There may come a day when your log home starts to feel a little cramped, however, you may not want to move away from the home that holds significant value to you and your family. Adding on to your current log home may be the answer, and though it may be a little tricky when it comes to log home additions, it is possible. Before taking on a major renovation or creating a small add on to your home, read these facts to learn about connecting new logs to your existing home.
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Consult the Experts
Before you consider a major renovation or a small addition and cut into any load-bearing walls (exterior walls are almost always load bearing), consult an expert. A builder, architect, or structural engineer will be able to help you as you design your addition to make sure it is structurally sound and properly aligned with your existing log home. Your local building department should be consulted for proper permits to build an addition and ensure your plans meet local code requirements.
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Avoid Shrinking and Settlement Problems
Make sure any additions to your existing log home will not create any shrinking or settlement issues, a process your log home has already gone through when originally built. Speak to your builder about using SIPS, or conventional framing overlaid with log siding, to avoid settlement and shrinking issues.
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Provide a Tight Structure
If you are going with a solid log addition, consult your builder about attaching logs to posts placed in between the old structure and new addition for settling issues and to facilitate an airtight and watertight shell. You may want to consider hiring a skilled carpenter with experience in working with logs, to ensure a weather-tight union.
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Minimize Color Distinctions
To minimize any issues with color differences and to avoid drawing unwanted attention to your new addition, consider placing trim wherever the two sets of logs meet to reduce the distinction in the color of the logs.
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Add a Loft to a Vaulted Ceiling
You may want to consider adding a loft, if your existing log home has a vaulted ceiling, to gain additional living space to avoid having to cut a single wall. You should consult your builder, architect or structural engineer since this add on will require additional structural provisions such as determining the proper size of joists and size and placement of additional supports.
Gastineau Log Homes has over 40 years of experience helping people realize their dream of building a log home. Contact us today and let’s explore your log home dream together.
