The Beauty And Charm Of Log Cabin Kits
Even though the days of the pioneers have long passed, there is still a certain charm and rustic beauty in log cabins. Once, normally only a single room built large enough to accommodate the needs of the owner, log cabins have changed a great deal over the years. Today a person can have a log cabin that is, in fact, a luxury home. There is a great deal of beauty and charm available in the form of log cabin kits.
When considering log cabin kits as a means of building, a homeowner must determine what style of kit is desired. There are three distinctly different styles of log cabin kits. The first uses large timbers that have been milled to look like peeled logs from the outside and flat on the inside to make solid walls.
Second is a form of panel construction in which the logs are preassembled into panels of uniform size and bolted together based on where they belong in the house design. The final type is the true log home that is built from all round, hand peeled logs of different thicknesses depending on where they belong in the finished home. Of course the prices for the three types of kits vary depending on floor plan and building style.
In most log cabin kits, the pieces, whether timbers, panels, or logs, are preassembled by the manufacturer of the kit to assure proper fit and level. Then, the parts are disassembled one at a time and numbered so that they can be reassembled in the proper order and locations at the location where the home will be erected. This serves to ensure that each piece gets back into its proper location to assure tight seams and aesthetically pleasing results.
Some kits call for insulation on the inside walls to make the home suitable for year round use. Others have no insulation and are not suitable as winter homes, but make excellent hunting cabins and vacation getaways. This is an option the owner decides on before ordering the kit.
Most manufacturers of log cabin kits are quite happy to assemble the kit at your location for an added cost of the kit. This is often the best idea because most log cabins require heavy equipment and cranes to properly install the larger beams and logs. If the customer wishes, he can erect the home himself and pay for the equipment himself or have a contractor do the work and include the price of the crane and other equipment in his bid.
In many cases, even if a contractor is used, the manufacturer of a log cabin kit will send an engineer to the erection site to supervise the assembly of the kit to ensure the quality of the installation. Such supervisors will also work with individuals performing the labor themselves, but may ask that the homeowner visit their facility to see an assembly done on their yard before attempting the task themselves.
No matter who does the actual erection, the finished product will be a cozy, warm, and have a rustic charm about it that makes it one of the most comfortable places on earth. All of this can be achieved at a fraction of the cost of traditional construction if one is willing to shop around for the best deal on a kit that fits his needs.