Although living may be a bit more efficient inside in traditional housing, a modern home with all of today's conventional trimmings doesn't quite allow us to enjoy nature the way that log homes do. Modern homes are really built for communal living - complete with a residential plumbing/sewer system, paved streets, shopping centers, and a piece of the electrical grid. But in order to function the way that they're built to function, nature sometimes becomes an inconvenience and is often cleared away to accommodate for easy travel.
Some people try to incorporate nature into modern living with things like gardens, plants, and animal features. And this is fine for environments that provide ample space for this kind of lifestyle. However to return to nature - true nature that is - there's nothing like a log home plotted in the midst of a deep wooded area.
Log homes completely assimilate nature into one complete lifestyle without the need to artificially grow plant life or attract animals. Log homes put the homeowner in the unique position of enjoying these things right from the living room window. Definition
A log home is a house built of wood - usually in a wooded area. Distinguishing a log home from the many different types of others is that it's constructed with actual tree logs. Like traditional homes, a log home is built from a foundation and it's built with walls, doors, and a roof. All that's needed to start is a constructor well skilled in home construction and logging! History
Log homes are synonymous with colonial living, but some groups of Native Americans built log homes long before Columbus set foot on North American land. They were used for the same reasons that colonial families built them, however unlike the log homes of the past that we're familiar with, Native American log homes housed several families at one time - even housing an entire community in some cases. As the European population increased, the need for faster, easier, and cheaper construction methods grew and the log cabin was replaced with stone, mud, and brick type homes. Current Usage
Today, very few homes are built with logs. In fact, it's a real treat to even find one. Still, they haven't lost their appeal because more and more people are building homes in this style.
In fact, modern versions of log homes can be quite surprising. They certainly offer more than the one-room houses available in the early 15th to 17th century. Today's log homes are built with multiple rooms, attics, high porches, large glass windows, and more. Because they fit into the 'natural' decor of rural living, they demand a lifestyle that appreciates a little bit of 'living in the rough' or those who just want to get away from suburban and city life.
If you enjoy having access to nature's own live entertainment, mountain views, and expansive lakes, then perhaps a log home is appropriate for you. Application
Your construction company can help you design a log cabin that works with you, your family, and the environment in which you want to live. The important thing to remember is that you want to create a balance between your dependency upon modern conveniences and the natural gifts that surround you. You don't want to clear out a plot of wild land for example just for the sake of having a twenty-foot driveway. On the other hand, you don't want to build a log home in an area that's hard to access without a backpack or mountain picks either!
After you and your construction company design a log home that works for you, the both of you can start discussing the type of wood that's appropriate and whether you want the wood exposed in the home's interior (which by the way adds tremendous appeal).
Construction of your home will begin with pre-milled logs or actual tree trunks placed atop a perimeter of rocks. (The rocks prevent the logs from rotting on the ground.) And construction ends with stuffing gaps within the stacked logs with smaller pieces of wood and then Plastering the home's interior. Welcome home.
Are you thinking about building a new home? When you are building a home, there are hundreds of significant and insignificant decisions to be made. The color paint you choose for your kitchen is one of the last decisions you make. Before that, you must decide out of what material you want to make your house. Wood? Brick? If you are still in the process of choosing from these foundational materials, have you considered building a log home? Log homes are still being built today, even though some people still only associate them with Abraham Lincoln; many beautiful log cabins are built in the mountains of Pennsylvania. So, why is building a log home appealing? There are numerous benefits to building your home into a log cabin and they stem from the qualities of exceptional of the wood you can use, especially when your home is made from northern white cedar. Here are just a few things to help you make your decision.
Low in Moisture
No one wants to see a damp spot in the ceiling. When you do, you know there has been a leak in your walls or roof and moisture produced mold that is growing within your walls. To avoid this problem, you need to build your home from a type of wood that will resist moisture. Does it sound possible for wood to be water resistant? Northern white cedar inherently has very low moisture content, so once it is air dried; it becomes even more solid and sturdy, creating for you a stable and strong home. Northern white cedar will also resist the common problems associated with moisture accumulation in weaker types of wood, problems such as splitting and cracking.
Many other types of wood must undergo additional kiln drying because of their high levels of natural moisture. Because northern white cedar is not prone to absorbing moisture, it does not have to be specially treated.
Resists Insects
Like the natural oil on your fingertips, northern white cedar has a natural oil emitted from it. These oils (called thujaplicins) are natural insect repellants. Pesky bugs such as beetles, ants, and carpenter bees go out of their way to avoid northern white cedar. Forget keeping your own store of harsh and dangerous chemicals for killing insects. They simply will not be interested in damaging your home.
Other woods undergo kiln drying also to kill the insects that infest them. Because of the natural insect repellant within it, northern wood cedar does not need kiln drying for this reason either. So you won't have to worry in the future of these bugs being tempted by the wood from which your home is constructed.
Resists Decay
Remember those oils that resist bugs? The same oils resist the detrimental effects of rot and decay. Don't you wish our own bodies had a natural preservative like that? Because those oils help the wood to resist moisture so well, they are less likely to decay over time. If you want a log home that is durable, northern white cedar is the way to go. The logs can be maintained for around 100 years before they need replaced.
Promotes Insulation
Northern white cedar is recommended for protecting the interior of a home, according to the Wood Handbook issued by the US Department of Agriculture. Because of its ability to resist insect penetration and decay, it's like getting an extra layer of insulation without paying for it. Not only will this protect your home, but it also helps retain the heat in the cold winter months in the northern states. However, its ability to fight moisture also makes it great for building in the southern states as well.
The Rich Color
While we want a safe, well protected home, we also want one that looks enticing to come into. Northern white cedar is as visually appealing as it is durable, stable, and sturdy. Its rich, honey color will enhance the beauty of your home with natural elegance and charm that you often feel in ski lodges. The warm and inviting nature of northern white cedar turns your cabin in a home where you can entertain guests in front of the fire during a snowstorm.
When deciding what materials to build your home from, consider building a log cabin from northern white cedar. Its ability to resist moisture, insects, and decay makes it the best type of wood from which to build your home. With benefits like these, you would be remiss to choose any other type of wood.
Both Paulglover & Kristin Kronstain are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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