Living in a log house requires things to do before starting up.

Be “hands-on” in building your log house. If you are so busy with your work or any other things, just make sure that you monitor how things are going.

Be the main contractor of building your log house. Sometimes, it is so disadvantageous to deal with local building officials and subcontractors. To add, deliveries are just hassles and worse, there are uncontrollable outside factors like the weather. In worst scenarios, contractors just even put you under their advantage especially if they know that you are new in such things.

Using carpet rather than hardwood floors is a way to save more in the expenses intended for the over-all expenses.

Using a black flue pipe as wood stove would really be great for any log house.

The use of stones is an additional beauty for any log home. The choice between artificial or real stones is a very important choice to make. Compare prices. You may be surprised to know if the latter is actually pocket-friendly. The thought that you are using man-made stones in your very natural home may just be very disappointing in some angles.

The selection of your doors, windows, furniture and other furnishings must be done with caution and care. They would be very valuable for you and they would mean a lot on your budget.

Make sure that you do shopping as early as possible so that you will not experience a hard time beating the odds of being short in time and cramming. This may just lead to regrets. The home you are going to build is yours and the assurance of its comfort would be best benefited by you and your loved-ones.

Consider the above-mentioned tips and you will really be prepared in having a log house- close to nature and close to your own paradise. One that separates a house from a home.

1. Style – I think the style of the home is the best place to start. The style of the home will connect with so many of the choices you make so its important to spend some quality time thinking about the style you’d like to live in. Are your preferences more modern or traditional? Do you want a house that is similar to your neighbors? What house style will hold the best value in your neighborhood? What style house will closely match your interior style and existing furnishings? These are all questions that you need to ask yourself and your family. This was a tough question for my wife and I as we grew up on two sides of the country and our styles are very different.

2. Number of Bedrooms – This question may seem simple and easy to answer but it is worth thinking about and discussing. The easiest answer to this question would be based on your current family size and needs. You may need a two bedroom today and need a four bedroom down the road when your family grows. Or maybe you need four bedrooms today yet your kids will be off to college in a few years.

3. Single Level Vs. Multiple Levels – Whether or not your new house has only one level or more is really a personal decision. Some people really enjoy having single level living with no stairs to climb up and down. Some people prefer the more traditional cape and colonial home styles with bedrooms on the second floor. Some land sites are quite small and someone looking for decent square footage may only be able to build a multi-level house. If you think you may retire and live in your house as you get older the single level house may appeal to you.

4. Master Bedroom Suite – Today’s new house plans typically offer a master bedroom suite. These suites often have generous closet space, large private bathrooms with soaker tubs, jetted tubs, large walk-in showers and even walk-in closets. These suites generally increase the value of the home and make the house more marketable if you sell in the future.

5. Bonus Rooms (Laundry, Play) – One of the most popular trends in todays house plans are dedicated laundry rooms and the renewed popularity of pantries. In fact, in my new house we made the mudroom a combination laundry and pantry. Some house plans offer laundry on the second floor of multi-leveal houses. A word of caution if you choose a second floor laundry. Make sure you insist that some type of extensive drain system be installed in the unfortunate case there is a broken washing machine hose.

6. Number of Bathrooms – The average number bathrooms in new houses has steadily increased over the years. The average home in the US has 2 1/2 baths and the average appears to be heading towards 3.

7. Kitchen Style – I could write an entire article on this topic, however, the main point here is that many house plans have just a basic kitchen layout. My suggestion is find a house you like and then modify the kitchen to your liking. Plenty of home supply stores will design you a new kitchen free of charge based on the floor plan so don’t let a simple kitchen layout deter you from a house plan you really like.

8. Floor Plans – When evaluating floor plans try to visualize how you will furnish the house and how you plan on using different rooms in your daily life. Get a tape measure and measure rooms in your current house to get an idea of how big a 12′x15′ room really is. Often people have a hard time visualizing the size of a room and later when the house is done they are not happy with the size. I really suggest spending time on the evaluation.

