Log cabin homes are those with more of a rustic feel but a larger floor plan. The use of our handcrafted log homes give the rustic feel. Our handcrafted logs are hand peeled, large logs, and premium grade. Milled logs are considered less rustic because of the consistent diameters. Instead the handcrafted logs accentuate the narrow crowns and wide bases as they are built into the log home shell.
First let us look at some features of a log cabin home floor plan. Some people consider under 1000 square feet to be a cabin. Other refer to huge log homes as being a ‘cabin’. For all floor plans the logs are measured from the outside of the foundation.. When a 6×8 inch milled log is used for a home the wall is the same thickness as a standard 2×6 framed exterior wall. When the wall size is increased to 8×8 another two inches are consumed by the walls. But when the logs are increased to about thirteen inches the wall now consumes seven more inches of the floor plan. In a small cabin plan this translates into a foot less in width and length. If the plan is only a 24×24 cabin then the actual living space is only 23×23. Some cabins are built with extremely large logs of twenty or more inches. If the logs are 24 inches thick then the clear living space would be shrunk to 22×22 in the original 24×24 floor plan. This can be a problem.
The way we deal with this issue is to make the floor plan larger by a few feet. This increases the living space and does not make the floor plan feel cramped. Recently we worked on a handcrafted log cabin home. The owners increased the log sizes to a sixteen inch mean diameter. So in turn we recommended that the floor plan be enlarged another foot in each direction. We do not want rooms to become small that are usually spacious. Within a home walls are permanent so planning ahead is vital. Once the logs are cutprenotched for interior framed walls or solid log interior walls are employed there is nothing else that can be done. So be sure to air on the side of wide spaces instead of small cubby hole size rooms.
Secondly, most log cabin homes are anything but usual. If someone only wants a square log home plan with no flair, then they might actually be satisfied with a standard construction framed home. A standard construction home is less expensive. Some will choose to just purchase log siding and install a few log accents. But for those who can be satisfied with nothing other than the real thing, then a solid log home is a must. Adding things to make the home attractive, unique, and rustic are an enjoyment.
One lovely addition to any log home plan is extensive porches. Covered decks make the home seem more expensive and also more homey. Wide porches just beg people to come and drink in the views. If you examine several of our plans porches are added. But not just any porch… Often a handcrafted log truss is worked into the plan. For one home we added a king truss across the gable end of the wrap around porch.
This log king truss, handcrafted log railing, and side porch totally transform this milled log home. The milled log walls mixed with the handcrafted log ridge beam, purloins, porch posts, king truss, and porch roof beam give a understated cabin a majestic touch. This owner invested in more expensive upgrades, but look how it paid off– WOW!
Other log cabins homes upgrades is things such as king trusses in the living room. Some plans need them for structural support, but at other times people add them just so they are there to look at. One king truss can cost a few thousand and give so much to the home. With an open cathedral ceiling the presence of the truss makes the home not feel as empty in the center of the ceilings. At other times customers have added additional trusses just for the beauty of it.
Log cabin homes are simply a different way to think about hybrid and handcrafted log homes. There is no limit to what we can design and build. So dream big and give us a call. So no matter what size, from small log cabins to big, your very own log cabin home is just a few months away!