There are two or three log cabin builders in our area. Know a few who have them in varying shapes and sizes, from round logs to keyd square logs that look like a standard house with normal siding. Also Hometime has done a couple. I like them *but* they have some strong disadvantages as far as maintenance goes and when they need it there is alot of work involved. Chinking is one, that stuff that goes between the logs. Every few years it needs to be removed and redone in the living areas. They need to be sprayed every 3 years, top to bottom with a protectant and insect repellent. They continously settle, windows and doors are not nailed like a normal window frame, they have long holes so the window and door frames can move up and down with the seasons.
Good sound and thermal insulation when the walls are 15-18" thick. You need to preplan the wiring for both current and future use as the wiring is put thru bore holes unless you go surface mount [ugly], the plumbers and electricians and all the other contractors need to know what they are doing. Put a normal electrician in one and he's lost, same with plumber.
Check out timber homes, those are homes that are built like an old time barn with heavy timber trusses over heavy frames, usually 6x6 or 8x8, then prebuilt wall panels complete with wiring, windows and doors and sheetrock are nailed up to the timber frame with like 12" long nails, same with the roof, preformed roof sections are dropped in place, complete roof in 3 hours.
Advantage is you could do it in stages, buy property, improve it [well, septic, underground utilities],have the foundation built and deck it over till you are ready to put the structure on. There are some beautiful options out there now a days.
Me, I've always wanted an earth home where I only have to mow the roof a couple of times a summer and a full glass front with a good view. The Baggins house in lord of the rings would be my dream home, cept it needs a 4 car garage
with a lift in one bay :laugh3:
