Log Home Love Affair

By Norma Lugar

It's the romance that never stops: The attraction of man to a home as natural as the trees around him. Perhaps a throwback to long-ago days of creating a place from materials on hand. However you see it, there's no doubt men and women feel a special warmth at hearths of log and timber frame design.

"Log homes are still one of the most desired types of custom construction," says Nicole Robinson, vice president of Log Homes of America, Inc., "accounting for more than eight percent of all construction today."

Beauty without Bounds
But don't be fooled.
Today's models are a far cry from the simple, dark structures our ancestors called home. Many favor vaulted ceilings, sun-filled window walls, recycled but more expensive woods, and such charming touches as bark siding, stone, stained glass, mountain laurel and rhododendron trim, and timber frame highlights creating gables and brackets. In the most luxurious plans, there are personal elevators, gourmet kitchens, Jacuzzis, master suites and a growing preference for sophisticated hand-hewn and rough finishing rather than the rustic look.

Even more new ideas are gaining ground.

There's the strong push to eco-friendly materials and methods.

Experts agree that of all types of housing, log homes are one of the most environmentally compatible, and increasingly, savvy homeowners are outfitting their houses with environmentally approved appliances and insulating foams.

But owners continue to want an extra bit of pizzaz in their homes. For that, color is increasingly the answer. Both inside and out, it pops up in greens, blues and pastels, as well as popular earth tones. The big surprise is burnished paneling and timbers that get the light touch of seldom-seen stark white, a crisp and refreshing alternative to dark tones.

The Biggest Plus
And finally, there's the dollop of fun. 

Everywhere, the accent is on outdoor living and wonderful spaces to do it in. 

Like never before, today's log and timber frame homes come equipped with all types of ways to enjoy the weather in multiple seasons. Bright porches, decks and outside rooms with fireplaces are intended for gathering around until the most severe drop in temperature. 

Just take a look at our gallery in the next pages and you'll see just how far our favorite homes have come.

What The Experts Say
Getting Eco-Smart
"The biggest trend I see is the desire to build green. Building with logs is as green as it gets. Also, the log home industry is becoming more hybrid with the addition of timber frame roofs, porches, sunrooms and so forth." - Rick Kinsman, owner, Confederation 1867 Log Homes, confederationloghomes.com

The Greenest Green
"Fitting into the focus on green building, log homes are the ultimate natural sustainable building product. Owners are including Energy Star appliances, high-efficiency mechanicals and windows to push up the thermal values of their homes." - Nicole Robinson, Vice President, Log Homes of America, Inc., loghomesofamerica.com

New Code Rules
"The log home industry is experiencing new design and construction trends because of the emphasis on green building. With energy code requirements changing throughout the country, companies are creating more energy efficient log homes to meet the changing code demands." - Mathew Sterchi, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, StoneMill Log Homes, Inc., stonemill.com.

Smaller Footprints
"We see customers downsizing their home's square footage to reduce the initial price and future taxes and upkeep; however these log homes are more amenities-rich with all the luxury items. - Jay Parmeter, president, Golden Eagle Log Homes, goldeneagleloghomes.com

Multi-purpose Areas
"We're getting more requests for smaller homes that include the same high-quality details and components but make better use of space - a combination dining room/library, for example." - Joelle Taylor, Timberpeg Timber Frame Homes, 603-298-8820, timberpeg.com  

Less Space, More Features
"We've noted a consistent trend towards smaller homes with a surprise around every corner. Clients are building the space they truly need and appointing it the way they desire. This results in smaller-footprint homes with higher costs per square foot. This makes sense while satisfying the client's goal of creating a home that meets their needs, is environmentally friendly and shows well." - Zac Guy, president, Appalachian Antique Hardwoods, LLC, aahardwoods.com

Pluses and More Pluses
"We use Northern white cedar elements in all our homes, along with trendy new exterior finishes such as exposed stone under stucco. Current designs concentrate more on grander-finish amenities - countertops, flooring and lighting - in homes with a smaller overall footprint. Organic elements such as cedar shake, a variety of wood species and local, organic stone are frequently featured. Multipurpose gathering spaces, greenhouses and outdoor living areas are more popular than ever before." - Lani G. Laporte, Marketing Manager, Tow & Country Cedar Homes, 800-968-3178.

