Three challenges with full-log homes that you don’t face with log siding homes are slow and expensive plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC system installation. Let’s look at all three of them and see why log siding homes overcome these disadvantages.
How Log Siding Homes Are Built
Log siding homes are constructed differently than full-log homes that make them faster and easier to build. You also enjoy the benefits of lower-cost materials and labor.
- Log siding homes are built the same way conventional homes are built
- Log siding is installed on conventional wall framing with long screws
- No expensive specialized builders are required to install the siding
- Insulation is added in the walls to increase the R-value
- Homeowners with woodworking skills and knowledge can install siding
- No need to hire an expensive crane and crane operator to lift heavy full logs
Log siding homes are typically constructed with pine or cedar siding installed on the exterior and interior walls. The siding is virtually a “no-waste” sustainable product that does not end up in the landfill.
Plumbing Advantages
Plumbing a home requires running a lot of pipes and cutting and drilling many holes. This is a challenging undertaking with full logs because of their thickness and length.
- Additional time must be spent planning for plumbing
- Drilling holes the length of logs for pipes weakens the logs
- Pipes that are run along the side of logs must be boxed in as needed
- Cutting out areas in logs can be a headache and time-consuming
Log homes typically settle one inch over time, and that’s why you should install a settling point somewhere in the plumbing wall. This acts as a relief joint to take pressure off the vertical plumbing pipes and the second floor gradually settles. This is an extra expense that is not required with log siding homes. TIP: Hire an experienced and licensed plumber for your work.
The major plumbing advantage of log siding homes is that piping is easily installed inside the conventional wall framing that eliminates the issues with full log homes.
Electrical Wiring Advantages
Installing electrical wiring in log siding homes provides most of the same advantages as plumbing the home. There is far more wiring to run in a house compared to PVC pipes for water flow and drains. Wiring a house with conventional framing poses no additional problems for electricians. Here is what you run into with wiring a full-log home or cabin:
- The number of holes to drill and areas to cut out of the logs is enormous
- Most wiring should be outside the logs and run through pipes and this raises the cost
- Thorough planning is required to place outlets, switches, and light fixtures
- Pre-drilling and pre-wiring must be accomplished during the log wall assembly process
- Wiring may run below the floor and brought up through channels drilled during construction and must be carefully planned
- A licensed electrician should be consulted for placing exterior wall electrical boxes
- Wiring for lights and switches near exterior doors needs running wires along door jambs and drilling sideways to the electrical box
As you can see, wiring for log siding homes is simple and less expensive than for full-log homes. All this extra work associated with full-log houses delays completing the home project, especially when you install the HVAC system.
