The Log Home Floor Plan Blog

How you will use the spaces within your home can dictate not only their design, but where they will be placed in the overall layout. A bath’s design is no exception to this, which is why it is important to think about what purposes each bathroom space will serve, as well as where they will make the most sense in the overall layout of the home. Here are some things to think about for your bath design when you begin working with a designer.

Influenced By Lifestyle

There is no specific formula for figuring out just how many baths are needed in a home. Instead, homeowners should think about their lifestyle and how and where bathroom spaces would be useful for their family. Beyond the common inclusion of a master bathroom, will there be a need for additional full baths? Some homeowners might feel the need to assign one bath to every bedroom, while others may decide there is only need for one full bath and will add half baths and powder rooms where it makes sense. Others might put a shared bath or jack and jill bath between adjacent rooms or sibling rooms. In multilevel homes, it is also important to think about how far away a bathroom is from each level.

Overall Layouts and Baths

Where will your bathroom space be best located in the overall flow? Beyond the master suite, think about what other areas could use a place to wash and freshen up. If you are building your wood home to act as a ski retreat or a lakeside getaway, a half bath next to the mudroom for cleaning up after these outdoor activities may be a good thing to consider. If you are including an additional level with a communal space and bedrooms, think about whether you will want one communal bathroom, baths located within the bedrooms, or perhaps even both. Will you have a dedicated guest bath? If so, where will it be located in relation to the main living spaces? It is important to find the balance between keeping a guest bath accessible, while still retaining privacy—putting the bath next to the dining room or TV, might not be the ideal place for privacy.

 Bathroom Configurations

Many people get excited about the different features they can incorporate into their baths; from what tile they will use to whether or not the space will include double sinks. That is why it is good to think about things like, whether or not you will keep the toilets segregated from the rest of their baths. Or if the full baths in your home will have a bathtub and shower, or just one. Keep in mind that there are still other ways to customize your bath rooms. For example, a past client once had urinals designed into their bunk room’s bath to accommodate for multiple grandsons. Steam rooms, saunas, and bidets are also popular additions to the conventional bathroom design.

For more pictures of bathrooms and the different styles that can be achieved, take a look at the PrecisionCraft bathroom photo gallery.

Got questions about log home maintenance or styles? We’ve just released a fun and informative infographic entitled, “All About Log Homes” that will help answer your basic questions!

Follow the link to see the full infographic:

http://www.precisioncraft.com/image/infographic/Infographic-log-homes.jpg

When you purchase a piece of property, your decision of where and what lot should stem from more than its natural beauty and pristine views. By knowing the land’s history and the condition of its surrounding areas before you buy, you will have a more accurate depiction of what your budget and timeline for construction will be. Here are some things to consider when looking for that ideal piece of land to build your log or timber home upon.

Is the Land in Proximity to Necessary Services?

While mountain style homes and rugged locations often go hand-in-hand, it is good to be aware of where the closest amenities are. For instance, how far are the nearest police and fire stations? Will a grocery store be close by? How about a gas station? Even if your goal is to get away, it is still important to check how far away you will be from these services.

Are Utilities Accessible? 

Are there accessible utilities for your location? Is it in an area where public water, sewer, and electric are available or will you have to pull those sources to the site? Will you have to dig a well and septic system? The cost and effort expended to supply utilities to your site will vary depending on your location.  Before you purchase, you should check with the area’s utility providers so you can better understand and be prepared for what is involved.

Does the Land Have Road Access?

Does the property have a main road leading to it or will one have to be made? How far away are the major roadway systems? If there is no road to the site, you will have to consider not only how much it will cost to build a road, but how long it will take and also what the impact the site might be.

Is the Lot on Federal or State Lands?

Many couples building a log or timber retreat are often looking for a location where they can get away from it all. If you are looking for that undisturbed piece of property, look to see if your land falls under federal or state protected land rules. While these lands can have a pristine quality, they may also have rules that can affect how you will use the land. For instance, if you are looking at a waterfront property that is also a protected waterfowl habitat, you probably won’t be able to have a boat house or dock.

Do You Know What it Costs to Build in the Area?

Property costs don’t actually impact or reflect building costs, but your location does. In fact, the cost per square foot to build can vary from location to location. By checking into what it costs to build in your area, you can evaluate how much these costs will affect your project’s budget and timeline.

