Before you build or buy a full log home, you should consider how long it will last. A log home’s life depends on the type of wood used, climate, weather, abuse, and level of regular maintenance it receives. It’s obvious that a cabin that is poorly constructed and maintained will not last as long as a well-built and maintained one. Full log homes are more expensive to build and maintain than those constructed with log siding. The benefits of a pine or cedar log siding home are worth considering in your plans.

How Traditional Full Log Homes Are Built

Traditionally-built full log homes can last anywhere from 20 to 100 years – longer if they are well maintained. A foundation is put into place with wood plates on top followed by the floor joists. The subfloors are nailed or screwed down to the floor joists just like traditional house construction. They are constructed by stacking logs horizontally on top of each other to create load-bearing walls. The logs are secured to each other with screws, bolts, nails, or wood pegs. They overlap each other on the ends in several different profiles or styles.

To strengthen the walls and make the house weather-tight, the logs are notched on the ends to interlock with each other. Caulking is placed in the joints, some type of thin insulation can be placed between the layers of logs, and the outside is filled or “chinked” between layers. The rafters or trusses are put into place, the roofing is put on, and door and window openings are made as the walls go up. The entire process takes between 6 and 12 months – longer if there are delays due to weather, labor shortage, or material shortages.

Issues With Full Log Homes

The full log home construction process seems easy enough but there are some issues that are present you should take into account. 

• Logs, other materials, and labor cost much more than log siding
• The construction crew must be specially trained 
• A crane is necessary to put heavy logs in place
• A crane operator is an additional charge
• It may take longer to schedule the build than you want
• Full logs expand and contract with the weather
• Logs settle and joints can separate over time
• Movement of logs can crack chinking or cause it to loosen
• Long logs can crack and split if not maintained well
• Full logs require more long-term maintenance than log siding

Advantages of Pine Log Siding Homes   

On average, a log siding home’s life expectancy equals or surpasses a traditional home built with vinyl, aluminum, steel, fiber cement, or stucco siding. How long depends on how well you take care of it. A home built with pine log siding can not only last for generations but for hundreds of years. It can look great down through the years when maintained well. Here are some of its advantages:

• The material and labor cost savings are substantial
• Log siding is attached to conventional wall framing
• Traditional carpenters and skilled homeowners can install siding
• It’s easier to secure a traditional home contractor
• Chinking is an option and is not required because the siding fits snugly together
• Log siding is fast and easy to install with the tongue and groove/end-matching design
• The siding is virtually a “no-waste” product
• Sealants, stains, and finishes are easier to apply
• Homeowners insurance can cost less than full log homes

All these advantages should be taken into consideration when making plans to build a log home or log cabin. You will appreciate them before and after construction begins. TIP: Log siding is also available in a pre-finished condition for your convenience.

Benefits of Cedar Log Siding Homes

Cedar log siding homes can endure the years better than pine for several reasons. It has natural characteristics that make it a winner, including:

• Cedar is more moisture-resistant than most other woods
• Cedar is more insect-resistant because of its resin
• This wood resists bowing, warping, and cupping quite well
• Cedar log siding is beautiful in its natural state
• It is available with the tongue and groove/end-matching design

Although cedar log siding costs more than pine, it will extend the life of your log home or cabin.

Extending Your Log Siding Home’s Life

There are some basic things you can do to extend the life of your log home or log cabin. The first thing to put in the construction plans is adequate roof overhang to help keep rain, melting now, and sleet off the exterior walls. The next critical step is applying high-quality sealant and stain to the log siding. Here are some other useful tips:

• Foundation – Check the foundation semi-annually and repair any cracks, settling, or other damage to prevent structural damage.

• Inspections – Inspect the exterior walls semi-annually for ant, termite, or pest presence. Take steps to prevent log damage by applying a pest retardant product.
• Maintenance – Follow the product manufacturer’s recommendations for scheduling cleaning, staining, and sealing your log siding.
• Roofing – Routinely inspect and clean out the gutters and flashings to free them of leaves, moss, or other debris that might collect on the roof. This will help drain water away and prevent it from seeping into the logs.

Take care of your log home and it will take care of you. Enjoy living in it with confidence that it will outlive its current owners.