Ever thought to yourself, “Gee, I certainly could go for some peace and quiet. Wish I had a getaway I could run to!”
Well, so have we! Even living here in Colorado, just minutes away from the wilderness, we have to say– having a little piece of heaven out in the woods is hard to beat. That’s why we here at Tru Log really do think that log cabins are a great way to go when you’re thinking about spending some time in nature.
If you’re looking for a place out in the wilderness to call your own, why not think about building your own log cabin? Though the designing and construction phase takes some skill and planning, building your own log cabin can be an inexpensive, effective, and low-impact way to get yourself that little slice of heaven you’ve been looking for.
5 Factors to Consider When Building a Log Cabin
Here are five factors to think about when you’re building a log cabin of your own.
1. Location
Perhaps even more important than the design of the cabin itself is the location you choose to build on. The location of your cabin will have a profound effect on livability and how much enjoyment you get from your new home.
One major thing to consider is whether you’ll be buying property to build a cabin on or if you currently own property that you will build on. You’ll also want to think about how secluded you’d like your cabin to be in relation to other buildings on the property and neighbors.
Setting your cabin back into a densely wooded area certainly looks private and storybook-ish, but it also means you won’t get much warmth or light from the sun. Similarly, building your cabin out in the open means you’ll get little protection from winds.
There’s a lot of little things that go into perfect placement. We recommend you check out this informative article on house placement for some great advice.
2. Time and Skillset
Do you enjoy rewarding but hard work?
We figure you do if you’re researching how to build your own log cabin. Rest assured that building your own log cabin is entirely possible for those that love a challenging project. However, it’s easy to get a little overambitious, especially if you’ve never built anything like a cabin or house before.
If you’re completely new to cabin- or home-building, working side by side with a pro contractor is a wise idea! It will help you to save time and give you valuable skills you can use in the future. You also get the peace of mind knowing that your cabin is being built structurally-sound.
3. Traditional Cabin Building
Take a look at this article that one Oregon couple wrote about building their own log cabin– for the low, low price of $100! Using mostly hand-tools and simple construction techniques, Bill Sullivan and his wife were able to construct a traditional Norwegian stabbur-style log cabin, complete with a loft.
Of course, if you’re looking to build a log cabin, you don’t have to keep yourself from using modern conveniences as Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan did–we here at Tru Log find that, at the very least, a chainsaw can come in very handy when felling and carving timber.
4. Modern Cabin Building
If you’re in the mood for something a little more modern, take a look at this Homesteading Magazine how-to on building a log cabin by hand. They aren’t quite as dedicated to the rustic life as the Sullivans, but they certainly make a good log cabin. And, moreover, they do it with plans, kits, and nail-guns instead of axes and adzes.
If you already have access to power tools, it makes sense to build your cabin in a modern fashion. You can often rent tools from local hardware stores as well, which can help save money compared to buying power tools.
5. Real Logs Vs. Steel Siding
Back in the day log cabins were coated with linseed oil and turpentine to keep the timber water-resistant and long-lasting. Our modern-day equivalents include various paints, stains, and sealants. A real timber log cabin sure looks beautiful and timeless, but taking care of it isn’t exactly a walk in the park. You’ll have to reapply those layers of various surface treatments every couple of years – which is no easy task with log siding!
We prefer simplicity when it comes to log cabins. We wholeheartedly recommend folks that want to spend more time enjoying their cabin than taking care of it think about TruLog siding. Since TruLog is made of steel, your to-do list is reduced to the bare basics of hosing it off when it gets dirty. No more dealing with stain and sealant chemicals, plus you won’t need to worry about moisture, mold and moss growth, insects, etc!
Log cabins make for charming homes and building your own is a dream come true for many people. If you’d like more information on TruLog siding and why it’s an excellent choice of material for your future cabin, get in touch!
