Aside from the fact that people look at beauty before they decide the log home they will procure, the other thing that comes to their mind is the durability or longevity of the home. Under normal circumstances, the cabin can last for 10, 20 years, many decades even a century.
There is no definite answer to the number of years a log cabin can last. The longevity of a log cabin depends on some factors. The most important considerations are the type of material used for the construction of the cabin and the nature of climate/weather the log cabin will be exposed to during its life span.
Below we will discuss the various factors that affect the longevity of a log cabin.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE LONGEVITY OF LOG CABIN
TYPE OF MATERIAL
The materials used during the construction phase of the log cabin go a long way to determine how well the different members of the house will be able to hold up over a while. For every structural aspect of the log cabin, you are faced with the task of choosing which material will work and last well for your home. Hence, you must study the pros and cons of the alternatives before you decide; don’t just go for the cheaper one as this may cost you more in the long run.
Let’s take the siding for better illustration. The material you can use for your log cabin siding could either be traditional wood or engineered steel, which looks like conventional wood. Despite their resemblance, their component make-up and quality differ.
Siding made from conventional woods is more prone to warping, mold, rotting and sagging due to prolonged exposure to water and humidity. Insects can also create holes and nest in the wood, thereby causing damage. Hence, you will need to replace them; otherwise, it could lead to exposure of certain insulation layers.
Though it isn’t easy to estimate how long it will take before the exterior of the wood will become bad, but it is a known fact that the surfaces of the wood will fade off over time due to exposure to the sun. Hence, it is recommended that logs of wood should be repainted or stains reapplied every five years.
Steel siding doesn’t face all of those damages, and it is fire-resistant. Hence, it is more durable than wood.
WEATHER/CLIMATE
The climate situation that the log cabin will encounter in your region is another important factor that can affect how long your log cabin will last. Generally, If there is too much wind, snow or rain due to heavy or prolonged wet season, it will harm the cabin, thereby reducing the life span. But remember that the type of material you use has a proportional influence on how the log cabin can combat such elements like rain. Take, for example, the case of steel and wood siding, which we discussed earlier in this article; steel siding will be a better choice for a region with such weather conditions.
Aside from the factors discussed above, how you maintain your house regularly also affect the longevity of your log cabin.
