Home Building Advice From The Experts
Date 2007/8/23 20:06:53 | Topic: Home Building Advice
| Cedar Log homes are a unique part of the custom home building industry. However, before you move forward on your cedar log home project, remember that a little advice today from experts can go a long way to preventing possible design and construction mistakes tomorrow.
1. Proper Positioning of Your Home On Your Building Lot is Critical
Take into consideration the views for each of your rooms and your homes position in relationship to the sun.
Understanding the path of the sun and the views will prevent future regrets. You don't want to be wishing you placed the bedroom on the opposit side of your home from the sun, or the direction and position of your driveway.
Take into consideration potential future additions. If you place your well and septic system in the wrong place, it will prevent you from making home improvements and additions.
2. Keep All of The Landscape Vegetation and Trees You Can
Trees can provide your home shade and the natural landscape will help with proper irrigation and moisture retention.
Trees will shield your custom log home from the sun in the summer and allow the sun to radiate its heat on your cedar log home during the winter.
Trees can also act as a windbreak shielding your cedar log home from high winds, especially if your home sits on a mountaintop or ridge.
3. Window Placement should also be given Give Careful Consideration
Windows provide spectacular views of your property, but they can also drain your home of energy, increasing energy costs. Cedar logs have excellent insulative properties. However, if you did not plan the proper placement of your cedar log home on your lot, windows faceing the sun will bring in additional heat (green house effect) during the summer.
4. Plan for Areas That Serve More Than One Purpose
Increasing the square footage of your cedar log home won't make your cedar log home feel more spacious. Efficient use of your available home space will give your home a more spacious atmosphere while keeping it comfortable and inviting.
When a multi-purpose floor plan with design flexibility is properly planned you will cut down on the number of rooms needed.
You could consider combining the kitchen, living room and dining room to save space.
Special rooms can double as a bedroom, dining room, guest room or office area.
Cedar log homes enjoy open floor plans. Cedar log homes are constructed so that the large beams or log posts act in a similar manner to framed walls in conventional construction. You have a greater opportunity to enjoy an open great room.
5. Incorporate Dormers Into Your Home Design
Adding dormers will increase space in upstairs rooms.
Shallow roof pitches affect usable space when it comes to upstairs space in a cedar log home. You need to ask for a cross-section of your cedar log home building. Placing a dormer on the rear of the home will gain a true two-story condition on the back of your home.
Dormers need to be weatherproofed with adequate flashing and design so water is diverted away from the structure. Using a framed dormer with siding to prevent log corners from trapping and retaining water and snow against the log work that would keep it constantly saturated. It is a safer material for dormers than whole-log construction. Dormers incorporated with shingles, board & batten and clap board can actually add more interest and texture to your cedar log home's character.
BE PATIENT AND TAKE YOUR TIME
Your most important consideration is to make sure you take your time and get the design phase of your cedar log home project done right.
In your planning process, find each room's personality and give special attention to not only the design but also the details in construction. Plan each room for family usability.
By evaluating the planning process for efficiency, design, flow, log content and placement, you and your family will enjoy your dream home for years to come.
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