Building a log cabin or timber frame home can overwhelm you, but, if you take a deep breath and follow these easy steps, it will be fun, if not relaxing!
The secret to building a log cabin without losing your mind or your spouse, is to break the process down into manageable pieces—and stay organized!
So how do you get started? The very first step is to decide where you want to live and to buy a lot or acreage. Most people who build a log or timber home choose a home site because they love the area—the lake, ocean, woods, mountains or because friends and relatives live nearby.
When you have your lot, the next step is to decide where on the lot you want to build your house, and how you would like your house to sit—to take full advantage of the best views.
The Building Process
When you build a house, there are steps that you must follow. Fortunately your builder will guide you through most of this process.
However, if you become familiar with the construction steps, you will understand how things work, and you will be more patient and less stressed.
You will need to do a lot of planning, before you can tell the builder to start building your new dream home!
Planning and Designing Your New Log Cabin Home
There are a number of decisions that must be made before you your builder gets started on your house. For example, you’ll need to plan your kitchen, bath, lighting and other details.
Do your homework now, before you get started with the building process.
That way, when your builder asks you what kind of xxx you want, you will have a good idea.
Start a collection of pictures of features that you like–railings, stairways, lighting, kitchen designs, etc. If you know what you want, you will get it.
If you make decisions in a hurry, because your builder needs a decision in 24 hours, you may be sorry later!
Make sure you plan now, to get the features that you really want in your new home!
Your Log Cabin’s Most Important Rooms
The Kitchen
When designing your log or timber frame kitchen, there are some tricks to keeping your kitchen informal and rustic. This article on Rustic Kitchen Design will give you the 7 most important features to include in a log home kitchen.
Choosing your kitchen cabinets is one of the biggest decisions that you’ll make. Here are some of the most popular choices for log homes. See the article on Rustic Kitchen Cabinets here.
Rustic Cabinet Hardware for Kitchen and Bath
While the hardware will be installed after the kitchen and bathroom cabinets are installed, it’s not too soon to be choosing it now.
This is one of the details that can make or break the look of your rooms. And unique rustic cabinet hardware can be hard to find, so choose your hardware, early in the process when building a log cabin…
Your Log Cabin Bathroom
You’ll have to decide early in the process of building a log cabin, what your bathroom will look like, and which large items will need to be installed.
Larger items like a whirlpool bath or an over-sized shower unit, must be taken into your house, early in the construction process.
If you wait too long to tell your builder that you want one of these, he might have to tear down part of the home and reconstruct it, in order to get large items into your home.
This is costly, and unnecessary.
Log Home Features
Windows in a Log Home
Log and timber homes often have lots of windows. In addition to the appearance of your windows, you’ll also want to make sure that they are energy efficient. This article has more on log home windows.
Log Home Interiors
Interior Walls
With a stick frame house, you’re almost done when you decide on a look for your house and a floor plan.
With a log home or timber frame home, you have more details to discuss and more decisions to make…
Fireplace
Almost every log home has a beautiful stone fireplace. Plan for your fireplace early, so your builder can have his mason give you what you want.
These pictures will give you lots of ideas and help you decide what will work best in your new log or timber home.
Decorative Ceiling Beams
Most of us just love the beautiful and dramatic ceiling beams in a log or timber home. But did you know that you have to specify what kind you’d like?
If you don’t plan ahead for these, you won’t get them. Decorative beams and posts are part of the early construction process. They don’t get added later…
Log Railing Designs
Chances are that you will use railings both inside and outside your home.
You will be amazed at how many different kinds of railings and stairs there are. In a log or timber home, the stairways and railings are decorative, as well as functional.
Choose the right ones for your home, and you’ll get the look you want. These pictures should give you some ideas…
Rustic Flooring
Log and timber frame homes don’t always have hardwood floors. Here are some other choices for rustic timber homes…
Your Home’s Entryway
Your home’s entry will be your guests’ first impression. Take a little time to make sure that it’s a good one…
Log Home Lighting
You have a number of different choices for lighting your new log or timber home.
Many lighting sources will need to be installed during construction…
Deer Antler Chandeliers
Attractive rustic lighting fixtures really make a difference in a log home! But, you really need to plan ahead and choose these lighting fixtures before your home is built.
Many large antler chandeliers are actually too large to fit through doors and windows. And, they need to be installed during the building process, to hide the cords, etc.
Rustic Ceiling Lighting
Your lighting fixtures should be installed during the construction process, not after the house is built.
While It is difficult to do, you’ll need to visualize your finished home, and where you want the ceiling lights to be placed.
Outside Living Spaces
Don’t forget to consider the areas outdoors. You’ll want to plan ahead for patios, decks, porches, and fire pit areas.
Building a log cabin is fun, and it’s an adventure. For many, it’s the achievement of a dream—the house that you’ve always wanted.
Taking the time to do your homework will help you get exactly what you want, when building a log cabin or timber frame home.
And, while there is no perfect home (We all would change just one little thing the next time), if you plan ahead and make wise choices, you’ll have a wonderful new log home. One that you will want to live in–for the rest of your life!
