Log and Timber Home Living

It’s a question we at Log & Timber Home Living have heard for eons. And we get it — we love forests as much as the most ardent environmentalist. Our answer has always been that responsible forest management, which is practiced by all the log home companies we know, is actually better for the planet than leaving the woodlands to their own devices. And in a recent report, the Univer-sity of Missouri backs up our reply. In June 2024, three researchers from the University’s School of Natural Resources published a report titled, “Carbon and Biomass Dynamics in Missouri Forests and Implications for Climate Change.” In it, the team explains not only the importance of trees and other photosynthetic forest plants in carbon storage and the absorption of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide, (aka,…

WONDERING WHAT IT’S LIKE on the other side of planning and construction? At loghome.com/why-choose-a-log-home, hear from log homeowners themselves about why they love living in this type of home. IF PRAGMATIC REASONS to make the move to a timber home are more your speed, you’ll find plenty of those at timberhomeliving.com/10-reasons-for-wood-homes. (Warning: We make a pretty compelling case!) THERE’S A LOT OF CARE that goes into owning any kind of home. Now that you have your cabin, whether it be log, timber or another building material, be prepared with emergency fixes that will help in a pinch at cabinlife.com/emergency-cabin-repairs. IF YOU FALL IN LOVE with the Smiths’ home on page 86 like we have, you can find special footage of the home on our YouTube channel @logandtimberhomeliving, plus other home tours sure to…

Throughout our 2025 Annual Buyer’s Guide, you’ll learn about all the technical reasons that make a log home an excellent choice, but there are other intangibles that drive the decision as well. Whether the logs are milled, handcrafted, engineered or reclaimed, here we see what they all have in common … passion. ENGINEERED LOGS After a devastating wildfire consumed their original rental cabin in 2020, for Frank and Betsy Pitcher, there was no question they would rebuild with logs, but this time they turned to engineered timbers (sometimes called “glu-lam”) as their home base. Now they’re happy to share the peace and tranquility of their 1,200-square-foot, engineered-log cabin with vacationers once more. MILLED LOGS Bob and Lee Kennedy, who own a 2,100-square-foot milled-log home, got everything on their wish list — and stayed within…

It’s all about location, location, location. This real estate cliché exists for a good reason. Where a house is located — as well as what you’ll be looking at from inside the house — impacts everything. This is why one of the first questions you’ll be asked by log home providers you’re speaking with is: Do you have land? The location, topography and composition of the soil on which you plan to build will have a huge effect on everything else to follow, from excavation costs to the design and construction of the house, so it’s difficult for a log home representative to truly help you achieve the home of your dreams before he or she knows where that dream will plant roots. If you don’t have land yet, that’s ok. These…

An informed appraiser is the key to getting a fair market valuation of your log home. Many appraisers, even those with years of experience, aren’t familiar with log home construction and may not know how to fairly estimate a log home’s resale value. If you find yourself in need of an appraisal, either to finance an existing log home or to qualify for a construction loan, you’ll find helpful information in “Appraising Log Homes.” This free, 13-page booklet, written by log home construction expert Jim Cooper, is designed to help appraisers and lenders accurately determine the value of log and timber homes by familiarizing them with the distinguishing characteristics of these custom wood structures, including styles, construction, cost variables, market trends and points of comparison with other types of housing. In addition,…

Log homes fit in any landscape, but there are practical considerations to every type of terrain. Before you commit to a piece of ground, you’ll need to make sure you can build on it. Ask the following important questions before you buy: ▪ Are utilities available, including electricity, water, gas and/or sewage treatment?▪ If there is no public sewage, will the ground pass a percolation (perc) test? (You may be able to make this a condition of the sale.)▪ Is there a water source if you need to drill a well?▪ What is the soil’s composition? (This will help you determine if excavation will be easy or if the land contains excessive bedrock that will need to be blasted, resulting in increased cost and time.)▪ What are the local building codes?…