Top 7 Log Home Floor Plan Mistakes and How to Avoid them

We’ve all done it at one time or another. Picked something, a car, a piece of clothing or a meal, that we think we are going to love and find that we don’t. We don’t want you to make the same mistake with your log home floor plan. Here are the top 10 most common floor plan mistakes people make and how to avoid them.

Thinking every floor plan is right for you

If you take a few moments to scan Houzz, Pinterest or the latest Log Home Magazine you will find dream homes by the hundreds. Even though we would love to live in many of the homes we see it’s important to pick the floor plan that works for you and your family. Picture your family living in the home on a day-to-day basis. Is going up three sets of stairs to get to your master bedroom going to be exhausting or will the view be worth it? Or, would you prefer everything is on one level in a rancher style home? Think about how you plan to use the space in your home after you have lived in it for three or six months. This will help you see that a particular floor plan may sound like a great idea now but may only cause you frustrations in the future.

Not having the room sized to fit your furniture

Sometimes space can be limited. If you are building any smaller sized rooms or designing a tight staircase it’s important to take in account the type of furniture you have. Sometimes part of the joy of building a new home is all the new furniture you can buy to go along with it and other times you want to keep using what you currently have. For example, if you have a large custom bed, moving it up two flights of stairs may be a bit of a challenge or require some creative thinking. Taking into account any signature or key furniture pieces can help ensure you’re not left figuring out how to get something into a room after the fact.

Not having the right floor plan for your new lifestyle

For many homeowners building their dream log home may cause a shift in their lifestyle. They may start to cook outdoors more or want to entertain more. Consider what changes you might need to make to allow yourself to cook more outside or how your home might feel when it’s fully occupied with company over. Where would the guest room and bathroom be situated? Is it easy for you to transition between the kitchen and the barbeque area?

Building for now instead of the for future

Have you ever purchased a sports car because you either don’t have kids yet or because they just moved out of the house only to realize that a couple years later you’re expecting or have grandkids on the way? The same thing happens with a home. It’s great to think that right now there might only be two of you living in your home but what about five years from now? Will kids or grandkids be on the way? Having that extra guest room may come in handy and save you from having to give up the man cave or office space instead.

Focusing on the décor instead of the floor plan

Sometimes when you’re building your dream home it’s nice to tour show homes to get inspiration for new layouts, features and other ideas. It’s one of the best ways to help you determine if you really like it or just liked the concept in the magazine. One key mistake many people make is that they don’t actually look at the floor plan but instead get caught up in the décor and staging of the home. Don’t get caught up in the décor as your furniture will look much different in the space. Instead, focus on the flow of the rooms, how you transition around the home and how much space there is in each room.

Not asking questions about your floor plan

After you have started to get some clear ideas of what you want your log home floor plan to look like, your design team will start drafting up plans. For many people these plans look like they are written in a completely different language. Don’t be intimidated by this and feel free to ask what certain things mean. Understanding how doors open, what the clearance is and the room sizes will be important for you to have a house that feels like home.

Not aligning your floor plan to your property

We all like to mix things up in our homes. You may have intended for your office to be in one space and your main living room to be in another only to mix it up in a few years. It’s easy for you to mix and match rooms around but you can’t change the location. Selecting a floor plan that complements your property will help you ensure that no matter what you change in the future you will always be happy with the view. A couple of things to consider are road and streets that might not be busy now but in 5 or 10 years will development in the area increase the traffic? If you have wide open spaces around you will they potentially turn into subdivisions and change your view? Or does the sun shine right into your home year round, if so this could warm up certain areas of your house making them harder to keep cool. If your bedroom is sun facing and you have hot summers with no air conditioning you will want to find ways to cool the space.

To help you avoid any potential mistakes with your floor plan it’s important to ask your designers as many questions as you have, look at tons of ideas and to be open to new layouts and designs. Check out our log home floor plans and log home galleries for some inspiration as well.

