A typical log cabin is a small house built from logs. Today, log cabins are well designed and constructed. There are log cabins that are large, comfortable, and elegant and many more. Here are facts and information about a log cabin.

Log cabin is a basic type of log house. Most log cabins can be seen both in rural areas and in cities in timber-rich regions around the world. Some United States political figures used log cabins as their symbol, to be known as” Man of the people”. There are seven United States Presidents who were born in log cabins. Amongst them are:

•Abraham Lincoln
•Andrew Jackson
•James Buchanan

Since Lincoln was identified with log cabin, the Republicans of United states were inspired and used to call themselves “Log Cabin Republicans”.

It was in the Bronze Age, somewhere in northern Europe that the first log structures were built. The Finnish and Swedish settlers in 1638 first constructed log structures in the United States. Also, knowledgeable Swiss and Germans from Eastern and Central Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries came and introduced their log construction in America. Even the Scotch-Irish with no tradition of building using logs, in a very short time had adopted the method of construction and contributed to spreading it across the marshland.

These days, log cabins are usually spacious, beautiful and stylish. There are also different types of log cabin for your pleasure and taste. One style is A Cabin that is built on high mountain. This log house could provide an unbelievable vantage point and wonderful scenery of the mountains and forest. Aside from this, it could offer a special place for relaxing, a peaceful, lovely place for the whole family. Because of its location, it is also a perfect retreat to rejuvenate your spirit. Depending on your budget and preference, you can have one or just rent a Mountain Cabin.

One great Mountain Log Cabin wherein you could have a great romantic vacation is the Cherokee Mountain Cabins. The cabins are surrounded by forest trees that could give an enjoyable and relaxing feeling. Cherokee Mountain Cabins feature superb outdoor playground also. There are exciting outdoor activities that are just few paces away from the cabin’s doorstep and these are:

•Whitewater rafting
•Hiking
•Biking
•Boating
•Fishing
•Golfing
•Scenic drive

Moreover, Cherokee Mountain Cabin has a lodge in the forest 30 feet above the White Oak Tree. This Appalachian style wood and stone structure would somehow give tribute to the Cherokee Indians who had lived on Nantahala Mountain and fished in its rivers and creeks.

The Hunting Cabins, on the other hand are for the hunters who are serious about their lodging place. They, in many situations take pride in building their hunting cabins themselves. Conestoga has a wide range of hunting cabins that are unique and with durable camp structures that could withstand even the hurricane Katrina. Each log cabin has firm interlocking corners that make the cabin stronger. Their hunting log cabin kit could be easily assembled because all the components are pre-cut and manufactured at the plant. Thus there will be a less work and a shorter assembly time on the job site. The kit also comes with detailed instruction manual and engineering drawings and only basic carpentry tools are needed for the assembly.

Finally, the log cabin kit from Conestoga is best for those with good general knowledge for construction.

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In part one of this two part series, Becky talks about how to build a log cabin yourself. She discusses the foundation and logs. Email: beckyshomestead@gmail.com

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For more information on Log Cabin Kits please visit our website.

If you have a fondness for wood, perhaps a log home is the right choice for your vacation home. They make for some of the most luxurious homes in the world…unique, renowned for their architectural integrity, and exhibiting some of the finest craftsmanship.

But how to decide what to incorporate into your dream home can be a challenge. There are so many possibilities. And they all don’t have to be wood, either. Accentuating the wood home with drywalls, iron work, stone, fireplaces all tend to enhance the beauty of the wood. Think about different materials.

For example, kitchen cabinetry can use stainless with aluminum which will provide a sleek look for your kitchen. Glass doors on the cabinets add rich dimensional space. Your personal tastes might also extend to porcelain and ceramic which add a range of beautiful colors. Earth tones work particularly well in log structures, so don’t rule those color tones out either.

But if its wood that you want to see everywhere, then there are so many species with so many different features that you can go wild with wood and more wood. Stain, paint, antiquing or varnish will add even more character and beauty to your choices.

