Log Home Construction in America; Rich in History, Folklore, and
Modern Appeal
The Log Cabin Home and American History Log home
construction using nothing but the most basic in hand tools is a time
honored folk art. An aspect of American life first undertaken by Swedish
immigrants during the 1640s, in what is today Pennsylvania.
One cannot think of early American history apart from being reminded
of such key figures as Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, or Abe Lincoln;
each with the image of a log cabin or log home close at hand.
Early Techniques Saved for Posterity
The original log cabin home started with a foundation; often nothing
more than rocks that support a hand-hewn sill plate. On occasion,
a 36-inch high foundation was fabricated with mortar; for the purpose
to help ward off damaging insects.
Logs were lifted into place without machinery, using basic levers,
booms, and a handful of neighbors working in unity. Hand-carved
pegs were driven into hand-drilled holes as fasteners; shingles
were hand-split from cedar logs.
The American heritage of log cabin building as a basic homestead
home structure began to fade during the early 19th century across
much of the United States. By the 1970s, the few remaining hill
folk who still possessed the skill and knowledge of how to build
a traditional log cabin were passing from existence.
Fortunately, several publications sought out and recorded the sage
wisdom of these old time log home builders before it was lost; replaced
by more modern techniques. Factory milled logs, cordless electric
hand tools, chain saws; and advanced machinery for moving, lifting,
and fitting the logs in place.
Today’s Log Home
Log homes remain a popular housing choice; they range from elaborate
luxury log home plans in pristine mountain developments, to a simple
DIY log home kit as a starter home.
While many homeowners seek the services of log home builders to
implement their log home design, DIY log home construction is an
option that scores of Americans undertake in increasing numbers.
Some attend seminars that teach the art of building a hand- crafted
log home from scratch; using logs cut near the home site. Others
purchase an economy DIY log home kit that includes basic materials
and a detailed log home plan. Many times kits include instructional
videos on how to build a log cabin.
Many log home builders who learn the craft will sell their first
project. It is not uncommon for a basic finished home to bring log
cabin prices of $160,000 or more – depending upon design and
location. Since a basic log home can normally be completed in a
summer, many people make a comfortable living building one or more
log homes to sell each year.
The Log Cabin Kit
Pre-manufactured log home kits range in price from $20 to $30
per square foot of floor space. Most kits, however, do not include
all the necessary components. Foundations, concrete floor slabs,
standard building materials (such as plywood or dimensional lumber
like 2X4s and 2x6s), and roofing materials (like metal or shingles)
are not included.
Components such as doors, windows, plumbing, light fixtures and
wiring, plumbing pipes, and HVAC systems are also excluded. The
crowning touch to any log home – stone fireplace construction
implementing a stone chimney or other masonry work – is another
add-on expense.
Some log home builders offer kits; either as a materials package
or to be constructed for the buyer. For a premium price, craftsmen
will not only assemble the kit and build stone masonry, but log
furniture and other special features. Including custom stair cases
and hand rails, vaulted ceilings, and decks.
Many firms offering a DIY small log cabin kit or the construction
of an elaborate luxury log home plan use multiple resources to help
the buyer obtain a log home construction loan. An effective incentive
for the buyer to contract with them.
Finding the Perfect Log Home Builder
Whether you just purchased a Michigan log cabin kit and need a
contractor to pour a foundation, or are looking for a log home builder
to undertake a customized Wyoming log cabin home project, the place
to start is HandyAmerican.com.
Homeowners can post their Montana log cabin, Colorado mountain
cabin, or any other type American log cabin home project online
for free. And then receive competitive bids from experienced, reliable
area contractors. Simply sign up online today, with no obligation.
Start receiving bids in days, even hours after posting.
Make your dream cabin home become a reality this year! Sign up
and post your project online now; CLICK
HERE.
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