log / hybrid cabin?

[NM_Shooter]

I love the look of log cabins, but I would never own one due to the level of maintenance. 

What I would like to have is a home / cabin that has the look and feel of a heavy log construction on the inside, but is stick framed and has a durable finish on the outside... stucco / rock veneer... whatever.

Anybody know any kit manufacturers that specialize in this sort of thing? 

[UK4X4]

http://www.oldkentuckylogs.com/products/
http://everlogs.com/product_siding.php
http://betterthanlogs.com/
http://nextgenlogs.com/

[Don_P]

Wilderness Log Homes, Wisconsin log homes, Expedition Log Homes... many log home companies offer a "half log" or insulated log kit. Basically log siding of some thickness over a conventional frame. One thing to keep in mind though is that a round or rough interior texture collects more dust and is harder to keep clean, that is one of the reasons for a D style log with a panelled interior look, but that's all personal preferences. I've always wanted to cover a wall with plywood to give a solid nail base and then cut a tree in half, limbs and all, mount it to the wall and then infill with stone, painted plaster and timber. A scene from outside coming thru the wall. That may be more than you wanted to know  .

[Redoverfarm]

Looks like UK beat me to the punch.  Concrete logs & Concrete log siding.  Many choices.

https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=concrete+log+&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4TSNA_enUS401US438&q=concrete+log+homes&gs_l=hp..1.0l4.0.0.0.13973...........0.4xJ2-6Vpvrw&pbx=1

[UK4X4]

You'd have to get up early !

I'm on UK time now !

[Adam Roby]

I was actually considering a vinyl siding on the outside that has a log look, something like this.
http://www.homedepot.ca/product/adirondack-vermont-maple-carton/833621

It adds some R value as well, which can't hurt.  Little to no maintenance, but not exactly fooling anyone I don't think.  Might still be nice though.

[Redoverfarm]

You'd have to get up early !

I'm on UK time now !

I do but I can never catch up with a 5 hr difference.

[Don_P]

not exactly fooling anyone I don't think.  Might still be nice though.

Raise your pinky and call it faux bois, there's nothing new under the sun 

[flyingvan]

How about going post and beam hybrid?  You can get the rough hewn interior look tied in with exterior stick built

[NM_Shooter]

Not the look of logs on the outside... I want the look of logs on the inside. 

A few on the outside... around the entry or components on the porch are OK.  I want to keep the exterior maintenance to a minimum.  But I like the look of vigas being used as loft and stair components.  Or accents around doorways, ceiling treatments and such. 

I've googled around and there does not seem to be any kit manufacturers that address this.  Lots and lots of D-log, veneer, etc. 

I suspect that If I pursue this, I'll end up having to use a custom builder who has experience with log construction.  Or perhaps two contractors... one for the stick framing and the other for log work.

I seem to remember that there are some full log cabin builders around South Fork CO.  I may have to stop in and talk to them next time I'm through there. 

[Don_P]

All of those log home companies that offer an insulated log kit offer interior logs, you simply wouldn't be buying the exterior half logs, only the interior half. Really you needn't buy a "kit", simply footage of half logs.

[MountainDon]

Like building a stick building and then applying the "log" siding inside and using stucco or HardiPlank lap siding on the exterior?

[NM_Shooter]

Yes, as long as it does not look too much like veneer on the inside. 

I also like the look of timber framed cabins.  I see that some of them use SIPs for construction. 

This company has a model I like.... called "The Cabin".  http://www.timberbuilt.com/

Their package includes delivery and labor.  Once I have a slab in place, they do construction to the point to where all that is left to dry in is to insert windows, exterior doors, and roof, and it is dry. 

However, the price for that cabin comes in at about $110k.  Ouch. That would push $175k with septic, slab, electrical, plumbing, sheetrock/paint, doors/windows, roof cabinets and basic appliances. 

[Don_P]

A number of those companies' half logs are 3-5" thick, hand drawknifed. You could have a local sawmill do basically the same thing. They are taking logs roughly 12" dia and generally slabbing them to a 2 sided cant that is 8" thick with 2  opposing unsawn faces. Then taking a cut parallel to each of those natural faces yielding a consistent stack height and roughly consistent thickness.  A bit of onsite drawknife matching of the edges and it looks good.

for that price on a TF... we can talk 

[zion-diy]

my house in the ozarks is stick built, but, we wanted a log look inside. What I did was take rough cut 1x6 lumber and hand plane a bevel on each edge. the rough surface and some caulk in the seams  gave it a log look.

[John Raabe]

Nice technique to get a durable rustic look.