Choosing a log home floor plan is a major project for anyone. There are many decisions to make for even the simplest log home. The one thing you can do to make everything easier, faster, and more cost-effective is to build with pine log siding instead of full logs or timber frames.
You should consider making home plans and selecting a lot at the same time. They should complement each other so you won’t think you’ve made a mistake once construction starts. The following ideas should help make the right decisions.
Start With The Location, Lot Dimensions, And Lay Of The Land
Choose the location of your new log home, lot dimensions, and topography carefully. They all play a part of your house plans in the beginning stages. The lot location should fit your lifestyle and be a reasonable distance from work and places you frequent.
The size of the lot should fit your needs and budget. Do you want to leave sufficient distance from your neighbors, or does that matter? Will the lot require a lot of work before laying the foundation such as grading, removing trees, or filling in parts of the land?
Prioritize Important Features For Log Home Floor Plans
Get everyone’s ideas that will live in the new home. What do you need and want that will work for now and be flexible enough for the future? Here are some essential decisions to make:
- What size is best for my plans?
- What architectural style is important?
- How many bedrooms and bathrooms do I need?
- Should I have an attached or detached garage?
- What about a basement or second floor?
- Do I want an open floor plan?
- Is the style appropriate for the location?
You should also think about a cathedral or vaulted ceiling or extra rooms for an office, nursery, exercise, or movie room. Think it through so you won’t need to make modifications once the construction is underway. Also, determine if anyone has special needs that may modify plans.
Establish A Budget And A Timeline For Log Home Floor Plans
Setting a budget and a schedule for completion may be two of the most important decisions to make. How much can you afford that won’t overextend your finances? Other ideas include:
- Can you obtain the financing on time and where will you get it?
- Do you want mortgage terms of 30, 25, 20, or 15 years?
- Have you found a reliable construction company with the right costs?
- Will the weather be a factor in meeting the move-in deadline?
Showcase Natural Features
The lot may have some natural features you may want to showcase that will influence its construction. What will you do about them?
- The features may determine the direction the front of the house faces.
- Is there a lake, river, mountain, or trees you want to see from certain rooms?
- Can you occasionally see wildlife out the back door?
- Is there a hill or mountain you love seeing?
- Do you plan to dine or entertain outside?
Put The Plans On Paper
After consolidating your thoughts, the next crucial step is translating those ideas into a tangible plan. Various avenues are available for this, ranging from free online templates to opting for customized plans that can be acquired through payment. Alternatively, you may choose to engage the services of an architect or enlist a contractor. For those with the necessary skills, creating your own plans is a viable option, and having a contractor review and validate them ensures precision in execution. The key lies in selecting the approach that aligns seamlessly with your preferences, budget, and expertise.
The floor, overall house, and landscaping plans need to be complete enough so there are no misunderstandings in ordering materials and building the log home. The beauty of using pine log siding, corners, and trim is they are installed on conventional wall framing. You avoid the complications of building with full logs and its higher costs.
Consider Energy-Saving Designs
There are some energy-saving ideas and designs you may want to consider. They can save on utility bills, be more convenient, and help with a natural disaster.
- Install high-efficiency appliances and an HVAC system
- Solar panels are a good power source backup for your home
- Supplemental heat with a wood-burning stove or gas log
- Use large windows to soak up the sun
- Fully insulate the attic, walls, and under the floors
- Install smart home devices
- Create thicker walls and a ‘cool’ roof
Accept There Are Pros And Cons For Every House Plan
Since we live in an imperfect world, you may not find a house plan that has everything and nothing you don’t want. This doesn’t mean you won’t be happy with your final decision. Prioritize the features that are most important and match them to several plans to make the decision. Something you initially want in the plans may have a negative flipside, and you will need to delete it.
The more time you spend upfront researching your needs and wants, the fewer issues you will encounter when moving in and living there. Happy log home building!