If you’re thinking of buying a log cabin, there are a number of questions you need to consider and get answers to before you proceed. That’s why we thought it would eb useful for you if we drew up a complete list of all the things to consider whenwhen buying your log cabin.
Location, location, Log Cabin location
Before you build your log cabin, you’re going to need somewhere to put it! So, where are you planning to build your log cabin? Is your site big enough to fit your log cabin? Remember that you will need a reasonable amount of space between the log cabin and any adjoing walls/hedges in order to get in to treat the log cabin walls. This treatment is required every three or four years, and needs to be done well. If you’re unsure about the space you have, take measurements of the site, and PLENTY of photos, and come visit us at one of our showrooms. We can give you a good idea of what is feasible once we hae the information.
Water and Power Connections
What about water and electrical connections? Are there sources nearby? Often, when people are building near an existing house, (like building a granny flat in the back garden) the existing water connection for the house is easily tapped into. It is usually very straightforward to connect up to the electriccal power for the house too. But there are some cases where you might want a seperate electrical meter. obvoiusly, ythere’s the billing issue. Oftentimes, people want their own independence, and are reluctant to share bills, which is very understandable. It is very straightforward to get a second connection and meter from the ESB, and you do not need planning in order to have one installed.
Another reason for a seperate electrical connection is if you pan to use an electrical power shower and undersink water heater in your log cabin. In this case, if there are alreay a number of electric showers in the existing house, there might me the possibility of your power being tripped, since these power showers use a large amount of power while they’re running. This is not an issue in all houses, so its best to ask your electrician to recommend a solution. And also ask the inportant question – “What are the connection fees going to be?”
You also have to think of the septic tank, or the sewerage connection. Make sure that your cabin is at the right height to connect to these services! There are solutions to this – storage tanks and pumps, but you will need to talk to an expert in this area.
Letting the sunshine into your log home
Orientation is a very important factor for any home, because sunshine brings light, but more importantly, free heat. (Did you know that south-facing houses get a better BER than others, purely because of the fact that they gain a lot of free energy as a result of the solar gain of their south-facing aspect?!) So, when you are choosing your log cabin, always keep in mind the south facing orientation, and don’t forget to consider the hadows from any adjoining buildings. Of course, a log cabin interior cabin be brightened up a lot by painting the interior a bright colour, so all is not lost if you are in shadow.
A Quality Log Cabin will Last a Lifetime
Whatever you do, buy a log cabin that is built to last. Visit our showhouse and you will istantly experience the sturdiness, strength and security of our log cabins. We use the finest of Siberian-grown Norway Spruce (Read aour blog post about log cabin timber here: https://www.timberliving.ie/post/what-timber-should-a-log-cabin-be-built-with
We also use high-grade double glased, tilt and turn windows and doors. Read more here: https://www.timberliving.ie/post/which-windows-for-your-log-cabin
Double or single wall log cabin?
Unless your log cabin wall is over 6 inches thick (150mm) you will need a double wall construction, with insulation in the cavity. Our walls are at least seven inches (175mm) thick, which includes a four inch cavity. If you wish, you can increase the cavity size, or put more insulation on the interior or exterior walls. Talk to us about all of the options.
Financing your Log Cabin
A log cabin is a great investment! Most people have their log cabin paid for with five years rent or less – it’s a no-brainer. But you might not have five years rent saved up under the matress, so you’ll need finance. Your Credit Union is probaby the cheapest place to get finance for your log home, or you could apply to Flexifi (Just click on the image above to get to the application form.)
Is a Log Cabin Cheaper to Build?
Of course, the answer to this question is a resounding “YES!” Log cabins are a lot cheaper to build than conventional block built structures – up to 50% fifty per cent cheaper, by many accounts. The costs are kept down on log cabins by a couple of major factors – labour costs are lower on a build that takes a matter of weeks rather than months – that’s self explanatory. But what’s not so obvious is the fact that the cost of the raw materials is so much lower. A double wall of cement blocks costs a huge amount to produce, because so much energy goes into making the concrete, and energy is expensive these days. Per square metre, a double timber wall, well insulated, is a lot cheaper than the equivalent block wall.
