Building A Log Home: Is It Worth It?
For years, many people have dreamed of building a log home, and now, those dreams are starting to become a reality. The number of prospective buyers who have taken the decision to build these structures from themselves is starting to rise. Nowadays, they’re an affordable and realistic prospect for home buyers everywhere. So, the question is: is it worth it? Why would you want to build a log home over a traditional one? Well, there’s a lot of factors involved in that equation, and there are plenty of pros and cons to support each side. Today, we’re going to take a look at all of the factors, and the reasons why you might want to build a log home. Are you ready? Let’s go!
What Is A Log Home?
Let’s get the obvious statement out of the way: a log home is, well...a home made out of logs. The very nature of building with these resources means that you get a very different look to a conventional home. They showcase a different, elegant style of house construction. They’ll often stand alongside other houses of their type, rather than sit in the middle of a conventional neighborhood. Their popularity has continued to rise over the last few years, and many budding homeowners have decided to move house and take refuge in a log home.
The Positives Of Building A Log Home
There are loads of different reasons why you might want to build a log home, and the list is exhaustive. Firstly, you need to think about what materials you’re building with. These are logs, so they are a renewable resource. If you’re big on protecting the environment (and we all should be), then you should be proud to own a log home. Once you’ve built your log home, you may find that you’re ready to sell again a few years down the line. Although that may not be an ideal solution, you’ll be pleased to hear that log homes sell for around 30-40% more than a conventional structure.
The simple design of a log home means that it looks stylish and elegant to outsiders. You can still spruce the place up by hanging pictures and decorations on the walls if you desire, of course. Maintaining the build of the house is relatively painless, requiring a touch up of staining and finishing every now and again. See here at Weatherall.com for wood finishes to keep the house maintained, and your build will continue to shine for years to come. Log houses are also incredibly energy efficient, saving you some serious money over the long-term. Their design lends to a warm home which everyone can enjoy, thanks in particular to the thermal mass in the logs.
Believe it or not, log homes are some of the most durable structures out there. In times of serious disasters, they have often weathered the storm effectively. This will depend on the scale of the problem and the quality of your build, but it’s another positive that you may end up being thankful for.
One of the big worries of a log home is the prospect of insect infestation, but you needn’t worry. The dangers of a conventional home mean that mould and insects could be living in your walls well before you know about it. In a log home, all you need to inspect a problem is your eyes. Deal with it early enough, and you’ll never have any major issues to worry about.
The traditional style of a house doesn’t blend in with the environment too well. It was never designed that way, so it often ends up looking fairly lopsided on the land. Because of their nature, log homes don’t suffer from this. They blend into the environment, making them look even more attractive to outside viewers instead of an ugly monstrosity.
What Are The Downsides?
Of course, log homes come with their downsides as well. We’ve already mentioned that log homes rarely adapt into a conventional neighborhood because of their design. Their unique style doesn’t blend well with the norm, so it often takes a while to find an ideal place to build. Because of this, finding the right spot of land can prove tricky and occasionally costly. Then, there’s the cost of actually building the thing, which is normally slightly higher than a traditional home. Sure, you’ll benefit in the long run from the extra money you spend now, but you should be aware that you’ll have to fork out a little extra to get set up.
In some cases, log homes can be fairly difficult to wire with all the essentials you’ll need. By that, I’m talking about electricity, high-speed broadband, and anything else you may desire. Modern builds are adapted to make this much easier, but you definitely need to take it into consideration before you start building. Once you’re all set, you’ll be fine, but it might be a bumpy road to get there.
You also need to consider insulation. Full log homes aren’t always well-equipped, so you could end up being boiling hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. You can find tips at logcabinadvice.co.uk to cope with this, but make sure you think about them in advance before you start boiling up!
While a log home will almost always sell for more than a conventional home, it’s hard to actually find a willing buyer. Simply put, there just aren’t as many people in the market for log homes as there are for traditional ones. If you decide to sell later on down the line, don’t be surprised if you struggle to find a buyer. It’ll happen eventually, but don’t make any immediate plans as you might be waiting a while to sell.
But What’s The Attraction?
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably got an idea of what the attraction of a log home is already. If you’re not quite sure, we’ll break down a few of the most basic reasons why people choose a log home over a traditional one for you.
If nothing else, the main reason why many people choose to build a log home is because of the look. There’s something naturally calming about the interior and exterior of a home such as this. A log home screams elegance. Even before you enter someone’s log home for the first time, you’ll normally have a good idea of how the interior will appear. The simple and sometimes dull interior of a traditional house can’t match up to the simple pleasures a log home can provide. There’s nothing quite like sitting in front of a fireplace and reading a book in one of these structures. The result is a naturally comfy and cosy experience, the likes of which a conventional home struggles to replicate.
Everything from the smell of the wood to the financial savings it can make contribute to the attraction of a log cabin. There are many reasons why you might want to build one, which is why it’s definitely worth considering for any potential home buyer.
Is It Worth It?
Looking at the big picture, log homes have plenty of advantages and disadvantages to consider. Whether building a log home is the right choice for you depends entirely on what you want out of a home. What do you intend to get out of it? Are you looking for something natural, renewable and elegant? Would you prefer the more traditional comforts a conventional home can provide you with? You also need to factor in costs. Yes, you’ll save money in the long-term, but it’s going to cost you a bit more to build a log home in the first place. If you haven’t got the money to do it, it simply might not be an option at this point. Be careful with your budget and don’t go overboard if you can’t afford to do so.
When looking at all the facts, you need to think very carefully about your future as well. In reality, many people build log houses as a dream home that they intend to stay in. We’ve already mentioned how they don’t sell on a regular basis, and people rarely ever want to sell them in the first place. If you’re going to make the decision to build one of these things, you need to be fairly confident you’re going to stay in it for the long haul. If you can’t commit to this decision, it might just be that you aren’t ready for the commitment right now.
Ultimately, think about what you want out of a home. If the idea of a warm fireplace and cosy, natural design gets your heart racing, you’ve found what you want. If the idea of a traditional home feels like more than an adequate alternative, maybe a log home simply isn’t for you. Figure out what’s best for you, and go with your gut feeling. If you’re ready to make the decision to build a log home, I’m sure you won’t regret it! Be creative, and build your dream home!
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