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

Gardens 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 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

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 1^st 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.

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.

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.

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.

Many 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!

Dirt / Grass

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

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

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

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

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.

There 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.

Once 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!

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

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

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

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

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.

Wood Shake or Shingle

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

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

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

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

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.

A log home has a very unique and charming aesthetic and it’s important that the windows chosen match the home’s look and feel.  It is now easier than ever to find windows that have the right look, feel, material and color to match your style.  With so many companies, and so many styles, though, it can be a bit overwhelming.  We have partnered with 2 brands for our homes, Andersen® and Marvin®, and each have different lines to meet your style and budget needs. We feel these brands offer our customers choices and help ensure an easy time selecting the highest quality windows for your home. This posting will specifically discuss the Andersen 400 series.

Why The Andersen® 400 Series?

The 400 Series is regarded as the most popular line of windows and doors from Andersen, the brand rated by builders and remodelers as the most durable, most weathertight, highest quality and easiest to install.  After years of installing these windows in our log homes, we agree and it still remains the most popular choice by our customers.

Andersen® 400 Series windows and doors provide a classic blend of engineering and craftsmanship, featuring extensive sizes, shapes, styles and colors. Each is available with a full array of options and accessories to make them feel right at home in your log home.  Here are some of the styles and options we think are great for log homes and help make Andersen® one of our preferred partners.

Double-Hung Windows

These windows are the traditional choice for most of our homes and are typically a little less costly than casement windows, though depending on hardware choices and finishing, costs can vary.  Many people like the look and easy operation of a double-hung window.  It’s quick to open and close, no cranking required. Keep in mind that even though they often cost a bit less, at most a double-hung window can only open half of the window, while a casement can open up much more airflow.

This log home dining room has double-hung windows which look out to a rural Vermont landscape.

Casement Windows

Casement windows allow for more air flow, and also can allow for more visibility.  These benefits often come with a slightly higher cost.  However many times a casement window just makes sense for the room.  The locking mechanism on a casement window is often much more robust than a double-hung which can mean added security (something to think about for the first floor windows in particular.)  Rooms that are designed as sun porches are also great for casement windows as they can really let the breeze flow in.

This log home sun porch is full of tall casement windows to let the breeze in, and even has a ceiling fan to help draw in the fresh air.

Awning Windows

Another popular style is the awning window, which is often used in bathrooms and over kitchen sinks. Awning windows let air in while keeping the elements out since the glass, when open, acts as a roof to protect the interior from getting wet. They are also often used up high to leave open in warmer weather, helping vent upper ceiling areas.

The awning windows shown here will allow a nice cool breeze to flow in this dining room.

The exterior window colors available from Andersen® for the 400 series also provide five options of colors that are natural and blend extremely well with a log home:

Stay tuned for a future article about our other options that are available for your Real Log Home.

If you’d like to learn more about the window and door options available in a Real Log Home, please contact Real Log Homes today for more photos, options and great design ideas.

California

This stunning log home has a truly grand exterior.  Details on the home such as the front door, and exterior lighting, exudes a mission style which is a fitting choice for a California log home.

Oklahoma

This log home was built on Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees to serve as a gathering place for the whole family.  The sloping site and access to the lake give this log home a real draw.  It was built in a popular development and is right at home next to the other traditional homes (but with much more character).

Wisconsin

Home by Independent Representative Starview Log Homes

The log home above was custom designed and features Swedish Cope logs. The large overhangs and logs give this home a very western feel. Greeted by a friendly, custom carved bear pillar this home is friendly and functional.

Alabama

Home by Independent Representative, Lookout Mountain Log Homes

Log homes are just as at home in the South as they are in other regions.  This log home shown above is a great example.  It has many classic log home elements such a stone chimney and lots of windows.

Italy

Log homes are at home across the world.  The log home above is a great example of how log homes can be designed to blend well with any region’s architectural norms.

Japan

Real Log Homes are even at home in Japan.  The traditional building techniques and natural aesthetic are a perfect fit.  You can see how this Japanese log home has been designed with clean lines and showcases simple and restful decor:

We hope you’ve enjoyed this global tour of all the places a REAL™ Log Home is so nice to come home to.  Did we miss your region?  Are you hungry for more photos?  Leave us a comment and let us know.  We’d be happy to showcase your region too.

See the home that matches this floor plan.

Real Log Homes® has a full service design department in house ready to serve its clients in any capacity.  The design staff has a combined experience of over 100 years.  That’s a full century of making the most ideal log home floor plans.

Many clients come to us with a well thought out idea or concept in mind, sometimes even drawings they might have made themselves.  Others come to us with one of our many Standard Log Home Plans in mind.  But, many log home customers start from scratch.  We embrace any approach.  We expect every home to reflect the homeowner; we expect the design process to be unique as well.  It’s worked for 50 years to produce stunning homes like the beautiful log home in rural Montana seen below:

Another benefit of Real Log Homes® and its design process is that our in-house design team works at the same facility as our manufacturing staff.  This means a seamless process when passing the design plans to the manufacturing team.  This seamless transition means less wasted time and money.  That means our clients have less time between blue prints and home building.

Real Log Homes also has an extensive network of Independent Representatives which means you’ll have local support at every step of the log home building process.  In fact, many of our Independent Representatives are also builders, like Brooks Carswell of Gristmill Country Homes in Southampton, MA shown in the photo above.  To find the Independent Representative closest to you, visit the Find a Rep section of the Real Log Homes site.

If you are interested in building a new log home this year, simply contact Real Log Homes to get started.  With 50 years of experience, we’re positive we’re the right partner for your log home project.

The first floor has a large living room with cathedral ceilings.  It also has an open kitchen and dining area which help to make this home feel more spacious. A covered porch greets visitors as they arrive at this log home.

Once you pass through the kitchen area you enter the great room, complete with cathedral ceiling and impressive stone fireplace.  The loft space is visible from the great room as the log stairs lead up to it.

The loft space can be used as guest quarters for visitors.  The owners of this log home chose to set the loft space up as a bunk room to house visiting grandchildren.  What a treat for the grandchildren as they get to stay in their own lofty space with the charm and fun of a real life tree house.

The loft space is 275 square feet making it a delightfully cozy space.  Of course, one of the other great elements about this log home floor plan is the wonderful outdoor space.  The home has a large deck which spans the entire rear of the home.  There are also two covered porches at either end of the home.  The owners of this log home chose to screen in the porch outside of the master bedroom to provide a comfortable oasis to enjoy as the sun goes down and bugs come out.  It’s also a charming place to enjoy an early morning breakfast as the birds in the forest beyond sing their morning songs.

If your are interested in learning more about the Moultonboro log home floor plan, please contact Real Log Homes.  Their design team would be happy to answer your questions and can modify floor plans to make them truly custom to your needs.