Log cabin questions , pros and cons

[fox1]

The wife and I are heading to an open house to look at a log cabin and meet the builders this morning. We are going to start building a house after the new year and we are leaning towards a log cabin.
For those who have one what are the pros and cons ? Any help will be appreciated.

[DaveS903]

I used to own one. One downside is they require about the same maintenance as a wood-sided home. You have to re-caulk and reseal about every 5 years. The sealer we used (Sikkens) ran about $100 a gallon. If maintenance and upkeep get away from you, it can get very expensive very fast. I would never consider one without wrap around covered porches all the way around. Another downside is they can be tough to sell when the time comes.

[fox1]

I used to own one. One downside is they require about the same maintenance as a wood-sided home. You have to re-caulk and reseal about every 5 years. The sealer we used (Sikkens) ran about $100 a gallon. If maintenance and upkeep get away from you, it can get very expensive very fast. I would never consider one without wrap around covered porches all the way around. Another downside is they can be tough to sell when the time comes.

What kind of logs did you use ? And the floor plan I drew up has wrap around porches

[DaveS903]

It was a satterwhite home with spruce logs.

[Krivoman]

D shaped logs is the only way to go. That way you have a flat surface on the inside. Wrap around porches will help with stain on logs. I built on in 1996. It was awesome. Got to satterwhite log homes and you can look at their plans. I think mine was the texan with loft. Nostalgic log homes out of brehnam did ,my shell. Not sure they are still in business.

Great for electricity in summer and winter...

[fox1]

Thanks guys we are heading out now to go look at the one they just finished, I'll get some pics.

[Draco]

I built mine myself with friends help. It has the wrap around porch but still requires retreatment every few years. I like the house and it has been a great help but I wouldn't do it again. You can build a larger, more efficient house for a whole lot less money with a metal framed and sheathed house. It will cost less and save you money through the years as well. They are also very nearly maintenace free as well.

[KHoes203]

There was a thread about this about a month ago had a lot of good info might do a search for it.

[ted_kennedys_liver]

Back in the day actually visited Satterwhites location in Longview. Had a great setup but more I researched them reached conclusion of siding with 1/4 logs. Long story short homebuild never occurred but had it progressed, that was the direction we were going to go.

Have seen some modern homes siding with 1/4 logs that looked really great. All the appearance of log homes - less expensive, easier to build and modify in terms of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing, Downside is it requires same treatment as any wood or log home which is just part of it.

As you will find out log homes are a beast of their own.

Just food for thought.

[Stan R]

When you sell it could be an issue getting a good appraisal. There has to be other log homes in the market area that have sold.

[VorTexan]

strong suckers!


If a tornado hits the neighborhood put me in a log cabin (interlocked style).

[quackaholic1]

Insurance is also higher.

[sailor]

Please, don't discount metal buildings. Log cabins are beautiful, but maintenance is a major issue that will never go away. It's your choice of course. Just my opinion.

[Lungbustr]

Please, don't discount metal buildings. Log cabins are beautiful, but maintenance is a major issue that will never go away. It's your choice of course. Just my opinion.

Concrete would be even better.

[jpbruni]

Sometimes hard to get comps for appraisals unless you build in an area that has several or in a log home community.