If you assume the majority of log cabins are vacation homes built in the mountains you better think again. Greater than 90% of all log cabins built in the United States today are constructed as primary residences according to log home manufacturers. And log cabins can be just as spacious and contemporary as homes built by conventional construction methods with the added touch of the rustic look that distinguishes log cabins & homes.

Whether it’s the look of a natural wood inside and out or the connection with the pioneers of the past, log homes definitely carry a certain mystique. Log cabin producers can be divided into two major and distinct groups: handcrafters and manufacturers.

Log cabin handcrafters are the real McCoy. They build log cabins in much the same way as the pioneers did. They go into the forest and handpick each tree they’ll use to build the log cabin. They also use hand tools to cut and shape each log. The end result is a log cabin with a handcrafted appearance.

On the other hand log cabin manufacturers mass produce modular log cabins in factories. Factory crafted modular log cabins generally cost less than handcrafted log cabins. Because they are produced under controlled conditions using expensive machinery with tight tolerances, modular log cabins are generally of a higher quality as well.

If you are do-it-yourselfer, you can save a bundle by building a log cabin yourself using factory crafted components. According to the National Association of Homebuilders, 75% of all log cabin buyers reduce costs by helping with the construction. Those involved in the construction of their log cabins paid an average of $48 per square foot versus $68 per square foot paid by those who didn’t participate in the construction of their log cabin.

It’s not necessary to lift heavy logs or nail shingles to get involved in the construction process. For example one family saved about $30,000 on their 1,800 square foot log cabin by doing much of the site clearing, site preparation, and interior carpentry work themselves.

The growing appeal of log homes has resulted in substantial growth in the industry devoted to the log cabin construction. Approximately 25,000 log cabins with a total manufacturing cost of $3 billion are built annually by more than 500 companies. And these numbers are growing steadily.

In constructing log cabins the logs are placed in rows or “courses” to form structural walls that support themselves and a roof similar to the way brick homes are built. Wood is an excellent natural insulator so log cabins tend to be energy efficient.

Today’s log cabins are available in a variety of standard plans. You can select the plan that suits your needs and budget or modify one of the standard plans to your specifications. Most log cabin manufacturers employ experienced designers who can produce a custom log home from almost any floor plan imaginable.