This video is spot on. In my situation, my log home has 4 foot overhangs. Therefore, i forgo staining altogether. I let my logs age and grey naturally its a little uneaven in its aging but its fine. Its wood. Let it do its thing. There are home 150+ years old without stain.
We've lived in our log home on 5 acres in the woods since Dec 2010. I think you nailed the pro and cons pretty well. One thing I don't think you mentioned in the cons was the fact that you can't run wires easily on an exterior wall. Yes, you can hang that TV anywhere you want to, but there's not a good way to hide the power cord and the cable from the cable box to the TV. As I'm sure you do, I get complimented on our place by every repair person, Amazon delivery person, UPS driver, etc. I always tell them that it's nice, but it's a LOT of work - especially for an old guy like me! :)
Been in my log cabin 40 years on 1 acre in southeast Louisiana. Nine inch Western Red Cedar (rounded inside and out), cedar paneling and sheetrock in some inside areas. Yes to absolutely *everything* he said in the video as to pros and cons. Inside decor no problem-initially had a mix of southwest, Indian, rooster, wild horses, etc. In the process of updating decor to contemporary rustic-making it more formal than casual which is going very well. Ten years ago had 6’ area of one log replaced due to rotting from rain coming off roof in one corner. Cost $1,000 to cut 6’ rotted log section & replace section with new log and roof rain issue corrected. Yearly maintenance is squirrel, woodpecker, carpenter bee issues. Staining and caulking (no chinking) about every 10 years.
I’ve looked at buying existing log cabins in Kentucky and South Dakota, only one had a wood burning stove/ fireplace. That has amazed me when I think of how easy it is to get fuel , stay warm and pick up dead fall or wood from some storm debris. I had a wood burning fireplace for years but had to move for work and I have tried to find another place away from those who feel compelled to live within feet of each other. Life has made me very capable of fixing most things, but now as an older guy, I just want to move in and fix a few things now and again. Can’t find my final home yet.
Deep gravel perimeter ribbon helps with ground insects. I live an old cabin that was painted, probably because of the bugs. We also have the pileated woodpeckers, giant things sound like an estwing hammering. Gables are rusted metal, I kind of like it.
How are wires run on a log home where you need to have light switches or lights on the log walls? For instance for a light switch inside the door or for porch lights?
It's not too difficult but takes forethought when the logs are going up. For instance, a light switch by an entry exterior door will have the wires come up through the floor inside of the door jamb to the proper height. The box is carved out with chisels or a chain saw or a drill, usually a combination of all three. Once the box is carved out a horizontal hole is drilled from the jamb to the box. That's the easy part, that wire now has to go to a fixture which usually continues up that same jamb. A few logs above the door will get drilled out and romex is threaded as the logs go up. Most of my fixtures on the ceiling have romex seated in a half inch kerf created with a chainsaw on the 2nd floor joist. From the joist there maybe 6 to 8 inches of wire mold to the fixture.
I also have a log home, I agree with all your pros and cons. The only other con that might be associated with maintenance is the checks in the logs that will need attention. Your home is beautiful
They are dried, but most logs come from humid climates. They acclimate not only to their new climate, but also the inside humidity, especially in the Winter. It took about 2 years to fully settle.
Stay away from Oak trees, more insects than any other. Watch out for Pines with Pine beetles. Make sure you are not allergic to Cedar. Firs are nice...haha.
I Love your channel and have been watching for a few years now. We moved into a log home about 3 years ago and I agree with the commenter above, everyone loves it and remarks about it, but it’s a lot of work. I grew up in the country so bugs are not new to me, but the amount of them that want to eat my house most certainly is! Depending on the season it’s either squirrels, carpenter bees, or woodpeckers. And then we get to fight the stink bugs, which with a log home is especially difficult. If anyone has any secret tips or traps, that actually work, I’d love to hear’em! Also, do you have any suggestions for cleaning the interior logs after a pressure wash? Murphy’s Oil works okay, magic eraser is better, that’s not a scaleable option in my opinion. Any thoughts? All that said, I still wouldn’t move. It’s too much fun and too cozy! Love the Cabin and love living in the woods!
For years we left the inside logs natural with no finish. About 12 years ago we began putting poly on them in certain room. To restore them a bit and clean them we just used a mixture of bleach and water. Brightened them nicely.
This video is spot on. In my situation, my log home has 4 foot overhangs. Therefore, i forgo staining altogether. I let my logs age and grey naturally its a little uneaven in its aging but its fine. Its wood. Let it do its thing. There are home 150+ years old without stain.
We've lived in our log home on 5 acres in the woods since Dec 2010. I think you nailed the pro and cons pretty well. One thing I don't think you mentioned in the cons was the fact that you can't run wires easily on an exterior wall. Yes, you can hang that TV anywhere you want to, but there's not a good way to hide the power cord and the cable from the cable box to the TV.
As I'm sure you do, I get complimented on our place by every repair person, Amazon delivery person, UPS driver, etc. I always tell them that it's nice, but it's a LOT of work - especially for an old guy like me! :)
Could some sort of trench type recess work to hide cables/power cord from the appliance to the power outlet or that would be too much work ?
@@badomen_ Nowadays you only need a power cord...stream your TV signal from your Starlink wireless...cheaper too.
Been in my log cabin 40 years on 1 acre in southeast Louisiana. Nine inch Western Red Cedar (rounded inside and out), cedar paneling and sheetrock in some inside areas. Yes to absolutely *everything* he said in the video as to pros and cons. Inside decor no problem-initially had a mix of southwest, Indian, rooster, wild horses, etc. In the process of updating decor to contemporary rustic-making it more formal than casual which is going very well. Ten years ago had 6’ area of one log replaced due to rotting from rain coming off roof in one corner. Cost $1,000 to cut 6’ rotted log section & replace section with new log and roof rain issue corrected. Yearly maintenance is squirrel, woodpecker, carpenter bee issues. Staining and caulking (no chinking) about every 10 years.
I’ve looked at buying existing log cabins in Kentucky and South Dakota, only one had a wood burning stove/ fireplace. That has amazed me when I think of how easy it is to get fuel , stay warm and pick up dead fall or wood from some storm debris. I had a wood burning fireplace for years but had to move for work and I have tried to find another place away from those who feel compelled to live within feet of each other. Life has made me very capable of fixing most things, but now as an older guy, I just want to move in and fix a few things now and again. Can’t find my final home yet.
Deep gravel perimeter ribbon helps with ground insects.
I live an old cabin that was painted, probably because of the bugs.
We also have the pileated woodpeckers, giant things sound like an estwing hammering.
Gables are rusted metal, I kind of like it.
What a beautiful home. I love the basement! Always appreciate your video's. Thank You.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for the tongue in groove wall idea.
Thanks for the look and the insight into your home. Love the basement!
Love your channel and your transparency about your experience. I am a super fan and always look for new content.
You definitely have a nice home and entertainment area. The Pros vs Cons were spot on. Thanks for sharing Sir.
Thanks for watching!
How are wires run on a log home where you need to have light switches or lights on the log walls? For instance for a light switch inside the door or for porch lights?
It's not too difficult but takes forethought when the logs are going up. For instance, a light switch by an entry exterior door will have the wires come up through the floor inside of the door jamb to the proper height. The box is carved out with chisels or a chain saw or a drill, usually a combination of all three. Once the box is carved out a horizontal hole is drilled from the jamb to the box. That's the easy part, that wire now has to go to a fixture which usually continues up that same jamb. A few logs above the door will get drilled out and romex is threaded as the logs go up. Most of my fixtures on the ceiling have romex seated in a half inch kerf created with a chainsaw on the 2nd floor joist. From the joist there maybe 6 to 8 inches of wire mold to the fixture.
I also have a log home, I agree with all your pros and cons. The only other con that might be associated with maintenance is the checks in the logs that will need attention. Your home is beautiful
Thank You!
Just beautiful!!!❤
Thank you! 😊
Great video🎉 thank you!!!!
Great information !!! About the 3 inch settling of the logs when they dry-out. Don't they sell them kiln dried like they do dimensional lumber?
They are dried, but most logs come from humid climates. They acclimate not only to their new climate, but also the inside humidity, especially in the Winter. It took about 2 years to fully settle.
Stay away from Oak trees, more insects than any other. Watch out for Pines with Pine beetles. Make sure you are not allergic to Cedar. Firs are nice...haha.
Great video! 😊 Thanks for sharing! -James
I Love your channel and have been watching for a few years now. We moved into a log home about 3 years ago and I agree with the commenter above, everyone loves it and remarks about it, but it’s a lot of work.
I grew up in the country so bugs are not new to me, but the amount of them that want to eat my house most certainly is! Depending on the season it’s either squirrels, carpenter bees, or woodpeckers. And then we get to fight the stink bugs, which with a log home is especially difficult. If anyone has any secret tips or traps, that actually work, I’d love to hear’em!
Also, do you have any suggestions for cleaning the interior logs after a pressure wash? Murphy’s Oil works okay, magic eraser is better, that’s not a scaleable option in my opinion. Any thoughts?
All that said, I still wouldn’t move. It’s too much fun and too cozy! Love the Cabin and love living in the woods!
For years we left the inside logs natural with no finish. About 12 years ago we began putting poly on them in certain room. To restore them a bit and clean them we just used a mixture of bleach and water. Brightened them nicely.