Log cabins are built very quickly
But that’s not the only good reason to buy and build a log cabin. The next main practical reason to build a log cabin is the speed of building. From the date that you first order ypour log cabin to the completion date is on average three months (faster if we have the model you are looking for in stock). Doesn’t three months sound a lot better than twelve months?
Then there’s the extra site damage that comes hand in hand with block building – all that storing of materials on site for months, causing mayhem in your garden! Who wants that?!!
Buying a Log Cabin
So, if you’re buying a log cabin in Ireland, there are lots of questions you need to answer. But the most important question is who to buy from. And we at Timber Living have been supplying log cabins in Ireland for over twenty years. We have sourced the highest quality cabins available in Europe, and we offer them to you, delivered, built and well insulated.
Talk to you soon!
FAQs
Log cabins bring a high return on investment
On the plus side: If you can navigate the increased cost and maintenance of log cabin living, these homes tend to retain their value over time, no matter how old. “The resale value is often much higher than regular homes, by as much as 30%,” says Snider.
What to look for when buying a log cabin home? ›
There are six crucial elements to consider before making an offer on a log home.
- Deck Flashing. While a deck may seem like a major perk, it can also be a big headache if the flashing was not done properly. ...
- Roof. Moisture is a log home's worst enemy. ...
- Rot. ...
- Insect Damage. ...
- Stain and Maintenance. ...
- Schedule an Inspection.
Log cabins bring a high return on investment
On the plus side: If you can navigate the increased cost and maintenance of log cabin living, these homes tend to retain their value over time, no matter how old. “The resale value is often much higher than regular homes, by as much as 30%,” says Snider.
What are the disadvantages of owning a log cabin? ›
The disadvantages of owning a log cabin include the fact that they require thorough maintenance and are prone to pest problems. They are quite expensive to build, can deteriorate without proper care, and it can be difficult to get insurance for them.
How many years does a log cabin last? ›
However, a properly cared for log home can easily last 50 years without much trouble. Another con is that they can be quite expensive to build. This is because the logs used need to be treated properly and milled; you need to have a good contractor who has experience in log home construction.
What is the best color for a log cabin? ›
7 Color Options for Cabin Siding
- Cedar. Cedar is a traditional log cabin color that exudes energy, warmth, and refuge. ...
- Dark Brown / Cinder. Some log cabin paint colors are designed to capture a more rugged appearance that mimics the surrounding outdoor terrain. ...
- Pewter. ...
- Light Brown. ...
- Maple. ...
- Mahogany. ...
- Cream and Grey.
A strip foundation is a popular technique for constructing traditional homes and is a practical choice for log cabins. Combine it with a crawl space and you have room for pipes, wiring, an HVAC system, and storage. A crawl space is like a mini-basem*nt with short walls and is a practical approach.
What foundation do you need for a log cabin? ›
A log cabin can be built onto concrete, paving slabs, decking, or a great alternative- Rapid Grids. A flat and level concrete base is the ideal log cabin foundation, but if you already have a paved or decked area that you want to place your cabin, that is also a great idea.
Are log cabins warm in the winter? ›
No, it's not your imagination— log homes are warmer than traditional “stick-built” homes and there's some science behind this concept. Insulation is a substance that slows or limits the transfer of heat over time.
Why is it hard to insure a log home? ›
Log homes are generally more expensive to insure because they're constructed with expensive lumber or timber, and insurers consider them to be higher risk since they are often located in remote, hard-to-reach locations.
Log cabins are prone to mold and mildew growth, especially without good air circulation around the exterior. One way to remove stains and restore wood to its natural color is with a product such as Wood ReNew, a biodegradable percarbonate-based cleaner, after you wash your logs.
What is the difference between a log cabin and a log house? ›
A log home is any structure built by logs, while a log cabin is typically the smaller, more secluded, less-modern version — one of those “a square is a rectangle but a rectangle isn't a square” situations.
How often does a log home need to be sealed? ›
How often should I reseal my log home? The short answer is usually every 3-5 years but this can vary due to many factors.