Are You Aware of All Codes and Covenants?

Many communities across North America have covenants or codes that put stipulations on what exactly you can do on your property. Design and construction factors like how high you can build your home and what trees can be cut down on your property can be determined by the area’s codes. It is important to be aware of all codes and covenants before your begin your project.

What are the Zoning and Density Requirements?

You may love the secluded value of your lot, but will it always be this way? By checking with the local building department you can research your area’s zoning and density requirements to see how nearby developments could affect your views, construction, and noise levels, now and in the future.

Would You be Building by a Fault or Floodplain?

Is that piece of property you are looking at located near a body of water or in an area that is known for earthquakes? Check to see if you fall within the area’s floodplain or fault zones. If your lot is within these zones, you will want to alert your designer so that they can make the necessary adaptions to your design before you begin construction.

It is your dream to build a mountain style home that will last for generations. By following this checklist, you can make a more educated decision on where you should build this home.

At PrecisionCraft, we know the popularity of our floor plan gallery not only stems from the one-of-a-kind design concepts it features, but also from the exciting examples it provides of how past clients have altered a particular design. In a campaign to show our clients the freedom they have to customize their design beyond minor layout changes, we’ve started a four-part series highlighting real client project modifications. Below we list these four areas of design that we will focus on.

Altering Square Footage

Requests to reduce or enlarge a floor plan’s overall square footage are common, but sometimes difficult for clients to envision. We’ve worked with empty-nesters who love the dynamic layout of a larger plan but want to reduce it to fit their two-person lifestyle, as well as with clients who are drawn to a specific smaller design but need more space. Whatever size you want your home’s square footage to be, your designer will work with you to ensure that the details you love in the original concept will carry through to your own unique design.

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Adapting Product Styles

Another popular modification our clients ask is if they can adapt or change their project’s product. Whether it is a milled log design concept altered to incorporate timber framing, or a handcrafted floor plan adapted to a mountain accent, our in-house design firm, M.T.N. Architects can work with a plan’s design to utilize your preferred product style.

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Adding or Removing Levels

Adding and removing the amount of levels you have in your home is another way to modify the original concept you love to better suit your needs. For the newly retired couple who is looking to their future lifestyle by wanting to reduce the use of stairs in their floor plan, this may mean turning the concept the like into a single level home. For a family building on a mountainside, adding a walkout basement level may be a natural choice to better take advantage of their sloped property.

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Redistributing Square Footage

Often times we will have clients come to us who have selected a design concept that they love, at roughly the square footage they desire, but the layout isn’t quite where they want it to be. For some, that might mean mirroring the floor plan to better suit their property. Or for others, it could mean eliminating an office space to expand their master bathroom. By redistributing the existing square footage of a plan, we are able to achieve your desired layouts.

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It is that time of year when the steady decrease in temperatures outside, only increases our urge to grab a cup of hot tea and get the fire blazing inside. But where do you envision yourself enjoying this crackling fire? In the past, the placement of a fireplace might have only made sense in a central living space, but today you can find fireplaces throughout the home. Here we offer a few fireplace arrangement ideas to help you stoke the fires of creativity.

Where Can You Put a Fireplace?

For centuries, fireplaces have played an important role in providing that warm ambiance that is so characteristic in wood homes. While the placement of fireplaces was once fairly limited to a communal area, now it is possible to place them wherever it makes sense for your lifestyle. Including fireplaces in spaces like bedrooms, studies, and lofts add a sense of comfort and warmth. Many European countries will also add hearth space to their kitchen; you might consider this as an option for your home as well.

Taking Advantage of Chimney Placement

The logistics of your home’s overall design can also impact how and where you choose to put a fireplace. Many log or timber homes today include multiple fireplace designs that utilize the same chimney’s masonry system. When you work with your designer, see if there are areas of your floor plan where it would make sense to do this. Maybe you decide to have your great room fireplace connect to the same chimney system as the adjacent dining room or kitchen fireplace. Or if you have a loft space directly above the great room consider including a fireplace here.

