By Helen Clarke
Traditionally log cabins were found in wooded areas, where the construction material was at hand.
In North America they were built by early settlers and by hunters, loggers, and other wilderness dwellers, and were associated by many people with simplicity and self reliance. Since the days of the early settlers in North America, women would make quilts that represented log cabins on the prairie. The red centre squares were for the hearth, the lighter squares were for the sunny side of the log cabin, and dark squares were on the opposite side for the shady side of the log cabin.
Log Cabin Uses
The heyday of the log cabin in North America was in the third and fourth quarters of the 19th Century, which corresponds to the widespread trek Westward after the Civil War. Nowadays log cabins are found all over the world and they are often used as an extension for the home when space is short, for example, as an office, playroom, sauna, a gym or a therapy room. Because log cabins are seen as strong, reliable and environmentally friendly, log cabins are often used in the branding for various companies and organisations.
Energy Efficient
Log cabins are renowned for their energy efficiency as timber is an excellent insulator - a 2.5cm log has a better thermal resistance than an 11.4cm brick, because the thousands of tiny air pockets trapped in every square inch of the wood's structure slow the transfer of heat though the log. Therefore the log cabins are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. However, increasing the thickness of the walls does not mean you will have the most energy efficient log cabin, because you have to consider the insulation for the floors, ceilings and roof, and use the right kind of doors and windows, etc.
Choices
Log cabins are often bought directly from a supplier, and the choice is huge. However, if you're looking for a truly unique log cabin, then building your own can be a great experience but remember it can also be challenging and physically demanding. To save yourself time and energy you could hire a contractor to build your log cabin home, but do check they are reliable, offer good value for money, and only use the best materials.
Check list
Whichever option you decide on, i.e. buying a ready-made log cabin or building your own, there are a several points to consider: Try to opt for toughen glass in your log cabin because plastic fades over time; Be careful of long delivery times. It is possible to do a credit check on the company selling you the cabin and there are websites that check a company's financial status; Check what is included in the price, for example, delivery, veranda, and window boxes; Use a good preservative as a cheap one is a waste of time; Check where the wood comes from. Is it from a sustainable forest, and is it made from slow grown timber? Quick growing timber is cheaper but will eventually twist; Check on building regulations for your area. Planning permission isn't normally needed for small log cabins as long as it is 5 meters away from the main property, does not exceed more than 50% of your total garden area and is less than 4 meters in height. However, if you have any doubts or live in a conservation area or a listed building, you should contact your local planning office.
Conclusion
Log cabins have a long history and are as popular today as they were many years ago in North America. However, these day's log cabins are not limited as a place to live, but rather as an extension to the home.
Helen Clarke wrote the Article 'The Popularity of Log Cabins' and recommends you visit http://www.gardeningthoughts.co.uk for more information on log cabin kits
