Most everyone has a concept of their dream home. You don’t have to drive very far to notice log home masterpieces, not simply a log cabin of over a century ago. Television documentaries showcase multi-million dollar log homes like one built originally for Barbara Mandrell and her family. With the increase in numbers of log homes, it only stands to reason that more people realize it is possible to have their dream home to be a log home. People know they can be very spacious. People know they can get any luxuries they want in their log home. This old form of architecture can do it all.
Most of these log homes didn’t just get built. They were designed by an architect, just like every other dream home. The questions are, where do you start and what do you need to know to design and build a log home? That is where log home design may be a bit more complex than more typical home architecture.
First, you will need to have an image of what you want your dream log home to be. Try to imagine all of the details. Try to actually see the floor plan. Is it all on one floor? Then imagine the details. See the refrigerator, whirlpool, bathtub, closets and closet doors. Picture the size, style and amount of furniture you will want in it. A couple of suggestions on how to help yourself with your image are to visit model log homes and take your camera. Visit log homes for sale and take your camera. Be sure to ask first if it is OK to take pictures. You can also get brochures and magazines and cut out pictures of log homes and their detail. Make sure you take pictures and cut out pictures of things you don’t like or want, not just what you do want. Separate the pictures into what you like and what you are not interested in including in your dream log home. Making sketches and taking notes is also pretty important.
After you think you know exactly what you want, contact an architect or home designer who can help you put it all together in a fashion that will be needed to guide whomever you select to actually build your dream log home. When deciding on an architect, keep in mind that often architects specialize in certain styles of log home architecture. It may be worth your effort to get a feel for how any individual architect fits with your style preference.
Your second step will be to decide what method of building you want your dream log home to be. There are a variety of styles. An important decision separate from, but coupled with your style choice is the type of wood you want your home to be made from. Most commonly used are cypress, western red cedar and Douglas fir, but you do have other options. Each type or “species” of wood does have unique character, like the grain.
As with any construction project, you will need to contact your local building authorities for licensing and permissions. Different areas have different building permit procedures, different construction requirements and in certain areas you may need special engineering functions when it comes to log homes.
If your dream home includes log home architecture, you should be able to make that dream home come true. Remember, the steps are simple, but may take a lot of time. Get a very clear mental image of your dream log home. Take pictures and cut out pictures of the good and the bad. Decide on the style of log home architecture you desire. Shop for a good architect and research the local requirements. Decide on the type or species of wood you want used in your and you are done! Enjoy.
