Smaller Log Home

Designing a smaller log home requires sitting some priorities. Keep your kitchen, living room and master bedroom large enough to make your home enjoyable to live in. Stay as close to the basic roof lines and you will help keep costs down. You can also avoid hallways and instead let rooms flow from one to the other. You should keep windows in proportion to the rest of the house but try to admit as much daylight as possible. Keep living areas open and sleeping areas cozy. A cathedral ceiling will make a small living area seem that much larger. Some rooms can do double duty like sitting up a computer desk in the corner of the kitchen. Make sure you plan a lot of storage space. Use space under stairs, even in an attic area. Lofts use a staircase so you may want to avoid them. If you can, add a basement, it will give you extra storage space and possibly house the laundry room. Include decks and porches since they extend your living space, and landscaping the property will make the home appear larger by making everything flow together.

Modifying Log Home Floorplans

There are many reasons to choose a stock floorplan. The materials are readily available; know what the pricing is upfront; turn around time on the plan is much quicker. If you are thinking of modifying a stock plan here are some dos and don'ts of altering a standard floorplan. A lot of people have a tough time with dimensions like how much room a doorway may need to be or how much space a bathroom vanity takes up. If your considering changing anything on the main floor that will also effect everything above, and you have to look at all the extra materials involved: foundation, floor joists, ceiling material and roofing. People think they will find the perfect floorplan from a stock plan but that doesn't exist, the better thing to do would be to find one that is close and sit down with the designer. That way you can create the perfect plan with just a few changes. "When a builder, dealer or manufacturer is trying to help, listen." Keep changes simple. Think about how high you want the ceiling because it can make a big difference in how large the room feels.

Modifying Log

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Modern Materials For A Log Home

In your future log home consider incorporating a beautiful mix of building materials and wall materials as well so to add usual interest without taking away from the logs beauty. When you are planning your log home walls you will be deciding whether you want half logs, tongue-and-groove panelling etc,. If this is the case you will need to focus on keeping the walls light. High ceilings, a lot of windows and lighting will help. Another way to open up your log home is to use drywall. These materials give the eye a rest from the wood. In log homes drywall increases ways of designing. No matter what materials you use for your log home think of ways to pair colours, textiles and finishes. As a side thought over 60 percent of your walls are covered with furniture, windows, artwork and so on. You can also colour just one wall with a deep red or deep blue. No matter which colours you choose note how the natural and artificial light can change the colours intensity throughout the day.

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

Going Green When Building Your Log Home

Whether your building a permanent home or a vacation home there is no reason to not go green. You should invest extra money upfront to achieve an energy efficient design. In the end it will pay off through lower energy bills and will continue to pay off over your home's lifetime. A well insulated home will provide even temperatures throughout the different rooms, improve air quality and reduce allergens. More people are turning to energy efficiency because of higher energy crisis. There are many options to building an energy efficient home like solar panels, high performance windows, high-tech insulation and house wrap, geothermal heat pumps, digital thermostats and fireplace inserts. When designing your energy efficient home there are two distinct parts: the exterior shell and the interior systems. Log homes have a thermal mass which is their natural characteristic which means that the log walls have the ability to absorb heat and keep a house cooler in summer and store heat in the winter and gradually release it at night to warm the house. A study done by the National Bureau of Standards showed that it reduces the overall energy needs and expenses by 30% over walls that use wood, brick, or siding. What's important is how tight the logs fit together,and how tightly the home is built. A five inch log that is constructed properly and designed tightly is going to perform much better than a 12-inch log that is poorly placed together.

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

Figure Out The Costs Of Your Log Home

People are always trying to figure out how much their log home is going to cost by looking for shortcuts instead of answers. The long and short of it is list everything that goes into making a log home, you should then call the people who will be providing the material and or labour and find out exactly what they charge. Then once you have those answers you would add them up then you would arrive at the actual costs. The truth of the matter is the only true cost that you will get in writing is the price of the log package. Even then the price will probably still fluctuate. Don't include the land you purchased in the price of your log home. If you asked to multiply the costs by the square footage that doesn't give you an exact price because first of all you would need to ask if that includes the basement or not. Does that include finished or unfunished basement. You also have to look at the different amenities people put in the same size houses. Cabinets, countertops, fireplaces, roofing and so on, and find out if all of these amenities are stock or custom items.

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

One-Story Log Home Living

If you are thinking of building a single story log home you should consider a few things that you don't want to do, like putting the master bedroom too close to the family room because of T.V. and other electronics. The best plan is to keep the master bedroom away from activity rooms. Making room for the master bedroom on the main floor is common in new home design, its based on designing a home that's just easier to use. Everything on the main floor is key to the majority of baby boomers who are approaching retirement. Most baby boomers are not interested in trudging up and down stairs two or three times a day. Everything designed on the main floor still leaves challenges that mean less privacy and limited areas to go for quiet times when you need.