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Green Building: Understanding the Carbon Footprint of a Log Home

As we learn more and more about sustainability and our impact on the environment, there is an increased focus on building homes that are the less harmful to our planet. In the building industry they determine how “green” a building is by measuring its carbon footprint. It’s important when measuring carbon footprint to take into consideration the entire lifecycle of a home not just how it operates after it’s built. This article will help explain why building log and timber homes are greener, more sustainable and have a smaller carbon footprint compared to steel .

Forests and wood products are powerful tools to help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Source USDA Blog

What is a carbon footprint?

A carbon footprint, the total amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted directly or indirectly. For example, when you drive a car the engine burns fuel and creates a certain amount of CO2. Each vehicle can give off a different amount of CO2 depending on the fuel consumption of the vehicle. To understand the vehicle’s total carbon footprint you need to look at how it was made, what materials it’s made of, how it was transported, the CO2 it emits while you drive it, how long it will last and what will happen after it’s operational. 

Trees Absorb Carbon

As trees grow they clean the air we breathe by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen. One tree can absorb up to 48 pounds of CO2 per year for a total of 1 ton by the time it reaches 40 years old. When a tree is cut down the carbon will remain stored in the tree. Only when the tree is burnt or  when it starts to  decay does that stored carbon start to be released back into our atmosphere. By dry weight, wood contains approximately 50% carbon, so wood used in a building provides physical storage of carbon that would otherwise go back into the atmosphere during the decaying process, thus reducing its carbon footprint.

The Carbon Footprint of a log home

Unfortunately, of the many environmental impact studies out there, only a few of them look at the entire lifecycle of a timber or log home and the way in which it results in a much smaller carbon footprint than steel and cement homes. Steel production alone accounts for around 25% of the world’s CO2 emissions.

“In a wood building, the carbon is kept out of the atmosphere for the lifetime of the structure—or longer if the wood is reclaimed and reused or manufactured into other products. Wood stores more carbon than is emitted during its harvest, production, transport, and installation—even when transported over great distances.”

Utilization of Harvested Wood by the North American Forest Products Industry, Dovetail Partners Inc., 2012

Wood is the only major building material that is renewable and sustainable over the long term, while also being superior to steel and cement in nearly every environmental impact category. As such, log and timber homes are one of the most sustainable forms of construction, lasting substantially longer than conventional homes, and using almost 4 times less fossil fuels in manufacturing than a conventionally framed home. They are among the most energy efficient homes built today.

In addition to the wood itself, there are number of other ways that building a log or timber home reduces its carbon footprint:

1. Smaller Footings

Because wood is a naturally lighter building material, log and timber frame homes don’t require as deep and extensive concrete footings as conventional brick homes, which can save up to 11.5 tonnes in CO2 emissions.

2. Less Reinforcing Steel

Smaller footings also mean less concrete, and therefore a lower use of reinforcing steel. This reduces both the foundation costs and the carbon footprint.

3. Low Thermal Conductivity

 

Timber has a much lower thermal conductivity than brick, which means that there is much less transfer of outside temperatures into your home, providing more efficient temperature regulation.

4. Energy Efficient Insulation

 

Log and timber frame walls can be easily insulated with energy efficient materials, reducing heating and cooling costs throughout the year.

5. Reduced Embodied Energy

 

The overall production and transportation of timber to your home’s location takes much less energy than producing and transporting brick and other conventional construction materials.
If minimizing your carbon footprint is a priority for you when building your home, a timber or log home may be a great option for you. Check out our Log Home Galleries and Log Home Plans to give you some different ideas and concepts, and feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.

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Timber Frame Log Homes: Advantages and Disadvantages

Once you’ve decided to build a custom home, there are a number of choices that you need to make. While finding the best custom home builder should be a priority, it’s just as important to know what type of home you would like to build. These days, timber frame log homes are one of the most popular styles being built.  

A timber frame log home is very similar to a post and beam home in that you can have the beauty of wood and timber features without building the entire home out of logs, and instead have them being used as just the main structural supports for your home. The big difference between post and beam and timber frame is that post and beam logs are round with a more natural and rustic feel, while timber frame logs are square.

