When purchasing a new home, consider log houses as opposed to traditionally constructed buildings. Log houses offer a rustic aesthetic and are very durable. Authentic log houses are also comparable in cost to houses of prefabricated plastic or wood siding. But, log houses have attributes unusual for traditional structures that are indicators of building quality. By asking some basic questions you are able to make certain you’re making a wise investment and that you receive the best log home available for your budget.
Research log construction procedures. When there are scores of log home styles, most log houses utilize either”Scandinavian chinkless” structure or”Canadian chinkless” construction. Scandinavian chinkless structure provides even weight distribution among the logs to make a secure, sturdy structure. According to the Log Home Builder’s Association, Scandinavian-style houses feature logs that are shaped with concave bottoms designed to match contrary to the natural, convex curve of the log resting immediately underneath, making a tight, solid match. In Canadian chinkless structure, triangular notches are cut into the bottom of logs to allow them to break over the curve of their logs under. All these”gaps” remain observable. Look for tight-fitting logs with natural curves. Scandinavian-style log houses generally require less maintenance compared to other fashions.
Inspect the house’s exterior to learn whether it is built of actual or synthetic logs. According to the Log Home Builder’s Association, true log houses are very durable structurally speaking, require little maintenance and are often more affordable than artificial log houses. True log houses also contain thick, energy-efficient walls, and also therefore are more rustic-looking. True log houses are easy to see –the outside features solid logs. Artificial log houses feature”siding” that is easy to identify–it comprises half- or quarter-log sections instead of logs that are completely round.
Map out your area requirements. Evaluating square footage and layout preferences is much more important in log houses than in conventional home purchasing, since remodeling a log home can be costly. While shingles — frequently used in traditional houses –is readily renovated, solid interior log walls are somewhat costly to modify. If you are unhappy with the present layout, get remodeling estimates in advance.
Look at other points of interest that the property features, and put the house through the same”checklist” you would any other piece of property: make sure it is on a large enough lot, offers any special amenities you were looking for, and moves a home inspection.
Talk with creditors about their private appraiser policies after you’ve decided on a log-in log home to buy. Log houses qualify for the same loans as many other houses. But, Log Home Advisor warns that banks can under-appraise the house’s value if there are few comparable log houses in the area. A low appraisal means the bank will give less money. A private appraiser specializing in log or custom-built houses will provide the most precise estimate. Consider using a different creditor if your lender does not allow appraisals.