9. Functionality – The functionality of the new house plan is really one of the most important aspects for your long term comfort and use of the house. If you put the dining room on the other side of the living room so that you have to carry meals through the living room you will soon realize that’s not very functional. The same is true about the proximity of bathrooms to bedrooms. Again, I think its important to compare where you currently live to the house plan and think about your likes and dislikes.

10. House Site – The house site can sometimes play a big part in the style, floor plan and functionality. For instance, if you have a very small site you may need two floors. Or maybe your lot is really hilly and needs a drive under garage. Just make sure that when you pick a couple of plans you evaluate them based on the lot as well.

In the recent past asbestos siding was regarded as an excellent product and houses were sided with it. These same siding panels are still on the houses and have needed no repair or upkeep. Besides making the houses resistant to fire for all these years, they look as good as new. Interestingly, in the beginning, no one had the idea that when inhaled asbestos becomes deadly. However, it is only when asbestos is disturbed that it becomes a health threat to human beings.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring material with unusual qualities that was used commonly in buildings for insulation. It is strong enough to resist high temperatures, chemical attack and wear. A poor conductor, it insulates well against heat and electricity. Asbestos crystals become long, flexible, silky fibres, so it can be made into a wide variety of forms. It can be spun into yarn, woven into cloth or braided into rope. Asbestos can also be added to materials as diverse as cotton and cement. This combination of properties gives asbestos performance capabilities that are difficult to match.

Asbestos is commonly found in ceiling tiles, flooring and pipes. Asbestos becomes a danger only when it is disturbed, causing the fibers to become airborne. This is commonly referred to as friable asbestos, while intact asbestos is referred to as Non-friable asbestos. Friable asbestos becomes airborne and the human lungs are susceptible to it while breathing in the airborne fibers. While research has yet to determine a safe level of exposure to asbestos, one thing is for certain; the more prolonged the exposure, the greater the risk becomes for developing an asbestos- related disease.

Doctors often compare the dangers associated with asbestos to those of smoking cigarettes. The more cigarettes one smokes, the greater becomes the danger for developing lung cancer. Similarly, the more one is exposed to asbestos, the greater becomes the chance for developing an asbestos- related disease. This is why asbestos poisoning is often called an occupational hazard disease, because the people who commonly work with the material are the most at risk for developing an asbestos -related disease.

Generally, there are three diseases that are triggered by inhaling asbestos fibers: asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer. Asbestosis is caused when asbestos fibers are inhaled and become trapped in the lungs. In response, the body tries to dissolve the fibers by producing an acid which besides destroying the fibers, serves to scar the lung tissues too. Eventually the scarring can become so severe that the lungs may become unable to function. The time from exposure to the manifestation of asbestosis in most patients is between 25 to 40 years. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the outside tissue of the lungs. This cancer is solely linked to asbestos. The time from exposure to manifestation of mesothelioma is from 15 to 35 years. Cancer of the lungs can also be caused by exposure to asbestos. However, the chances of developing lung cancer from asbestos are greatly increased with smoking. The exposure to manifestation period for lung cancer from asbestos exposure is also from 15 to 35 years.

Despite many common myths, initial exposure cannot be detected by medical x-rays or physiological symptoms. Asbestos exposure does not cause headaches, fever, or muscle aches. The symptoms of exposure go unnoticed for at least 15 years. However, at the time of manifestation, doctors can determine asbestos exposure. The risk of being exposed to asbestos is increased by its presence in construction material. Work on ceilings and flooring can cause the asbestos to become friable. This is why non-friable asbestos is often recommended to be left intact instead of getting it removed as Asbestos does not just chip away or decomposes; it must be physically disturbed to pose a threat to human health.

When asbestos is required to be removed, either before or during a construction project, or due to an accidental disturbance, state laws require that certain precautions and procedures be followed. These regulations aim to ensure that the appropriate steps are taken during an abatement procedure, and all health and safety-related precautions are taken. Here a good argument can be made that well-maintained asbestos objects can safely be left in place, but the invisible hazard of asbestos is so worrisome that even tight-fisted school Boards are paying large sums of money to remove old asbestos wherever they find it.

