Decking Choices for Your New Log Home

Rossano Log Home With Wrap Around DeckBarbecue season has arrived!  It’s time to get outdoors for some al fresco dining and summer evenings spent sipping ice cold lager or perfectly chilled chardonnay.  With all this outdoor living in mind, we think a deck is the perfect addition to a log home, allowing you to create an enjoyable outdoor room. Although wood decks have always been the most popular choice for decking material, recently composite materials have become popular. In this post, we will discuss common choices for decking material and how to decide which is right for your new log home.

Pressure Treated Lumber

Log Home Porch

Pressure treated lumber is the most common choice for decking material, with about three-quarters of new decks using this wood for construction. Southern Yellow Pine is typically milled for this application and then chemically treated to resist insects and rot. It is the cheapest deck material available, with 2×6 planks running at or under a dollar per linear foot. Although it is the cheapest option, it also requires the most maintenance since the lumber is prone to cracking and warping if neglected. The finished deck should be power washed every year and wood preservatives should be reapplied every couple years.

Natural Lumber

ABEL-017The most commonly used domestic natural lumber products for decking are redwood and western red cedar. Since both of these products are harvested in the Western United States, they tend to be cheapest there; prices for 2×6 boards are as low as $2 per square foot in the west but increase as you move east.  Although they are more expensive than treated lumber, these woods have a rich color and are naturally resistant to insects and rot without added chemicals.  These decks should also be power washed yearly, and resealed every four years or so.

Imported tropical hardwoods are also a common choice for decking. Ipe is the most common wood used for decking with 1×6 boards running around $4 per linear foot. The wood is naturally a deep red color but will weather to a silver color over time. (We highlighted Ipe in our post about flooring options for log homes.) Again, a preservative should be applied to the deck every four years. Since most tropical wood is harvested illegally and unsustainably, make sure to only buy wood that is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

Composites

log home screen porchComposite decking is the fastest growing segment of decking materials. This type of decking can be made from plastic alone (typically PETE or PVC) or a blend of plastic and wood fibers to promote a more natural appearance. These materials cost around $3 per linear foot, but are very low maintenance compared to wood products. They never have to be refinished like wood decks and although they will eventually weather, composite decks will have lifespans of around 50 years.

We hope that we’ve gotten you excited to the summer season at hand.  If you’d like any more information on any of the log home we’ve pictured here, or if you’d like to learn more about designing a new log home, please contact Real Log Homes to get started. Happy grilling!

Log Home Living with Wildlife

how-deal-raccoon-damage-home-1Whether you are planning to build your log home in the country or in a more urban setting, it is important to consider how you will live with the wildlife in your area. In some places, securing your waste bins against nosy raccoons may be the biggest problem you face, while in others preventing bears from destroying your bird feeders may be the top priority. In this post, we will discuss some of the more common solutions to living with the wildlife that dwells near your log home.

Securing Trash

With all the food waste that finds its way into our waste streams, it’s no wonder that animals will be attracted to our trash containers. One way of lessening this issue is to compost your food waste; a well-designed compost bin will speed the process and keep animals out. Securing trash cans from small animals like raccoons may be as simple as adding a weight like a cinder block to the top of the trash lid. Protecting from larger animals like bears may require storing the trash inside a garage or some other place the animal cannot access.

Protecting Your Garden

0306Gardens present many challenges to preventing wildlife from damaging your plants. Fruits and vegetables are obvious targets for animals looking for a quick meal, and some ornamental flowers are also quite attractive.  The layout of your garden will affect how you can try to minimize the damage from wildlife.

For small, fruiting plants like strawberries, consider enclosing (completely, the top too!)  the plant bed with wire fencing with a mesh size of about one-inch. This will prevent birds, rodents, or deer from eating the plants, but allow bees to enter to pollinate them.  For maximum convenience, make sure to build access doors so you can pick your fruits when they ripen. Larger plants, like fruiting trees, will also attract animals but are harder to protect from wildlife.

A faithful companion can also help to keep your garden safe (though some companions enjoy digging...)

A faithful companion can help keep your garden safe (though some enjoy digging…)

One way to protect fruit trees from large animals like deer is to lay livestock fencing on the ground around the tree. The animals will not cross the fence and will thus leave the tree undisturbed.

If you have a vegetable garden concentrated in one place in the yard, then the entire garden can be enclosed by a fence to keep deer out.  The fence should be around seven feet tall to keep deer out, but if the fence is slanted outward then it may be only four feet tall. If your garden is more spread out, then repellants like coyote urine or cayenne pepper can be used.  Having a dog can also help to keep deer away.

Securing Feed

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Whether you have livestock to feed, or simply feed the birds, any food should be carefully secured.

