Log Cabin Kits ?

[KeystoneLight]

Looking at building one at our property up north (St. Louis cty.). Anybody have any pros or cons or advice on any of the kits. I checked out the one along 35 near Hinckley this weekend and was impressed. I looked at one near Paynesville a couple of weeks ago (coming home from MDHA's State Habitat Banquet).

[muddpuppy]

the only down side to these is all the maint they need

[Bigbartguy]

I agree with Mudpuppy. The yearly maintenance made me run the other way - rechinking/restaining/resealing. I'd build chalet-frame style and just use log siding & tounge/groove for the walls/ceilings, to get that 'log home' vibe. Lot easier to remodel than log home also.

[Skeeter21i]

Are you looking at a pre-built "Park Model" type of kit or a built on-site log package? The pre-builts won't have alot of maintenance just due to size. Chances are if it is already stained a cheaper stain was applied. If you are looking at a build on site log package there is a lot consider between full log or half log (log sided), log profile, log size, moisture content and type of wood used to list a few. White pine is about the easiest to build with and the most popular in this region. The drier the log the less settling on a full log stack. No matter what, there will be some settling with full log construction. Chinking isn't popular here, most seal with caulking. Full log look can be achieved with half log construction but either way a wood home requires maintenance regardless if it is full log, half log or cedar sided. If you cut corners and go with a cheap stain you could be staining your sun exposed walls annually. In stain you get what you pay for. Both stains and caulking have come a long way in quality. I've been in the log home business since '99 and have seen alot of advancements. I'm on my second log home and wouldn't have it any other way. I built and stained this one in '05 and have not had to reapply a maintenance coat of stain yet but probably will on my south facing wall this coming fall. About 2/3 of my house is very exposed to the sun, the rest is covered with a 12' porch roof. A high end stain and caulk with a bad prep job and/or bad application is no better than a cheap stain. Planning ahead can eliminate alot of future issues.

[Redlantern]

Skeeter, I wonder if we share a corner of property. Are you on 88? I'm the guy with the sleddogs.

[Skeeter21i]

Redlantern, no, thats not me but I'm pretty sure we have met. I think you were at one of our outdoor new years eve neighborhood bonfire parties a couple of years back. I'm up by where that was so just north of you. I used to live on the road that runs west from your place. Cool to see you on here.

[Redlantern]

Hey Skeeter, that is cool to have a neighbor on here.

[deerminator]

Timberframe with board siding might be another option to consider. It would really give you that little house on the prairie look too with solid construction that will last a lifetime and then some. It too, will require some maintenance I imagine. Though I bet it would look pretty good if you let it fade to gray. Do a search on Google for Three Sisters Amish and they have some examples and pretty nice models to walk through on hwy 71 and hwy 9 outside of New London. Though I would be tempted to go with something that looks good with low maintenance regardless of if it was my main or vacation place. Steel siding with natural earth tones looks good, blends in with the environment and only has to be pressure washed every couple of years.