Designing a log, hybrid or timber home from the ground up is exciting … thrilling … glamorous, even! And, while it is all of those things, the truth is that there are a few parts of the process that can feel dull or even daunting for those who are new to building. One of those areas is finances.

In order to build that lakeside escape for the family or a mountain getaway for two, you’ve got to first have your finances in order. So before you move beyond dreaming into the first real-life phase of picking out a log cabin kit and designing your home, take our quick financial check-up.
 

Dial up your curb appeal with these exterior design tips.

First impressions matter. You have one chance to start things off on the right foot — and the same goes for your log or timber home. Just as a smile and sincere greeting go a long way toward fostering a positive connection, your home’s exterior design details set the tone for how you and your guests feel about your home from the moment you drive up until you set foot through the door.

From the big design decisions to the subtle details, here are some of our favorite ways to boost the exterior character of your log or timber home.
 

If you have questions about building a log or timber frame home, you’ve come to the right place. Here are seven of the questions we hear most frequently (along with our answers, of course!).
 

Think for a moment about the places in your home where you spend the most time. It’s likely that your great room, kitchen or bedroom came to mind. But did you know that the average person spends around 180 hours per year in the bathroom? With so much time spent in this spot, it’s important that your bathroom — and particularly your master bathroom — is a space you enjoy.
 
We’re here to help you design a bathroom that is equal parts form and function. Keep reading for our top tips and guidelines for designing an en-suite bathroom you’re sure to love:
 

Your home regularly faces a number of foes — moisture, sun, pests, to name a few. It may even have to endure extreme weather-related events from time to time, such as earthquakes or tornadoes. Thankfully, log homes have a track record for standing up to the worst that Mother Nature can throw at them. (Father Time is no match either: A log home, built in 1638, is one of the oldest homes in the U.S.) So what makes log homes perform with such durability? It’s a dual combination of the materials and methods used to build them.