Log Homes in America date back to the early 1600’s when European settlers fashioned simple structures from the abundant virgin forest lands of the New World.  Utilitarian in their design, these early Log Homes were long on function and practicality but short on modern day habitability.  Yet, over the years, these primitive Log Homes and their decedents have managed to win a place in the hearts of millions of Americans.   

Though, the premise of using logs to construct the home’s shell remains the same today as it was in the Seventeenth Century, today’s Log Homes have evolved into highly efficient, structurally superior modern-day masterpieces. 

Prospective log home owners will find there are two main types of log homes to choose from - Milled and Handcrafted Log homes. A milled log home is the product of an automated manufacturing process that converts raw logs into a precision milled product of exacting dimensions and profiles.  Milled log homes typically feature an interlocking mechanism that allows manufactured logs to fit snugly when stacked.  Likewise, milled log homes allow for several different corner styles and log lengths.

Unlike a milled log home, a handcrafted log home represents the time-honored art of logsmithing.  These handmade homes are constructed using many of the same practices as those employed by early American and European log smiths centuries ago.  Using mostly hand tools, log smiths cut and shape logs from carefully selected trees so that each log fits perfectly on top of each other.  As such, the logs used in a handcrafted log home retain the many of the individual characteristics of the tree they once were and are generally more rustic looking than milled logs. 

Constructing a home using Log Siding had grown in popularity in recent years.  Unlike milled or handcrafted log homes, log siding is combined with conventional stud framing and insulation to create the look and feel of a log home without using full logs. 

When setting out to purchase a log home, buyers often mistake a log home materials package for all the components required to construct a finished log home.  The reality is that because there is no real standard within the log home industry, buyers may find it challenging to conduct an apples-to-apples comparison of competing companies’ materials packages. 

Log homes are constructed using a variety of tree species and no one is necessarily better than another.  Several factors, including environmental conditions, structural requirements, homeowner preference, availability and cost of course, often combine to create a shortlist of most commonly used species.

Common to all tree species is their susceptibility to shrink once harvested.  Shrinkage in wood occurs when its moisture content reduces to match the humidity of the surrounding environment.  Though some species are thought to be less prone to shrinkage than others, all wood used in log home construction will experience some degree of shrinkage. 

Though shrinkage is a natural process that often poses no structural concern to logs in their raw form, building with logs that contain high moisture content (or green logs) can present serious structural problems if shrinkage is not properly accounted for.  Because shrinkage can cause log walls to settle over time (sometimes considerably), engineers and builders must take steps to manage this settling so that is does not compromise the structural integrity or functionality of the home.

As a proactive measure, Log home manufactures employ a variety of different methods of drying wood to accelerate the shrinkage process prior to building.  Kiln-drying and dead standing are the most commonly used methods.   Because the trees are generally standing dead for a number of years, much if not all of the shrinkage has already occurred and thus less is likely to occur in the constructed log home.      

Also common to all tree species is their susceptibility to insects, weathering and decay.  As organic material, wood in its original state is a product of nature and is subject to its laws.  Once harvested, wood naturally begins to decay and without some form of preservation will steadily decompose until it is reduced to organic matter and is consumed by new plant growth. 

Modern day wood preservatives allow us to slow this process to a near glacier pace and thus postpone wood’s demise for a good century or so.  Especially significant to log home owners whose exterior shell is exposed wood, the use of proper preservative treatments throughout the home’s lifetime will mean the difference between a home that lasts for generations or a decaying mass of plant food. 

Log homes, if manufactured and built correctly, offer comparable to superior energy efficiency versus conventional framed homes.  Numerous independent studies have proven that log walls possess especially high thermal mass which makes them as energy-efficient as any well insulated frame wall and superior to most. Unlike R-value, the traditional measure of energy efficiency, thermal mass is a material's capacity to conduct, store and release heat over time given significant variances in temperature.  Most notable of these studies was over a decade long study conducted by Log Homes Council (a division of the National Association of Home Builders).  This any other studies have confirmed what many log home owners have know for years; log home stays cooler in the summer and warmer in winter.

