Log home construction has evolved over the years from primitive small cabins like the one Abraham Lincoln was born in to large and luxurious mansions. Today’s best construction method is building with pine log siding with its many advantages. This article compares pine log siding to other building materials and construction styles for log homes.
Pine Log Siding Homes
There are log siding material options that simulate real wood log homes. Some are better than others when considering cost, ease of installation, appearance, durability, and maintenance issues. Of the available options, pine log siding is a better way to build a log home. Here is why you should consider it your first choice for building a new home:
- Pine log siding provides the full-log look without the full-log price and maintenance
- Can be built much faster than full-log, post and beam, and timber frame houses
- Pine log siding is virtually a “no-waste” material that does not end up in a landfill
- It is faster and easier to install than building with full logs and some other materials
- Pine log siding is secured to conventional wall framing for strength and durability
- Its tongue and groove/end-matching design makes installation a joy
- Homeowners with woodworking knowledge and skills can install pine log siding
- More stain colors are available than other synthetic materials
Each piece of pine log siding is kiln-dried to perfection for correct moisture content and stain application. This product also saves up to 20% in labor for measuring, sawing, and installing. See why many people love their log homes in this informative article.
Post And Beam Construction
Post and beam construction uses large, spaced-out vertical wood posts and horizontal beams to create a structural frame for a house or building. Metal brackets and steel plates tie the timbers and the structure together. The brackets and plates can be placed out of sight or left in the open for decorative effect. The walls are made with various materials to meet the owner’s plans. These drawbacks are present in post and beam homes:
- The cost is about 15% to 25% more than conventional homes due to extra labor
- Construction time can take longer, especially in inclement weather
- The use of different materials (metal and wood) can work loose over time
- Metal brackets and plates can rust over time that can cause wood rot.
Timber Frame Houses
Timber frame houses use frame structures made with large posts and beams that are joined with wooden pegs. The walls are positioned on the outside of the timber frames that leave the timbers exposed inside houses for visual effect. Timber frame construction does not use load-bearing walls that lend it to open space concepts. The walls can be covered with any material you desire to look like other styles of homes. There are some cons with this building method:
- Construction costs range from 15% to 25% due to materials and labor
- Construction time is longer than with conventionally-built homes
- Not well adapted to basement environments
- More maintenance if the home is not built correctly
Full-Log Home Construction
The typical log homes we see on TV, in movies, magazines, and state parks are full-log homes. This is a traditional method of home construction where full logs are stacked on top of each other to create walls. They are the homes of pioneers who settled our backcountry in colonial days. Today these homes look great but have some issues you should consider:
- The material and labor costs are much higher than wood log siding homes
- Logs can expand and contract with the weather and create gaps and air leaks
- Logs settle over time and can cause structural issues
- More maintenance needs, especially in harsher climates
Synthetic Log Siding
Synthetic log siding materials are available for attaching to conventional wall framing. They include concrete, vinyl, and fiber cement that resemble real wood logs. All of them typically cost less than full-log homes but carry some disadvantages you should think about, including:
- None of them can match the natural look and beauty of real wood siding
- Concrete log siding is expensive to install and maintain and can cause issues when put on house framing not designed for it
- Vinyl siding can warp if not installed correctly, scratch and bend easily
- Fiber cement can be expensive and difficult to install and maintain
In Conclusion
After considering the options, pine log siding is the better way to build a log home or log cabin. You can purchase it from our retail stores or order it online. Don’t forget the corner systems and log trims, and while you are at it, consider pine floors, stairways, cabinetry, and interior doors to complement your dream log home. We wish you a happy home-building experience.
