Whether you’re on a lake or the coast, having a log cabin on the water is exciting. It opens many opportunities for family activities, from fishing to swimming to games. However, building a log cabin on the water requires careful consideration if you want it to last.
Choose the Right Log
Log cabins on the water take a beating from the elements. They’re exposed to sunlight from two directions since it reflects off the water. There’s also the added moisture from living on the water, which can bring on rot and fungus. Oceanfront also bring in salt and sand damage. Overall, your log choice will need to be sturdy.
Cypress is ideal for coastal log homes since it is naturally rot-resistant. Log cabins on freshwater have more variety available, such as white pine, western red cedar, or bald cypress.
Setup a Log Protection Plan
When building a log cabin on the water, you need to plan the best protection possible for your logs. That means removing as much of the damaging factors as possible. In many locations, this includes a full house porch. You can choose these porches to direct water away from your logs and recess them away from wind-blown hazards.
Eaves play a significant role in your log home’s overall look. They also protect your log cabin on the water from rain and snow. Eaves prevent water from hitting the logs when it storms. The deeper the eaves, the better the protection.
The other factor you need to consider for your log cabin on the water is wood stains. Stains help prevent moisture absorption in your logs. Additionally, the darker the stain, the more sun protection it provides. Under the conditions of being on the water, though, you need to build in the cost of staining every two to three years if you want your log home to last.
Plan on Your Interests
You know what you enjoy now, and building your log cabin on the water from scratch is a great time to build to your interests. If you know you want to fish the days away, then building fishing supply storage makes sense. If you’re into paddleboarding, you can do the same. Even if all you want to do is look at the lake, you can plan enormous windows. This personalization is the fun part of building your cabin.
Inspection Requirements
Log cabins, especially ones on the water, require at least twice-yearly inspection. You will need to allocate time for this in the spring and fall at a minimum. Additionally, these inspections may reveal damage to your log home. The longer damage sits, the more expensive the repair. It’s essential to prepare for that and not let things get out of hand.
To Dock or Not to Dock
Building a dock depends entirely on what you want to do with your new log cabin on the water. Docks are great places to launch boating adventures, swim, and fish. However, they add more maintenance to your log cabin. You should weigh the personal advantages before constructing one, even if you live right on the water.