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

Designing Your Log Home

As you start designing your log home, the layout you choose will surely reflect the way you intend to use the home. You will undoubtedly think of more closets, office space, a bigger living room, spacier kitchen, a large master bedroom with full ensuite, all these are part of why you want to build your new home. When you are designing your log home, plan on years ahead and how that may affect your design now. The majority of the population has reached the 50's mark and now are in a financial position where they are able to build their dream home. You have to think about many more things for the home now then you did 30 years ago, like two-car garages, home offices, more electrical appliances and outlets,etc,. Think, as well, that nowadays there is much more glass in our homes. We constantly change what we like, carpet for instance may not be as popular as before, now its wood floors and tiles. Front porches are also returning. Formal dining and living rooms are disappearing, now its open kitchens fewer hallways and more master bedrooms on the main floor. The last thing you want to happen is to live in a home that hasn't met your expections.

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

Avoiding Problems When Building A Log Home

You should be aware of the risks and problems that can happen during your construction project. Knowledge is your best defense against achieving a successful outcome. Building a log home can be a dangerous business if you are not safety minded. Safety must always be your first priority. If you don't plan on paper, your log home will appear to grow in size. Blueprints can be deceiving if you don't know how to read them. Don't let your small log home plan grow much larger than you want. Don't mistake quantity for quality. Bigger doesn't necessarily mean better, it is the structure of the home that counts. It is the well engineered home that will stand the test of time. Thinking that unfinished logs are cheaper than milled logs is a misnomer. Unfinished logs have hidden costs of constructing . Also, don't be lead into believing that all plumbers, carpenters, and so on are of the same caliber because there is a wide range of workmanship in all sub-trades.

Buying Property In The Country

If your considering buying property in the country and building a log home, you will have to learn to expect the laid-back behavour that country areas tend to be and things get done when people get around to it. If you are a new- comer you might as well get used to the relaxed pace. The property you are considering must meet certain applications, building permits and so-on. Access problems are another concern, for example; easements which may provide access to the property no matter how limited the use or enjoyment, and if that is the case, you have little say in how they use it. If you are planning on building off a beaten path realize how costly it is to maintain. You may have trees that are not safe over the driveway that needs to be cut down, or a driveway that needs plowing in the winter just don't hold your breath waiting for your neighbour to come and plow you out after a heavy snowfall. Also, other items you may need to think about are: hydro, satellite t.v., telephone and the costs involved in getting them to your property.

Best Wood For A Log Home

People are sometimes confused on the species of logs to use. It becomes a rather difficult question as to what you mean by "Best Wood". Is it the strongest wood? Is it the R-value of the log? Is it the thermal mass of the log? Does it decay the least? Is it insect resistant? Is it the least expensive? Does it have the least amount of shrinkage? And, of course, the look of the log. For the most part log home shoppers are concerned about more than one characteristic of the wood, they are also concerned about which wood is best. If we choose a log only for its R-value it won't be the strongest wood. So it comes down to, what is important to you: Strength or R-value. No log home company would recommend leaving logs untreated so they are usually protected from decay, water, and anything that would cause log damage. Properly treated logs can be highly resistant. All logs also receive insect treatment to prevent insect infestation. It is important that the house be designed and built to handle any log shrinkage that may take place.

Drying Choices For Logs used in Log Homes

You should be concerned about how your logs are dried. If you use freshly cut logs they will have a lot of moisture in them causing significant shrinking after the home is built. If you leave the logs outside for six months to a year, the moisture would evaporate until it nears the moisture level of the outside air. When the logs reach the same moisture as the air it is called air drying. Drying logs can be faster if they are kiln dried to a moisture level below that which you get by air drying. A lot of companies use dead standing trees. The trees from long ago were either killed by beetles, disease, or forest fires, and have dried and now just stands there. The trees have not been structurally compromised in any way and however they died is no longer a factor. Some trees may have blemishes but can be easily removed by milling or even by hand planing. But it is what you are satisfied with and the confidence you have in the company you choose, and if they stand behind their product that really matters.

Please visit our website at Muskoka Log Homes for additional information.

Guest Rooms In Your Log Home

If you own a log home you know that guests are inevitable. The fact is, owning a log home is a sure attractant for friends and added family members, and chances are they will be staying the night, so it only makes sense to make them feel welcomed by making the guestrooms inviting. A guest room doesn't have to be overly large. A comfortable size is 12 x 14 feet just big enough for the bed and a dresser or chair. If the guestroom is to be used for multi-use its best to avoid built-ins because people like to change things around. Log home owners like to give their guests the four-star treatment so many owners come up with separate suites where their guests can get away to their own retreat. Where you place the guest suite depends on specifics of the property. Where ever you plan on building the guestroom make sure it has privacy and a bathroom nearby. Of course, the more comfortable you make your guests feel the longer they will want to stay.