Amazingly, while we hear nowadays a lot about aluminum, which is widely used in siding, we do not talk much about “vinyl” which is usually polyvinyl chloride (PVC),a  polymer of vinyl chloride, CH2 = CHCl having hundreds of vinyl chloride monomers in each molecule of the polymer. In addition to its use in siding and flooring, it is widely used in pipes used in plumbing and many other articles of daily use. However, both these substitutes of asbestos are not free from drawbacks and hazards. While aluminium ions have been correlated to onset of Alzimer’s disease, in case of a fire, PVC besides adding fuel to fire, releases HCl gas, which is dangerous. Hence both the aluminium articles and the monomer vinyl chloride must be handled carefully and cautiously because aluminum is neuro-toxic and PVC is a severe carcinogen and has been blamed for several deaths.

Even though aluminum is not considered to be a heavy metal like Cadmium, Mercury, and Lead, it becomes toxic in excessive amounts and even in small amounts if it is deposited in the brain. Many of the symptoms of aluminum toxicity mimic those of Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. Colic, rickets, gastrointestinal problems, interference with the metabolism of calcium, extreme nervousness, anemia, headaches, decreased liver and kidney function, memory loss, speech problems, softening of the bones, and aching muscles can all be caused by aluminum toxicity.

Aluminum is excreted by the kidneys; therefore toxic amounts can impair kidney function. Aluminum can also accumulate in the brain causing seizures and reduced mental alertness. The brain is normally protected by a blood-brain barrier, which filters the blood before it reaches it. Elemental aluminum does not pass easily through this barrier, but certain compounds contained within aluminum, such as aluminum fluoride do. Interestingly, many municipal water supplies are treated with both aluminum sulfate and aluminum fluoride. These two chemicals can also combine easily in the blood. Aluminum fluoride is also poorly excreted in the urine.

When there is a high level of absorption of aluminum and silicon, the combination can result in an accumulation of certain compounds in the cerebral cortex and can prevent nerve impulses being carried to and from the brain properly. Long term calcium deficiency can further aggravate the condition. Workers in aluminum smelting plants on a long term basis have been known to experience dizziness, poor coordination, balance problems and tiredness. It has been claimed that the accumulation of aluminum in the brain could be a possible cause for these issues.

It is estimated that the normal person takes in between 3 and 10 milligrams of aluminum per day. Aluminum is the most abundant metallic element produced by the earth. It can be absorbed into the body through the digestive tract, the lungs and the skin, and is also absorbed by and accumulates in the bodies tissues. Aluminum is found naturally in our air, water and soil. It is also used in the process of making cooking pots and pans, utensils and foil. Other items such as over the counter pain killers, anti-inflammatory products, and douche preparations can also contain aluminum. Aluminum is also an additive in most baking powders, is used in food processing, and is present in antiperspirants, toothpaste, dental amalgams, bleached flour, grated cheese, table salt, and beer, (especially when the beer is in aluminum cans). The biggest source of aluminum, however, comes from our municipal water supplies. Excessive use of antacids is also a common cause of aluminum toxicity, especially for those who have kidney problems. Many antacids contain amounts of aluminum hydroxide that may be too much for the kidneys to handle properly.

Here one may ask as to what we can do to prevent aluminum toxicity from happening to ourselves and our families.

1. Eat a diet that is high in fiber and includes apple pectin.
2. Use stainless steel, glass, or iron cookware. Stainless steel is the best choice.
3. Beware of any product containing aluminum or dihydroxyaluminum.
4. A hair analysis can be used to determine levels of aluminum in the body.
5. Research has shown that the longer you cook food in aluminum pots, the more they corrode, and the more aluminum is absorbed into the food and hence into the body. Aluminum is more readily dissolved by acid forming foods, such as coffee, cheese, meat, black and green tea, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, turnips, spinach and radishes.

