When buying a cabin you want it to last a long time. Whether it’s used for a half year home, a family vacation spot, or a seasonal getaway you want it to be in good working order whenever you go to stay.
Spending your money on something that is only going to last a few years isn’t as appealing as finding something that you can depend on for a long time. Log cabins are meant to be sturdy and safe. They were made to withstand extreme weather and curious animals.
A well-built cabin can keep out any unwanted visitors or weather conditions while still keeping the occupants cozy and safe. With these ideas in mind, we definitely expect a log cabin to last a long time.
How long do log cabins last? Log cabins can last anywhere between 20-50 years if done right. Log cabins can even last for a full century if it’s properly looked after and built in a good location that doesn’t experience extreme weather changes. If one is built incorrectly, it can require extreme maintenance within 5 years.
The longevity of cabins is what attracts so many people to them. They are a special structure with a lot of durabilities. They were created to be set in places with harsh winters and some grueling summers.
It’s not a secret that frequent outdoorsman flock to cabins for warmth and protection in the winters. There is no reason to purchase a log cabin that will not give you the most out of your purchase.
We want to have a guarantee that our investments will provide for us! That is definitely the case in a general log cabin.
A Long History of Success
The amazing thing about traditional log cabins is their heritage of lasting for decades. Log cabins are not a new phenomenon that floated in on a wave of fads and trends that will be out of style within the next couple of years. They have been built and utilized throughout the world for centuries.
Even though they may not be perfectly sound after a few decades of neglect, a log cabin is built to last. They are known for their ability to insulate you in the winter and allow you to remain cool when surrounded by the heat of the summer. They are versatile homes that allow for a happy life anywhere you choose.
The log cabin isn’t usually known for its exuberance and fanfare but for its durability, resilience, and comfort. Log cabins are typically simple and effective. That’s why we like them — they get the job done!
Structural Concerns
The last thing you want to fail in a home is the structure. A structure is the bones of the house– the very cage that holds things together and gives it shape. It keeps everything upright, strong, and tight. One thing I know for sure is that we want our roof to stay high above our heads and not anywhere else.
A log cabin’s structure needs a lot of attention from materials being gathered to create it to 20 years down the road when it needs a nip, tuck, or patch somewhere.
Log cabins are known to be sturdy homes resistant to weather and temperature. However, this does not mean that they are impervious to these conditions. Weather and temperature changes affect log cabins building materials.
Extreme temperatures can crack and break up chinking between logs and will require a lot of maintenance. Heavy snowfall or piercing heat can do the same to outside walls causing slow deterioration.
The way to prevent, avoid, and fix structural concerns comes from the same idea. Maintain your log cabin! It is important to give your cabin some love at least yearly.
Checking your chinking for cracks and holes while also inspecting for water damage or other issues will increase the life of your log cabin considerably.
If you take care of your log cabin, you should have little concern about it not protecting you as it should.
Materials
Choosing the right building materials when constructing your cabin can go a long way in increasing its lifespan. From your wood to your location, it is important to make the best decisions for you.
Logs must be chosen carefully because different types of wood react differently to weather and temperature. The treatment of the logs before being used as the building material is also an important factor to consider.
Drying your logs and treating them properly can give you advanced water resistance and overall protect your cabin from early deterioration.
Sometimes people want the look of a log cabin without the hassle of harvesting, drying, and treating wood. There are steel options that imitate the look of a log cabin but provide different features, benefits, and disadvantages when compared to a real, full-blown log cabin.
Other advantages of using synthetic materials that look like wood but don’t act like wood are that it is resistant to weather. Consistent maintenance is not required for upkeep. It can usually be washed off and cleaned easily without concern of saturating it.
If you are looking for a general look instead of a feel, synthetic logs may be your best option.
The location of your cabin, as I have previously mentioned, can also have an effect on how long it lasts. If you are building it in a place that is ravaged with snow storms or impressive summer heat, your cabin will need more repairs more often.
These locations are commonplace for log cabins, so this is not a warning against building there. I merely want to point out that if you built a log cabin in a place with a mild year-round climate it will most likely last longer because it is not under constant abuse from the elements.
When you take the time, and sometimes additional cost, to construct the best log cabin you can, the longer your cabin will last.
Dry Wood
A common practice among log cabin owners is to create a roof or covering that protects your logs as much as possible. If you are able to keep your logs as dry as they can be, the longer the cabin will last.
When wood is wet or sodden, it loses its structural integrity. We all know this from leaky roofs or floors. When water infiltrates the wood, it all needs to be replaced.
This is why it is so important to dry and treat your wood properly before construction. The more prepared your logs are for constant rain or snow, the more likely they are to last a long time. Dry wood is one of the key elements of a structurally sound cabin.
If you can construct a roof or porch that withstands most rain or snow, the better chances you have of keeping your cabin fresh for decades to come.
Related Questions
Are long cabins well insulated? Yes, log cabins are built with insulation in mind! The chinking between the logs ensures a tight seal that doesn’t allow warm air to escape or cold air to penetrate. Their insulating capabilities are one of the main reasons log cabins are so popular in cold or snowy places.
Are log homes cheaper than regular homes? Typically regular homes are cheaper to build than the log homes. A different opinion may emerge when regular home builders add gadgets, landscaping, and other common add-ons that jack up the price.
Prices vary depending on what you’re looking for in a log cabin. On the flip side, a log cabin will usually end up being worth more when it comes time to sell. The cost opportunities and downfalls will be different for you depending on your circumstances and wants.
How long does it take to construct a log cabin? The entire process of building your log cabin can take 3-4 months. There is a lot of preparation that the wood needs to go through before the logs can be put together.
The actual construction of the log cabin can be achieved in as little as 4 weeks, but there are planning and preparation stages that you must go through before construction can begin.