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

If You Had To Build Your Log Home Again........

Generally, the most common complaint amongst log home owners is, if they had to do it all over again, they would have added more living space. Adding more square footage not only adds to the resale value but also to your own needs. Remember the size of the logs when you are drawing your floorplan, because of the thickness of the logs, it will cut down on floor space in the home, so you need to factor that into the equation when you are deciding on your square footage. Some also say they would have added more space to their outdoor living areas, for instance, a larger covered deck, so in rainy weather, they are still able to entertain outdoors. Another sentiment is, depending on where you live, a screened in room to keep those pesky bugs at bay. The entryway is also another concern, there never seems to be enough room in that area, so you should pay closer attention to the one space that seems to get overlooked most often when building a log home.

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

Decorating in a Log Home

There are many colours to choose from when it comes to selecting colours that will compliment your log walls. It basically comes down to, 'The colours you like.' If you like your walls to be neutral in colour then the furniture and accessories you chose could have some punch, for example: you may have a neutral coloured sofa and adding red throw cushions adds some boldness to the look. If you keep your colour palette neutral it will always be in fashion and that way you can change accessory colours instead of your furniture. Wood is powerful and makes a strong statement, so adding little splashes of colour here and there will certainly compliment the wood. Bold colours really stand out against a neutral coloured wood. One of the trickiest colours to use is yellow. It's always in style and people find it rather stimulating , and apparently helps with concentration. Shades of yellow in log homes bring out the grain and character of the wood. Green is the livliest colour of all and fits in anywhere in a log home. Dark greens are conservative and calming and is ideal for dens and bedrooms. So if you are wondering about colour for your log home, just remember that strong vibrant colours and cool colours make ideal compliments.

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

Enjoying Your Log Home Outside

Outdoor living can have a significant impact on how you enjoy your log home to its fullest. Here are some ideas that may help to get you started on making your outdoor space. When setting up seating areas it would be a good idea to incorporate a table and bench combo so that you can have a sitting and eating area all in one. It wouldn't be outdoor enjoyment without having a campfire, whether for telling stories, roasting marshmallows or just simply watching the flickering of the fire. Make sure the fire is well contained in a pit to prevent accidental fires. Another way of enjoying your outdoor area is to install a do-it-yourself pond with a small waterfall so that you can listen to the sounds of the falling water while you are sitting outside. Let your imagination run wild when it comes to being creative with your outdoor projects...the sky's the limit..

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

The Process Of Building Your Own Log Home

The job of considering building your own log home can seem impossible. Thinking of all the jobs that need to be completed, putting together a good contracting plan will make the task at hand move along a little easier. One of the first things you shoud consider is, 'Who will be building your log home'? If you are hiring a contractor he will ensure that the whole project goes as planned, and that the home is completed on time and within budget. It isn't unusual to act as your own general contractor because it gives you an overall know how of what actually takes place. If you act as your own general contractor, here are some things you need to know; you will have the responsibility of hiring the subcontractors, preparing specifications, getting bids, interviewing, you will have to prepare the construction schedule, order materials and look after the job site. Although this is a lot of work it can also be very rewarding as you see the progress taking place with your log home.

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

Building A Smaller Log Home

We have noticed a trend toward a smaller log home. People seem to be more concerned about how much square footage they actually need. Today people are really taking a hard look at how much space is used. Whatever the reason, home size is starting to change from more square footage to less. People are asking themselves, while in their existing homes, 'How much space do I actually need?' They are taking a more practical approach to the space that they will need in their new log home. You should consider maximizing your functional space. Basements are usually finished off as living spaces. When you decide on a smaller home you can allow for a bigger budget for more luxury features. We have noticed that although the home is scaled down the master bedroom is still spacious. Try to design you floorplan with flexibility so that later you will be able to incorporate those bonus features. If you aren't planning on living in the home right away you might want to consider building a weathertight shell and finishing it off yourself over time, when time and funds are available.

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

Tricks To Make Your Log Home Kitchen Appear Bigger

There are many tricks to making your small kitchen appear larger. For example, vertical stripes on pine siding has an heightening appearance, as well, tall cabinets will draw the eye upwards. To make your kitchen feel larger overall you should carefully plan its main elements. Use the same flooring in adjoining rooms that you use in your kitchen, and if you keep the floor colour close to the cabinet colour it will have an even larger impact. Glass fronted cabinets also open up a kitchen while providing a space to display china. Shiny brass or chrome hardware will reflect the surfaces of the room, making it appear larger. One of the biggest trends in kitchens today is an open floorplan. If you have limited space in your kitchen your best option might be a galley-style kitchen. They may be small but highly functional and efficient. So, if you want to creat the illusiom of more space, consider placing a window at the end of the room, and finally a clutter-free counter will also give you the illusion of more space.

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

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