Why Homeowners Prefer Log Cabin Siding Over Log Cabin Kits

Deciding between log cabin siding or a log cabin kit for your new get-away in the woods can be confusing when you don’t have all the information for a decision.

While cabin owners can go both routes, siding applied to convention wood framing is the favorite approach. Here are the most common reasons provided by those who chose Pine or Cedar siding:

• The initial construction cost is less for stud walls and siding.
  
  
• Log siding requires less maintenance over the years.
  
  
• Cabin Kits come with full logs that are awkward to use.
  
  
• Log siding on the outside allows more options for the inside.
  
  
• Some materials in the kit can be overpriced or unwanted.
  
  
• The siding option does not require any special structural configurations.
  
  

Save Money with Log Cabin Siding

As a homeowner, if you team up with a carpenter, you can reduce construction costs by thousands of dollars by installing the siding, roofing, doors, windows, and finishing the inside.

Additionally, installing siding on cabin walls is faster and easier than using full logs found in kits. In fact, a homeowner can install log siding with a few essential skills and tools.

In contrast, assembling a log cabin kit requires carpenters or a construction company that uses a crane to lift the logs. This can be costly and must typically be done in good weather to prevent issues with the crane. Also, your local contractor may not be experienced with log cabin kits and could charge more than is necessary for the job.

With either cabin option, you must have the foundation and footers poured by professionals. Once they are dry, you can start construction with conventional subflooring and framing that everyone understands.

Siding Requires Less Maintenance Than Cabin Kits

Cabin kits come with two frequent issues that require more attention than log siding. The first of these is the logs can shrink and expand with the weather, even if they are sealed well, resulting in cracks in the logs, and air leaks that waste energy and money. Although log siding can crack, it is typically minimal.

The other issue is structural integrity and stability. You don’t want your cabin to become less stable due to the nature of wood and the weather. If a log or part of a log becomes damaged, it can take a lot of work to repair it. Learn more about log home maintenance myths to be a happier log cabin owner.

Siding Is Much Easier to Work With

Most of us are not weightlifters or supermen who can lift heavy full logs into place. Because full logs are heavy and awkward to work with, there is a greater chance of someone getting hurt. It can take two or three people to install logs, whereas one person can carry and install a log siding board.

It is also easier and faster to install log siding around door and window openings. The material is easy to saw and drill and does not require full log-length screws to secure it to the wall frame.

More Options for the Inside

If you are a creative person, you will welcome the opportunity to apply your own unique interior materials. Cabins built with siding on the exterior walls allow more options for the inside including:

• Log Siding
  
  
• Pine Paneling
  
  
• Cedar Paneling
  
  
• Drywall
  
  
• Unique Patterns
  
  
• Tile or Stone
  
  
• Extra Insulation

Using cabin kits provides no options as you must settle for only the log surfaces.

Also, when you choose Pine or Cedar siding for your cabin, you can build it with 2x6 walls to hold more insulation that will keep the inside warmer during the winter.

Although you can choose the type of insulation that works best for the climate, you only get one thickness choice with logs in a kit. It’s usually thin pieces between the logs and their end joints.

“As a homeowner, if you team up with a carpenter, you can reduce construction costs by thousands of dollars by installing the siding, roofing, doors, windows, and finishing the inside.”

Eliminate Extra Cost: Some Kit Materials May Be Overpriced or Unwanted

All of us want to save money and feel like we are getting a bargain. Since everything is pre-determined and pre-packaged in a cabin kit, there may be hidden costs such as paying more for some building materials that can be purchased separately at lower costs or unwanted items.

You will find this out when assembling the cabin. However, you will know the cost of each item when you frame a home with log siding.

No Special Designs or Alterations Needed

Building a cabin with traditional stud framing and log siding does not require unexpected designs or alterations. This is important if the owner changes his or her mind about the cabin layout.

Since some kits don’t come with doors and windows, this can be an issue when your items don’t fit the kit design due to their availability. Make it easy on yourself by using log siding on the outside and inside of your rustic home.

Order Wood Samples Before You Build

If you have concerns about building with log siding, order a log home sample kit of materials to get a more realistic picture of our wood products.

You get all the following for just $15.00 which is refundable with your first purchase:

• Color Catalog, DVD, Brochure, Pricing
  
  
• 2x6 and 2x8 Quarter Log (Samples of all the following)
  
  
• 3x6, 3x8, and 3x10 Half Log
  
  
• T&G Pine and Cedar Paneling
  
  
• T&G Pre-finished Pine Paneling
  
  
• Pine and Cedar Siding Samples
  
  
• Log D-Trim, Flooring, Decking
  
  
• Baseboard, Casing
  
  

The Sample Kit comes with one DVD of your choice and two others if you want them @ $5.00 each. Let us know which one you want with the kit and any others.

• DVD Homeowner
  
  
• DVD Contractor
  
  
• DVD Installation
  
  

We recommend watching the DVDs twice, once for a general overview and the second time to understand the specifics of installing our Pine or Cedar Log Siding.

The Best Place to Purchase Log Cabin Siding

Enjoy a one-stop-shopping experience for log cabin products by purchasing them from the LogHomeShoppe.com.

We mill our own siding and paneling that is kiln-dried correctly and always free of defects. We treat your orders like they are for our own cabin or home. Call us today at 800-818-9971 for a free consultation about your cabin needs.

Sources and References

• 10 Log Home Maintenance Myths