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.

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Outdoor Rooms for Log Homes

If you are thinking of building a log home you may want to try to incorporate a porch or patio into the plan, so that you may enjoy its beauty. Try to find an area that is ideal for watching nature. Of course, the sun and shade also play an important part in where you might situate your outdoor living space. When you build structures outside just make sure they don't block the views from inside your home. It would also be a good idea to have good lighting for after hours. For instance, you might put lights on your steps, walkways, etc,. Installing a light near the grill certainly makes a night much more enjoyable. When you are deciding on building your outdoor space, think about how you plan on using it, will it be for outside parties, or just for quiet times, make sure you have the space for all these different things you may want to accomplish. For your barbeque you may want a roof overhang so you don't have to barbeque in the weather. To keep mosquitoes at bay you may want to build a screened in room.

All About Kitchens for Log Homes

When you are ready to build your kitchen in your log home there are some important considerations before you make your final decision. The kitchen will be a big part of the character and budget of your home. You should think about how you plan on using your kitchen, whether it is for social gatherings or family life. You need to think about how everything will be arranged, and how it will compliment the rest of your home. Some ideas might be; open or traditional floorplan, how much space is available, etc,. You may also want to consider which style you prefer; u-shape, L-shape, galley, or a kitchen with an island. If you decide for instance, on a u-shaped kitchen just remember that its a very inflexible design that wouldn't be easy to modify. An island would require a bigger floor space and a galley kitchen would become a traffic path. Arrangement of appliances are also very important factors in designing your kitchen, if they are too far apart it would definitely make cooking a chore. The stove, fridge and sink should be arranged for maximum efficiency. A good distance between the sink and fridge is 4 to 7 feet. Distance between sink and stove is 4 to 7 feet, and distance between stove and fridge is 4 to 9 feet. Ventilation should be vented to the outside, to remove moisture, gases, smoke and odors. For more blogs regarding log homes, check out our website at Muskoka Log Homes & Chalets.

Fireplaces For Log Homes

Just about everyone that builds a log home will include a fireplace or two. There are many kinds and styles of fireplaces available today. There are stoves that sit on the floor, factory fireplaces, fireplace inserts, etc,. Today fireplaces are more affordable and energy efficient, plus, more environmentally friendly. A fireplace in a log home is usually a focal point of the home. Many factors play into deciding what heating system you require, the aesthetics and the cost involved, all are deciding factors. Factory built fireplaces; A firebox in a steel cabinet that can burn wood, gas, propane, or even run on electricity because of the cool space on the outer walls of the stove they are known as zero clearance. Freestanding; A free standing stove can be placed in any room, can be less cost to heat your home because it can be vented into other rooms. Some of the cleanest burning woodstoves give off more than half of their heat from burning the smoke that would otherwise build up as creosote in the chimney and cause pollution in the air.

Protecting Your Seasonal Log Home Against Intruders

If you are a seasonal log home owner you may want to consider ways to protect your home when you are away. Here are some good tips to get you started. Pests; make sure you don't leave any food including dog food outside, or secure it in an airtight metal container. Security; If you have neighbours that are ususally there have them check on your home. Make sure that your security alarms are working and replace burned out light bulbs. You may even want to place a security sign on your front lawn, which helps discourage intruders. Lock up all your outbuildings, and always keep ladders and any tools out of arms way. These are some items burgulars may use to enter your home. Instead of placing spare keys under rocks or elsewhere outside have a good neighbour hold a spare key. Insurance; Always make sure you know exactly what your insurance covers, and let your agent know whether you have an alarm system or any other protection devices in or for your home, insurance companies usually discount homeowners for home protection devices.

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Finishing a Basement in a Log Home

You may need an extra entertaining space or a place where you can have some down time. By finishing your basement you are also adding to the resale value of your home. Since the walls and structure of the home are already there, its definitely a less expensive way to add more living space to your home. Before you start working on your basement you need to consider a few practical things, like conversation areas, workstations, games area, etc,. You would need to think about how you could incorporate all of those ideas into the basement plans. Remember too, that the more walls you put in your basement the smaller it will become. If you are considering a home theatre system you need to think about where your t.v. would go. Even if you have a small basement you should try to find space for a small kitchenette, that way it saves guests having to go up and down stairs for beverages, etc., You also need to decide if you want to finish your basement, and the time frame to do it, or, hire a contractor to finish the basement taking into consideration the costs incurred.

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Cleaning Tips for your Log Home

If you are thinking of cleaning your log home it doesn't have to be anymore than a light mixture of a wood cleaning solution that you would rinse of with water. Cleaning your log home is a very important step before you apply your stain. It wouldn't be wise to apply stain over dirty log walls if you want your home to maintain its new appearance. To clean your log home all you need to do is apply a mild cleaning solution with a garden pump sprayer and after about 15 minutes just rinse lightly with water. Try not to leave any cleaning solution on the wood to dry. The higher up on the log the faster it darkens with more sun exposure, also it is easier for dirt and pollen to settle there making it an ideal area for fungal growth. Apply the cleaner from the bottom and move up the wall then rinse in the opposite direction. More on cleaning your log home in another blog.