Wood is enjoying a revival as a building material in the construction industry in general, while log in particular is becoming a popular choice as an alternative to conventional build. High quality log houses are suitable for many projects including main residences, holiday homes, offices, schools, swimming pools, sporting lodges and clubhouses

Log homes have a warm natural feel that is quite distinct from other buildings. Some of the many advantages of log construction are:

• Environmentally friendly
• Quicker and easier to erect in comparison with conventional build
• Exceptionally well insulated (and therefore easier and cheaper to heat)
• Provides a healthier living environment (wood breathes, creating a healthier atmosphere, and the elements used in the construction processare completely non-toxic)
• Long lasting (hundreds of years if properly maintaned)
• Easy to maintain

The first question to consider in relation to building a log home is whether or not there exists a realistic possibility of obtaining planning consent for a log house at the proposed site. Planning is a complicated issue, and depends of quite a number of different factors, not all of which are clearly defined. In other words, some aspects of planning are left to be determined by the particular local council, or even an individual planning officer. For these reasons, it is always advisable to use a professional planning-service provider from the outset, who can usually advise informally and at no cost whether or not there is any point in applying for planning or even open a dialogue with planning officials. The decision whether or not to go ahead and engage in the planning process can be taken.

Applewood Lodges have teamed up with Keppie Design, one of the UK’s largest architectural firms, to provide not only exceptional design services, but also a unique platform in the shape of its experienced planning department, enabling our clients wishing to build a log house to quickly determine the best way to approach the planning process.

Log Types

Once a decision to build a log house has been made, the log type is to be considered. This would include both the shape and the size of the log.

In so far as the shape is concerned, options include:

• Round log
• Planed (square) log
• Laminated log

Round logs have a tendency to split and crack and the log wall, in so far as stability and insulation is concerned, is not actually the full thickness of the logs, but is rather limited to the thickness of the flattened top and bottom of the log, where the logs rest on top of one another.

Planed logs are more commonly used and are more stable but will still tend to warp, twist and crack, especially in damp climate such as in the UK.

At Applewood Lodges we believe that laminated logs are by far the best choice when deciding on the construction of your log home. If you choose to use laminated log, make sure the logs have been laminated with the right type of glue, which would not threaten the important qualities of the wood. At Applewood we insist on using only organic, formaldehyde free, non-toxic glue, allowing the wood to continue to “breathe”.

As to log size, a few important points need to be considered.

Many of the cheaper log house manufacturers use logs of 50-70mm thickness. Such material is probably sufficient for a log cabin or hut but not really for a proper log home. Thicker logs not only appear more aesthetically pleasing (especially on larger buildings such as clubhouses, swimming pools etc.), but provide for a more sturdy and far better insulated house. Of course, there is a balance to be struck. Larger logs are more expensive, cost more to transport and are more difficult to build with, and while thicker log walls would always provide better insulation, UK building regulations require practically all log houses to have an insulation wall, ensuring that an acceptable level would be achieved in all buildings.

Applewood Lodges consider that for most log houses erected in the UK a laminated log of 88mm thickness is the ideal compromise between cost/size/strength/ease of transport and build. Large buildings or ones with special architectural features would require for thicker logs to be used.

Choosing a supplier for your log home

There are quite a number of different log house suppliers in the UK, ranging from upmarket, expensive homes to cheap holiday chalets. When deciding on the kind of log home or building required, you should, of course, take into consideration the specific purpose for which the house would be built, but generally speaking it is strongly recommended to go for a higher-end building, made of the right quality raw material, while keeping an eye on the price. Note that in most cases a higher quality log house would only cost marginally more than a far inferior kind.

It is important to note that while we all prefer a bargain, buying the cheapest log house you can find is very often a false economy. A log house is an investment, and normally a long-term one. A cheap log house made from thinner log would not maintain its attributes for long, and would begin to deteriorate quite quickly, whereas a good quality log house, made out of slow-growing northern pine, can last for hundreds of years.

When comparing suppliers, make sure to take account of the following points:

• Many log house providers try to make their houses appear bigger than they actually are by including non-liveable space such as decks, verandas, balconies or low attic spaces within the shown house size. Applewood only specify the size of liveable space.
• Quality of timber and finish will vary considerably. Timber quality is paramount to the look and lifespan of your log house. Applewood Lodges only use dense, slow grown arctic pine from Finland, which is universally accepted to be much higher quality than pine grown in more southerly climates.
• The level of architectural, engineering and building service and expertise is crucial to a smooth, pleasant and above all satisfactory outcome in building your log home.

Design

Log houses tend to be extremely flexible, allowing changes to be made to existing designs cheaply and straightforwardly. Applewood Lodges have a range of standard house models that can be easily adapted to suit your requirements or, if you prefer, we would help design your bespoke house. Design features can include cathedral ceilings, ceiling-height picture windows, open plan living spaces, open fireplaces, mixed finishes and so forth.

Building a log home

Timescale

The time it will take to build a log house depends on a number of factors including the size of building, available labour, experience, etc. As a rough guide 4 people would take approximately two weeks to erect the basic shell of an average log house and make it watertight, then 8-10 weeks to complete it. Many people take great pleasure from building their own log home and indeed the kits are easy enough to erect, although the involvement of someone with basic joinery skills would be desirable. Alternatively, you can use a team of experienced builders to erect your log home.

Foundations

Log houses can be built on almost any type of foundation. Most people opt for the pad & pier method, which is quick, cheap and uses less concrete. Another popular foundation for log buildings is the concrete pad or plinth. However, log houses can be built on basement foundations, over garages and even on unstable ground conditions (e.g. boggy or sandy) by using pilings.

Delivery and storage

One of the advantages of a log kit is that log houses can be put up in situations where poor access means that it would be very difficult to build a conventional house.

The best thing to do when the kit arrives is to take some time to organise components by referring to the building instructions and laying out the kit so that it makes sense and you know where everything is. Make sure that the area you store and sort the kit out on is clear and clean.

Where possible, the kit should be stored indoors away from damp or dirty conditions. Alternatively it should be raised off the ground on bits of timbers, kept covered under plastic sheeting, allowing for plenty of ventilation.

Most log house kits will consist of the wooden elements, windows, doors and stairs but not the actual roofing material (as this would normally depend on planning conditions), kitchens, bathrooms, plumbing, electrics, heating, etc.

Caring for your log home /Maintenance

Log buildings are extremely low maintenance. The 2 main differences compared to conventional properties are:

- Long bolts running through the logs at the corners of the house should be tightened occasionally as the building settles for the first couple of years.

- The protective coating on the outside should be reapplied every 5-10 years. It is important that a quality organic, non-toxic and breathable coating is used (not varnish or stain). These coatings can be clear or coloured to produce a paint effect.

Environmental

Many people who wish to own a log home are also keen to live in an environmentally friendly manner.  Log houses lend themselves to “green” energy systems such as Solar and wind power, ground source heat pumps, waste water recycling and management etc.  Grants are often available to encourage such environmentally friendly solutions.  Information regarding microgeneration technologies and how to apply for grants can be found at the DTI website www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk (further useful information is available at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk &  http://ceef.energy-efficiency.org/ in Scotland, www.energysavingwales.org.uk/  in Wales, www.sei.ie/ in Ireland and the helpful Citizens Advice Bureau website www.adviceguide.org.uk/  - with energy and grant advice for all regions).

Further information

If you require any more information or assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us through our main website: www.applewoodlodges.co.uk

Company Information for	Applewood Lodges Ltd.
Registered Office	15-19 York Place,
	Edinburgh,
	EH1 3EB
	tel. 0845 6432340
Registration Number:	SC0316330