Creating Outdoor Fireplaces

The warm glow of a fire doesn’t have to be restricted to an indoor hearth or outdoor fire pit, including a fireplace in your outdoor living spaces is another option. Perhaps you have a gorgeous gazebo located on your property for outdoor cooking and dining, consider including a fireplace for those crisp fall nights. If you have a great patio setup just outside of your great room, you could also connect an outdoor fireplace to your great room’s chimney system. Speak with your designer to find out if these might be options for your project.

For more ideas for your fireplace design, check out PrecisionCraft’s Photo Gallery.

As the year comes to a close, everyone here at PrecisionCraft reflects on all of the amazing log and timber home projects we have been able to work on this year. For our in-house architectural firm, M.T.N Architects, each home they’ve drawn leaves them with a unique memory. We sat down with our designers and had them each tell us about of the projects that resonated with them and why. Here are the 2012 projects they chose.

 Colorado Timber Frame

Version of the Tahoe

This timber frame home, inspired by the unique floor plan and prominent view-facing elevation of the Tahoe concept, is set to be built in Trinidad in 2013. Tim, M.T.N designer for the project, chose this as one of his favorites for the year not only for the breathtaking location, but for the unique circumstances. “The home is being built by a very close group of friends that have built a business together and now want a vacation ranch home together so that their families can all utilize it.” Tim said. This 6,500 square foot home features specialty spaces like; bunk rooms for all of the families’ children and four master suites on the second level.

Connecticut Timber Frame

Original Laurette Chateau

When we asked Scott what project stood out for him, he spoke of one located in Connecticut that is currently in the design process. He chose this home for its open floor plan and the visibility of the timber frame structure from the home’s entrance. With 100 acres of property to build on, this family hopes to retain the french country themes of the  Laurette Chateau, while creating a floor plan that fits their need for spaces like a carriage house attached to the garage.

California Handcrafted

Version of the Peaks Lodge

The rugged look of the Adirondack-style Peaks Lodge is what spurred the design of this California handcrafted log home design. Matt, the in-house designer for this project, selected it as one of his favorites for the year due to the design challenge it presented and the passion of the homeowners. Despite the restrictive guidelines set forth by their development, Matt worked hard with his clients to achieve the exact plan they had been dreaming of, which included almost 1,000 additional square feet for extra bedrooms and specialty rooms.

Oregon Timber Frame

Custom Timber Frame Design

An eclectic mix of architectural styles and an Oceanside location are what Design Manager, Celeste believes makes this custom timber frame project one the most unique of the year. Designed for a couple residing in London, the house will be built a stone’s-throw away from Oregon’s coastal waters. Due to its narrow lot, the project’s designer worked with the clients to develop a floor plan that accommodates the lot dimensions and would still include the layout they wished to see in the home. One-of-a-kind elements were also included to the design, like a spiral staircase that leads from the garage to an Art attic, and a lighthouse that powers the home’s ventilation.

To see other projects that are on the boards, visit the M.T.N Architects website.

When in the midst of the design process, people don’t usually think about all of the exciting elements that can be added beyond their home’s structure. From the trusses within the home, to the character posts adorning an entryway, there are several structural and non-structural accents to think about when you are looking for that extra something in your design.

Truss Work 

For many log and timber frame homes, it is not uncommon to see trusses in the interior living spaces. While these trusses are sometimes meant to bare weight and add to the structural integrity of the home, there is also the choice of adding decorative truss work to your design. Whether this is seen in a single log truss framed in the eaves of your entryway, or in a lighter design not meant to hold weight, there are plenty of options for adding unique flair to your home with custom log and timber trusses.

Character Posts

At PrecisionCraft we offer the choice of incorporating flared cedar character posts into your design. These posts provide a distinctive look that contrasts traditional Douglas fir logs. Whether they are used as a structural component of your home’s entrance, or they act as a bold, decorative statement for your view-facing porch, character posts showcase the raw and unique beauty of the wood that makes up your home. For those looking for a more rustic, mountain style for their design, character posts are a great addition for both structural and non-structural purposes.

Siding

Skirl Siding

Much like how a fresh coat of paint can change the appearance of a room, including wood siding on your home can also change the appearance of the exterior and give it a unique look. With a variety of different sidings available, this material offers unique ways to get that extra character in your design. For instance, the use of skirl siding is a popular choice for many home owners as it has a rough, raw appeal that looks hand-cut. Another likable choice is vertical board-and-batten siding.

