5 Useful Tips When Building Your Log Cabin

Building your log cabin is a big decision and requires a lot of planning and active thought. Whether you're building to sell or creating a masterpiece to enjoy with family, these are some of the most important tips to keep in mind.

Why Log Cabins Are Timeless

Log cabins were some of the earliest forms of architecture in the country! The oldest buildings still standing are log cabins, and there's a chance that the one you build will outlast a couple of generations of people as well. Their timeless look is achieved by the gorgeous log-built look and the fact that they're structurally sound enough to be comfortable and keep the elements out for as long as you need them to be.

If you build it right, this could be a structure that lasts for centuries. It depends on the process and materials, though.

1. Don’t Feel Stuck In a Floor Plan

It’s easy to feel like log cabin floor plans only have one or two possibilities, but don't let this get you stuck! Instead, consider what you'll need from the log cabin and what creative ways you can work around your needs. Keep in mind that some parts are necessary, like a large open living space, but you can make as many bedrooms or suites as you like.

If you're considering renting this property out in the off-season, you can make the rest of the home a split-level, with the only shared spaces being the living space and the kitchen. This can give you an awesome income when you can't use your cabin.

2. Let Color Set it Apart

Color can stun! Even if the only place you paint is the interior of your cabin, allow your paint choices to set your cabin apart and give it new life. Log cabin paint should be waterproof and durable while driving home that classic and gorgeous aesthetic we all know and love.

If you're shy about paint colors and aren't sure what to pick, more natural-toned colors like creams and muted greens will work to give your cabin a fantastic look.

3. Ensure Your Siding is Strong

Your siding will be more than just the main aesthetic people recognize when they call it a log cabin. Siding decides how moisture and weather-proof your cabin will be and will allow you to keep out as much insect and vermin life as possible. If you're not currently living on the property, your half-log siding needs to be able to keep out any threat to its safety, or you could return to major damage and devastation.

4. Keep Every Season in Mind

Whether you're dealing with winter, summer, spring, or fall, you'll deal with different problems. In the fall, the leaves must be removed from your roof and gutters, even if you're not in the area. These can cause a burg of ice and snow to build up over the winter, damaging your roof and possibly causing flooding in the spring.

Make sure that your property is set up to handle a lot of rainfall, and if you're in a fire-prone area, look into heat-resistant roofing and building materials.

5. Moisture Proofing is Vital

Moisture is the top thing to damage a log cabin, and it can sneak in through ways you'd never expect. When planning your cabin, pick a sturdy roof material and fantastic windows and doors to go along with your siding. The goal is to seal your cabin as much as possible so no moisture can make its way inside.

This will also help your HVAC system run as smoothly as possible, for as affordably as possible.

Mistakes to Avoid if Possible

If you're building a log cabin, it's vital to avoid as many obvious mistakes as possible, or you could set yourself up for failure. Don't cut corners, don't rush this process. This vital step ensures you don't build on an uneven surface without a solid foundation.

It would be best if you also avoided building without getting a land survey. If you just pick land and start building without looking into it, you could be building into a floodplain that could wipe your cabin out within the first couple of years of it being there.

You should also avoid trying to space this project out too much. The temptation to make this into a multi-year summer project is real and understandable, but it can also cause you to lose the entire project or waste so much time that it's never completed.

Every Log Cabin Deserves a Long Fantastic Life

Planning is key, whether you're building a cabin to sell or one that you want your family to enjoy for generations. Keep some of these tips in mind through the process.