When most people think about where they want to live, they imagine a four-bedroom house in a leafy suburb somewhere on the edge of town. However, is that really where you want to live?
Residing in a traditional home is not your only option. There are many alternatives, from trailers to eco-houses. One of the most attractive alternative housing options is log cabins – homes made from natural materials and often situated in incredible locations out in the wilderness. It can seem like a big jump, but log cabins can help you have a high quality of life for an incredibly low cost.
They’re Energy Efficient
Traditional homes made from brick and mortar are robust and last a long time, but they are not particularly energy efficient. The problem for brick homes is that they radiate heat very effectively, meaning that it is much harder to keep them warm. People spend thousands of dollars building cavity walls and then stuffing insulation into the gap between. Even with all that expense, heating bills are still high.
Log cabins are different. Thanks to the fact that wood contains millions of tiny air pockets, wood is an excellent natural insulator. It is good at keeping warm air out during the summer and excellent and keeping warm air in during the winter.
They’re Just as Weatherproof
There is a perception out there that log homes are not weatherproof because they are made from wood, not brick and mortar. However, this is not necessarily the case. Just like regular homes, log homes have to be properly treated in order to resist the elements. There are now dozens of log home finishing products that keep moisture out for years on end. What’s more, other forms of pest infiltration, like termite invasion, are actually easier to spot when your home is made from wood.
They’re Secluded
Some people love living in the big city. However, for others, it can be stressful. The great thing about log cabins is that they offer a secluded lifestyle for those who want it. Log homes are often built in the middle of forests or on the edge of a lake (or both) – locations rarely shared by regular homes.
They’re Economical
Log homes are often viewed as temporary structures and not really for long term living. Again, this is just people’s prejudices. Log cabins are built to last, as evidenced by the fact that many are still standing centuries after they were first built. A log cabin can be an asset you can pass down from one generation to the next who can either live there or rent it out during the holiday season.
They’re Easy to Customize
Everybody wants to live in a home that reflects his or her tastes and character. However, many brick and mortar houses are very generic, especially new builds. Of course, you can get a personalized regular home customized to your particular needs, but doing so is eye-wateringly expensive. Customizing a log cabin, on the other hand, is a lot cheaper. Many companies offer multiple styling options to suit individual tastes.
