Prefab Log Homes

Elegant and spacious, prefab log homes of today are far removed from the log cabins of the 1800s in North America, although they bring to mind the peace and simplicity of that earlier time. Some people believe that using materials manufactured and preassembled in a factory must produce an inferior home, or one with no originality. Nothing could be further from the truth. While small inexpensive log homes do exist in some areas and fill a need, many others are luxury homes boasting several floors, large windows, skylights and whirlpool tubs, to mention just a few features, as well as spectacular views.    

Although using prefabricated materials for all or part of building a new home may help to keep the cost down, bargain basement pricing is not necessarily the only object of building prefab log homes. The luxury homes, for example, can cost as much as building a traditional home onsite. Most people who want such a home are often attracted by the beauty and comfort more than just the cost-saving factors. Part or all of the manufactured materials of kits to build log houses can be prepared less expensively in a factory, but still need to meet industry standards. The manufacturers contend that the quality of their product is as good as or better than that used in other homes. Another cost saving feature is the speed with which the homes can be assembled. With everything pre-cut and ready to fit together, less time and manpower is needed, keeping expenses down. 

According to individual preferences, prefab log homes can be customized with amenities such as a fireplace, designer appliances and hot tubs. Various designs and styles are available and plans can be modified for interior and exterior. A log home is sturdy, warm, draft free and built to last, and most people would find it difficult to find a reason not to build using the pre-assembled materials. Pre-assembled means that the home is designed, cut and assembled at the factory, to make sure that everything fits perfectly together. It is then dis-assembled and shipped to the building site, where it can be assembled in a very short time, making it much faster for the buyer to actually begin living in the home than in a stick-built home, meaning one that is built "from scratch" onsite.

The modular, or prefab log homes, are made in an environment that is controlled, usually with the same kind of assembly line manufacturing used for automobiles. The logs are milled and run through a sawmill. Few would argue against wood as one of the most common and best materials for home building. Its ease of use is well known, as opposed to glass, brick or concrete. The choice of wood is normally cedar, pine or fir, with pine being the least expensive and cedar the most expensive. Choosing wood that is readily available in the area in which the home will be built is another way to keep costs down. Using this method of building is just a good all around choice and results in great satisfaction for the many homeowners who have taken this option.