Are log cabins stronger than regular houses? ›
The Walls of Log Homes Are Stronger Than Traditionally Constructed Homes. Think of the wall of a traditionally made home – it's nothing but supporting beams, insulation, and a thin layer of drywall on the inside, with shingles or other siding on the outside to protect the whole structure from the elements.
Are log cabins safe? ›
Many believe that because log cabins are made of wood that they are prone to fires. However, this is not the case. In fact, log homes are far safer than many standard types of house frames.
Do log cabins need insulation? ›
Log walls do not satisfy most building codes' energy standards. This is why many who build a log home must add extra insulation to their walls to ensure it is well insulated.
How often do you have to stain a log cabin home? ›
As a general rule, you will need to stain your log home every 3 to 7 years, depending on the elements. Elemental factors include exposure to rain, sunlight, hail, wind, climate, and more.
Are cracks in log homes normal? ›
Cracks in your logs can cause some serious problems. However most cracks are nothing to worry about. It is natural for wood to crack or check as it dries and this is actually part of the charm of a log home. It's that rustic, weathered look that makes them unique.
What is the best shape for a log cabin? ›
The most common log cabin shape for any size home and number of floors is rectangular. They are more aesthetically pleasing while square cabins are more efficient as they require less movement from area to area. Keeping the footprint of your cabin more square shaped saves money on corners compared to octagon shapes.
What do you put on log cabin walls? ›
Wood oil or paint. Either option is just the job for your cabin's walls and ceiling, protecting the wood from both dirt and moisture.
Should you paint inside a log cabin? Yes, absolutely! You don't need to paint the interior of a log cabin as it isn't exposed directly to the elements. Painting or staining outside is a great idea to protect your cabin against the weather, but inside is a different matter.
What is the difference between a log cabin and a log home? ›
A log home is any structure built by logs, while a log cabin is typically the smaller, more secluded, less-modern version — one of those “a square is a rectangle but a rectangle isn't a square” situations.
What is the best log for a log home? ›
Pine is an incredibly popular choice for log cabins. This is because it's easy to work with, rot-resistant and not as susceptible to wear and tear as other trees. It is also fairly inexpensive. White pine stains easily, while yellow pine is more stubborn when it comes to staining.
What is the best size logs for a log cabin? ›
Logs that are between 8 inches and 12 inches in diameter are the best for constructing a log home. Logs of this size are easy to work with and can be used in almost any log cabin design with windows. Larger logs will be more difficult to handle and place in log garden buildings.
What is a good size for a log cabin? ›
The two most common log cabin sizes that we build are 2,000 sq. ft. homes and 3,000 sq. ft.
Do log cabins get hot? ›
No, it's not your imagination— log homes are warmer than traditional “stick-built” homes and there's some science behind this concept. Insulation is a substance that slows or limits the transfer of heat over time.
Why is it hard to insure a log cabin? ›
Log homes are generally more expensive to insure because they're constructed with expensive lumber or timber, and insurers consider them to be higher risk since they are often located in remote, hard-to-reach locations.
How do you maintain a log home? ›
Log Cabin Maintenance Checklist
- Inspect your exterior every Spring and Fall for damage. ...
- Wash the cabin to clear it of dirt (focus on bottom logs). ...
- Stain your log cabin about every 3-4 years. ...
- Apply a sealer as needed or every 4 years. ...
- Clear out the gutters. ...
- Take care of any other repairs needed.
Log homes are built by stacking logs horizontally on top of each other, creating load-bearing walls. Due to the nature of log home construction, this means both the exterior and interior walls are log, limiting your aesthetic options.
What to look for when buying logs? ›
7 Things You Need to Know When You Buy Firewood
- What is my budget?
- How much space do I have to store it?
- When and how often do I want to use it?
- How much effort am I willing to put into getting it ready to burn?
- How important is the environmental impact of my firewood?
What is the best thickness for a log cabin? 44mm or more is always best if you're going to use it in winter. 19mm and 28mm are better choices for summerhouses.
What is an ideal log size? ›
As a rule of thumb, log lengths of 16- to 18-inches will fit in most stoves and fireplaces. Splitting is a Must. Splitting opens the log and exposes the wood to air, helping it dry. Split firewood is also easier to handle and fits into fireplaces and stoves better than un-split logs.
