Log Homes in North Carolina

There’s no denying the charming, rustic beauty of a solidly built log home. The warm, simple style of log home living is about as basic to our ideas of back-to-nature comfort and timeless appeal as it gets.

 

In centuries past, of course, as explorers settled new areas, they used whatever resources they came across to construct the most basic of housing: timber, stone, mud, and other natural materials. Often as families moved from one spot to another, further and further into unsettled lands, they disassembled their homes and took the pieces along, re-constructing their houses wherever they re-settled; but often these structures were left behind for other pioneers to use as they migrated West. Unbelievably – though rare – some American log homes from as long ago as the mid-1600s are still in existence.

 

“Chinking” is the material that log homes use between logs (much as mortar is used on brick homes) to seal the walls and make them solid. Although chinking originally may have been created using straw, cloth, mud or whatever other resources were on hand, today’s chinking is adhesive and elastic, keeping out moisture and forming an impermeable, insulating bond.

 

The “notch” technique of joining logs together in the joints, or corners, of a log building involves cutting the logs where they meet so that they solidly interlock and remain in place. Depending on the tools used, the expertise of the builder, and the desired aesthetic of the cabin, a notching pattern is selected that not only holds the walls of the cabin together but creates a weathertight effect.

 

Finally, the choice of using hand-cut or milled logs depends entirely on the skill level, budget and preference of the individual(s) who are building the log structure. Purchasing logs from a sawmill may raise the cost of a job substantially, yet the benefits of using milled logs that are uniform in size, shape and quality along with a shortened construction time and the assurance of a precision-cut, dependable product make this option a no-brainer for some people. 90% of the log homes built in America, in fact, are constructed of milled logs.

 

As far as hand-cut logs go, there’s no denying a certain satisfaction that may come from harvesting the timber on your own, from your own land, for your very own log home, but it’s also important to take into consideration the daunting task of finding the right size and healthiest trees and cutting those trees into logs that can actually be used. The advanced wood cutting skills and specialized equipment involved in this time-consuming, labor-intensive process often prevent builders from going this route.

 

A pre-fabricated log home is built in one location, then shipped to another, in pieces, for assembly. Pre-fab kits come in every shape, size, design and price range, but the main benefit is that the buyer knows that the product they’re purchasing is complete and ready to go. Modular homes are perfect for those who may be uneasy about the idea of building a log home from scratch, or for builders who are budget-conscious or have time constraints. The process of purchasing a pre-fab home is simple, straightforward and usually the fastest way to go from project start to finish, and for the most part they come with plumbing, heating, insulation packages and many of the same quality building products you’d find in a traditionally built log home.

 

A custom-built log cabin is one that is built by a contractor on someone’s own property, exactly as any other custom-built home is. The average cost of a custom log home is quite a bit higher than that of a pre-fabricated one because everything is built from scratch, according to a customized plan, and with materials that are often quite a bit higher in cost than those included in a modular home kit. However, the extras that some of today’s custom-built log homes include – hot tubs, luxurious kitchens, full baths, wrap-around decks and more – are often well worth the additional cost.  

 

A hunting cabin is a smaller, more bare-bones structure than a typical cabin, made of logs or otherwise, in an area of abundant wildlife. Typically outfitted with a number of sleeping, storage and outdoor social areas (porch, firepit) as well as cozy indoor fireplace and/or wood-burning stove, hunting cabins are ideal for those who wish to experience as much of nature as possible, year-round.

 

Although furnishings are usually sparse and modern comforts are few, all basic needs – shelter, a place to sleep, running water and some source of power for cooking and heat – are covered.

 

One of North Carolina’s most fascinating resources is Hart Square Village, the largest collection of historic log cabins in the country. The complex features log structures and antiques collected by Dr. Bob and Becky Hart over a five-decade period, each cabin lovingly restored and displayed at the Harts’ Vale, NC wildlife preserve. Every cabin, furnished with 18^th century Appalachian antiques, represents its own time and geographical location, and features authentic period furnishings and artifacts including rope beds and pewter utensils. Two major annual events – the October Annual Festival and Christmas in the Village – are held each year, the proceeds of which go toward educational resources and preservation of the historic property.

 

5055 Hope Road, Vale, NC 28168 (828) 528-5029

 

5692 Millstream Rd.

Whitsett, NC 27377

 

(800) 641-4754

3065 Crockers Nub Rd.

Kenly, NC 27542

 

(919) 202-4428

371 Valley Road

Mocksville, NC 27028

 

(336) 751-6180

 

Newton, NC

(828) 465-3139

7677 N. Halifax Rd.

Battleboro, NC 27809

 

(252) 454-1599