Reclining in front of a hearty fire set in a river stone fireplace on a rainy, drizzly evening. Golden light from the lamps visible through the window on a cloudy, dark afternoon. Perhaps these types of images are what you think of when you think of rustic log cabin getaways in the Pacific Northwest. What you may not know is that much of what we associate with the Pacific Northwest style of log home came from the early designs of a man named Henry Steiner, who built the historic Steiner cabins, some of which exist to this very day.
What is a Steiner Cabin?
A Steiner cabin is one of over 100 log cabins handcrafted by German immigrant Henry Steiner, in the Pacific Northwest between 1928 and 1953. These handmade log homes are the forefathers of Oregon Rustic-style cabins. With the use of his own two hands and the help of his children, Steiner built these cabins from local Douglas firs and without the use of electricity.
With few other resources than what was in the natural surroundings, Steiner used hand tools to create charming, rustic homes that mimic the outdoor environment in which they are located. According to oreganlive.com, about half of these cabins have survived despite winters, snow, storms, flooding and fires over the decades. Some people are even purchasing some of the vacant cabins in order to save them from demolition, according to the same oregonlive.com article.
Design Ideas from Steiner’s Original Cabins
Henry Steiner used a lot of the things he had around him to craft rustic touches throughout his cabins. Narrow, twisted branches became delicate door handles. Lengths of wood were used to make ornate sunburst designs above the porch gables. Sections of log were used for stairwell railings. The interiors of these log cabins are ideally woodsy.
You don’t have to have a Steiner cabin to enjoy the comforts of such a home. You can use similar wood-based accents and fixtures to re-create the natural appeal of the forest, inside your home. And with TruLog™ steel log siding, you can create the look of a hand-hewn log home using durable, maintenance-free steel. Our steel siding even comes with chinking lines to retain the aesthetic of a log cabin. While homes like the Steiner cabins require recurring maintenance (such as re-staining, re-sealing and possibly log replacement), TruLog™ steel log siding can last for decades in your family with little more than an occasional rinse with the garden hose.
If you are interested in learning more about having your very own log-style home without the maintenance requirements associated with wood, please call the helpful team at TruLog™ at 970-646-4490. We are based in Loveland, Colorado and ship our American-manufactured steel log siding directly to you.