Bird feeders, of course, also attract other animals, and especially squirrels. Most feeders can be equipped with devices to discourage squirrels from feeding, such as the simple disk found atop many feeders. More modern feeders can close the seed ports when a large enough weight is placed on the feeder, preventing squirrels from getting access to the feed. None of these methods, however, can discourage the bears from getting into the feeder as they can simply smash open the feeder to get at the seed. In New England, our saying goes “when April 1st comes to town, don’t leave bird feeders hanging around.” If you live in bear country, make sure to take your feeders down before they come out of hibernation.

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Of course there are many other steps you can take to keep your log home safe and secure from any bothersome neighbors.  But there are so many wonderful things about living close to nature that it’s well worth the planning ahead to keep you and your property safe and leaving the wildlife to go on its wild way.  If you have questions about any of the log homes in this post, or getting your own log home in the wilderness started, please don’t hesitate to contact Real Log Homes with any questions.

Building Costs and Why Now is The Time to Build a New Home

Log Home Construction

There’s so much to be excited about this time of year. From the return of migratory birds to long, sunny days, it’s truly a wonderful time of year. It also happens to be the ideal time to begin the home building process. Just as the U.S. economy is slowly emerging from the cold cocoon of recession, the housing industry is also jumping to life like a tree frog on a rainy spring day. But, this growth in demand is now beginning to lead to increased building costs and material costs, which is why now, more than ever, it’s time to get that home project started!

Drywall material costs have more than doubled in some regions over the past two years. And, the compound mud and fasteners used on the drywall to create a finished wall are about 30% higher today than a year ago. While these small components may not seem to be that big of a deal, they can certainly add up, and they are continuing to increase month over month.

Log Home Construction

One other material that is experiencing large cost increases is OSB (oriented strand board) which is a component in sidewall construction, and also often in SIP panel construction. OSB sheets are now about two and a half times more expensive than they were last year.

Log Home ConstructionMany builders report that suppliers have let their inventories run low, and have yet to begin stockpiling at the same levels they had in the past. This is causing delays between ordering and delivery.

“That said, builders’ outlook for the next six months has improved due to the low inventory of for sale homes, rock bottom mortgage rates and rising consumer confidence,” National Association of Home Builders chief economist David Crowe says. And we agree with Mr. Crowe. The low mortgage rates which are available today make for very compelling reason to begin the new homebuilding process now. Because, not only can mortgage rates increase, but we’ve already seen material prices begin to increase as demand grows.

So, we feel the urge to (at the risk of sounding like a cliché) point out that now really is the best time to get going on building your new home before prices and mortgage rates go up. Carpe diem, and spring forth to take advantage of the current environment! Ready to get started on your building project? If you’re ready to begin your new home building project, contact Real Log Homes today!

Driveway Types for your Log Home

Cutrell-001Although we may spend a great deal of time planning out the details of our ideal log home – layout, décor, roofing, etc. – it is also important to consider how you will get to your log home. The type of driveway that you choose for your log home makes a big impact on the home’s aesthetic appeal, maintenance costs and resale value. We will discuss popular driveway types for the log home below, in ascending order of cost.

Dirt / Grass

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Although they may be forbidden in more urban locales, a dirt or grass driveway can be the perfect complement to the rustic charm of a log home in the country. A dirt driveway can see more use than grass, but both options are better suited for occasional use (such as a vacation home in the mountains) rather than for a primary residence. In either case the foundation of the driveway must be able to support the expected loads.

Gravel

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Gravel maintains a pastoral look for the driveway while allowing for heavier use. Gravel can typically be sourced from local quarries, lowering transportation costs. It can be installed much more easily and quickly than a paved surface, and also provides some benefits over paved surfaces. For example, gravel still provides considerable traction in icy conditions that would render paved surfaces very slick. On the other hand, plowing a gravel driveway will scatter the stones, as will normal use over time. Thus, gravel driveways need to occasionally be re-raked and additional gravel added, although maintenance costs are much less than paved options.

Asphalt

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Asphalt driveways are the most cost-effective paved option. Although they are about double the cost of a gravel driveway, they can be half the cost of one paved with concrete. While asphalt is traditionally a smooth, black surface, modern asphalt driveways can be colored or stamped into unique patterns. Asphalt does need to be resealed every few years, but cracks are patched much more easily than with concrete.

Concrete

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Concrete is a very durable material for the driveway; it can last for decades if properly maintained. The smooth, hard surface of poured concrete also makes cleaning a simple task. You may also choose to personalize the surface with custom coloring or stamping, with increased cost and slightly more challenging maintenance due to the stamping. In any case, if you plan to salt your driveway in the winter, make sure to seal the surface each autumn.

