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mardi 5 août 2014

Learn 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.

The fact is that a house built of logs can be either a cabin in the woods or a modern, spacious home with all the room anyone could need and any design features you want. When you're investing in a new house or refurbishing an older one, you want to know that your investment will cover years of living. The fact that logs require less maintenance than other building materials is a definite plus.

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 see how people are using log construction these days. The photo galleries show a range from warm, inviting mansions to cozy cabins. People use the look of rustic wood inside as well as out. Details of window and door trim and the way the corners are made can give you just the effect you want. You'll undoubtedly get a lot of ideas from seeing what others have done.

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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