Floor designs are unlimited. The architecture style readily lends itself to great rooms, loft areas, game rooms, family rooms, exercise rooms, studios, decks, and elaborate but cozy bedrooms and bathrooms. In each case, your individual lifestyle will call for certain design elements That special room might be a media center with big screen options, or a fully decked out gym. Your preferences will revolve around what it is you most like to do for recreation or hobby. It might be a yoga studio or a library complete with fireplace and carpeting to send your reading enjoyments to new highs.

But think through your design choices to be sure that the space you are going to use is sized right. If you think you are going to include a media room think through how many people will be using it at any one time. Adequate seating will need to be figured into the design. If you enjoy cooking and welcome participation from your family/guests you will want to make it spacious and interactive, so that people can socialize while preparing their favorite dishes. And gyms…if you put them in the basement, make sure you have plenty of head room, and possibly more if weight lifting is part of the plan.

Yet even with a multitude of design choices, your log home can be environmentally friendly and efficient. The logs themselves offer high insulation factors for warmth or cold, and a greater amount of the actual tree is used in construction, eliminating much of the wastage that comes with stick framing.

Spending more money up front, if your budget can afford it, will result in considerable savings in the long run. For instance, tankless water heaters save money, but initially they are a little more costly. And everything from roofing to the kitchen sink will offer savings, depending on the choices you make. A copper roof will probably cost you 10-15 times what an asphalt one would cost, but it will be there virtually forever, while the asphalt roof will have an average lifespan of 30 years. Flooring ranges from carpeting (generally the cheapest) to hardwood, which is as much as five times the cost of carpeting, and will last much longer if taken care of. And kitchens? They can get pretty pricey if you’re making design choices and not paying attention to both costs for product as well as installation costs. But here again, the better products, though more expensive, will last longer.

Whatever your thoughts are on a log home, perhaps the best course to take would be to attend one (or more) of the many log home shows that are offered throughout the year. An on-line check for log home shows will provide you with plenty of show schedules (see insert for some suggestions).

Log home shows are a perfect place to get the answers to all your questions regarding your log home, from financing, land, costs, log profiles, choosing a company etc. Many offer free ongoing seminars on the hour geared toward helping you through the process. Attending a log home show is a small investment to put toward your dream home. A great opportunity to compare companies, meet with industry experts and purchase just the right piece of furniture or accessory for your log home.

Eric R. Johnson, President of Premier Event Productions, LLC that specializes in events for the building industry, believes that “log homes (will) continue to increase in popularity as more and more people are looking to build them as their primary home…that (will be) where the growth in the industry will come from. (Log homes)… will maintain their (appeal)…as the leading choice for a vacation or second home.”

Johnson adds that “current conditions are favorable as people continue to move forward with their plans to build high end homes, (and) second homes are keeping pace (with this growth), and in some markets…are growing. What we are seeing at our shows are very serious buyers looking to build within six months to two years. Keep in mind,” cautions Johnson, “depending on where you are in the process, two years is very realistic when just starting with design, acquiring land, deciding on a log home manufacturer, financing etc.”

Johnson adds, that “the term “green” is the hip new buzz word regarding home building for just about anything; with log homes it’s always been there but now is really coming to the surface. A log home is naturally made of wood, a renewable resource, with most companies using selective harvesting and literally using the entire tree. Wood is a natural insulator and when coupled with great design, site orientation, proper overhangs, solar heating, favorable grading practices, alternative power, window type and placement, efficient lighting and appliances, these are all collectively what gets you green.”

The internet is a great place to get information directly from log home companies as well as. Visit The Log Homes Council, a sub council of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). Their website is http://www.loghome.org.

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The e-log log siding system is ideal for new construction and remodel projects. It is an easy to install tongue & groove log siding system that is light weight, energy efficient, environmentally friendly, easy to maintain, economical and provides the most realistic log home look that any log siding product on the market. Visit our website, www.e-logsiding.com

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This article was originally published in the Winter 2007 issue of 2ndhome® Journal, http://www.2ndhome.net, a digital magazine for owners, buyers and sellers of vacation homes and investment properties.