Fireplaces

A feature seen in many log and timber homes, fireplaces and their design are another great opportunity for adding a one-of-a-kind accent to a project. Whether your fireplace is comprised of stone and reaches floor-to-ceiling, it is a dual-sided structure that connects your master bedroom to the great room, or it is placed outdoors for the comfortable enjoyment of all four seasons, fireplaces are a good thing to consider when looking to add uniqueness to your home’s design.

Windows

Windows don’t have to be a function-only square in the side of your home; they can become a great accent or focal point in any space. For some people, they choose to use windows to encase their sun room, while others frame their breathtaking great room views in magnificent window walls. By working with your designer, you can discover ways to include windows of different shapes, sizes, and designs so that they are functional and add to the architectural distinctiveness.

For more examples of structural and non-structural accents you can include in your home’s design, take a look at our Flickr gallery. 

An entryway is a portal into your home, setting the tone for the rest of the interior. Although it is the first stop once you step inside, it is not always the first thing you think of when you begin your design process. Here are some things to consider that can help your entryway make a statement in your home. 

First Impression

One of the first questions to ask yourself when you begin is; what do you want your guest’s to see first when they step through your door? Do you want it to be a sweeping, uninterrupted view of the great room with repeating truss work overhead?  Or perhaps you would like their first impression to come from witnessing a great glass window prow framed in robust logs and overlooking a mountainous terrain. 

Flow

The fluidity of your home is very important and it starts at your front door. Your entry could flow right into the formal, intimate setting of a dining or sitting room. Or you may prefer the entry to continue into a hallway, separating rooms and showcasing art as it leads your visitors into a more informal environment like your main living space. 

Function

Your entryway does not have to be limited to a walkway; there are several features you can include to make it functional as well as inviting. The functionality of your entryway can be as simple as including a coat closet or you can make it interactive by including a sitting area where guests can stop to take their shoes off. Will you be building in an area that has harsh winter weather or heavy rain? Consider making that entry space work with the climate by turning it into a mud room where all of your winter jackets and rain boots can dry off without impacting the rest of the home.

Thoughts of log homes have not always been associated with bright and open spaces, but now, with the right design, this atmosphere is easy to attain in your dream log or timber home. To achieve this look and feel, the inclusion of natural light is important to consider when you begin your project. By talking with your designer, you can add elements to your home design that will bathe the interior in natural light all year round.

Glass Prows and Window Walls 

These window configurations are often seen in the great room of the home and other view corridors. Depending on your personal design requirements, there are several ways these window walls can be comprised. You might prefer the aesthetic look of smaller windows put together to complete the wall, or perhaps your goal is to have completely uninterrupted views through fewer, larger windows. While these features do create great windows for spectacular vistas, they are also important for letting natural light in.

Clerestory Windows and Dormers

Clerestory windows and dormers offer similar lighting benefits while each having their own architectural features. Clerestory windows are located above the eye level in your home to allow light from the early morning as well as dusk to filter in without sacrificing privacy. Dormers also allow elevated, natural light into the home by protruding from roof lines along the exterior. Dormers can also be shaped in different varieties including eyebrow, shed, and gable to fit with your overall architectural style.

Sun Rooms

In areas with more temperate climates, a sun room offers enclosed spaces where natural light can filter in from all angles. These rooms are aptly names as they are bathed in sun, allowing a bright and open space to enjoy the beauty of nature from the comforts of your home.

Unconventional Solutions 

With the evolution of technology have come some exciting solutions for filtering light into the home. For example, Nana walls® are wall systems comprised of glass that fold completely out of line of sight to create an open passage between your interior and exterior. The use of Velux® windows are another brand solution that place windows in the slope of your roof to create a dramatic lighting effects. Additional options would include tinted windows to control the level of light intake and remote control shades. These architectural features are just a few more great ways for natural light to filter into the home when and how you want it while also allowing fresh air and uninterrupted vistas to be appreciated as well.

When you envision a log or timber frame home great room, what comes to mind? Chances are the space you have pictured has a vaulted ceiling. Vaulted areas, especially in the great room, are common in log and timber homes because of the way in which they are built, the necessity of extra light, and as a way to capture views. However, the configuration of vaulted spaces within your log home is dependent on your own needs and style. 

