Article by Andreas Kimble

A log cabin can be the cheapest dwelling you can find. Whether you use it as a house or for any other purpose, it can prove to be an inexpensive option. Log cabins have an earthy feel to them and for anyone who loves nature, they can be a perfect choice. There are many people who want to experience building a house first and then living in it. The feeling that comes from such an endeavor cannot be matched by anything else. Home prices have gone down but due to the recession, the purchasing power of the people has diminished too.

You can build a cabin yourself. Log cabin kits are the perfect DIY solution to this. There are many kits available in the market. Just get yourself one and start building a cabin to use as a house or a shed. Building yourself would eliminate many costs and would prove to be extremely cheaper than getting it built by professionals. With kits, a cabin can cost as low as 00. This is a great option for you to avail.

There are several other benefits of building your new home yourself using log cabin kits.

ToolsEverything you are going to need to build a cabin will come with a kit. All the tools that are required as well as other materials to be used are present there. Log cabin kits have instruction manuals that provide guidelines for building the cabin in the correct way. Usually, a list of the additional material that you require will be provided too.

CostBuying all the tools and materials separately will consume your time and energy as well as prove to be very expensive. The log cabin kits have all the requisite materials and tools that you require and you can save on the costs. Saving money on tools will enable you to finish the cabin cheaply because there are other costs to be taken into consideration as well such as heating and electricity.

LogsThe logs present in kits are generally of the best quality possible. This is because they have gone through the complete process of cutting and drying. If you buy the logs from a contractor or elsewhere, you are likely to get them without being dried. Log cabin kits manufacturers know the importance of the quality of the logs as the log cabin won't be safe without properly processed and patterned logs being used.

Environment-FriendlyUsing log cabin kits to construct a cabin is eco-friendly. The construction companies use machines that have emissions that can be harmful for the environment. This is a great option for you if you are looking for environment-friendly methods of house building.

Easy to UseThe best thing about cabin kits is that you don't have to be a rocket scientist to be able to use them. All the kits are made to be user-friendly which means that anyone can build a cabin using them.

About the Author

If you want to learn more about log cabin kits visit our website to get additional information

This is a general overview of how I built my 14x14 solar cabin for under 00. For complete step-by-step directions, videos, and more project plans including how to install solar power, drill your own well, build a composting toilet and more please visit my website: www.simplesolarhomesteading.com Songs are originals written by me!

Article by James Forte

Are you looking to get away from it all with a log cabin or simply wanting a log cabin to use as an office or guest house? If so, the first step is to get your hands on log cabin blueprints that preferably were developed by a professional for your own do-it yourself project. This is bound to be an exciting adventure since log cabin building was the beginning of American architecture!

These blueprints can either be obtained free of charge or for a nominal fee. If you decide to obtain free plans, please make sure that you have them reviewed by a professional before you start this undertaking to ensure that you have proper log cabin building plans in your hands.

Regardless of which plans you choose, it is important that you ensure that the plans are detailed and provide step by step instructions and photos of the building process. You must also get a set of plans that list all the materials that you shall need for the project and the measurements.

Before you start the project, it is important to be realistic about the time frame for the achievement of this project as well as how much time you will be willing to commit to this exciting endeavor because it will require a lot of patience since it is a physically demanding task which is highly satisfying.

Depending on the location of the cabin, any type of log that is reasonably straight can be used for building and which is about 7 to 10 inches in diameter. Softwoods such as pine and fir are preferable since these a durable and somewhat lightweight. Although hardwoods such as oak may be used, the significant disadvantage of using this type of wood is that this wood is susceptible to pests and fungus.

It is also critical to remember as you build a log cabin that having a proper foundation is very important. Although stone foundations are traditional, you may also use concrete or block which are good alternatives to stone. Several blueprints will give you various choices for the foundation to put in the log cabin that you can decide upon.

Whatever type of cabin that you decide to build, remember to always get a good set of blueprints which will save you headaches, time and money. Also have a realistic time frame. Once this is built, it will definitely build your self confidence.

Please visit my webpage on log cabin blueprints for your do-it-yourself project at http://www.woodworkingdiyplans.info for over 14,000 woodworking ideas.

About the Author

I hope this information is helpful. Please visit my webpage for over 14,000 woodworking ideas.

Log cabin house plans will be used to build a rustic cabin made of wood logs or log-like materials. Log cabin house plans can be simple four-corner structures that remind us of the old shelters of long ago or the log cabin floor plans can be used to build a modern sophisticated structure.

When one thinks of living in a cabin, images of the crackling fireplace combined with your favorite beverage and great conversation with family or friends come to mind. Today, log cabin floor plans can be well-built, economical plans that allow you to build your own small home from the plan that you have purchased. Log cabins come in a variety of designs, sizes and intended uses. Often used as small vacation homes, they can be comfortable rustic cottages that blend harmoniously with the woods, mountains, near a stream or anywhere that peace and tranquility are the rule.