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Log Home Myths:

Myth No. 1: Log homes are less expensive than a conventional home

This is a subject of great debate and high emotion within the log home industry.  The truth is that while it is very possible to build a log home for less than a framed home, in most cases the cost to complete a log home for the average log home buyer will be more than a basic framed home.  That said, many contend that comparing a modern day log home with a basic framed home is not a fair comparison and argue that when compared to a custom framed or brick home, the cost of a log home is very competitive. In support of this position, The Log Home Council reported that the average price of a log home in 1996 ($158,989 not including land) was in line with the average price of custom home during the same period .

Myth No. 2: A log home materials package includes all materials required build and finish a log home

Though many companies including Powder River Log Homes offers complete materials packages, most standard packages contain anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 of the materials required to complete a finished log home.  When calculating a total construction budget, prospective log homeowners should not mistake the cost of a material package for the total cost to complete, but rather assemble a total construction cost estimate.  Powder River provides this service free of charge to our prospective customers.

Myth No. 3: Log homes require excessive maintenance to protect them against the elements

The truth is that log homes do require regular maintenance to protect them from such things as decay, insects, sun damage, etc., but this burden is no more or less taxing than any other full wood or wood sided home.  There are an abundance of wood preservatives and finishes that, when applied correctly, will protect your log home from just about anything.  Finally, adhering to a simple maintenance program, as with any home style, is your first line of defense against such threats. 

Myth No. 4: Log homes do not shrink, check or settle

All wood when cut experiences some degree of shrinkage.  Shrinkage in wood occurs when its moisture content reduces to match the humidity of the surrounding environment. 

You should make sure that the log company that you go with, eliminates as much moisture content from their logs as possible. Even when this is done, additional shrinkage is likely to occur following the construction of a log home.  Because shrinkage causes logs to compress in size, cracking or checking and settling of log walls are common byproducts.  However, with proper construction techniques and maintenance, these issues are easily remedied and pose no serious threat to the structural integrity of functionally of the home.      

Myth No. 5: Log homes are a greater fire hazard than framed homes

Light a match under and 8 inch log and time how long it takes for the log to ignite.  Then, take another match to a pile of drywall, insulation, wood studs and trim material and see how log it takes to burst into flames.  If you need more convincing, consider this story Margaret Lowe relays in her Myths & Truths of Log Home Ownership:

“26 forest firefighters, who, trapped by a raging fire in the California hills, took refuge in a log home and waited out the firestorm as it passed them by.  They'll laugh and tell you log homes are not a fire hazard, especially when they have a metal roof, as did this house. Yes, this actually happened in Topanga Canyon in 1993, and it demonstrates that log homes don't burn easily.”

Myth No. 6: A Log home is easy to build

This misunderstanding exists on two levels; the first is that anyone with a good dose of ambition and some self study can build a log home; the second is that log homes are easier to construct than a framed home.  Both are fundamentally flawed.  For the layman, log homes require just as much technical building expertise as a conventional home.  Anything short of a playhouse or small shed will likely pose serious problems to the average weekend warrior.  That said, with the proper training and supervision, several aspects of the log home construction process can be tackled by a qualified owner builder. In fact, many suggest that there are more owner builders in the log home market than in any other area of home building.

Regarding whether a log home is more difficult to build than a framed home, the truth is that the issue is not one of difficulty but rather experience.  Provided that qualified, experienced log home builders and tradesman are chosen, your log home should be no more or less challenging to construct that any other type of home.      

Myth No. 7: Log homes are difficult to finance

Fortunately, the significant increase in log home popularity over the past 20 years has caused even mainstream lenders to warm to the prospects of log home financing.  As demand for log homes continue to soar and myths such as these are dispelled, even conservative lenders are realizing that there is money to be made on log home financing.  Margaret Lowe explains further in her Myths and Truths of Log Home Ownership:

In November 1992, Fannie Mae eased its comparable appraisals requirement in favor of unique and special homes, a classification that includes log homes. The old rule required basing a log home's appraisal on the sales prices of comparable log homes sold in the same market in the preceding six months. Finding such comparables was next to impossible in markets where a log home hadn't been built or sold in the previous six months. Under the 1992 directive, when direct comparables aren't available Fannie Mae accepts appraisals based on three other types of unique, special, or rustic homes in that or a neighboring market area.