3 Benefits of Timber Frame Log Homes:

#1 Open Concept and Strength

Over the last ten years, the open concept home has been growing in popularity, with expansive kitchens that overlook common living areas throughout the home. The strength of the timbers in a timber frame home allows for less load bearing walls, naturally creating an open floor plan free of obstructions. This type of framing has been used for centuries, especially in older churches, because of its strength and durability as well as its beauty.

#2 Waste and Sustainability

There is generally less waste in using the entire log in a timber frame home than using dimensional lumber for framing a traditional home. With conventional homes, the lumber is cut in the forest, hauled to a mill, cut to size, shipped to a distributor then to a local building supply store, and, once on the job site, will be cut again. Wood used for timber frame homes goes through much less handling, which means lower costs. Once at the site, the logs are fit to size, then some adjustments are made with minimal waste.

#3 Aesthetics

With a custom built log home you have the option of having your framing logs visible on the outer or the inner walls of your home. The sheer beauty and strength in being surrounded by perfectly placed timbers gives a sense of safety and comfort, while adding character and a design that is unique to every custom timber frame home. Additionally, there is more choice in where to place windows and doors with less load bearing walls and an open concept.

Some other benefits of timber frame log homes

• Research has shown that living in houses consisting largely of wood offers physical and psychological health benefits.
• Speed! An “average”-sized timber-frame home can be reassembled onsite within 3 – 5 days. 
• Timber frames built with structural insulated panels (SIP) as insulation, are more efficient and stronger than fiberglass, costing less than half as much to heat and cool.
• The limited number of load bearing walls in timber frame structures allows for more flexibility and changes with the floor plan.
• A tendency to use less wood and sustainable materials when constructing timber frame log homes allow for a lower carbon footprint and lower cost to the environment. Recycled and/or local wood can be used, while what little timber waste there is can be further recycled.

Timber Frame Log Home Disadvantages

As with any type of construction, there are of course going to be disadvantages to building a timber frame home:

#1 Vulnerability to Pests

Just like any home timber frames are susceptible to attacks from termites, woodworms and carpenter ants. Properly cleaning and caring for your home will help you avoid any longterm damage and repairs.

#2 Vulnerability to Forces of Nature

Timber frame log homes can become damaged from to the elements, such as the sun, fire and/or water, making it vulnerable to decay or fire damage. To avoid this you want to ensure that any timber on the exterior of your house has proper overhangs to help protect the wood. It’s also important to ensure any snow, water drainage, shrubs and trees are not close to your home. By doing a quick walk around your log home every spring and fall to inspect and look for any potential problem areas you can find them in time, repair them and avoid any longterm damage.

#3 Shrinking or Swelling of the Wood

As wood can naturally absorb water, if your timber frame log home is not sealed or finished properly, it can swell, shrink or shift with the changes in water absorption throughout your home. Working with a professional log and timber builder will help you ensure that the builders are taking into consideration that the logs may shrink, twist or shift and can ensure proper precautions are in place to ensure it does not effective the structure of your home.

If you are considering building a custom log home but want to get away from the traditional full scribe log home, a timber frame may be a great option. Check out our Timber Frame Designs and Plans to give you some different ideas and concepts. Don’t be afraid to mix, match and integrate your own personal tastes as well, and if you have any additional questions feel free to contact us.

 

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Log Home Inspection: What to look for when buying a log and timber home

“Don’t judge a book by it’s cover,” my dad use to say. The same goes when buying a custom Log or Timber Frame Home. It’s important to do a full log home inspection, inside and out so you can assess and address any potential problem areas. The exterior logs may not look perfect but that doesn’t mean you should turn your back on a once beautiful home. Some log homes just need a little tender love and care to bring them back to their original beauty. Log homes have some characteristics that are very different from conventional homes, so here are a few things to look for when shopping for a log house.

