Handcrafted Log Cabins

Sue | October 6th, 2011 - 7:08 am

One distinctive thing about handcrafted log cabins is that they are not limited by size. The smaller Bridger log home plan, weighing in at only 1,392 square feet, all the way to a log home like the Palisades log home plan, are all considered cabins. The main thing that sets handcrafted log cabins apart from other homes is the logs they are built from. Handcrafted homes are constructed using logs from 12 inches in diameter all the way to 24 inches or more. Also the Scandinavian full scribing method applied to these logs transforms  our homes from simple ‘cabins’ into handcrafted log cabins.

handcrafted log cabin with sunroom

Bridger Log Home Plan

Handcrafting is more lovely and more expensive than standard construction or milled log homes. When handcrafted log cabins are sold the owners are paying a hours and hours of hand labor to turn the home into a master piece.  For the handcrafted log teams it takes weeks and sometimes even months to complete a project.

The handcrafting of the logs begins with hand peeling. This removes the outer bark and cambial wood. The inner beauty of the log is revealed and the natural deviations throughout the log is enhanced, instead of being milled away. Each log is then selected by hand for placement in the log structure. Logs which are twisted or inferior are weeded out before the hand peeling ever begins. All of our logs are premium grade and meet or exceed the independent TPI grade stamping requirements, so you know if you purchase a Cowboy Log Home it is only the best– not something which should actually be used for firewood. Some log home companies sell log packages that are made from logs which we literally would have thrown out in the beginning.

post and beam prow front handcrafted log home

Log walls are built one round at a time. The logs are taken in courses all the way around the home, then the next row is begun. As the logs are erected the electric box wire holes are drilled. Once the logs reach a height for an electric box hole or switch box hole then that is cut into the log at that time. Door and window openings are also cut into the log shell as it is assembled. Within the jambs a vertical channel, called a keyway, for a 2×4 spleen is cut into the logs. Around the doors and windows the surfaces of the logs are recessed to all for the prehung doors and windows and also the trim. Ledge cuts and tuck cuts make this possible.

Once the handcrafted log cabin home reaches a height of about 10 feet, then the roof system is set into place. Some small log homes only require a simple ridge beam. Larger homes like the Yellowstone or Casacade plans may require purloins, handmade log trusses, hip beams, and other more complicated roof configurations.

In general for our handcrafted log cabins we begin with a quote on the log shell. You are welcome to select which log species. Also we include things such as interior log staircase, handcrafted railing for stairs and loft, and matching log siding (if requested) for the exterior of the gables and dormers. A good average price per square foot for our handcrafted shells (for most log home plans) with a mean diameter of 13 inches is $45 – $60 per square foot.

Cowboy Log Homes

 


 

 

 


Any projected costs, cost estimates, material costs, and estimated construction/ building costs, are only the opinion of Cowboy Log Homes and are drawn from our experience. Every home is custom tailored to meet our individual client's wants and desires. The construction of a log or timber home is based on two primary costs: material provided by the log home company and construction costs contracted with Cowboy Log Homes as the builder or another builder of the customer's choice. Final costs are obtained and contracted with each respectively. Cowboy Log Homes is simply the "glue" that helps bring these two together to provide a final culmination of a customer's project. * Please note photos and elevations may differ some from accompanying floor plans.
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