Log cabins kits are wildly superior to any other way of acquiring a log cabin of your very own, particularly in the realms of building time, building cost, and freedom of design. First off, let’s dispel a misconception about building these from kits – that word right there, “kits”, often seems to conjure an image in the mind of a mass production of things produced by popping them out of moulds where they all look exactly the same. This couldn’t be any farther from the truth in the case of custom log homes. Why? Allow me to explain…

See, with log cabins kits, the “kit” part of the concept is that all of the parts, every log and connecting piece, is pre-measured and pre-cut according to the specifications of the design of the finished product, your very own log home. Tongue and groove joints, corner connections, cutouts for the placement of windows and their sills, shaping for areas where cabinetry is to be installed, roofing beams according to roof type and shape, all of that is incorporated into the production of the pre-cut parts, which are then all numbered in order of construction for better ease of putting it all together in a matter of a few short weeks, not the better part of a whole year.

Some companies providing log cabins kits even guarantee the efficiency of construction by actually putting it all together in the factory to check and see to it that everything fits perfectly into place, and that all is included with nothing left out. Then it is all disassembled once again, arranged into packages to then be shipped to the construction site, and all is brought to you with specific, simple instructions on how to piece it all together, not unlike that age-old toy some of us out there remember, called “Lincoln Logs” – remember those? Yes, the concept really is that simple. This is why putting one of these together takes such an inordinately short amount of time.

This is the beauty of log cabins kits in a nutshell. The designs are also superb, because such companies offer a vast array to choose from, and while parts are interchangeable and can be pre-cut and pre-shaped to design specifications, you can even find that parts of their designs are interchangeable as well. Mix up some design parts to create your own unique plan, or even add your own design ideas.

You might even have everything planned out already, and that’s just fine as well. Since everything is pre-cut to piece together according to nearly any plan that can be imagined, you’ll be able to create something absolutely unique and one-of-a-kind. If you dream of living in your very own log cabin and would like to see that dream become reality within a few weeks, and for the least amount of expense, building from a kit is the perfect way to go.

The beauty of a log home is something that must be experienced first-hand – the beauty of rustic nature that can be observed in a log cabin built from a pre-cut log home kit is something that really must be seen to be appreciated. If you’d like to find more information on this, take a look at this video showing a few log cabins kits, and check out all of the information to be had at http://www.junctionloghomes.ca.

If you have owned your log home any length of time, then you have probably already had to deal with maintenance issues. If you are considering buying a log home, understanding maintenance requirements and procedures can not only help in the buying process, but also help in understanding what is involved in the periodic upkeep of the home.

Some log home owners after enjoying the initial excitement of the rustic beauty, the smell of the logs and the “log home living” atmosphere are disappointed to find that with all the beauty, comes all the maintenance. However, if they understand proper maintenance procedure and protocol and maintain a practical maintenance program, they can efficiently manage the upkeep of their home without becoming overwhelmed by what may seem like a daunting task.

This all hinges on proper maintenance. Proper maintenance does not mean washing the home with bleach, letting it dry, and applying a do-it-yourself retail stain, or the all too familiar “water-proofing” sealer. This approach will certainly produce disappointing results. Your log home is a large investment. Spending the time and the money to maintain it is also an investment. Most people would not go to a “big box” store and buy a can of spray paint to re-paint their car. Yet all too often, the “off the shelf” retail stains are bought and used to re-stain their log homes. This is one instance in which “you get what you pay for!”

Assuming that your log home was prepared properly to receive a quality sealer, and the sealer was applied correctly, you should expect 3 to 6 years of protection. You can expect less than 3 years if a clear or lighter stain is used. A good rule of thumb is that the darker the stain, the more pigment and therefore the more protection. Lighter shades (the natural look) have the least amount of pigment and the least amount of protection.

So, it comes down to a trade off. Most people like the natural look of the logs. To achieve this, either a clear or a “honey” color will have to be used leaving the least protection on the logs. Using a darker color such as a “mahogany” or “walnut,” you have the most protection thereby lasting the longest, but most people don’t like the darker shades. Now, the log home owner will have to decide which is more important; using a lighter shade to keep the natural look and sealing more often, or using a darker stain with more protection, but loosing the natural log look.

Log home restoration and maintenance is just a part of the log home experience. Understanding maintenance procedures and implementing a maintenance program can alleviate potential underlying problems such as wood rot, mildew problems, failing caulk and chinking as well as making sure your log home keeps that beautiful rustic look and feel for many years. The bottom line; Do it right the first time, have a good maintenance plan and have a knowledgeable and trustworthy contractor you can depend on.