Here are five tips for having those log cabin house plans that will provide you that dream:

1 - Create Your List of Needs and Wants - your needs are items that you must have to function every day while wants are the items that are not required every day but would be considered luxury items. When you add in the extra costs of the various wants to your log cabin floor plans, you may discover that having less provides you more enjoyment for your home.

2 - Consider a 4-Corner Cabin House - if your budget is tight, a structure with four corners and simple roof system will be the least expensive one to build from your log cabin house plans. Each additional corner adds to the finished cost as do hips and valleys in the roof. The trade-off for simplicity in the design of your log cabin floor plans may provide you a larger home for the same price.

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3 - Use a Pier System Foundation - check your local building code or with a local builder to see if your site allows the use of a pier foundation. This foundation will cost significantly less than a more expensive crawl space, slab or stone foundation. The finish of the foundation is not a major visual element once the landscaping has been completed.

4 - Be Careful Choosing Your Design Based on the Cheapest Price - the cheapest bid may not be your best option. When you are evaluating overall bids, if you decide based only on the amount of the bid, you may be in for a surprise later. You will want to be sure that if you are going to have a contractor build your log cabin house plans for you, that he or she has sufficient experience in the kind of work they will be doing for you. A professional contract can be somewhat lengthy if it covers the important obligations of you and the builder. You will want your attorney to review the contract to be sure it is fair to both parties. Do not sign a contract that has too much left out or if it is too one-sided, favoring the builder.

5 - Use In-Stock Plans - custom log cabin house plans created from the beginning cost considerably more than stock plans. Find stock plans that you like. If you need to make changes to stock plans, it is much more cost-effective to modify existing log cabin floor plans to fit your needs and design. Also, be aware of the materials to be used in your construction. Choosing standard in-stock building materials like window and door sizes, trims, fireplace and cabinets in the kitchen and baths will save considerably over the costs of custom sizes.

If possible, visit local log home builder shows. You can talk with log builders, see their floor plan designs, talk with other persons interested in building and learn more about the building process. Go online and purchase log cabin house plans books and magazines. Search for plans on the online plan services websites using the criteria needed for your project. As you search online for great plans, keep a notebook of your ideas when you see features in plans that you would like to have in your home.

And finally, relax and have fun! Make the planning stage an enjoyable educational experience as you organize your ideas. No matter whether you are just starting to organize your thoughts or are well along in your log cabin house plans design, learn as much as you can about creating your own log cabin floor plans design that will give you, your family and friends much enjoyment and pleasure for many years to come.

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If you had always wanted to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy the laid back life style in a rural setting, at least once in a while, then a small log cabin would make a perfect second home. These are very popular in some of the resorts, camp sites and woodland locations. Due to the simplicity and beauty of these types of homes, many have invested in them as a rest house to spend some of their weekends, or even as a permanent dwelling. You can build one yourself armed with small log cabin blueprints.

There is something unique about a small log cabin which sets it apart from small houses. The site on which it is built is chosen mainly for its natural beauty. Good blueprints on building this structure will provide more information about this. Due to its setting, the building offers easy access to the outdoors, both through the doors, as well as through great views from inside.

Choosing Location

When going about the task of construction with the help of blueprints, the first step is to choose a location. One of the features of a small log cabin is that it can be built without affecting the natural beauty of the site. Another criterion is that it should enhance the landscape and not overwhelm it. In fact, it should blend into the surroundings.

You can choose the design from your blueprints. However, this mainly depends on the site you have chosen. A Colorado mountaintop, the shores of a Minnesota lake, the Louisiana backwoods and the Utah desert will all require different designs tailor made to suit them.

Simple Construction

This building is built in a simple, no-frills way, and mainly offers protection from the wind, rain, cold and heat. This was the way it was meant to be in the early days of its existence, and even today, it provides minimal creature comforts. The construction is made even easier with the help of good blueprints prepared by experts.

Efficient Use of Available Space

Since space is limited inside, it has to be utilized efficiently. Let us examine some of the ways in which this can be done. You can go in for built-in storage and furniture. A window seat can be turned into a place to keep firewood or wet boots, board games and frying pans. The space beneath the stairs can be used to accommodate drawers, pantry or firewood. A closet can be used both as an attic and as a cellar. A little bit of planning by regularly consulting your blueprints will provide you with many ideas to utilize the available space to the maximum.

Promotes Closeness

There is another positive aspect of efficiently utilizing the available space inside with the help of blueprints.  The small space promotes closeness and companionship. Thus, a small cabin not only helps you to bond with nature, but also with other people.

Origins

Log cabins were introduced to America in Delaware in the late 1770s by Swedish and Finland immigrants. Since then, these buildings spread throughout America. So much was its popularity that not only homes, but schools, churches, barns and various other commercial buildings came to be built from logs. Many American presidents including Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson were born in a log cabin.

You can save a lot of money as well as have the satisfaction of building your own small log cabin by following good blueprints. This can be your getaway where you get recharged, when the pressures of city life weigh you down.

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