Log Home Settling and Shrinking

First off, full scribe log homes are the most prone to settling but all log homes have a bit of settling and shrinking. Settling typically occurs over the first few years as the logs dry, lose their moisture and shrink. A properly built log home will take this shrinkage into consideration when building to ensure you don’t have major cracks or structural damage. Here are some signs to look for that may indicate the home didn’t settle properly.

• Logs inside and outside the home: Logs shrink in diameter due to loss of their natural bound water over time. As they dry out, they may naturally crack. Some cracks are not a concern but larger cracks more that ¼” in width should be repaired or have some caulking applied.

• Windows and doors: Log homes should be built with settling space above the doors and windows in order to prevent the weight of the walls from bearing down on them. If you notice bowing or the doors sticking when opening this may be the result of not enough space left for settling.

• Staircases: If walls lose height, anything connected to them does as well, and this includes the stairs. Inspect stairs to ensure they are level and still properly connected to the home.

• Electrical and pipes: Vertically installed plumbing pipes and rigid conduit may accumulate stress in two or more storied homes if not properly installed for shrinkage. It’s important to work with an electrician and plumber that has expertise with log homes as the procedures are slightly different compared to traditional log homes.

Log Home Exterior

It’s not uncommon for log homes to look a bit dirty and have some flaking on their finish, but if you notice black spots on the exterior surface, this could be a sign of mold or mildew. If possible, use a hammer to tap the logs. If you hear a hollow sound, this could be a good indication of rotting within the logs.

Log Finish Stains and Coatings

Logs can easily become deteriorated by weather. Different stains and coatings are designed to protect log surfaces from UV damage, while some also prevent destruction from wood-loving insects and pests. To test the effectiveness of your log home’s finish, spray the logs with water – if the water beads on the surface, all is well, but if it is absorbed by the wood, then the finish is no longer functioning properly.

Insect Infestation

Fortunately, most wood-destroying insects tend to leave behind little clues of infestation. The entry and exit holes can tell you what species of insects you are dealing with, while sometimes you may actually see the insects themselves. Both termites and carpenter ants shed their wings and burrow into the wood when they reach a new location, leaving behind tell-tale piles of wings and small bits of sawdust-like particles around holes. Be sure to research what damage-causing insect is in your area, as well as any tips on how to prevent infestations.

Proper Drainage

We talk often of the perimeter of your home having proper drainage, and it is crucial that no logs are touching soil or grass. As beautiful as your landscaping can be, it can cause serious moisture issues and bug infestations, when it resides too close to the exterior logs of your home.  

Deck Flashing

When installed correctly, decks look amazing, so make sure the proper flashing has been installed and that there are no huge gaps between the exterior wall and the deck. When water drips off the roof and onto the deck it tends to splash back onto the house, so keep an eye out for water damage.

Gutters

Though not all that aesthetically-pleasing, gutters prevent water from running down the exterior walls and causing water damage to your log home. The downspouts also direct water away from the foundation, preventing water from going directly into the basement.

Overhangs and Exposed Logs

Overhangs keep snow and rain from saturating the foundation and off the exterior walls. They should be no less than 24 inches and at least 36 inches on a two story home. Logs that have been exposed to natural elements can turn grey and begin to rot over time creating huge structural damage to the home.

Missing or Messy Chinking or Caulking

Look for any spots where the chinking or caulk is missing or appears messy and unappealing. This could be an indication that other areas of the home may not be up to par care. The repairs should not be done with a “good enough” attitude and shouldn’t stand out like a sore thumb.

If you do notice there are some areas of the home that need some attention and repair, you can hire an experienced log home builder or trades person to help you in most cases. This article will provide you with a good overview of what you should be looking for and we recommended having someone who is familiar with log homes to accompany you, even a log home trained inspector, as log homes have different behaviours compared to traditional homes.

If you have purchased a log home and are looking to have some repairs or renovations done feel free to contact us info@artisanlog.com.

