Living in a log cabin may sound like an idea that’s too good to be true, but it isn’t.
Log cabins are affordable and environmentally friendly, so you can live your dream without spending too much time or money.
A log cabin can be an ideal addition to your garden, if you have the space, and can provide you with extra accommodation for yourself, visitors, family members or as holiday space for paying guests.
Most log cabins are beautiful and cozy, but they don’t offer the same amenities as traditional houses. They can also require more upkeep, such as regular painting of the exterior, roof maintenance and, unless you plan carefully, they can be very cold in winter and excessively hot in the summer.
If you’re considering living in a log cabin on an extended basis or if it’s your primary residence, consider all of the pros and cons before making up your mind.
Can you live in a log cabin all year round?
Many people dream of living in a log cabin, but they have questions about the winter.
Can you live in a log cabin all year round? What’s it like to live there in the cold months? Can a log home handle a Minnesota winter?
The answer is yes, you can live in a log cabin all year round.
Log cabins are generally built to handle tough winters and, providing that you equip your cabin with suitable insulation, furniture and a source of heat, such as a wood burning stove, then your cabin should be comfortable in the worst weather conditions.
Ready to assemble garden log cabin kits
How are log homes heated?
Most people choose to heat their log home by burning wood.
There are several other options, such as using a pellet or gas stove, though you should be careful to ensure that if you install any type of heating appliance in your cabin that it is approved for indoor use.
What about electricity for log cabins?
Many log home owners install solar panelling on their roofs and connect these to battery banks to provide a reliable source of power.
This type of power generation becomes important if your cabin is located away from mains power and often, many cabin owners combine solar power with other forms of power such as wind or even hydro-power systems.
Can you put a toilet in a log cabin?
Yes, you can put a toilet in a log cabin.
However, the logistics of installing one isn’t as easy as putting one in other types of houses.
If you want to install an indoor bathroom and don’t mind building it yourself and/or doing some extra work then go for it.
Remember that there isn’t an abundance of space in a log cabin so building a bathroom can be quite challenging.
If you need to build yours, make sure that there is enough room for the toilet and the rest of the bathroom fixtures.
Remember to plan where you will vent any plumbing to minimise and reduce smells.
Many log cabin owners build a separate hut or outbuilding that accommodates toilets and washing facilities.
These types of outhouses can be useful as they can also be used laundry, storage and other activities that you might not want to use the main cabin for.
What’s it like living in a log cabin?
From my own, personal experience I can tell you that it is a very natural and relaxing thing to do.
The first thing that you notice is the smell of the wood and the closeness to nature, when it rains you hear the raindrops on the roof which, for me at least, was a relaxing and endearing sound.
It almost felt like being on a form of extended holiday and there was a real sense of it being somehow more natural and ‘normal’ even healthier than living in a brick built house.
One thing I will say is that if you don’t get the insulation and heating right, then it can get really cold during the winter.
I’d say that it probably isn’t for everyone but, if you enjoy camping or a more natural approach to life then I suspect you’ll love it.
What are the problems with living in a log cabin?
Well, there are no two ways about it if you live in a log cabin winter is going to be bleak.
Good insulation and heating are essential for this type of house.
If you don’t take these precautions, staying warm will become almost impossible during the winter months.
If you do the opposite and don’t insulate or heat your cabin then you may end up paying a fortune in fuel bills as it will take a hell of a lot to keep a log cabin warm during a harsh winter.
The other problem is one of space.
Log cabins are great but they aren’t really known for being spacious.
That’s probably the one major downside to living in a log cabin, you can’t really move around as much as you’d like to.
This can be tough when you have guests or want to work on DIY tasks in your cabin.
Can you build a log cabin without needing planning permission?
It is possible to build your own small log cabin without having to go through the arduous process of obtaining planning permission, though this isn’t always easy.
No matter how big or small your log cabin is you should check with your local council first before attempting to build one.
