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Log Home BlueprintsLog Home Blueprints are the most important part of your log home journey and I would imagine that you've already got some great floorplan ideas for your own log home. I would like to share with you some ideas and great resources for viewing floorplans and getting started on your log home dreams. Today, it's important to think about a few things before picking the blueprint that best fits your home.
Below I am going to expand on the questions above in order help you begin brainstorming and realize your dreams of living in the perfect log home. What do you Need vs. Want in your home?Here is a list of areas in and around your home, you may want to think about:
While thinking about your log home blueprint...what kind of lifestyle do you lead?I don't know about you, but my lifestyle and functionality of my home are very closely related. Sometimes your lifestyle dictates your homes functionality and sometimes your homes functionality dictates your lifestyle.Now is the time to take control and decide who dictates what. Here is where you must begin looking at your daily life, routines and activities.
You may not need an entry way into your home if entertaining lots of people isn't part of your lifestyle. You may want to include a den or recreational room if you need to get away from your family or if you want them to get away from you. If family and friends are frequent visitors to your home, then you want to make sure their is adequate sleeping arrangements and closet space to store their belongings. Finishing off basement areas are great cost effective ways to support friends and family, storage and recreational interests. Do you prefer Single Story or 2-Story Homes?Realistically speaking the answer to this question could be based on your age and what stage of your life you are currently in.Retired folks may prefer the single story home and keep everything on the same floor for easy access and easy use. Eliminating stairs could be great for the knees and hips...while you wouldn't have to worry about moving furniture up and down a set of stairs either. Younger families with children may want the 2 story home for the simple fact of separation and space. Placing bedrooms upstairs and gathering areas downstairs, could allow for friends and family to entertain while children are sleeping. The number of people within your household will be a big factor in deciding whether your log home blueprint will show a single story home or a 2-story home. One alternative for adding space is building a basement level on your single story home. This would be the cheaper way to adding square footage and living space to your home. For some the decision between single story or 2-story home will be a cost factor. Obviously, adding a second floor to the home will be more expensive. However, while deciding on your log home blueprint, be aware of the size of a single story home. Because as the home grows in width and length, the cost will go up. As the width of your home increases, be aware that roofing materials, engineering and design may cause pricing to increase. Try to keep the roof span at or below 32 feet.
Do you prefer an Open or Traditional Style?The idea of an open floorplan or traditional floorplan is a personal choice.You may enjoy the openness of your Great Room with fireplace looking out to the mountains or being able to mingle with family and friends sitting next to the fireplace while you prepare a meal. You may be the type of person who enjoys the traditional feel of a home with each room being separated by walls. This type of plan lends itself to give each room its own look and feel. It also allows you to be in the kitchen with family or friends and know that conversations may not be heard by the children in the Living Room. No matter what style of home you decide to use in your log home blueprint, be aware of all materials used and try and create the most energy efficient home possible. Do you want to be Eco-Friendly?Many log home enthusiasts are already aware of the environment and think about being eco-friendly. Not only is owning a log home a step toward helping the environment, but you can take additional steps forward in improving the earth, lowering your energy bills and adding value to your home.First, you want to think about what materials you are using to complete your home and how it may be incorporated into your log home blueprint. Do you want to take advantage of recycled materials for insulating your walls and ceiling areas? Do you want to use recycled bamboo for your flooring? Think about your possible water consumption and how you could conserve or use the wasted water to hydrate your plants, flowers and/or trees. Then, you want to think about energy producing alternatives, such as solar or wind. You may even want to visit my page on Going Green Tips. Would you be interested in solar panels to heat your water or supply you with energy for your home? Would you want to use a windmill to generate the electricity for your home and family? If you choose to incorporate any of the above solutions, then you must think about your log home blueprint and how you would be able to utilize these solutions properly. Giving your home what it needs while keeping it's viewing appeal. Let's move from Log Home Blueprints to checking out the rest of our site.
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