Retirement Homes on Hold
"We've seen a trend toward smaller cottages and getaways. Many folks planned on retiring or acquired mountain property over the past few years, but with uncertainty in the market, we've found the demand for smaller 'weekend' structures has increased, often with prices below $100,000. This allows landowners to enjoy their mountain property, postpone a retirement house for a few years, and avoid the 'sell my house first' trap we've heard for years." - Mark Bowe, Antique Cabins and Barns, antiquecabinsandbarns.com

Inspired Touches
"We see more implementation of natural elements such as stone, bark, log posts and railings. In addition, reclaimed woods are growing increasingly popular. They may be used as wall coverings, floor coverings or accent items". - Nicole Robinson, Vice President, Log Homes of America, Inc.- loghomesofamerica.com

For Best Results
"It is critically important that the designer understand the unique construction and design parameters of log homes, which are unlike ordinary plans. Selecting an inexperienced log home designer will almost certainly end in disaster. If you base your choice on experience first and fee second, you will not be disappointed." - Allen Holcomb, president, MossCreek, mosscreek.net

Rise of the Hybrid
 "Most of our homes will have a timber frame great room and porches but very few carry the timber throughout the rest of the home. In most cases, this is actually done as a planned design and decorating theme rather than a method to save on costs." - Zac Koenig, Koenig Homebuilders, 828-526-4953

What Buyers Want
"In a nutshell, our customers are looking for three things: beautiful homes that blend with their natural surroundings; downsized, jewel box homes; and less consumption, more conservation." - Tomi Kyker, Tennessee Log and Timber Homes, tnloghomes.com.    

Don't Go Log Crazy
Everyone agrees logs are beautiful but even the biggest fan can miscalculate the effect of a total log home on the psyche. According to interior designer Cindy Trimble Kelly of Trimble Kelly Studio in Blue Ridge, Ga., over time, logs tend to turn gray, which can have a depressing effect. As a solution, she suggests applying wallboard to selected areas and painting it a cheerful accent color.

Great Cost-Cutters
A rectangular shape is the most economical design when it comes to log homes. Also, build up, not out, to save on extensive excavation and long rooflines. Place bathrooms back-to-back or directly above/under each other in a two-story home. Also, add as many windows, including skylights, as possible to create natural light, make the most of surroundings and increase air flow.

Gauge Your Costs
"A good rule of thumb for overall cost structure and budgetary planning: A home should not have consumed more than 50 percent of the intended completion costs after the sheet rock has been installed." - Zac Guy, president, Appalachian Antique Hardwoods, LLC, aahardwoods.com

Be Smart, Warm and Penny-Wise
"We're seeing an intense focus on energy conservation and even generation via a combination of solar, wind and micro-hydro power being discussed on most projects."- T.J. Daly, StreamLine TimberWorks, streamlinetimberworks.com, 888-778-8010.

Stay High and Dry
Because of wood's nature, log homes should never be built directly on the ground. The foundation should be high enough to keep the structure away from ground moisture and rain splashes (approximately two feet). To protect from sun and wetness, consider adding overhangs and/or porches to your design.

Essential Design Elements
"A main level master bedroom is a must in today's world. It increases the home's value in a future sale and can be a blessing for you as you age. Also opt for an open floor plan. Log homes under 5,000 square feet generally work best in a casual living style with large, open spaces." - Allen Holcomb, president, MossCreek, 800-737-2166, mosscreek.net

Keeping It Beautiful

Much as people love their log homes, the truth is they require more TLC than ordinary structures. The biggest offenders: disease and decay. For novices who don’t yet know the ropes, here’s a bright spot, a publication that tells you exactly what you need to do to keep your new home shipshape. It’s called: “50 Ways to Love and Protect Your New Home… The Ultimate Guide to Log Home Maintenance,” by Charles Bevier for Perma-Chink Systems, Inc., with illustrations by Brian Jensen. Whether your home is cedar, cypress, pine or engineered logs, you’ll treasure the ideas and advice. To get your copy, call the Perma-Chink office nearest you, in Sevierville, Tenn. at 888-441-1116 or in Knoxville, Tenn. at 800-548-3554, or go online to permachink.com.

For More Information

In addition to books and videos on log homes, a great source for event listings, a log home library, featured homes and membership directory is the Log Home Council of the National Association of Home Builders.
To get in touch, write 1201 15th St., Washington, DC 20005; call 800-368-5242, ext. 8576, or go online at loghomes.org.