10 Important Pre-cautions to Consider When Designing Your Dream Home

7/26/2013 So you plan on investing a lot of time and a lot of money into the log home of your dreams? Please take a few minutes to read the 10 pre-cautions to take before and during the building process, it will definitely save time and money in the long run! Some seem to be common sense, while others are things you may over look just trying to achieve your dream that much faster. Please do leave comments or questions, as I will be more than happy to help or answer them. I hope this is helpful! [caption id="attachment_60" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Exterior, horizontal, lakeside elevation, Lutz residence, Leeland, Michigan, Maple Island Log Homes[/caption]

1.Roof overhangs are a necessary part of protecting your log home. Overhangs should be a minimum of 24" width. The reason for this is, the less water that runs down your home, the less problems. Also, it will shade your home from the sun.

2. Install a termite shield and treat the soil for termites when constructing the foundation of the home. This is very necessary when building a log home. We all know what termites eat, WOOD!

3. Install vapor barriers and vent the foundation properly to eliminate moisture. This preventive step will save you a lot of money, and hard-work in the future.

4. Preserve your logs with a quality log home finish. Log homes have special finishing requirements that are not necessarily the same requirements as found on structures build with standard sawn lumber.

5. Evaluate your design and incorporate a system to divert water from general precipitation in the form of snow, mist or rain. Correct any area where rain water stands or splashes directly on the log or any wood surface.

6. Pay attention to the humidity factor in your area. You may need to take additional steps to protect your home from decay and fungus. A borate treatment such as Shell Guard, or finish additive such as a mildecide will protect the wood from molds and mildew.

7. Grade around the log home to divert water and soil from touching the logs. Do not plant shrubs and other vegetation too close to the log wall surface. There are a few reasons you do not want shrubs and vegetation close to your low walls. One being, BUGS! We all know that where there is shrubs, bushes, or plants of any sort, that bugs will love them just as much as we do. Another reason is, if planted to closely, you wont have space to do proper maintenance to your home, and you also need air flow to keep the chance of mold and mildew growth at bay.

8. Do not stack firewood or other lumber next to your home. Again, this will lower your chances of termite infestation.

9. Perform yearly maintenance checks or hire a professional to implement a maintenance program. Check for water leaks, signs of insect infestation and finish failure.In the long run, this will save you a ton of MONEY! Proper maintenance will make what could end up being a huge costly project, just a minor adjustment.

10. Keep a journal on the maintenance of your log home. Keep records and dates of the product applied, the warranties (if applicable) and the contractors who have worked on your home. Keep notes of your observations.Also, keep record of the PRODUCT you or your contractor APPLIED! We receive several phone calls and e-mails asking what product was applied to customers homes, what color, if it is oil or water based. A lot of times we can help, IF the product was originally bought from us. However, if it was bought elsewhere, we really can't tell you to a 100% certainty what the product or color is/was. Which could create a huge problem, especially if you do not intend on taking your home down to the bare wood.