Tuesday, 5 August 2014

Information About Log Home Siding

By Sharron Cantu


Many people who admire whole-log built houses, whether traditional or modern, think that they could never afford to own one. However, there's something called log home siding which gives the same look, many of the same benefits, and the same low-maintenance exterior. The difference is that this alternative is cost-effective, time-saving, and uses less valuable resources.

First of all, all log-appearing sheathing is not the same. Homeowners who are interested will find that different trees are used in the industry. The most usual are treated white pine and cedar. Once you start reading the home pages of suppliers you'll find that there are different species of cedar with different properties. Western red cedar, for instance, grows to great heights with few low branches (which make for knots in the wood) and therefore provides long lengths of straight-grained logs.

Some species grow tall, over 100 feet, with branches near the top. This gives long lengths of timber free of knot holes. Insulating properties, durability, and warp-resistance are other factors that should guide your choice of materials. The appearance of the finished product will also be a consideration. Photo galleries are helpful, but you might also want to visit finished homes or models to see for yourself.

A building made of logs can be anything from a cabin in the woods to a mansion with all the bedrooms and bathrooms anyone could want. Traditional cabins are often long and low, with front and rear porches, but the online photo galleries show that modern houses also look great when made of logs. Don't worry about building high; logs require less maintenance than many other materials, so reach for the sky!

If maintenance-free is your highest priority, you might want to consider one of the alternatives to real wood. They now make replica logs out of vinyl, steel, and concrete. These materials, which keep the look you want, mean that even the occasional re-staining is eliminated. Nothing outlasts steel, but concrete is also remarkably durable - and both materials are recyclable (for those who consider green options important.) Of course, the trees used in log-siding manufacturing are renewable resources as well as recyclable.

It's fun to check out the many great photos online, even if you're still in the dreaming stage. People use logs both inside and out to create warm, inviting structures that look like they're built for the ages. There are also different ways to make the corners of the building, as well as trim around windows and doors. The photos are great ways to decide which look suits you best.

On home pages, you'll find product information, including warranties and quality assurance. Interactive tools on the sites provide rough estimates of costs to help plan your dream home or remodeling project. You can also consult staff experts about ways to use logs in construction or remodeling. Affordability, energy efficiency, and beauty are all part of this material. Time-savings is another aspect; the cedar or pine products go on like any other type of siding.

For many homeowners, the idea of using wood, steel, concrete, or vinyl sheathing to get the look, feel, and functionality of real logs will be entirely new. However, there's a lot of information available and success stories from those already in the know.




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