While people who live in urban places prefer the modern styles of their homes, which is a trend for a long time, there are still many of those who favor traditional building methods. The most popular choices are timber and log cabins. There is a popular misconception that these houses are not as durable as modern structures and that it is the main reason why we can find them only in rural areas.
However, there are many benefits of choosing some of these two options, especially for the design and quality. Also, you can find companies that can use modern techniques to build your unique home with high energy-efficiency. Also, one of the main advantages is related to the design of the ceilings, and you can visit Hamill Creek Timber Frame Homes to read more about the use of posts and beams in the construction.
One of the most important things is to choose a company with experienced workers who can ensure a strong and high-quality structure along with great design. Also, you should learn more about the differences between timber and log homes. We are going to analyze more about this topic in the following article.
Main Features of Timber Homes
Source: timberhomeliving.com
While there is a long history of using wood in building homes, the design that we can still find today has roots in the early stages of modern United States, where first settlers started using large timber as a base of their homes. The main point of this design is to place several timbers that will form a frame of the house.
One of the main benefits is that you don’t need to construct bearing walls since the timber will hold the pressure. Depending on the size of the house, you can consider placing a bearing piece of timber in the middle. In terms of design, the main advantages are the ability to have much bigger rooms, a tall ceiling, and an amazing design of both interior and exterior parts.
Another benefit is that you can build it much faster than any common method, while the quality very much depends on the selection of materials and proper maintenance. Also, it is energy-efficient. On the other hand, you have to pay attention to potential downsides like rotting and increased chances of fire. We have to mention that using trees for the construction is much better for the environment, as long as this method is sustainable.
Main Features of Log Homes
Source: pinterest.com
The key advantage of this option is the amazing traditional design which is the same on the outside and the inside of the house. The wood is placed horizontally, while the framing is similar to the timber homes’ construction. Also, it shares the same energy-efficiency and sustainability features. However, maintenance can be an issue, especially if you don’t pay enough attention to it, or choose low-quality wood for the construction.
Insects could especially be a problem, which means that you will have to treat the wood with proper products that will prevent the bugs from destroying it over time. Moreover, the process of making this home is much easier, and you can even order all materials and build it from scratch in a couple of days. Still, you will need professional assistance to be sure that the base is strong enough and to achieve a preferred design.
On the other hand, we noticed that many insurance companies prefer to avoid accepting policies for these houses. Still, in areas where they are more common, there should be no problems with getting a proper assurance or even acquiring a mortgage loan for such property.
What are the Key Differences?
Source: greatnorthernwoodworks.com
While timber and log homes share the same material for the construction, there are many differences that make these options completely diverse from each other. First of all, we have to mention the building process. For the timber homes, you will use large pieces to make a base, while you can use all sorts of materials for other parts of the house. That leads to the fact that this option offers much more flexibility than a log home.
On the other side, log houses are completely made of wood, which is horizontally attached and used as the only material in the building process. That leads to another difference, which is related to the interior parts. For the log homes, the advantage is that you have the same appearance as on the outside, while timber houses can be made with various materials. However, the timber option offers many benefits over log homes, such as improved efficiency, better design, increased stability, and much more.
Furthermore, we have to mention that a combination of both options is also very popular in recent years. You can use timber for the base, horizontal and vertical wooden construction, while you can add other parts on the inside of the construction to improve the features like resistance to insects, cold, sunlight, and improve the most important features of the home. The right flooring is an important feature for each of them. It is just one of the aspects of a comfortable and pleasant home, but also good insulation and readiness for all weather conditions. To learn more about such services visit epoxysanantoniotx.com.
The Bottom Line
Timber might be more expensive to build, but that depends on the materials you choose and the area where you live. There are some parts where wood might be much more expensive than other building materials. However, northern parts of the United States and Canada are the places where these options are most popular. That is not a surprise knowing that these areas are covered in woods, which leads to the fact that it takes short time for getting needed materials, and the price is much cheaper as well.
Considering all of the benefits and downsides of these two options, the conclusion is that timber frame homes might be the best choice since you can still add some modern features to improve the energy-efficiency and durability even more. However, in terms of traditional rustic design, log homes can offer the most. Therefore, it should be your first choice if you are planning to build a cabin where you can spend your holydays and free time. Also, we can see a lot of log houses in camping areas.