Pavers

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Although a paved driveway can be made out of more expensive and unique materials like bluestone or granite, it is most common to pave with bricks. Costs are high, since the individual bricks before installation costs can be as expensive as a finished square foot of concrete. Bricks are very visually appealing, and can add a sense of old world charm to the driveway for your log home.

We hope these options have gotten you thinking about what will work well for your new log home.  Will you keep it simple with a gravel drive, or do you just have to have a driveway with the character of pavers?  Feel free to leave a comment and let us know.  If you have any questions about any of the log homes shown here, please contact Real Log Homes for more information.

Whole House Audio for Your New Log Home

Rossano Log Home PatioWhen many people begin planning their new log home, they like to think about all the fun entertaining they’ll do. They picture big patios, spacious great rooms and kitchens laid out to whip up a feast. But, there is often one fun element that gets overlooked until the first party is about to start and you think “How should I setup the music?” That’s where a whole home audio system comes into play (your favorite tunes that is).

device_iphoneThere are two basic choices to make when it comes to whole home audio – wired or wireless? While many die hard music aficionados will swear by a wired system, the quality of wireless solutions has greatly improved over the past few years. The loss of signal and quality is now quite minimal, making wireless solutions quite practical and easy to install. Of course, if you’re planning ahead and installing whole home audio with the rest of your electrical wiring, it’s easy enough to have your new log home setup with a wired solution as well. You can read more about the pros and cons of each method here.

rock speakersOnce you’ve gotten each room ready, you can also turn your attention to the great outdoors. New outdoor speakers are discrete as well as high quality. The addition of a few carefully placed outdoor speakers can keep the feel of a party consistent from inside to out. And, with a carefully thought out system, you’ll be able to control the volume level of each room individually, so you can keep the music louder inside vs. out, or vice versa.

To get you inspired about bringing music into your new log home, we’ve put together a playlist of our top tracks all about homes and the feeling of home. We’ve got everything from a little bit country to a little bit rock and roll.

1) You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To
by Frank Sinatra

Of course we’d pick this as our number one choice! Real Log Homes has always been proud to say that their log homes are “so nice to come home to.” Hence we couldn’t stay away from putting this song by ole’ blue eyes on top.


2) Our House
by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

This is a classic and serene song that touches on how everyday life can feel special in a home shared by loved ones and family.  We view the two cats in the yard as optional, but we’re all in favor of lighting the fire in the fireplace of a new log home.


3) The House That Built Me
by Miranda Lambert
This country tune is a touching tale of how the home you grow up in can have a lasting impact on who you are.  You know it’s destined to be a classic country song if it can make you teary-eyed, and this one sure can.


4) Home
by Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros
This tune is a modern hit with an old-timey, over-driven sound that is popular with both hipsters and soccer moms alike.  It’s upbeat message says that home is just as much about who you share it with as it is about location and structure.


5) My Tennessee Mountain Home
by Dolly Parton
This song really is a country classic.  And it’s a fitting choice for those who are dreaming of a log home, as log cabins are right at home in the Smoky Mountains of beautiful Tennessee.


6) Our House
by Madness
A fun classic from one-hit British wonders, this song continues to bring a smile to those who hear it.  With musings about day to day life in a family home, it’s a cheery little tune that makes us think back fondly on the 80′s.

Did we leave out one of your favorite songs about home? Feel free to leave us a comment and let us know what your favorite song about home is!

Bring Some Color to Your Log Home

log home great room with red couchWhen spring comes around and your favorite décor magazines are full of their top picks for summer, it’s easy to want to bring a fresh new pop of color to your home.  For many, though, the thought of a color makeover can lead to doubt, nerves and all out panic.  Well that’s okay, we’ve got the right ideas for you, no matter how bold or how risk averse you are.  And the wonderful thing about a log home is that it’s the perfect canvas for all your color concoctions. We’ll start nice and easy.

Throw Pillows

Nothing says fun like a bright new set of throw pillows in your new favorite must have hue.  Not only are they inexpensive, they’re also easy to swap if you decide a month later than lime green really isn’t for you.

Area Rugs

log home dining room with bright blue rug

The log home dining room shows off its true colors with a bright rug showcasing blue cabana stripes.

A bit more  investment than throw pillows, area rugs are the next step up when it comes to color commitment.  But, just like throw pillows, they are also pretty simple to swap out if you change your mind.  The only difficult part can be moving all the furniture around to get the new rug in place.  Furniture arranging best practices say you should never let your furniture ‘float away’ from the rug.  Keep the furniture ‘grounded’ to the rug by making sure at least two legs are sitting on the rug.

Walls

modern log home with lime green wall

This modern log home in Quebec, Canada is showing off two colorful items; throw pillows and a bright wall of color.

