right for you do a lot of research, you need to begin by gathering recommendations from friends who live in log homes, check websites and call for brochures and last but not least try to tour model homes.

Please visit our website at Muskoka Log Homes & Chalets for more information.