6. Acid rain leeches aluminum out of the soil and into drinking water.

 
Whereas smells of some new fragrant chemicals, kept in cars bring happiness to the users and people like it so much, that the manufacturers have even come out with an “air freshener”, which harnesses its scent, but consumers don’t even know what they are inhaling. They rarely know that the new car scent is a mixture of VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) that are off-gassing from the plastics inside. Just about everything inside a car is made from fabric or plastic; which is held together by some sort of adhesive these items off-gas or out-gas as some would say, are a big non-visible but highly odorous cloud of VOC’s.

Volatile Organic Compounds are a combination of gases that are emitted into the air. Individually these gases may not pose such a health risk, but collectively and cumulatively they can cause headaches, nausea, and sore throats. Many of the symptoms of “Sick Building Syndrome” can be linked to high levels of VOC’s inside a structure. Most commonly in paint, carpets, cleaning supplies, car exhaust fumes, upholstery, adhesives, and all sorts of plastics. Even the new car scent that is so adored is the off-gassing of the PVC (polyvinyl chloride). When we open the plastic packaging of our new shower curtain, that smells too, it is the off-gassing of the PVC.

PVC plastic or vinyl is one of the worst environmental and health offenders, yet it’s the most widely used material. What makes this plastic so abhorred is the highly toxic chemical it creates and releases called dioxin. PVC is also difficult to recycle and hence much of it ends up in our landfills; but perhaps the greatest danger of PVC is the phthalates that are added to it to make it softer and more pliable. Children’s toys use the soft version of this PVC. The phthalates are well known endocrine disruptors that can cause harm to the reproductive system of both males and females.

Fortunately, the knowledge that PVC is dangerous is spreading rapidly. It has hit the corporate mainstream and the companies dealing with production of PVC have begun to phase it out of their products. Consumers are not only waking up to the dangers of PVC but also are putting the pressure on other companies to begin the phase-out process as well. One of the best ways we can do as individuals is to educate our friends and through them the society and its friends, the NGOs, about this top most and other environmental issues. Besides we must remember that the only way to stop PVC from getting into our homes is to cut it off at its source and that’s with you, me and we all both individually and collectively.

One of the best things about building and using log cabins is that these types of homes provide inexpensive means of having a reliable and durable dwelling.

Since its inception in the 18th century, log cabins have continuously been utilized as alternatives to contemporary homes. These are especially utilized by people who wish to experience a more comfortable and more naturalistic way of living.

For this reason, many people are opting to build log cabins. However, most of the instruments and materials that are needed to build log cabins are often made available at quite a few diverse locations.

Therefore, as a substitute for finding and collecting the necessary materials from different places, log cabin kits are created to give you all the necessary materials and directions or manuals in just one package.

Buying log cabin kits will not only make your purchases easier and faster but it can also give you the chance to save more money because most of the materials that are bought individually would normally cost more.

With the proliferation of online shopping, you can easily find a workable log cabin kits in the Internet. The best thing about it is that log cabin kits that can be found online could provide better choice since you can easily compare and evaluate each kit first before deciding to buy the package.

Most of the log cabin kits are complete with materials and instruction manuals. Hence, you can easily start building your own log cabin. The only problem is that you still have to purchase your own additional materials for your electricity, water supply, and other features of your homes that are not normally included in log cabin kits.

Basically, a log cabin kit contains decks, exterior windows, interior roof framing, floor joints, roof framing, porch, logs, exterior doors, groove plywood floors, and floor joints. These materials are applicable whether you want to build a large or a small log cabin.

Advantages of Log Cabin Kits

Log cabin kits are not just built for the sake of having them. Log cabin kits are especially made to provide ready-made materials to log cabin aficionados who wish to build their own masterpiece. These log cabins provide many benefits that people will normally have a hard time acquiring when building their own home.

Here is a list of some of its advantages:

1. Complete package

As far as log cabin building is concerned, log cabin kits are complete with all the necessary materials. Each log cabin kit has its own instruction manual that consist of comprehensive directions in order to build the cabin correctly. It also contains the “tools supply list” that entails the additional materials necessary in building the log cabin.

