Bring Some Color to Your Log Home

Apr19

log home great room with red couch When 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

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

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

Apr11

Functionally, 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

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.

Window Choices for Your Log Home

Apr4

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.

Log Homes Across the Country (and the World)

Mar28

There are a lot of ideas that pop up in peoples’ minds when they hear someone mention a log home. It’s true that many people associate log homes with northern climates in rural areas. And while we, as a New England based company, do agree that log homes are a perfect fit for our region, we also know that log homes can be built in any part of the country – even the world. Here are some of our favorite examples on how log homes are a great choice for any region.

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.

Building a New Log Home and Choosing the Right Partner

Mar21

Building a new log home is a serious decision that requires a lot of careful thought and planning. It requires the right team of designers and skilled craftsman to provide the highest quality log home. So, when people come to Real Log Homes® looking for the right partner to guide them through the process, we’re eager to share our history and show off some of our favorite log homes through the years – from 1963 to today.

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 Moultonboro Log Home Floor Plan

Mar14

We often receive requests from people looking for a log home floor plan that’s not too big, but can still accommodate a number of guests for summer vacations and holiday gatherings alike. The Moultonboro log home floor plan is one of those plans that really works. In total the plan is 1,975 square feet, not including basement space. With a spacious first floor master suite and laundry on the first floor, this log home is comfortable for year round living.

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.

Log Home Kitchen Counter Choices

Mar7

When designing a log home it’s important to think of how the design elements within the home will work with the abundance of natural wood tones. This is particularly true in the kitchen. It can be a place to fully embrace the look of wood, or an opportunity to showcase various other materials in contrast to the logs. Here are some of our favorite counter top material ideas.

Man Made Quartz

This beautiful countertop option comes in a variety of colors. It’s generally a smooth look with minimal variance. The solid surface makes it easy to clean. This look works particularly well with modern design elements, like the stainless steel and sleek cabinets like in the log home kitchen above. To see an expansive offering of man made quartz countertop colors and patterns, visit Cambria’s website.

Granite

Granite is another very popular choice for log home kitchens. It has been a trendy choice for many years now. While it can be expensive, the material is very resilient. No need to use a trivet to protect your counters, it’d be better to use a trivet to protect your food from getting the heat seeped out by this igneous beauty.

Tile

While not as easy to maintain, tile can offer its own beauty and style. It is generally less expensive than other solid surface alternatives. So for kitchen spaces which won’t see daily use, such as vacation home kitchens or bar areas, tile can be smart choice.

Mixed Materials

Of course, there is no reason you have to pick just one countertop material for your log home kitchen! The log home above has three different materials. The majority of the counter tops are quartz. Other sections are wood, such as the butcher block to the left of the prep sink. The third material is a beautiful slate which arcs along the eat-at counter. With such variation in countertop material, it’s advisable to maintain the same cabinet design so as to not feel too scattered.

Do you have a favorite material choice which we didn’t highlight? Feel free to leave us a comment and let us know.

Real Log Style

Log Home Plans, Design, and Decor