They will let you know if you require planning permission and can also provide advice on how to submit a successful application.
This is important because, depending on where you live, not being granted permission to build your log cabin could be costly.
If this does happen then you might have to resort to the slow process of getting retrospective permission.
Retrospective permission is a pain and can be costly, time-consuming and frustrating.
One of the best ways to ensure that you get permission to build your log cabin is by making your application as detailed as possible from the outset.
This way you should have a better chance of not having to go through the long process of retrospective permission.
Do log homes decay?
Log cabins can and will rot if they are not constructed properly and if maintenance is neglected.
This means that it is important to not only build your log home carefully and with high quality materials but also take care of it once its built.
It might seem obvious but you should always ensure that the logs are protected from the elements and moisture as much as possible and this includes protecting them from plants and other things like algae.
Your cabin should be protected from the ground underneath by a waterproof barrier or damp course that will prevent ground water from creeping upwards into the fabric of the building.
You should also ensure that the logs are treated regularly with wood preservative to protect them from rot and fungus.
You should also check your cabin for any problems on a regular basis, especially if water is getting in or you notice any unusual damp patches appearing.
If you do take care of your log cabin then it should last several years without decaying.
Can you get log cabin kits?
Log cabin kits can be an effective way of building a log home if you are confident in your DIY skills or working with tools.
The good thing about log cabin kits is that they make building a log home relatively easy and they also tend to be inexpensive.
My own log cabin was supplied in kit form, which was delivered to my home by truck.
Once I had unpacked the components, read and re-read the instructions, the kit was reasonably easy to assemble and the cabin was ready within a few days.
There are a number of popular log cabin kits available for self assembly.
ECOHOUSEMART | Log House Kit
A log house kit that is pre-cut and ready to build.
The ECOHOUSEMART Log Home Kit is a complete package that includes: 2 floors, 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen cabinets and appliances included.
It has a total of 2900 sq ft of living space and 2690 sq ft of floor space.
The roof is made out of 28.6 feet ridge line logs.
This kit comes with all the materials you will need to build your dream home at a fraction of the cost.
BestBarns Richmond 16′ x 28′ Barn Wood Shed Kit
The BestBarns Richmond 16′ x 28′ Barn Wood Shed Kit is the ideal storage solution for your home and garden.
The kit includes all of the materials needed to build a beautiful, long-lasting shed that will meet your needs now and in the future.
This product is available as a kit or as individual components so you can customize it to fit your specific requirements.
It’s made from pressure treated wood and features two floors, allowing you to store items on different levels. The shingled roof gives this shed an attractive appearance that blends well with most homes and gardens.
Best Barns Millcreek 12′ X 20′ Wood Shed Kit
- Windows and Floor Sold Separately
- Paint, Shingles, Drip Edge, and Roof Paper not Included
Best Barns Millcreek 12′ X 20′ Wood Shed Kit is the perfect place to store all your lawn and garden equipment.
The shed kit is made of quality pine wood and includes everything you need for a do-it-yourself project, including pre-cut pieces, hardware, instructions and tools.
Best Barns Millcreek 12′ X 20′ Wood Shed Kit features a shingled roof with a slope of 3/12 (3″ rise per foot run). There are four windows on each side of the shed which provide ventilation and natural light.
Weizhengheng expandable flat packhouse with solar energy system
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This is a new type of container house. It’s an environment-friendly product with solar power and wind power system on the top of the house.
The whole house uses a remote control which provides you with an easy way to fold and expanded it automatically.
This cabin can be used for a wide variety of situations which can include:
Use as a home – either permanent or temporary
As an office or other workspace
Extra accommodation for family, guests or children.
Final Words
So, you can see that you can live in a log cabin provided that you take care during construction and also insulate and heat the cabin appropriately.
Even if you choose not to live in a cabin you still have the option to rent it out to people for camping holidays or to use it yourself as a ‘get away from it’ place.
