Log Home Heating Issues

Log homes are one of the most energy efficient types of construction. Just about every log home I have been in has a wood burner of some sort. From a huge stone fireplace to a small pellet stove, a wood burner to an ancient Blaze King, the allure of adding the accent of a visible fire flame to add to the enchantment of the log home is very real. The other advantage, of course, lies on the use of fire wood for heat, instead of oil, electric, or gas.

As log home builders we have found that placement and type of fireplace or wood burner is very important. Though an open fireplace is lovely, it is not the best at heating a room. Adding a fireplace insert with glass doors and blowers will improve the actual heating benefit you gain from the wood heat tremendously. An open fireplace allows the heat to escape up the chimney. Also down drafts can push ash and smoke back into the room on a windy day.

When choosing a wood burner, a very popular choice, it is smart to choose a larger one. Though a small one is cute, it does not have a large capacity for wood. For the dedicated fire builder in the family, it really is possible to heat your home almost entirely with just wood, if the wood burner is big enough.

Another alternative of course, is the pellet stove. Pellets are simply dropped into the stove, the pilot light lit, and the thermostat set to whatever temperature is desired. Many have a glass door so that you can see the flame. The downfall, as with all inventions that burn wood, is the ashes.


All in all the addition of a wood stove is never a bad idea, and your pocket book will thank you too!
Cowboy Log Homes

Custom Log Homes

Custom homes are part of a very wide spectrum of building. They include even modular homes and log homes. Though very different in look and design, there is one thing they have in common, the individuality of the people who purchase them. Everyone wants something that is unique, special, and will yield that feeling of HOME.

For less expensive log home options consider an 8 inch milled log style. Further funds can be saved by placing standard trusses over part or all of the home. Locating a garage in the basement can also help to minimize costs, but remember if you want a basement in the garage your building site has to have some slope to it in order for the basement to be designed as a daylight basement.

Log homes are more of a specialty type construction. They can range from higher end homes to small remote cabins.  What ever type you choose, the log home should be yours, no one else, just yours.

Custom log home design has evolved over the years. Standing next to farmhouses, many times here in the West, you will find an old log cabin. The whole design element for a home like that is to provide shelter in a minimalistic way and in a very short amount of time. Thus the tiny four sided cabin took shape and today are sought after those who wish to preserve the roots of the past.

Today the best way to do a custom log home design is to choose a floor plan that you like and then begin to modify it to meet your needs. As a log home builder we can build to any specifications, so sketch out things you like, cross out features you hate, and make the plan the way you would like to see it. Then schedule a time to sit down with us and let us put some shades of construction methods behind the sketch. We are able to tell you right away if an idea is going to work or if there are some adjustments needed to make the design workable in log.

Custom log homes become part of the family. Often they are left in the will to the family or to a family member that feels the same connection with 'The Cabin' that the original owners felt when they built it.

Cowboy Log Homes

Cowboy Log Homes