Related Articles

• Protecting your log home from dry rot
• Log structures and cracked logs
• 5 DIY builder mistakes and how to avoid them
• Log Homes 101: Everything you need to know about log homes

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96-Hour Clearance at Moosejaw

Moosejaw, our favorite (and by far most entertaining) online outdoor retailer, is launching a whirlwind 96-hour sale starting today … and they’ve been kind enough to offer an extra discount to Modern Hiker readers. As part of their enormous Spring and Summer Clearance, you can snag some killer deals on brands from Adidas to Yaktrax…

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Hiking Valley of Fire

Arriving at the Valley of Fire at sunset leaves no question as to how the valley got its name. Spectacular red sandstone formations, glowing at golden hour, rise in sculpted shapes from the desert floor. The features are solidified shifting sand dunes from the age of dinosaurs. Of course, they’re also impressive in the morning…

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Best Log Home Builders in British Columbia (Reviews/Ratings)

If you are considering building a log home, chances are you are doing a fair bit of research. In doing so, you’re going to research different styles and builders to find the builder that best fits what you are looking for. While we can help to build beautiful custom log, timber frame and post and beam homes and walk you through every step of the building process, we understand that you still may want to explore other options before making your final decision.

It’s common for us to hear, “What other custom log builders do you recommend?”. So that is why we have put together a list of some of the top 8 log home builders in British Columbia, Canada.

We want to provide an honest and transparent review of each of these companies as we have become friends and worked alongside many of them on projects in the past. We want to help you make the best decision possible, so let’s dive in!

Pioneer Log Homes: Located in Williams Lake, B.C., Pioneer Log Homes has been building homes for over 40 years. Best known for their hit HGTV TV series, Timber Kings, Pioneer has helped to put log home building back on the map. They specialize in luxury log homes and ship all around the world.

Norse Log Homes Ltd: Established in 1975, Norse Log Homes has been around for a number of years, currently located in Lantzville, B.C. on Vancouver Island. Norse specializes in full scribe log homes and cabins.

Brian Moore Log Homes: Over the last 30 years, Brian Moore has built over 400 homes including timber frame and post and beam. Located in Abbotsford, B.C. they specialize in log and timber frame homes.

Log Homes Canada: In Chilliwack B.C., you’ll find Log Homes Canada. They’ve been building for over 30 years and focus on building with Western Red Cedar. They offer a list of services including log home kits.

Cascade Handcrafted Log Homes: Another staple in B.C. log home building is Cascade Handcrafted Log Homes.They have been around for many years and focus on both residential and commercial designs.

Lake Country Log Homes: Specializing in log cabins, Lake Country Log Homes has been in business for many years as well and is located in Salmon Arm, B.C.

West Coast Log Homes: Similar to most of the previous builders we have discussed, West Coast Homes builds a variety of styles. Their speciality is pressure washing the logs rather than peeling them.

Sitka Log Homes: One of the first log home builders to build a home on site, then put it into containers and ship it to it’s final location. Sitka has been in business for many years and specializes in high-end custom log homes.

There are our 8 suggested log home builder in B.C. to consider. We also thought that you might want to look at some of these helpful resources:

• Best Logs to Build a Custom Log Home
• The Difference Between Full Scribe vs Post and Beam vs Timber Frame
• How Much do Log Homes Cost
• Log Homes 101

Also, here are a few associations that provide additional resources and tools about log home builders, designers and other trades:

B.C. Wood: A non-profit organization that represents builders and manufactures of wood-products in B.C. They help ensure a sustainable wood industry in B.C. and Canada offering education, training and promotion of numerous trades.

International Log Builders Association: A non-profit society, the ILBA writes and distributes educational materials on log construction to individuals, institutions, and industry. In addition, the association provides educational services related to the craft of log building, develop and disseminate educational material and programs related to the craft, and establish operating trust funds for scholarships and educational purposes.

B.C. Log and Timber Builders Association: B.C. Log and Timber Builders Association is dedicated to improving business opportunity, craftsmanship, and profitability for British Columbia’s log home and timber frame building industry.

As always, if you have any questions feel free to drop us an email info@artisanlog.com and we would be happy to help you out!

 

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