Any special things to consider when looking at a log home? A conventional home is pretty straight forward but is there anything I need to know about a log home? Anything I would look for when considering purchasing an existing log home? It's 25 years old, looks great but I've really no idea what to look for. If I decide to go for it I will have a home inspection but before that happens, any help or advice would be appreciated.
2007-02-06 10:53:10 · 4 answers · asked by exe40 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
What you really need to look at carefully is the chinking (white stuff between the logs) to make sure it's still weather tight. From there, make sure your windows are good (no water stains, they're still plumb, open well), check the electrical (especially because you can't run it in the walls, so there's got to be some kind of moulding covering it on the walls...and if there's not, that's a red flag), and make sure the plumbing is good.
We're building our own and the biggest thing we've learned from looking around and asking questions is that you have to make sure it's not TOO airtight. That causes furnace problems. Since you're going to have an inspection, pay close attention to what he says about the quality of your heating/cooling system. At age 25, they're probably getting close to life expectency.
Finally, make sure you've got a good roof. You're also at the early limits of the average shingle system. Look at the ceiling from the inside to see if there's any darkening from water. Unlike plaster, there's no way of hiding it in wood...which is a plus.
I hope you do end up with a log home. We're in love with them and have spent the better part of a year trying to find the right builder and the right piece of land. We're almost there...
2007-02-06 11:09:04 · answer #1 · answered by GenevievesMom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look at cracks, rot, poke something sharp into the logs like the point of a knife. If it goes in, there is rot. Look for openings between the logs. Your best bet is a home inspection but be aware, not everybody who claims to be an inspector knows what to look for. Check credentials
2007-02-06 11:01:06 · answer #2 · answered by William E 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where is this house.?????????? When you hire a home inspector, make damn sure he has experience with log homes.. The primary thing with log homes is the bottom two logs. They are prone to rot...Also the log ends will pick up water and deteriorate.
2007-02-06 12:16:40 · answer #3 · answered by buzzwaltz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Log homes are real drafty. The expansion and contraction of the logs is impossible to keep airtight. The R value of wood is one per inch.
2007-02-06 11:24:05 · answer #4 · answered by enord 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