Many people who dream of getting away from it all love the idea of living in a log cabin in the woods. Such a structure echoes back to the days of early settlers who built their first homes out of a material that was so plentiful on this continent.
There is a certain romance as well to living in a home that appears natural and earthy. Even if you have some modern amenities in your cabin, you will still feel a bit like Thoreau did when staying near Walden Pond.
Fulfilling your dream of making a log cabin your home is just as easy as building any other home. It will require a certain amount of planning, but it will be well worth it in the end.
The first thing to do, as with any home, is to choose a proper piece of land on which to build your domicile. Log homes are, of course, made out of logs.
Wood is fairly durable, yet it is still likely to rot if it comes into sustained contact with water. Although some plots of land may be absolutely beautiful, they may not be the best place to build.
When selecting a plot, take special note of how much water is around. You may also wish to visit the land during various times of the year.
There may not be much water during the winter, but that could change during the spring or summer. Be sure that water will not collect near your log home for any long period of time during the year.
The best locations are those that are on high ground. Water runs down from hills into low lying land.
Thus, if you build on a hill, the rain will run past your home. Once you have selected a nice plot on a hill, you can begin clearing the land.
In order to be sure that your log home stands for a long time, you want to remove any and all obstructions. Large rocks, stumps, and fallen limbs all need to be taken out of the area.
When the land is clear of obstacles, you should make sure that the area on which you intend to build is leveled. You do not want your home to be crooked or to lean towards any one direction.
You are now ready to lay the foundation for your cabin. In some cases, it is appropriate to put in a cement foundation.
If, however, the home is going to be smaller, you will probably be safe with a simple log foundation. You may wish to consult with a professional in regards to what the best method is for your plan.
Should you have it in mind to construct your own cabin, you may desire to cut down and shape your own logs. You should be warned, though, that the process will take a long time.
On the other hand, you can purchase logs that have been prepared by a lumber company if you wish. The size of your cabin will determine the size of the logs required to create it.
As the construction process begins, you will need to be sure to properly construct the floor of the cabin. If you used logs for your foundation, you will need to place timbers that will support the floor.
You can either make notches in the timbers or in the foundation logs. These notches will allow you to securely place the timbers.
Next, you should put the floor down before placing the walls. When the floor is done, you can begin to create the walls.
The classic method of connecting the walls is called the lock joint method. Continue placing logs until your walls are the appropriate height.
Be sure, though, to cut the logs correctly for your windows and doors. When it comes to time to place the roof, you can choose the type of material you would like to use.
Logs can add a sense of consistency to the design of your cabin. Or, maybe you would prefer to cover your dwelling in straw or bark for that rustic feel.
Shingling is a relatively simple option that you can use if you like. You will also need to cover your door and window areas.
When you are done, you will have your own personal cabin to enjoy. You can attain that dream of living in a home that is rustic.
Tom Selwick has worked in the vacation industry for the past 18 years and written hundreds of articles about traveling and lodging. He recommends (http://www.brightonchalets.com) for your lodging in Utah.
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