| Traditionally log cabins were found in wooded areas, | | | | Log cabins are often bought directly from a supplier, |
| where the construction material was at hand. In | | | | and the choice is huge. However, if you're looking for |
| North America they were built by early settlers and | | | | a truly unique log cabin, then building your own can be |
| by hunters, loggers, and other wilderness dwellers, | | | | a great experience but remember it can also be |
| and were associated by many people with simplicity | | | | challenging and physically demanding. To save yourself |
| and self reliance. Since the days of the early settlers | | | | time and energy you could hire a contractor to build |
| in North America, women would make quilts that | | | | your log cabin home, but do check they are reliable, |
| represented log cabins on the prairie. The red centre | | | | offer good value for money, and only use the best |
| squares were for the hearth, the lighter squares | | | | materials. |
| were for the sunny side of the log cabin, and dark | | | | Check list |
| squares were on the opposite side for the shady | | | | Whichever option you decide on, i.e. buying a |
| side of the log cabin. | | | | ready-made log cabin or building your own, there are |
| Log Cabin Uses | | | | a several points to consider: Try to opt for toughen |
| The heyday of the log cabin in North America was in | | | | glass in your log cabin because plastic fades over |
| the third and fourth quarters of the 19th Century, | | | | time; Be careful of long delivery times. It is possible |
| which corresponds to the widespread trek | | | | to do a credit check on the company selling you the |
| Westward after the Civil War. Nowadays log cabins | | | | cabin and there are websites that check a company's |
| are found all over the world and they are often used | | | | financial status; Check what is included in the price, |
| as an extension for the home when space is short, | | | | for example, delivery, veranda, and window boxes; |
| for example, as an office, playroom, sauna, a gym or | | | | Use a good preservative as a cheap one is a waste |
| a therapy room. Because log cabins are seen as | | | | of time; Check where the wood comes from. Is it |
| strong, reliable and environmentally friendly, log cabins | | | | from a sustainable forest, and is it made from slow |
| are often used in the branding for various companies | | | | grown timber? Quick growing timber is cheaper but |
| and organisations. | | | | will eventually twist; Check on building regulations for |
| Energy Efficient | | | | your area. Planning permission isn't normally needed |
| Log cabins are renowned for their energy efficiency | | | | for small log cabins as long as it is 5 meters away |
| as timber is an excellent insulator - a 2.5cm log has a | | | | from the main property, does not exceed more than |
| better thermal resistance than an 11.4cm brick, | | | | 50% of your total garden area and is less than 4 |
| because the thousands of tiny air pockets trapped in | | | | meters in height. However, if you have any doubts |
| every square inch of the wood's structure slow the | | | | or live in a conservation area or a listed building, you |
| transfer of heat though the log. Therefore the log | | | | should contact your local planning office. |
| cabins are warm in the winter and cool in the | | | | Conclusion |
| summer. However, increasing the thickness of the | | | | Log cabins have a long history and are as popular |
| walls does not mean you will have the most energy | | | | today as they were many years ago in North |
| efficient log cabin, because you have to consider the | | | | America. However, these day's log cabins are not |
| insulation for the floors, ceilings and roof, and use the | | | | limited as a place to live, but rather as an extension |
| right kind of doors and windows, etc. | | | | to the home. |
| Choices | | | | |