(NewsUSA) - Many families have dreamt of owning a picturesque log home, which provides both environmental benefits and a natural, rustic appeal that can withstand the test of time. If you've always wanted to own your own log home, the following tips can help make your dream of a log home into a reality.
* Define your lifestyle. Before you begin, take stock of what your present and future housing needs will be. Will your family be growing, or will you be retiring? Will you need guest bedrooms or living space on a single floor? Start a notebook with a list of lifestyle requirements to review before you sketch out a plan for your cedar log home. You'll also want to include ideas you see in magazines and interesting details you'd like to include in your own home.
* Find a log home manufacturer. Make sure to research construction techniques as well as the logs used to construct homes. Check to see whether there's an in-house design team and an experienced dealer to guide you through the steps of building your log home. Ask for references, and call them to find out about their experiences. Some companies, such as Maine-based Katahdin Cedar Log Homes, offer a handy checklist so you can compare package contents and components among manufacturers. For more information on the Katahdin Challenge checklist or to view a gallery of home plans, visit
KatahdinCedarLogHomes.com/tips or call 800-845-4533.
* Cedar or pine? While both are favored in the marketplace, cedar offers many distinct advantages. Cedar has a natural resistance to rot and insects and a lower moisture content than pine. Lower moisture means that cedar logs can be air-dried. Pine must be kiln-dried to harden the pine sap and kill insects, often resulting in damage on the molecular level.