The Structure

With the ability to have taller walls comes vaulted ceilings that are perfect for picture window prows and can make a smaller great room appear larger and more spacious. Truss systems are exposed along the length of ceiling spaces—showcasing the beauty and craftsmanship of each wood connection. While sitting in the great room, you can simply look up and see the beauty in a timber truss and the robust power of a log connection. Vaulted spaces are also common within the master suite, making the room feel more open and luxurious. Some plans even have tall enough ceiling spaces in the master to include a loft.

Light and Views 

Vaulted spaces can have a great impact on your ability to light your log or timber home. Windows can be placed high on the walls of a great room to let in more light. Windows not only let natural light stream in throughout the day, but they also enhance your wood home’s connection to its surrounding landscapes. Vaulted rooms tend to have a prow with windows that extend from the floor to the ceiling, allowing nature and beautiful views in.

Heating and Cooling

With the expanse of a vaulted space comes a common concern of how to effectively heat and cool it. Many families incorporate radiant heating into the floors; while others include ceiling fans as ways to help maintain the temperature in their home’s expansive communal area without excess expenditures.

Talk to your architectural design team to learn more about vaulted spaces and how to efficiently incorporate them into your floor plan.

Transcending cultural traditions and architectural styles, the hearth of the home is a design feature that has played a fundamental role for families in the past and is now more of a stylistic addition for modern day homes. Whether you include a fireplace in your home’s design for traditional purposes or as an aesthetic feature, a fireplace’s function and style should not be overlooked during the design process.

Purpose

The purpose of a fireplace is something that varies from family to family. The fireplace in your home could be used to warm a room or living space, to add that special ambiance, or both. With the large, open layouts typical of log homes, fireplaces can become a grand focal point, reaching from floor to vaulted ceiling. Perhaps when you envision your fireplace you visualize your friends and family gathering around it as you hang your stockings during the holiday season.

Locations 

What is a log home without a fireplace really?  As a common design feature in wood homes, a fireplace is usually located in a place you spend most of your time, like the great room. In addition to the main living spaces, bedrooms and studies can also have their own fireplace, keeping the room comfortable while providing a relaxing ambiance. Even in the kitchen, fireplaces can serve a specific function. Some European cultures include a fireplace in the kitchen out of tradition. If your property includes a pavilion or patio, including some kind of fireplace for crisp nights or for roasting marshmallows with the kids is also a great addition.

Wood Versus Gas

Something else to consider is the type of fireplace you include in your home. Both gas and wood burning fireplaces emit enough heat to warm a living space, so how do you decide whether you want one, the other, or both? If available in your area, gas fireplaces are easier to maintain because they do not require a supply of wood, they don’t smoke or require clean. However, many prefer the authentic look, feel and smell of a wood burning fireplace—the sound of real wood crackling as you sit by the glow of the flames. But who says you can’t have both? Perhaps you want a hassle-free gas fireplace in your bedroom while remaining authentic in the great room.

What does it Look Like? 

Fireplaces can come in many styles and designs. It could a small insert or as grand as a floor-to-ceiling fireplace. What do you want your fireplace to look like, do you envision stone or stucco or another material? Would you prefer a large mantel, a small mantel? Perhaps you want it to be more interactive by including shelving or seating? How about double-sided fireplaces in your home to utilize one system for two adjacent rooms or from indoor to outdoor? And don’t forget the many options for outdoor fireplaces, like chimenias or fire pits.

For more concepts that include the many styles and functions of a home fireplace, visit PrecisionCraft’s Design Gallery.

When a customer first sets out to build a custom log home, they review a variety of plans and designs before finally creating a concept that fits their lifestyle needs. Whether that is a sweeping lodge-like home or a smaller-scale, luxury log cabin, log home designs come in all sizes to review and draw inspiration from. Here are three such plans that show these variations in size.

Truckee

At 1,500 square feet, the Truckee is a log post and beam plan that showcases the beauty of log home’s without limiting the design. The inclusion of stone and vertical siding on the exterior creates a genuinely unique design. Entering this single-level floor plan through a breathtaking handcrafted entry, the home opens to reveal large living spaces with a patio accessible from the great room as well as the master suite.

