Home Design

Simplistic Living: Go the Log Way

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Many people these days are ditching their cumbersome belongings for a simpler way of life. Blame it on HGTV, but the move seems to be toward RVs, tiny homes, and log cabins. And it does sound like an amazing dream. Not worrying about the type of car you drive, style of clothes you wear, or rushing to your next meeting is the kind of life many would kill for. So, what does log cabin living have to do with any of this? Simple. Log cabin living is the quintessential simple-living dream. It takes you back to the roots of our history and back to the basics of rustic simplicity.

Log cabin history

The term “log cabin” didn’t come about until around 1750, but the actual structures were built much earlier. In fact, when William Penn made it to Pennsylvania in 1682, log cabins were standing all over the region. The design was brought over from Sweden, where log structures were a normal model of building. However, back then, they were constructed from entire trees, split down the middle and stacked on top of one another. Germans and Americans both added their own elements and changes to log cabin building until we have what we commonly see today.

Choosing the right log cabin for you

Log cabins come in many sizes and styles these days. You can purchase anything from a simple one-room structure to a massive mansion like home. But if your goal is simplicity, you’ll probably want something in between. You can find inexpensive cabins with only one or two rooms and that might suit your needs. But try to keep your future needs in mind if you intend on living in it full time. If your cabin is in an area with extreme winters, you’ll need to consider things such as heat sources and building integrity. But the home you choose doesn’t need to be perfect. Many people choose to buy fixer-uppers because of their rustic charm. You can even hire someone who does log home restoration in Florida, for example, to make sure it can withstand the weather and serve as a suitable home.

Location is key

Obviously, the location of your log cabin will play a big part in how you live. Are you choosing to live off the grid by finding a location in the middle of nowhere? Or do you prefer living a little closer to modern conveniences just in case you need them? If you do wish to live off the grid, certain areas are more conducive to that lifestyle. For example, Missouri is often considered one of the best spots for getting away from it all. Not all states have such lax laws geared toward this type of living, but Missouri even makes it legal to collect water. They also don’t make it mandatory for people to have septic systems or wells on their own property, so you’re pretty much free to live how you want. Other states with favorable views of the off-the-grid lifestyle are Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and Tennessee.

Caring for your cabin

Log cabins require a little more maintenance than other types of homes. For one thing, if any part of it is allowed to sit in moisture very long, it could lead to wood damage. So it’s important to make sure your gutters and drainage system are always working properly. You may also have to replace chinking from time to time when you notice leaks. None of the maintenance is too difficult, but you do need to keep a close eye on things, looking consistently for leaks and other damage.

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