Myth No. 8: Log homes are less energy efficient than framed homes

The reality is that log homes, if manufactured and built correctly, offer comparable to superior energy efficiency versus conventional framed homes.  Numerous independent studies have proven that log walls possess especially high thermal mass which makes them as energy-efficient as any well insulated frame wall and superior to most. Unlike R-value, the traditional measure of energy efficiency, thermal mass is a material's capacity to conduct, store and release heat over time given significant variances in temperature.  Most notable of these studies was a decade long study conducted by The Log Home Council (a division of the National Association of Home Builders).  This and other comparable studies have confirmed what many log home owners have known for years; log homes stay cooler in the summer and warmer in winter.

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Log Home FAQs

Q:  Which is better, a handcrafted or milled log home?

A: Though both types of log homes have their distinct advantages and disadvantages, there is no empirical data to support the superiority of one style over another.  Therefore, it’s more a matter of personal preference than strengths and weaknesses.  That said, there are significant differences between the two styles, such as cost, log size, appearance, building and construction, etc., that generally cause a prospective log homeowner to select one style versus the other. 

Q:  Is it less expensive to build a log sided home vs. a full log home?

A:  This is a subject of great debate and high emotion within the log home industry.  The truth is that while it is very possible to build a log home for less than a framed home, in most cases the cost to complete a log home (approximately $100 to $150 per Sq. Ft. less land) for the average log home buyer will be more than a basic framed home.  That said, many contend that comparing a modern day log home with a basic framed home is not a fair comparison and argue that when compared to a custom framed or brick home, the cost of a log home is very competitive.  In support of this position, The Log Home Council reported that the average price of a log home in 1996 ($158,989 not including land) was in line with the average price of custom home during the same period.

Q:  What is the best wood species for building log homes?

A: Log homes are constructed using a variety of tree species and no one is necessarily better than another.  Several factors, including environmental conditions, structural requirements, homeowner preference, availability and cost of course, often combine to create a shortlist of most commonly used species.  The most popular wood species are Douglas Fir, Engelmann Spruce, Hemlock, Larch, Lodgepole Pine, Ponderosa Pine and Western Red Cedar.

Q: Will my new Log Home shrink, settle, check or crack?

A: All wood when cut experiences some degree of shrinkage.  Shrinkage in wood occurs when its moisture content reduces to match the humidity of the surrounding environment. 

You should make sure that the log company that you go with, eliminates as much moisture content from their logs as possible. Even when this is done, additional shrinkage is likely to occur following the construction of a log home. Because shrinkage causes logs to compress in size, cracking or checking and settling of log walls are common byproducts.  However, with proper construction techniques and maintenance, these issues are easily remedied and pose no serious threat to the structural integrity of functionally of the home.

Q: What is the best method for drying logs?

A: We believes that the dead standing drying method is superior to all others.  As this method utilizes trees that have been standing dead for a number of years, much if not all of the shrinkage has already occurred naturally and thus less is likely to occur in the constructed log home.      

Q: Do log homes require more maintenance than a conventional home?

A: The truth is that log homes do require regular maintenance to protect them from such things as decay, insects, sun damage, etc., but this burden is no more or less taxing than any other full wood or wood sided home. There are an abundance of wood preservatives and finishes that, when applied correctly, will protect your log home from just about anything.

Q: Are log homes less energy efficient than conventional framed homes?

A:  Numerous independent studies have proven that log walls possess especially high thermal mass which makes them as energy-efficient as any well insulated frame wall and superior to most. Unlike R-value, the traditional measure of energy efficiency, thermal mass is a material's capacity to conduct, store and release heat over time given significant variances in temperature.  Most notable of these studies was a decade long study conducted by The Log Home Council (a division of the National Association of Home Builders).  This and other comparable studies have confirmed what many log home owners have known for years; log homes stay cooler in the summer and warmer in winter.

Q: Is it difficult to finance a log home?

A: As demand for log homes continue to soar, even conservative lenders are realizing that there is money to be made on log home financing.  Because of this, log home owners have more financing options to choose from than ever before. 

This Buyer's Guide is brought to you by: Powder River Log Homes

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