What is a Log House?
A log house, or log building, is a structure built with horizontal logs interlocked at the corners by notching. Logs may be round, squared or hewn to other shapes, either handcrafted or milled.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Log House In South Africa?
Roy estimates a cost of around R880/m2 for a log home compared to a minimum R8 500/m2 for bricks and mortar. Other plusses include good insulation, low maintenance, sustainability and strength and durability.
Are log houses cheaper to build?
Log homes typically cost 20 to 30 percent more than a conventionally built home. The same size log home is typically worth 30 to 40 percent more than a conventional home.
Do you need plans for a log cabin in South Africa?
The first step in any building process is to draw up a complete set of plans (including a window and door schedule, an electrical and plumbing layout, sections and specified finishes, for example cladding, roofing, flooring etc). You will need to get architectural drawings done and approved by your local council.
What are the problems with log homes?
The most common log home problems are:
Moisture problems in log homes. Rain, snow, humidity, and damp places all cause moisture damage.
Insects and critter problems in log homes. Insects and critters tend to love our log homes just as much as we do.
UV Ray damage in log homes.
How long will a log house last?
Log cabins have a long and illustrious history of longevity. They usually last twenty, thirty to even fifty years, if they are kept in good condition.
They are even seen to stand for a century if they are located in a place that does not face extreme weather conditions and is properly maintained.
Why are log homes so expensive?
The biggest reason is that the appointments and specifications(number of fireplaces, finished flooring, window and door quality, etc.) make up most of the cost of the homes.
Another big reason is that, most of the times, the cheaper the log or timber package, the more on-site work to do.
Are log cabins strong?
Similarly, homes that are made out of logs are strong enough to withstand storms. While hurricanes and tornados may destroy other types of homes, log cabins tend to withstand even the worst damage.
Some log cabins have even been known to withstand damage from trees falling on them during particularly bad storms.