Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Learn About Log Home Siding

By Sharron Cantu


Many people who admire whole-log built houses, whether traditional or modern, think that they could never afford to own one. However, there's something called log home siding which gives the same look, many of the same benefits, and the same low-maintenance exterior. The difference is that this alternative is cost-effective, time-saving, and uses less valuable resources.

First of all, all log-appearing sheathing is not the same. Homeowners who are interested will find that different trees are used in the industry. The most usual are treated white pine and cedar. Once you start reading the home pages of suppliers you'll find that there are different species of cedar with different properties. Western red cedar, for instance, grows to great heights with few low branches (which make for knots in the wood) and therefore provides long lengths of straight-grained logs.

Some species grow tall, over 100 feet, with branches near the top. This gives long lengths of timber free of knot holes. Insulating properties, durability, and warp-resistance are other factors that should guide your choice of materials. The appearance of the finished product will also be a consideration. Photo galleries are helpful, but you might also want to visit finished homes or models to see for yourself.

A building made of logs can be anything from a cabin in the woods to a mansion with all the bedrooms and bathrooms anyone could want. Traditional cabins are often long and low, with front and rear porches, but the online photo galleries show that modern houses also look great when made of logs. Don't worry about building high; logs require less maintenance than many other materials, so reach for the sky!

Speaking of maintenance, real logs have a good record in lasting well with occasional staining. However, steel or concrete logs have an even better longevity rating - and the manufacturer's swear your guests won't be able to tell the difference. There is also vinyl faux log-siding on the market. Investigate all the options and access photo galleries online for ideas.

Online photo galleries are great places to see how people are using logs to create custom looks, refurbish older homes, or build fabulous new ones. You can use logs inside as well as out. Check out the different ways to join the logs at the corners of the building, or to trim around doors and windows.

On home pages, you'll find product information, including warranties and quality assurance. Interactive tools on the sites provide rough estimates of costs to help plan your dream home or remodeling project. You can also consult staff experts about ways to use logs in construction or remodeling. Affordability, energy efficiency, and beauty are all part of this material. Time-savings is another aspect; the cedar or pine products go on like any other type of siding.

For many homeowners, the idea of using wood, steel, concrete, or vinyl sheathing to get the look, feel, and functionality of real logs will be entirely new. However, there's a lot of information available and success stories from those already in the know.




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