How To Evaluate Log Home Plans - Floor Plans

There are a number factors that can affect the plan you select for your log home. Let's take a look at some of them.

Architectural Style - The log home plan you choose will certainly be influenced for the most part by your own personal preferences, however there may be a particular style that is traditional in your area of the country. For example, the "big log" lodge style home is popular in the West, while the dovetail square-log style is common in the Southeastern mountains. If you build in a development, there may be a particular style that is favored, or the style may be dictated in part by covenants.

Property Location, Size, and Topography - For most people, the home style they would build on a lakefront might not be the same style they might select for a mountaintop location. Consider your lot size. A large house on a very small lot might not make good sense, especially when legal setback restrictions are considered. A larger lot offers you more home design and siting options. The topography of your land will often help you make certain design decisions. For example, a sharply sloping lot makes a walkout daylight basement a possibility, as well as the option for a drive-under garage.

Purpose of Home - What purpose will your log home serve? If it will only be used for weekend getaways for two people, a small simple floor plan might be adequate. If it's going to be used for entertaining overnight guests, plenty of bedroom and living space will be needed. If the home will be a full-time residence for a family, bedrooms, kitchen space, and storage space are important. If you suspect you'll want to sell the home sometime in the future, this might lead you to select a plan that would have general appeal in the resale market.

Home Size and Layout - You probably already have a good idea of the general plan for the home you want. However, it's important to make sure the rooms that you'll need will fit in that plan (see our unique calculator, Home Size Estimator). You may have to make adjustments. Although you can distribute rooms over multiple levels in your home, the majority of standard floor plans offered by log home companies are the one-story or one-and-a-half story models. If you need a finished basement, you'll have to customize your plan to include it, because most standard plans do not. Use an online home/room design software tool such as Plan3D Home Design to help you create your plan.

Room Types - Although log homes can, and do, have essentially the same kinds of rooms that a more conventional house can have, tradition seems to dictate that log homes, even large ones, carry on the cabin heritage. That is, they should have open spaces, as few interior walls as possible, no formal living or dining rooms, and, of course, a loft. You should decide which room types are important and which can be eliminated.

Roof - Roof style and slope can make a big difference in the interior of a home, especially if it's a one-and-a-half story model. The higher the pitch, or angle, of the roof, the more useable space you'll have on the second floor. Many log homes have gabled dormers (attractive - usually on the front) and/or shed dormers (not so attractive - usually on the rear) to provide extra space. A gambrel barn-style roof is often used for the same purpose. If you live in snow country, local building practices and codes may dictate roof style and pitch.

Storage - Many standard log home plans started as plans for vacation homes or cabins, with few extras such as storage space, pantries, closets, or even utility rooms. When these plans grew up to become plans for permanent residences, they often still lacked the extra spaces needed for a permanent family home. So, when you evaluate your home plans, particularly those in the 2000 sq. ft. range, make sure you have all the storage space you need.

Garage - If you need a garage, make sure it's part of your final plan. Many log home companies treat garages as "add-ons" and don't include them in their standard plans. There are a number of reasons for this, based on the fact that garages are relatively expensive, and not always needed. If the home is for permanent residence, the garage can be built, not as a part of the main log structure, but as a separate, less expensive, stick-built structure with log siding to match the real logs on the house. Many garage plans have upper-level living or storage space.

Basement - Few standard log home plans include a finished basement. That's because basements are not always possible or desired. Interestingly, many log home plan catalogs show drawings or photographs of homes with finished basements, but the basement is not part of the actual floor plan. If you want a finished basement, you'll have to ask your log home company or designer to add it.

Loft - Lofts are one of those traditional features that seems to be included in most log home plans. Some people feel that a log cabin or log home without a loft is not a real log home. Lofts can be great as an extra living area, guest sleeping area, or upstairs office. So, if you like lofts, make sure your plan includes one. A loft adds very little to the cost of a log home.

Porch and Deck - Porches and decks can easily be added or modified on any log home plan. A full wrap-around porch can be very attractive and make a small cabin look like a much larger house. Further, a porch helps protect a home's log walls from the weather. Screened porches are a popular option.

Additional Log Home Advisor Resources

Log Homes - Tips for Choosing Your Plan

Home Design Software - Create Your Own Log Home Plans

What Is My Log Home Going To Cost Me?