Friday, August 15, 2014

8 Things to Look for When Buying a Log Home



 

1) Low Foundations

                The foundation of your log home, like any other building, is fundamental to its construction. Check to make sure that the logs along the bottom exterior wall of the home aren't too close to the ground. Logs in contact with the ground are often subject to extra environmental wear from moisture rot and insect damage.

2) Sloping Floors

                Over time, log homes settle as moisture evaporates from their timbers. This moisture loss results in a cycle of shrinking and settling that can sometimes lead to uneven, sloping floor surfaces. Uneven floors are an indication that the timbers were not adequately seasoned and dried prior to construction. Be on the look out and bear in mind that sloping floors might also signal other issues in the foundation.

3) Roof Overhangs

                Many log homes feature roofs with large, overhangs and deep, broad eaves. This type of roof design doesn't just serve an aesthetic purpose. It also helps to protect the exterior walls of the home from the effects of weathering. This will help to keep your log home looking newer, longer. In general, the bigger the overhang the better.

4) Porches

                Porches can work in conjunction with those long roof overhangs to keep moisture well away from the exterior walls of a home. Likewise, many log homes are constructed with porch space in mind. Consider these porches an added bonus when looking for a log home, both in terms of comfort and utility.

5) Gutters and Drainage

                Your log home will likely need more than a few large roof overhangs to effectively divert moisture. A well designed gutter and drainage system is of vital importance to the longevity of your home. Make sure downspouts are directed away from the foundation, and always consider the influence that the grade of your land will have on drainage.

6)  Carpenter Bees

                Insects are some of the foremost enemies of log homes, and carpenter bees are perhaps the worst offenders. Carpenter bees burrow into the exterior of log homes in order to incubate larvae. Wood peckers, in turn, are drawn to the larvae and will soon proceed to peck their little brains out all over your home. Keep an eye out, both for the cavities drilled by the bees, and for damage from wood peckers. Both are tell-tale indicators of carpenter bee activity.

7) Do-It-Yourself Work

                Back in the second half of the 20th century, when log homes were especially “in vogue,” a number of manufacturers produced do-it-yourself kits for ambitious folks who wanted to build their own log homes. Unfortunately, many of these enterprising souls were unfamiliar with the finer points of home building, and so they wound up with finished products of rather questionable quality. Watch out for haphazard utility installation and substandard finishing work that might suggest unprofessional construction.

8) Flame Retardants

                Sometimes, log homes are treated with flame retardant products that help to reduce the risk of fire. Be sure to ask about these products when shopping around for a log home. Not only will they keep you safe, they can also help to lower your homeowner's insurance premiums.

These are just a few things to look out for when buying a log home. For more information about log homes, please feel free to call our toll free number, visit our website, or come in to Schroeder Log Home Supply today!


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