Are you contemplating buying a log house and are wondering about the mistakes to avoid in order to achieve a satisfactory outcome? We can help you in this area. A lot of individuals begin to build log homes without doing the right research in place and often with a failure. Inability to plan is the best way to fail, which is why you must have a wealth of information.
The construction of a log house is similar to building traditional homes, so there’s a chance of errors being avoided. While some mistakes are fixable, however, some aren’t and could cause delays to the construction. You may also build your home and discover that you must endure the consequences of mistakes that you could have prevented at the beginning. Here are a few common mistakes that homeowners make when building log cabins, as well as methods to avoid them:
Skipping long overhangs
It is possible to ask why log homes are built with huge roof overhangs that surround the structure. The reason for this is to prevent the logs from contact with water and to prolong their lives. Many people choose to cut corners with regard to downspouts, overhangs, and gutters. This choice can be costly in the future. When installing, be sure that the protrusions on the exterior of your home are at least 24 inches in length. The ones to the ends must be anywhere between four and six feet in height. This way, your logs will remain dry, even in the extreme rainy season. The downspouts and gutters are vital to ensure that the water drains away from home. The absence of these can cause moisture absorption in the logs, and the result could be disastrous. It is possible to save money in other areas of your house, but when it comes to securing your wood logs, taking shortcuts can be costly.
Inefficient communication
You must ensure that you and your builder are on the exact agreement prior to and during construction so that the final product is what you envisioned. There are instances when people trust builders with floor plans and then walk away from the building process only to realize that the outcome isn’t exactly what they had in mind. The reason is that, even though the floor plan specifies the building materials and the methods by that construction can be done, the plan doesn’t go into the specifics. Therefore, your understanding and the interpretation of the builder might differ. The most effective way to approach staying in the loop is by having multiple talks with the builder and looking at each stage.
Wood-overload
The main purpose of a log home lies in embracing nature and discovering ways to bring your living space to an optimum level with the surrounding. It is vital to maintain a certain amount of moderation. Many people are apprehensive with regard to the theme of wood. This means that all of it, from the wall to the furniture, even the ceilings are wooden-looking. It’s great for a few years, but after a while, it gets boring, and people are ready to change things up. The best way to prevent becoming tired of the surroundings is to include some decor elements into the mix. So, you can play with your countertops as well as wall fillers, furniture, as well as other components that will provide a pleasant break from the wooden theme. This way, all the decors be able to work in harmony, and you won’t need to redesign your house for years to come.
Improper cleaning
The first step is to ensure that you treat your logs with insecticides prior to installation. In the absence of this, you will result in a habitat in which insects thrive and cause devastation to the home. It is also important that you wash your logs correctly. You’ll notice that they get shiny in time. If you don’t eliminate the glaze, your finishing products won’t be able to adhere properly to the logs. Consequently, you’ll have lots of work to do in the near future. Additionally, you should protect your logs from moisture to prevent problems like mould, rot and mildew from occurring.
Wrong log placement
Although logs go through a variety of treatments prior to being used for construction, they are still prone to weather elements which is why you need to be sure to shield them from these. Some people put them too far ground. Although this can be beneficial to look at, it will not benefit the logs of the cabin over the long term. They come in contact with water splatters resulting from rain or irrigation systems as with other sources, such as melting snow. As time passes, the moisture gets taken over and weakens the wood, thereby weakening the foundation of your home. In the end, you may be spending a lot of money to fix issues which you could have prevented at the start. When putting in logs, make sure that the log that is on the bottom is at about one and a quarter feet off the floor. Additionally, make sure that you put up the logs that are on the bottom with a layer of protection against water and ice. If you keep moisture at bay, it will prolong the lifespan of your cabin and also avoid having to go back to the pocket to fix any unforeseen issues.
High moisture levels
The more moisture in logs and the greater their shrink and twist. This causes logs to move. These gaps can cause problems in the future, which is why it is essential to stay aware of the situation at the beginning. Moisture is the most significant issue you’ll face when building or maintaining your log home; therefore, it is crucial to be aware of the level of water within your logs. From the beginning, the logs in your cabin should be dry in a firebox or allowed to dry for a minimum of six months or more prior to use. Apart from that, it is important to regularly monitor the levels of moisture during construction to make sure that they don’t get to levels that are too high to manage. This can be done by using a water gauge.
If you keep these errors with these mistakes in mind, you’ll be better placed to start the process of installation. Make sure you conduct a thorough study, and best for you!
