Log Home Living: Top 7 Trends in Log Cabin Construction

When you picture a log home, does Abraham Lincoln’s iconic, tiny cabin come to mind? If so, you need to open your eyes to the new age; the luxury experience of log home living. Log homes aren’t just for weekend camping trips or exiled recluses. They can be a rustic oasis with all the amenities of contemporary living. Here we give you some of the top trends in log home living:

Open Floor Plans. Creating a larger central space that includes a living area, dining area, and easy kitchen access, allows for more time together. It creates a comfortable flow to the general living space. It also can help you reduce the total square footage of the home by combining spaces.

Reduced Square Footage. The trend of bigger is better is on the downswing with many home builders. Whether it’s to reduce costs of living or impacts on the environment, people are shifting to a position of minimizing square footage while maximizing usage of the reduced space. Open floor plans are a great example of this. People are recognizing that they can still live luxuriously, but in a smaller space. This can be seen also in the growing popularity of the Tiny Home movement.

Outdoor Living Spaces. Because log homes are built in lush natural environments, outdoor living spaces are a must. Outdoor kitchens, massive stone fire pits, chimineas, and high end furnishings are increasing in popularity. People want their outdoor living spaces to be as comfortable as their indoor counterparts.

First Level Master Bedrooms. Many people choose log homes to find some quiet, away from the hustle of city living. They think of their log home as a great place to retire. This means considering the future, like limiting the number of steps to get to the master suite.

Customization. For years, customers looking to build a log home were pigeon holed into selecting from a small group of pre-designed construction “kits”. Now, they are able to choose a base package and then add on custom options they desire. Or build one from scratch.

Big Windows. Log homes tend to be constructed in natural and scenic locations. Home owners want to see as much of these vistas as possible and are opting for giant walls of windows so they can optimize their view, and also create a feeling of more space inside the home.

Eco-friendly Materials and Systems. Log home lovers are nature lovers too. There is an increase in the use of reclaimed and dead tree lumber from forest fires in construction. Solar panels are being used to tap into the sun’s natural energy to help power the homes. Log homes, when properly built, are naturally more energy efficient than standard homes. Rainwater collection systems are being installed to supplement water supply.

Log homes aren’t what they used to be. And collated combination nail and screw construction fasteners, like FASCO America’s JUMBOSCRAIL^®, are making building a log home easier than ever. Using pneumatic tools for installation speeds up the construction time. And the ability to back them out with a screwdriver is a big bonus in flexibility. Check out our video to learn more about these revolutionary fasteners. And download our white paper “Log Home Building: The Basics” to help get you started on building the log home of your dreams.