Long prevalent as country weekend homes, these rustic beauties are increasingly being built as primary residences. Typically, a potential homeowner contacts a log-home manufacturer or packager, who helps to design a floor plan (or customize a stock one), then sells the logs and various other parts as a package. It is necessary then to hire a local contractor to assemble the house on-site.

Building a dream

Long prevalent as country weekend homes, these rustic beauties are increasingly being built as primary residences. Typically, a potential homeowner contacts a log-home manufacturer or packager, who helps to design a floor plan (or customize a stock one), then sells the logs and various other parts as a package. It is necessary then to hire a local contractor to assemble the house on-site.

Building styles and species of logs vary based on the area of the country, but since many companies ship throughout the United States, numerous choices are available. About 90 percent of manufacturers use milled logs, while the rest still handcraft them. Consider a company's trademark style and choose one that builds a look you're drawn to (and has a quality reputation).

Although log structures originated in Scandinavia, Russia, and Eastern Europe, they are now icons of American architecture. Today, log homes come in all styles and sizes, from modest unheated weekend cabins to sprawling state-of-the-art estates. 26,000 log homes are built each year.

Log home primer

1. research Start by researching on the Internet to learn the basics of log-home building, then attend log-home shows (try loghome living.com/shows for a list of area shows) to see examples from different companies.

2. budget Decide on a realistic budget and your basic needs in a floor plan before meeting with log-home packagers. Each company charges differently for upgrades and add-ons.

3. investigate Before choosing a log-home packager, check to see that they have a positive track record of satisfied clients, or are in good standing with the Log Homes Council (www.loghomes.org). You'll also want to choose a qualified builder, so ask for referrals.

4. inspect If your dream log home is on the market, be sure to hire a certified home inspector with knowledge of log homes and their potential problems before putting in a bid.


Getting the log-cabin look

If you live in a frame house you can still bring home some Adirondack charm. Textured wallpaper from Brewster Wallcovering looks surprisingly authentic in a den.

Getting the log-cabin look

Add a rustic touch to stock cabinets with nature-inspired handles: Black Forest Decor's Antler Cabinet Pull; Van Dyke's Restorers' polymer Antler Kodiak Pull

Top 3 maintenance issues

1. THE SUN Apply a wood stain or preservative inside and out to protect logs from fading.

2. CRACKS & GAPS As logs dry out and settle, cracks and gaps may appear. Have your home inspected (and repaired if needed) once a year.

3. MOISTURE Water damage can cause fissures and rot in logs. Make sure there is proper drainage around walls and regularly reapply a stain.

Decorating advice

STAIN Besides protecting your home's interior from fading, a stain can provide a splash of color. Choose a golden stain to use throughout the house, or pick sheer-colored stains to individualize certain rooms.

DETAILS Hanging pictures and other items on log walls is a snap--even with rounded logs, pictures will hang straight. And if you move your art frequently, there's no need to spackle nail holes since they blend in.