| Log cabin kit homes - what are they? Log cabin | | | | the log wood, shapes of logs available and how the |
| building kits are logs that have been cut, milled, dried | | | | corner treatment looks to you. |
| and shaped into 'packages' called log cabin kit homes. | | | | As you find cabin kits you like, see how long the |
| These cabin kits can be as simple as the logs and | | | | company has been in business. You'll want to know |
| fasteners only, or the kits can include nearly all of the | | | | they have been around a number of years which is |
| exterior components of the cabin. The other main | | | | one important factor to consider. Review the kit |
| kind of log cabin home would be a 'handcrafted | | | | choices - what is included, what is not included. See if |
| home', one where the logs are shaped by hand using | | | | you can narrow your choices down to 3-4 companies |
| special tools. | | | | that you may be most interested in. |
| The major advantages of log cabin building kits are | | | | At this point, you would be ready to visit the |
| generally lower costs, simplified estimating and | | | | companies and talk with their staff. How do you find |
| construction methods and faster construction of the | | | | them - are they pleasant, courteous, really interested |
| cabin home. Created in the controlled environment of | | | | in answering your questions and even offer |
| the manufacturer, the logs will be more uniform in | | | | suggestions for your situation? Or are they |
| shape than handcrafted logs. | | | | high-pressure and inflexible? If they cannot provide |
| The logs can be trucked in and assembled on your | | | | something you want, are they truthful and up-front |
| building site relatively quickly by knowledgable builders. | | | | that they cannot do it that way? |
| Log cabin kit homes can be purchased in nearly | | | | You'll want to pay attention to your intuition and gut |
| complete exterior systems that include the logs, | | | | feel. Maybe you'll further narrow the list to, say, two |
| fasteners, roof system, windows and doors, porches | | | | manufacturers. Then you can contact 2-3 log cabin |
| and more. | | | | home builders with experience in building with these |
| The logs are available in a variety of shapes - round, | | | | manufacturer's logs and fastener systems. Obtain |
| square, rectangular, beveled and 'D-shaped' logs are | | | | estimates for building your log cabin kit home on your |
| common examples. Milled logs will have the outer | | | | property. |
| sapwood planed off before the logs are shaped. | | | | You can also learn a lot about log cabin kit homes by |
| Most log cabin kit homes manufacturers cut the logs | | | | viewing cabin plans that have been successfully built |
| in such a way as to create a tongue or groove so | | | | somewhere. Every plan that you see can give you |
| each log will interlock with the log above and below it | | | | design ideas that you had not thought of. You can |
| in the wall. This interlocking system will likely be | | | | make a scrapbook of the things you may want in |
| enhanced by the use of other materials that will help | | | | your log home design. Organize a project notebook |
| keep air and water from penetrating the log wall. | | | | where you'll keep the builder estimates, schedules |
| How do you find log cabin building kits that may be | | | | and so on. |
| right for you? | | | | Creating the log cabin building kit home design that |
| The fastest way is to go online and visit various log | | | | will provide you much enjoyment can be a lot of |
| cabin kit homes manufacturers websites. You'll want | | | | effort. However, it's your personal involvement, |
| to be looking for the log cabin building kits that have | | | | enthusiasm and persistence that will help ensure that |
| an appearance you enjoy. See what you prefer - | | | | your project becomes the log cabin building kit home |
| large diameter versus smaller diameter logs, color of | | | | that you'll enjoy for many years to come. |