There is more commitment when it comes to the time and effort to swap colors on walls.  But, still, it’s a relatively low risk and small investment way to bring color to your home.  Sure you have to move the furniture, tape your edges, unscrew the light switches and put down drop cloths – but it can still be swapped out over a long weekend if you change your mind – so don’t panic about going bold!

Furniture

log home great room with stone fireplace

This log home great room has furniture with bright pops of blue in a Native American motif.

Swapping furniture is more costly than a few cans of paint and supplies.  That’s why it’s the next step up in color commitment.  Granted, the actual physical act of swapping the furniture out is quick enough, but to buy a new set, or to have an existing set of furniture re-upholstered is quite costly.  So if you’re not quite sure about the color but want to do some experimenting with the color of your furniture, it’s best to start with something small like an accent chair or even an ottoman.

Cabinets

log home kitchen with red cabinets

This log home kitchen embraces color with bright red cabinetry not for the faint of heart.

Finally, cabinetry may be one of the boldest interior color choices for your log home.  It’s not so easy to paint cabinets as they have moving parts, hardware, recessed nooks and curves.  A bad paint job can be very noticeable on a cabinet as they are handled up close and at eye level with light that reflects at many different angles.  DIY work is very labor intensive and painstaking.  So, if you’re in the mood for bold cabinets make sure you’re certain on the color before making the commitment.

Overall, we think you should embrace the colors that make you feel good and make them a part of your log home.  Whether you’d like to test things out with some throw pillows, or jump right into the world of walls and cabinets we’re all for it.  If you’d like to send us your best before and after shots to show how you brought color to your home – we’d love to showcase them.  Just leave us a comment here or post your photos on our Facebook page.

Roofing Options for Your Log Home

log home with dormers and front porchFunctionally, the main purpose of the outer layer of a roof is to protect the house from rain and snow. Many different materials can be used to accomplish this, with varying durability, cost, and aesthetic appeal. Below we have outlined some of the more common choices of roofing material for a log home along with their benefits, costs, and of course some example log home photos.

Wood Shake or Shingle

log home with cedar shake roof

A wooden shake is a roof covering made from a split bolt of wood, while a shingle is made from a sawn bolt. They are typically made from Western red cedar due to its resistance to decay. Although cedar shakes or shingles have a fitting aesthetic for a log home, regions with significant rainfall can promote moss or mildew growth and the sun can crack the wood. People commonly use pressure treated shakes, but for shakes not pressure treated, a preservative should be applied every few years to maintain the roof. More important is to be sure to keep your roof clear of debris, such as pine needles and leaves. Cedar shakes can cost about $200 per square (100 square feet), and installation costs will be higher than asphalt shingles.

Asphalt Shingle

log home with green asphalt shingle roof

The most common roofing material for residential construction in the United States is the asphalt shingle. Also known as 3-tab shingles, they are constructed of fiberglass coated with (or paper saturated with) asphalt and are the least expensive roofing available, with material cost around $60-$70 per square. Despite their low cost, they provide excellent protection for their serviceable live. Typical manufacturers’ warranties are 25 years long. The asphalt is softened by heat then washed away by rain, so these shingles last longest in cool climates or hot climates with little rain.

Architectural Shingle

log home with architectural shingle roof and two dormers

Architectural shingles are an increasingly popular type of asphalt shingle. They are a two-layer fiberglass/asphalt shingle bonded together with an asphalt sealant. This gives the shingle more depth and texture than a simple asphalt shingle, evoking a wooden shingle with less maintenance hassle. These shingles cost 20-40% more than a simple 3-tab shingle, but have the same installation costs since they are installed in the same manner as 3-tab shingles. Warranties are sometime offered for extended periods of time and sometimes a lifetime warranty is available.

Steel

log home with metal roof

Metal roofing is very durable compared to other roofing options. Although steel roofing eventually requires recoating to prevent corrosion, it can take 30 to 50 years before such action is necessary. Warranties are also typically for 50 years. Modern metal roofs can utilize reflective pigments, which reflect the majority of the light from the sun and lead to lower summer cooling costs. The material cost of metal roofs average $500 per square, but the low maintenance and longevity of the roof adds to the resale value of the log home.

Copper

builder laying cooper roof

Among metal roofs, copper could be considered the king. It develops a beautiful green patina over time, and a copper roof can last hundreds of years. Any small leaks that might eventually develop can be easily fixed with solder. Costs are very high, with the material alone running around $1000 per square, but the copper is fully recyclable in the unlikely event that someone ever needs to replace the roof.

We hope this overview of the various roofing options has inspired you.  Is there a look you find the most attractive?  Does one just make the most sense for your dream log home?  Please leave us a comment and let us know.  And, if you’d like to speak with someone about any of these options or the homes we featured, please don’t hesitate to contact Real Log Homes.