Southland Log Homes Blog

Taking the step to buy your dream home can seem a little daunting at first. Perhaps you have always wanted log cabin retreat somewhere, but hesitated over all the ins and outs of the buying and building processes. Many potential home owners don’t know how to get started, or whether or not they can get financing, or even if they will be able to pick a floor plan they won’t regret after moving in.

These are all valid concerns, and we understand that you don’t want to make any uninformed decisions that leave you with a home you won’t completely enjoy. That’s why we offer the Southland Total Solution. We want to help future log cabin owners make the best decisions and get into the home they will always love.

What is the “Total” Solution?

At Southland Log Homes we want to make sure you have everything you need to quickly get into that dream home, and that means we will work with you from the very first stages of the buying process until long after you have moved in and gotten settled. Our Total Solution includes design, construction, financing, and continued support for new log home owners. To discover what is included in our log home plans visit here: http://www.southlandloghomes.com/log-home/whats-included.

Explore Your Options

The easiest way to get started with the Total Solution is to come and check out one of our model log homes. You’ll be able to talk to one of our sales consultants and work with them to develop your ideas and take a look at some of our photos and log home floor plans.

In order to make the process as smooth as possible, you will have a Project Manager who will be able to provide the kind of personalized attention you deserve. Our managers are experts in design, materials, delivery, and much more, and they’ll be able to take you through the entire process.

Designers and Builders

Our designers are experts in computer aided design to create top of the line log cabin kits, and they will work with you to develop and expand your ideas – even if all you have is a basic sketch or idea – and create the workable blueprints that the builders will need. The Southland Preferred Builders are all licensed, insured, and bonded and have a history of providing quality construction. We’ll make sure that the image you had in mind will eventually become a reality.

Financing

Securing financing is often a tricky process, especially with the current state of the economy. However, at Southland Log Homes we work with many local and national lenders and we can connect you with the institutions that have the best program for your situation.

Continued Support

At Southland Log Homes, we provide a service that goes long past the day you finally move into your dream home. Owning a log home is a new experience for many people, and we will are ready to help answer any questions you may have. Whether you are worried about proper maintenance or considering a new addition to the house, you can contact us for the information and support you need.

There’s nothing quite like the experience of celebrating the holidays in a warm log home, and this year you can still get all your plans in place in time to receive the perfect holiday gift. If you order your custom log home plan by November 30th, you can receive the set of blueprints for your dream home gift wrapped and ready to go under the tree by Christmas.

Just contact us before the end of the month and our expert design team will be able to put together a log home plan that fits your needs and your budget. Just let us know that you’re ready to order and we can reserve a design appointment to make sure we understand what you want from your dream home. Then once we get to work you can expect to see the blueprints arrive in time to make this Christmas something special.

This year, as an added bonus, we are also including a Southland Log Home table that will perfectly complement the design of your new home. This table is crafted from the same precision-milled logs and timbers that will go into the rest of your home. The table measures 6 feet by 3 feet, and is perfect for a kitchen table where everyone can gather, a computer table for doing work and playing games, or just as a beautiful stand for your big screen TV.

The only thing better than unwrapping those cabin plans this Christmas morning will be celebrating next year’s holidays in your new log home. Now is the perfect time to get started. Contact us today and our designers will get to work on your customized plans. The holidays are just about around the corner, but if you place your order before November 30th, you may have the perfect gift to share with your family.

If you’ve been thinking about the ultimate holiday gift this year, we’re ready to help. Just imagine yourself in front of the fire in your own log home next winter, and then contact us for details and direction to the Southland location nearest you.

Now more than ever going “green” is on our minds as we build anything, and that goes double for new log homeowners.  When you consider that green building is not only good for the environment, but also good for your wallet, it’s really no wonder that so many people are excited about it.  Not to mention that we create log homes to bring more of the outside world into our home, while keeping the comforts and luxuries of a log home intact. It’s that outside world we value so much that green building honors.

In our processes for establishing a “green” log home here are just a few aspects we implement:

1. Use sustainable materials. Whenever possible, opt for renewable or recycled building materials over other alternatives. You can, for example, choose cellulose insulation that includes recycled content, and use logs that come from sustainable forests, as all of Southland’s logs do. Use environmentally safe and naturally—rather than chemically—treated construction materials for everything from paint to carpet.

2. Place doors and windows correctly. The placement of doors and windows in your new log home is all-important for energy conservation. You can adapt your Southland design to take these things into account. If you live in a cold climate, you’ll want to make sure that your large windows are south-facing to take advantage of the maximum amount of direct sunlight and warmth. If you live in a warmer climate, make sure that most of your windows are north-facing, and position windows and doors in such a way that you can profit from cross ventilation.

3. Choose the right roof design and materials. Planning solar panels as part of your project is a key feature to living green in your log house. Or even if you think it might be a possibility one day, make sure that your roofing design incorporates this idea. Design a roof with a long, rectangular surface with no interference from skylights or chimneys to maximize the size of the solar array. Another good idea is to design a system that will allow you to collect rainwater. Make sure to choose a material that reflects heat, especially if you live in a warm climate.

4. Insulate for energy efficiency. Proper insulation is important for reducing heat transfer between the outside and inside of the home. One of the best things about Southland’s log homes as opposed to traditional building is that our 8-inch thick walls give the cabin a higher thermal mass, which makes the heating and cooling of our log homes much more efficient. We also use precision milling techniques to ensure a tighter fit and an extremely energy efficient home.

5. Use an open design layout. You can reduce materials and cost if you design with an open layout. This also improves daylight and natural ventilation.

6. Practice water conservation. An easy way to save water is by installing water-reducing appliances and fixtures. Consider collecting rainwater and other runoff and recycling it for your lawn or garden. You can also take steps to preserve native vegetation in your landscaping, which will minimize your need for an elaborate irrigation system.

7. Reduce the impact of building on your home’s site. Take steps to preserve environmental features such as streams, vegetation, and natural drainage. In some cases, it’s better to assemble things offsite.

Log home living is a great way to go green. Southland Log Homes takes our commitment to the environment very seriously, and we strive to use safe and green building practices for every log home that we build.  View our log home plans now.