Stories in Timber: Inside the Ward Cedar Log Homes Blog

Welcome to Our Log Home Blog

Discover ideas, stories, and expert advice on building and enjoying your log home. Our log home blog brings together design inspiration, building guidance, and homeowner tips to help you make confident decisions at every stage of your journey. Whether you are planning a new build or updating your current home, this blog provides trusted insights from the Ward Cedar Log Homes team so you can make the most of log home living.

Partially built cedar log home in forest setting

The Benefits of Cedar for Log Homes

When someone asks us why we use cedar, the answer is simple: because it works. Not just for a few years. Not just for looks. It works long-term. It holds up. And we’ve got over 100 years of homes that show it. Still, we get this question a lot: Why cedar over pine or another wood? Here’s what we tell folks.

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Living room with stone fireplace, wooden beams, and cozy seating.

What is a Hybrid Home

  • Ward Insights
What is a hybrid log home? Learn how hybrid log homes work, how they differ from full log homes, and why they a are popular option for flexibility and energy performance.
Partially built log home with ladders and snow

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Log Home?

  • Ward Insights
Many homeowners start with the log home package price, but that's only part of the total costs. Here's what really affects pricing and how to build a more realistic budget from the start.
Partially built log home with snow and trees around.

What’s Included in a Log Home Package?

  • Ward Insights
Most homeowners may think a log home package includes everything needed to build the house. Here's what's typically included, what's not, and what homeowners should know.
Partially built log home with construction equipment and logs

6 Most Common Log Home Construction Delays & How to Avoid Them

  • Construction, Ward Insights
Building a log home? Permitting issues, weather, and late design decisions can add to your timeline. Here's what usually causes delays and how to avoid them before they happen.
Wooden log cabin with stone chimney surrounded by trees.

Cedar vs. Pine

  • Ward Insights
You're looking at log homes, and you keep seeing two names: Cedar and pine. Maybe you've noticed cedar costs more. Maybe someone told you pine is "just as good". Or maybe you're wondering if the difference even matters once the
Smiling couple sitting on a wooden porch swing of a log cabin.

Log Home Planning Budget Priorities

  • Design & Plans, Ward Insights
When planning a log home, the first step is not choosing a floor plan. It is getting clear on what you want, what you can spend, and how you want to live. Once you have that, the rest of the

Spring Check-Up

Log home with wooden deck and stone foundation
  • Ah, spring. It’s all about new beginnings, which means there’s no better time to give your log home a freshening up. Just like the interiors of your home get a boost from a spring cleaning, the exterior of your log, timber, or hybrid home benefit from a little extra attention, too. Most homeowners admire the exterior of their homes often but from afar — say, when pulling up to the house or doing yard work — but performing an intentional visual inspection of your logs and timbers is important to keep them in tip-top condition. The warmer weather that spring brings makes it an ideal time to perform an annual once-over of your logs. Here are three common log home threats to look out for (plus an action plan!) as you ready your log home for spring:  
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Flooring solutions for your whole house

Log home kitchen with wooden beams and island
  • Deciding to build a log cabin or timber hybrid — though not a small decision — it could be argued is an obvious one. After all, both building systems are proven construction methods that promise longevity and an unmatched aesthetic. But once you’ve made the choice to build, what isn’t always as clear is what other materials to fill your log home or timber hybrid with. One of the most foundational decisions when it comes to finishes is flooring. Not only does it have to perform and function well, it also needs to look good, too. Before settling on flooring for your new home, read through our run down of the best hard flooring suggestions for every space.
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How to Protect Your Log Cabin From the Elements

Log cabin surrounded by trees with sunlight on the facade
  • Log cabins evoke a sense of nature, helping the owner enjoy a more rustic way of life.  With this, the thick, impressive logs speak of hardiness to thrive in even the harshest of conditions.  However, while timber is a durable product that does have some strong natural insulative properties, it is important to give a log cabin the proper attention to ensure that it lasts as long as possible.  With this in mind, the following 5 points of advice can help you protect your log cabin from the elements.
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Low-Maintenance Landscaping for Your Log or Timber Home

Log home exterior with green shrubs and large window
  • Drop the shears and step away from the lawnmower. Spend more time enjoying your yard and less time primping it with these tips.
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How to Pick the Right House Plan

Single story floor plan with three bedrooms and two bathrooms
  • Finding your perfect floor plan is easy when you know what to look for. Take a moment to picture your dream home. Maybe a cozy cabin in the woods comes to mind. Or a lodge-style timber home with towering prow-front windows that usher in the views. Or even a Southern-style beauty with long, rambling covered porches filled with rocking chairs.  
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Five-Steps-To-Forever

Large cedar log home by a lake surrounded by autumn trees
  • After settling into your Ward Cedar log cabin, you’ll want to set up a maintenance program that will ensure your forever home lasts a lifetime. Here’s a handy five-step list to keep you on track.  
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Seven Ways to Cut Down on Upkeep

Cedar log home with snow-covered yard and trees
  • Your insider’s guide to log and timber home living, low-maintenance style  
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Best Ways to Maintain a House Roof

Cedar log home with green roof and trees
  • Would you build a roof, put the shingles or metal roof on and then forget about it?  These tips can help make your roof last longer.
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Caulking Your Log Home

Hands applying caulk to wooden log seam
  • One of the most important elements when building your log home is caulking the exterior of the home.  This is where you want to protect your investment by sealing the outside of your log home where Mother Nature begins.
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Cedar log home with stone foundation and large windows featured on the cover of the Ward Planning Guide.

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