What makes log homes such a popular choice? Why does their value increase so much in the resale market? Our answers come from the folks that have experienced Hochstetler log home living.
The Warmth and Comfort of a Log Home
When asked what their favorite part of log home living is, Camille Crago replied, “Her 12-year-old granddaughter portrayed it best. It’s the way I feel when I’m here.”
Phil DeAngelo says that when he turns off the lights at night and walks through his house he feels so blessed. “This home is built with natural material, God made. When you look at a picture of a log home, you just want to curl up and wrap a blanket around and you’re going to be happy.”
The warmth of the wood just can’t be matched. There have been numerous products made to mimic wood but none have brought us the warmth of natural wood.
Energy Efficiency of Log Homes
Scott Lyon says that he has been greatly impressed with the home’s heat efficiency. “We have a wood stove in our living room, and it will heat the entire 2500 sq. ft. house.”
Mike Biskup was surprised at how energy-efficient their new log home is. He had a geothermal system installed, and although their home is twice the size of their previous conventional home, the electrical bills are less.
Log homes have come a long way from the old days of filling gaps with horse hair, moss, and clay to the modern kiln-dried log with tongue-and-groove gasket system. They have become one of the most energy-efficient homes.
My Wife Never Wanted a Log Home
Steve and Adie spent their first night in the log home one year to the day after construction began. “Tears came to my eyes as we sat in the great room and realized my dream had come true,” Steve recounted. “It was better than we ever imagined.” His wife, once less than enthusiastic about the log home lifestyle, quickly fell in love.
Log homes of today are not only for men but women as well. There are hundreds of options you can put in a log home. Don’t like all wood? Add some accent walls with sheetrock, stone, or whitewashed stain. Choose different color stains and lighter stains.
Legacy
Williams’ love of the back-to-nature lifestyle is evident in the decor and furnishings throughout, daily reminders of dear friends and fond memories. Steve was appreciative of the opportunity to build on the family farm and the rich heritage that was part of it. So “coming home” was more than buying a piece of land and building on it. It was keeping family memories and traditions alive.
Leon and Evelyn built a log home in Michigan. Today, the family, as well as many friends, enjoy the fruits of their labor. Besides coming together for birthdays and other memory-experiencing events, they started a “family tradition” of gathering at the cabin during the 4th of July and Labor Day weekend. The desire is, many years from now, the close-knit family will continue to enjoy the fruits of their labor and “gather at the cabin.”
Welcomes You Home Every Time
Jane says, “You can feel the love that went into this home and when you get to the top of the hill and see it, you get warm all over, almost heaven.”
“Our log home is so comfortable and inviting. Every time I come in our driveway I have to think, OK, we’re home, and not on a vacation,” says Deb Coen. “Our thoughts are if we won the lottery would we rebuild or do anything different? No! We love what we have! It’s our own little world.”
Dennis says what he likes most about their home is, “When I come here it’s like all the stress of the day melts away.”
Brings You Closer to Nature
“Now our dream is finished, we couldn’t be happier. We are surrounded by nature in all its beauty. Pine Creek flows through the property and provides a welcome habitat for our neighbors: deer, mink, turtles, and birds. The rocky outcroppings of sandstone formations provide a spectacular backdrop to our log home.”
Larry Covington has two favorite spots in his log home, the den with a wood burning fireplace and the covered deck. Above the doorway to the deck is a wooden sign that says “Serenity Hill” and it is here on the deck that the meaning of serenity is profound. On top of the mountains there is no humidity, no mosquitoes, no worry of hurricanes, and it’s the best view in the country.
Strength of a Log Home
When asked what the most pleasant surprise was in living in a log home, Keith Gaspari replied, “They are rock solid. They’re tanks.”
When Hurricane Rita’s winds caused a giant oak tree to crash through the roof of Menlo Klingman and his wife Mickey’s log home, the solid log walls withstood the weight of the toppled tree. “There is no doubt in my mind that the log home saved our lives,” says Mickey.
Log Home Maintenance
John Sloane says that some people will try to scare you out of building a log home, but most likely they never lived in one. “If you do your research and build it right you realize they are not more maintenance. Log homes have been standing for hundreds of years; they last better than other homes. I own a conventional home as well and I have less maintenance in this log home!”
People said to Keith Burgess, “Oh, you don’t want a log home, they’re too much maintenance.” But they were not afraid of work. “Now I think a log home is actually less work. I never have to paint anything on the inside.”
Our Dream Come True, Never Going Back
Since he was 10 years old, Doug Mock dreamt of living in a log home. It wasn’t until years later his longtime dream became reality. Doug is still in awe over the transformation. “To go from a 60’s split-level to my dream log home was simply amazing.”
And while the process to get there was a long one, Mike stressed that the outcome made it all worthwhile. “I just want to encourage people who have always wanted to build a log home to never give up on that dream.”
And Phil DeAngelo wraps it up with, “If you want to build a log home stick with it. Don’t be taken out by some things people say. Stick to your dreams and make it happen.”
This is not what all log home owners are saying. Only the owners who have a done-right log home.
On your maintenance it makes a difference what stain product you’re using, how the home is designed, and green versus kiln-dried logs. Efficiency of your log home depends on the roof system; is it conventional framed or does it have SIP insulation panels? Bat and mice infestation depends on whether you have solid logs or conventional framed walls with log siding on it. With solid logs there is no cavity for critters.
It’s so important to do your homework before signing the dotted line. Ask the question, “Is this company going to build me a done-right home, making me able to say what the above log home owners say?”