Woodhaven

Just a little over twice the size of the Truckee, the      Woodhaven is a classic handcrafted log home that is a distinguished by detailing like the intricate cross braces on the front and back of the home. The second level consists of three bedrooms that overlook a spacious and open first floor layout. The main level opens to a partial wrap-around porch. Inspiring homeowners all over the country and beyond to build similar designed homes, the Woodhaven is a mid-size plan that highlights the essence of Mountain-style homes and the architectural additions that make it one-of-a-kind.

A traditional theme in mountain-style homes is the focus on central gathering spaces. Great rooms, kitchens and dining rooms blend to create spacious, open floor plans for groups of all sizes to come together. While these spaces are very common within log and timber homes, here are a few examples of unique rooms that you may not expect to find in the average log home.

Exercise Room

From lap pools to saunas to personal gyms, the inclusion of dedicated exercise spaces are becoming more common.  People who build homes in the mountains tend to have an  active lifestyle. By including spaces for an indoor lap pool in the winter or a sauna to sit in after a long day of skiing, their mountain-style home allows them to bring their passion for exercise into every season, no matter their location.

Animal Rooms

Birds, Cats and Dogs, oh my! By designing rooms for animals of all shapes and sizes, families are able to incorporate their love for their furry friend into their home.  One such client dedicated a room to her parrots, including a central drain and an old vault cage door in the design. Another client, tired of dog paws across the floor, added doggy doors and showers in the mud room to create a buffer between the home and the outdoor dirt.

Secret Rooms

Building a new home should be an exciting and creative process. With all of the freedom to customize your log home, why not add private spaces of your own? We’ve created plans with secret playrooms in the back of children’s closet, studies behind swinging bookcases and even safe rooms for added precaution. There is no limit to the rooms we can include in your home to fit your unique lifestyle.

Building a home of log or timber creates a structure that is uniquely characterized by its product. While wood homes are seemingly easy to point out, this does not mean that they all look the same. Architectural style, layout and customization all play parts in distinguishing one log home from another. Here are a few styles of architecture that help define the different appearances your wood home can portray.

Western Log and Timber

This style of log home is what we like to call a true mountain-style home due to the typically large-scaled elements used in the design. The lodge-like charm of a western log and timber home includes large picture windows to take advantage of the vistas provided by their sprawling landscapes. The Big Sky is one such design concept that includes massive handcrafted log walls and trusses along with stone and glass to create the classic lodge appeal.

Adirondack

The Adirondack style of building originates from a rugged architectural style that began within the Adirondack Mountains. Distinguished by their rustic appearance, Adirondacks promote a natural look that is organic within its location. With lower pitch roofs, rough detailing of log and twig and stone foundations; these plans are both imaginative and comfortable. The Ticonderoga is a popular floor plan concept in this style due to its rustic appeal. While not as heavy or imposing as the Western Log and Timber style, the Ticonderoga is built with the unique character of a classic Adirondack, including twig designs in the porch and truss system.

French Country

In contrast to the mountain-esque appeal of the Western Log and Timber style and Adirondack style, the architecture of a French Country wood home is reminiscent of a traditional countryside estate. Known for their narrow overhangs, smaller windows and stone accents, these log or timber homes fit right into their surroundings while still retaining a stately presence. The Beaumont design concept features all of the attributes of French Country architecture, including smaller curved windows and custom truss work. The square log walls and timber frame accents create a provincial feel against the subtle pitch of the roof.

To explore more examples of these log home styles and others such as: Appalachian, Chalet, Craftsman and Northwest, visit the PrecisionCraft Floor Plans page.

Mark and Crystal were an Oregon couple who wanted to build a winter home that would accommodate their cold-weather hobbies. Inspired by the natural beauty of their Mt. Hood location and the idea of living sustainably, they wanted their home to be a winter escape that could still maintain consistent temperatures throughout the year. With the help of PrecisionCraft Log and Timber Homes and its architectural firm, Mountain Architects, the couple was able to build a stunning winter retreat that became the first true log home to receive a LEED Platinum Certification. Read Mark and Crystal’s inspired living story of how they made their winter home super-efficient as well as tailored to their needs.