Most of the log cabin kits also have the typical construction supplies such as beam hangers, nails, etc.

2. More savings

With log cabin kits, you can easily save more money because the materials are presented into one whole package. Buying these things separately will absolutely compel you to spend more because you do not only spend more money on the material but you also spend additional cost for the delivery and transportation.

Hence, you end up spending more than what you have planned. With log cabin kits, you can only spend in as little as $5,000. Additional expenses would only pertain to installation of electricity, plumbing, heating, and other lavishness.

3. Better quality materials

One of the best things about log cabin kits is that these kits usually contain the best kinds of logs. Most of the logs included in the log cabin kits are completely and naturally dried and patterned to the correct criteria. In contrast, most of the commercial establishments that offer logs would usually expedite the drying process, which, in turn, degrade the total quality of the logs.

4. User friendly

Log cabin kits are easier to use. In fact, because of its user-friendly features, almost anybody can build a log cabin.

Given all that, log cabin kits are definite advantage to most log cabin fanatics. All of these things will definitely make country-style living a great possibility.

1. Walk around your log home and actually take notes of problems or potential problems. You may be surprised at the list you compile.

2. If possible, it is a good idea to get up on the roof to check for loose or damaged shingles. Check to see that plumbing vent pipe flashings are tight around the pipe and properly sealed to the shingles. Also, check chimney flashing, rain diverters, gutters and downspouts. Check gutters closely for proper drainage. Clogged and backed up gutters cause fascia boards to rot very quickly and is hard to spot from the ground. These issues apply to all homes.

3. Take the time to examine the logs and siding closely. Look for any mildew growth. Where there is mildew, there is usually a moisture problem. Check to see if there are shrubs or tree limbs that can be trimmed back to allow more sun exposure and air circulation.

4. Check the logs, siding and trim for small holes and or sawdust. This is a sure indication of insect activity. Carpenter ants, wood borers, boring bees and a host of other insects can do thousands of dollars worth of damage in a relatively short period of time. Any holes should be saturated with an insecticide and caulked or plugged depending on the size of the hole. If your home has never had a borate treatment, it is highly recommended when the house is stripped and before a new sealer is applied, borate should be used to preserve the logs from rot and insects. This is not a long or hard process, but does require a knowledgeable applicator and proper drying time.

5. Check corners, log seams, butt joints, window and door trim and other areas such as dryer vents, receptacle covers, HVAC lines and plumbing fixtures for caulking failure. Installed properly, caulking will hold up well. The problem we find is that most of the time backer rod has not been used where needed and the caulking is either over applied or under applied and not “tooled” in the joint or seam properly. When applied incorrectly, even the slightest log movement will cause the caulk to separate. The more the logs separate, the greater the possibility of air, insect and water infiltration. Inspection and caulking of your log home should be a semi-annual project. If preformed on a regular basis, the average home could be kept weather tight in as little as a couple of hours. It will be time and money well spent!

6. Test the log finish. Splash some water onto the logs. Does it bead up and roll off, or does it soak into the wood? If it soaks into the wood, the finish is not doing it’s job. A properly sealed log (or any type of wood) should repel water. If not, it is past time to re-coat. If your home has gotten to this point, it is advisable to call a professional. An inspection and consultation will reveal the condition of your home and determine what is necessary to re-establish a protective coating.

7. What type of stain to apply to your home involves some thought. Depending on what is important to you, your personal preferences and the location of the home will dictate which product will best suit your needs. The best advise is to stay away from the big box store brands. There are a few that in certain circumstances will preform fairly well, but in general, retail products will not hold up on logs.

8. Consult with a professional. We do this everyday. We have seen products and contractors come and go. We have tried many different log home restoration products and found some better than others. We only use products that I know work and use on my own log home. I love my work, but after working on my customer’s log homes, I really don’t want to spend my time off working on mine replacing inferior products. If you have questions, give me a call, I love to help.