Have you ever been in a modern house based on plasterboard? Walking through the rooms gives a certain feeling, a feeling that things are not as solid as they could be. Plaster and plaster have an air of impermanence, something cheap and not durable. With too strong a blow of a hammer on a nail, you can open a giant hole in the wall. By the time you move in, it loses value.
Log cabins are different. Just looking at one gives you a reassuring sense of timelessness. It looks like it could withstand even the most violent forces, and something in the sight of wood is so sure. Perhaps it is the connection to the images of our ancestors, who built and lived their lives in wooden houses built to last. Whatever the reason, log cabins are undoubtedly beautiful pieces of real estate that really make a statement.
Here are six benefits to a log cabin that make it such an attractive option for homeowners.
The ecology
One of the biggest misconceptions about log cabins is that they are somehow bad for the environment. That comes from two main sources: the first is the wood used in the construction of the logs. But split logs are actually better in many ways, since they rarely need to be replaced and are more natural than plaster and other common building tools.
The chemicals used to treat, seal, and stain the wood are the second concern. In the past, they used to be dangerous for the environment and sometimes for all the residents of the house. That’s been rectified a long time ago, with greener stains and sealers on the market that are perfectly safe to use.
The aesthetics of design
A log cabin has a very specific look. Just seeing one brings peace, solitude, quiet mornings in the bright sun, sipping a cup of coffee while looking out over the valley below your mind. There’s something about the overall aesthetic of a wooden structure, especially one made from such thick logs, that gives it something special.
If you want the classic beauty and setting of a cabin, whether in the woods, in the country, or in a residential neighborhood, you won’t be disappointed in your decision. The flexibility to choose the layout and the widest floor plan if you are building it yourself is another benefit to consider, as you can choose everything from the size of the house to the number of rooms, its shape and other amenities.
The ability to resist time and weather
It’s not unusual to find log cabins that are a hundred years old or older only in the US. In the rest of the world, you can find them hundreds of years old and still standing without reconstruction. That is the incredible strength of such structures and the materials from which they are made. A log cabin is sturdy, strong, and capable of taking quite a few beatings.
For this reason, and because of the abundance of wood that surrounds the country, in the United States these houses have been incredibly popular generation after generation. In areas where the weather can be more severe, swinging between hot and cold climates like much of the United States, it’s an excellent choice. Wood is easy to reseal, small leaks and problems can be fixed on your own, and it is less likely to be damaged in high winds. They are simply made to withstand both time and weather.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is important for two reasons. First, it is important for the environment and the future of our planet that we limit our carbon footprint. That means consuming fewer resources and conserving what we have, so we don’t run out. Sustainability should be something on everyone’s mind.
Second, there is the cost. A home’s energy bills can skyrocket between electricity and gas each year, depending on the season. Hundreds of people a month could go out just to keep a house warm or cool, and in some areas it’s not just a matter of throwing on a sweater or plugging in a fan.
Log cabins are thought to be drafty and prone to leaks, but that is not true. Trunks that have been properly treated and sealed are very tight. Any leaks can be easily fixed with a touch up. On average, a log cabin owner can save anywhere up to 20% on energy costs.
The ability to maintain the house yourself
One of the biggest benefits of maintaining a log cabin is that the maintenance process is both less common and easier to do on your own. When it comes to drywall, it’s all in big, smooth segments. Getting to plumbing or electrical cables behind walls can mean taking out entire sections.
Log cabins are typically more segmented and easier to replace, fix, and reseal. You don’t have to call in a handyman for every little thing, and instead, you can learn the basic functions of home maintenance yourself with little fuss.
It is also relatively cheap to care for. Staining your wood every few years costs between $3 and $5 per square foot, and if you break it down over the years, it doesn’t require it, the cost is surprisingly low.
profitability
As mentioned above, keeping up with your log cabin doesn’t cost as much as you might fear. But it is not only maintenance that is profitable. Purchasing a prefab log cabin can cost less than $5,000, depending on the size. They can be portable, in case you want to move around. Or, for less than many houses, you can buy a strong, high-quality cabin that stays put.
If you look at the sites where people show what it takes to make a log cabin from scratch, they are finishing the entire project for between $20,000 and $30,000. It’s an incredible deal and shows you just how feasible the dream of owning one of these beautiful cabins can be.