Summer Vacation Series: 2016 Trends in Building Log Homes - Part 3

Log homes were the original American homes. They began as simple, single room dwellings. As with all things, they have gone in and out of fashion over the course of time. In the late 20^th century, they grew to enormous size in the form of timber mansions. But now, as our awareness of our impact on the earth has become so clear, there has been a surge in popularity of getting back to nature but with a dramatic shift in design. In our final installment of this 3-part series, we share with you some design trends in log homes, both indoors and out.

Interior Design

The Tiny Home movement has effects on log home construction as well. Builders are opting for a smaller footprint, but simultaneously upgrading their interior amenities using materials like recycled marble countertops and sustainable bamboo flooring.

While many log homes now have ample modern amenities, most try to minimize the presence of modernity in favor of a more natural environment. This includes installing electronics within the walls with a sliding barn door that can easily cover them when not in use.

The open concept floor plan has been popular for some time and is now generally the standard for new construction. However, there is an even further push to minimize any wasted space. This means removing a formal dining space in favor of a dining area shared in the kitchen space. The family room and the living room are one in the same. A finished basement may be used as a guest room instead of a second family room.

Outdoor Design

Log home lovers are nature enthusiasts, and thus the outdoor features are as important as the indoor ones. There are timeless features of log homes that will always be in fashion. Large decks that span the vista facing side of the home will never go out of style.

Some of the newer additions to exterior design are ones that are intended to take advantage of nature’s gifts. Rainwater collection systems can be installed to provide water for washing clothes or for landscape irrigation. Living roofs are great to give extra insulation and reduce energy consumption. 

Log home living is a way of life. Homeowners are breaking from the crowded life of cities in favor of a more peaceful existence. Log homes are often highly customized by their owners. The owners tend to not only respect nature, but also value it. Using the most efficient building practices and eco-friendly materials are important to them. They source their materials carefully and choose building products, like Jumbo SCRAIL^® available through FASCO America^®, that help them work more efficiently to minimize their environmental impact and maximize the life of their log home.

If you are interested in learning more about log home building, download our whitepaper that details the many considerations you must make when planning a log home construction project.