The Benefits of Using Log Siding Over Full Logs

While the beauty of a true, full log cabin home is undeniable, it’s possible to achieve the same look by adding log siding to your existing home. There are many benefits to choosing log siding over full logs, from structural advantages to affordability.

1. Structural Support

While a full log cabin may serve as a great fortress during storms and extreme weather conditions with its heavy-duty logs, the structural benefits of log siding tend to outweigh those of full logs. Many pre-existing homes provide a sturdy foundation to add log siding to. Although carefully constructed traditional log cabin homes can offer excellent structural integrity, depending on their design and materials, full logs are more prone to cracking or warping over time which can impact their structural support. With the versatility of log siding, you can enjoy the feel of a full log cabin home without building an entirely new home.

2. Easier Upkeep

Another advantage of opting for log siding over a complete log cabin home is that they are easier to maintain. Full logs are more prone to warping, cracking, and shrinking and take a lot more effort to replace than log siding. With WoodHaven’s E-Z Loc Siding System, it’s easier to replace individual panels than replacing a full log beam.

3. More Affordable

The upfront cost of log siding is drastically lower than buying full-sized logs to build your home. Even though you are paying for only a fraction of a full log, you can still get top-tier wood. At WoodHaven, we carefully hand-select premium Michigan timber to ensure each panel matches the quality and authenticity of a full log. Then, when it’s time to make repairs from any weather damage, you can easily replace the faulty panels, making it much more budget-friendly.

4. Energy Efficient

Pre-built homes tend to be more energy efficient than traditional log cabin homes due to their superior insulation options. Modern, high-end log cabin homes can hold heat well with improved insulating techniques like tighter seals, too; however, high-quality insulation materials like spray foam or dense fiberglass batts can keep in heat without the hefty costs.

5. Design Versatility

Unlike traditional logs, which are limited in shape and composition due to their structural role, wood siding allows for greater customization. With wood siding, panels can be cut to fit your home and are easy to mix and match with other materials, such as a wood and stone combination. Log siding is also more versatile, with a wider variety of wood types and finishes. At WoodHaven, we offer exterior log siding in: White Pine, Cedar, Barn Wood, and Adirondack.

6. Environmentally Friendly

Log siding uses significantly less material than a full log cabin, requiring fewer trees to be milled, making it a more eco-friendly option. Whole logs typically require more maintenance over time, resulting in greater material usage, whereas log siding is more durable and needs fewer repairs. On top of this, log siding is more energy-efficient since it’s installed over insulated walls, which eliminates the need for additional heating and cooling. Lastly, due to its smaller size, log siding requires less energy to manufacture and transport, resulting in a lower carbon footprint.

Although there are upsides to full log cabin homes, wood siding offers a list of advantages that are important to consider as you plan out your remodel. Turn to WoodHaven to help transform your home with your priorities in mind.