Are you thinking of getting a log home and are wondering what mistakes you should avoid if you wish to get satisfactory results? Let us assist you in this regard. Many are the times that people embark on building log homes without the proper research at hand and these projects often end up failing. Failing to plan is in itself a plan to fail, and as such, you need to arm yourself with lots of knowledge.
Building a log home is like the construction of a conventional home, and there are likely to be oversights in play. While some errors are fixable, others are not and could end up stalling the project. You could also install your home only to find that you will have to live with oversights you could have avoided at early stages. Here are some of the frequently made mistakes that people make when installing log cabins as well as ways to prevent them:
Skipping long overhangs
You may wonder why most log homes have oversized roof overhangs surrounding the structures. The reason behind this is to keep the logs from getting into contact with water and thus prolonging their life. Some people opt to take a shortcut when it comes to overhangs, downspouts, and gutters and this decision costs them significantly down the line. When going about installation, ensure that the protrusions to the side of your home are at least twenty-four inches long. Those to the ends should measure anywhere from four feet going up. In this way, your logs will stay dry even during the heavy rainy seasons. The gutters and downspouts are essential in ensuring that water drains away from the house. Lack of these could lead to moisture absorption by the logs, and the results would be devastating. You can cut corners when it comes to other aspects of the house, but when it comes down to protecting your wooden logs, such shortcuts will cost you dearly.
Inefficient communication
Ensure that you and the builder are on the same page before and during construction such that the end product comes out as you desired. There are times when people entrust builders with floor plans, and they walk away from the process only to find that the result is not what they expected. You see, though the floor plan provides for the building materials and modes of construction, it does not delve into specific details. As such, your interpretation and that of the builder could differ. The best way to go about it is to stay on top of things by holding several talks with the builder and watching over each stage.
Wood-overload
While the essence of a log cabin lies in appreciating nature and finding ways in which you can make your living quarters at one with your surroundings, moderation is essential. Some people go all out when it comes to the wood theme. As such, everything from the walls to the furniture to the ceilings is wood-like. It works for a while but over time, the look becomes tiring, and people start itching for a change. The best way to avoid getting weary of your surroundings is by incorporating some interior décor in the mix. As such, play about with the countertops, wall fillings, furniture and other elements which can provide a welcome break to the wood theme. In this way, the different decors will work to complement each other, and you will not have to redo your home for a long time to come.
Improper cleaning
First off, ensure that you treat all your logs with insecticides before installation. Failure to do this will create an environment where insects can live and will thus lead to the destruction of your home. Also, you should ensure that you clean your logs properly. You will notice that they will develop a shiny covering over time and if you do not get rid of this glaze, finishing products will not properly adhere to the logs, and thus, you will have a lot of maintenance work in future. Also, you must waterproof your cabin logs to keep problems such as mold, rot, and mildew at bay.
Wrong log placement
Though logs undergo a series of treatments before getting used in construction, they are still sensitive to weather elements, and you must thus protect them from the same. Sometimes, people place their logs too close to the ground. While this may be great for aesthetics, it does not do well for the cabin logs in the long run. Here, they come into contact with water splatters from rain, irrigation systems as well as other sources such as melting snow. Over time, the moisture has its way and weakens the log, thus undermining the structure of your home. As such, you could end up spending lots of money in trying to deal with problems you could have avoided at the beginning. When carrying out log placement, ensure that the bottom log is at least one and a half feet away from the ground. In addition to this, ensure that you cover the bottom wooden logs with a protective layer against ice and water. With moisture at bay, you can prolong the life of your cabin and avoid going back to your pocket for preventable repairs.
