Do-It-Yourself Log Cabin Kits

This guest article is something to consider when planning to build your do-it-yourself log home. Log siding looks like full logs but with some side benefits mentioned here. I also have an article on building a do-it-yourself shed which could be done with the log siding. Something to think about!
– Jim

by guest author, Randy Dokter.

Becoming increasingly popular for a reason, there are many benefits of using log siding. A trend today in log home construction is to build hybrid log homes. A hybrid log home is built utilizing the conventional frame construction and applying half log siding to the exterior and interior of the home. Using log siding offers great flexibility as you have got the option of putting siding on the outside and inside walls, or finishing the inside with tongue and groove paneling or drywall. With the hybrid methodology of construction, all the plumbing and electric are hidden in the walls. Log siding is kiln dried so you don’t have settling or checking. It is tongue and grooved for a tight fit and easy construction – there isn’t any need to have a crane on site to lift heavy logs into place which offers a cost saving. There is a built in drip edge so you do not have water settling on the log causing rot. It also doesn’t need to be chinked, so there is a man hour and cost saving. There are 2 main types of wood used today for half log siding: White Cedar and White Pine. Half log siding comes in 1 or 2 different sizes from 2×8 to 3×10. All these styles can be prepared in a smooth face or hewned face.

Adze Siding for that Historical Appalachian Look

Another Appalachian style siding, called Adze siding, is used in the south for warm old style look. It is made with 1×12 pine, which is run in a machine to give it unfinished look. It is milled so that a chink strip can quickly be added, giving your cabin the look of the old style Appalachian cabins, or you can leave out the strip for an entirely different look. Adze half log siding is also tongue and grooved for simple and efficient construction.

Log Trim to Match

Several different styles of trim for the doors and windows are offered to match whichever style of log siding you choose. You can complete your perfect home with butt and pass corners which are available in a D-log shape or round log. Butt and Pass corners are made from full logs which give the illusion of a full log home. For a totally different style, you can finish it off with outside vertical log corners. Log siding and hybrid log home construction has made building a log home much simpler and efficient than before. So go ahead – build your ideal home today.

About the Author:
Randy Dokter, President and Owner of Homestead Timbers focusing on pine and cedar log siding products