Plumbing, Electrical Wiring, And HVAC Advantages For Log Siding Homes

Both log siding and full-log homes are gaining popularity in the United States. They are cozy, peaceful, and charming places to live and relax. The construction methods for them are quite different and full-log homes present some issues you should know.

Three challenges with full-log homes that you don’t face with log siding homes are slow and expensive plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC system installation. Let’s look at all three of them and see why log siding homes overcome these disadvantages.

How Log Siding Homes Are Built

Log siding homes are constructed differently than full-log homes that make them faster and easier to build. You also enjoy the benefits of lower-cost materials and labor.

• Log siding homes are built the same way conventional homes are built
• Log siding is installed on conventional wall framing with long screws
• No expensive specialized builders are required to install the siding
• Insulation is added in the walls to increase the R-value
• Homeowners with woodworking skills and knowledge can install siding
• No need to hire an expensive crane and crane operator to lift heavy full logs

Log siding homes are typically constructed with pine or cedar siding installed on the exterior and interior walls. The siding is virtually a “no-waste” sustainable product that does not end up in the landfill.

Plumbing Advantages

Plumbing a home requires running a lot of pipes and cutting and drilling many holes. This is a challenging undertaking with full logs because of their thickness and length.

• Additional time must be spent planning for plumbing
• Drilling holes the length of logs for pipes weakens the logs
• Pipes that are run along the side of logs must be boxed in as needed
• Cutting out areas in logs can be a headache and time-consuming

Log homes typically settle one inch over time, and that’s why you should install a settling point somewhere in the plumbing wall. This acts as a relief joint to take pressure off the vertical plumbing pipes and the second floor gradually settles. This is an extra expense that is not required with log siding homes. TIP: Hire an experienced and licensed plumber for your work.

The major plumbing advantage of log siding homes is that piping is easily installed inside the conventional wall framing that eliminates the issues with full log homes.

“Three challenges with full-log homes that you don’t face with log siding homes are slow and expensive plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC system installation.”

Electrical Wiring Advantages

Installing electrical wiring in log siding homes provides most of the same advantages as plumbing the home. There is far more wiring to run in a house compared to PVC pipes for water flow and drains. Wiring a house with conventional framing poses no additional problems for electricians. Here is what you run into with wiring a full-log home or cabin:

• The number of holes to drill and areas to cut out of the logs is enormous
• Most wiring should be outside the logs and run through pipes and this raises the cost

Log Siding Home

• Thorough planning is required to place outlets, switches, and light fixtures
• Pre-drilling and pre-wiring must be accomplished during the log wall assembly process
• Wiring may run below the floor and brought up through channels drilled during construction and must be carefully planned
• A licensed electrician should be consulted for placing exterior wall electrical boxes
• Wiring for lights and switches near exterior doors needs running wires along door jambs and drilling sideways to the electrical box

As you can see, wiring for log siding homes is simple and less expensive than for full-log homes. All this extra work associated with full-log houses delays completing the home project, especially when you install the HVAC system.

HVAC Advantages For Log Siding Homes

 
Full Log Home

Now to the last obstacle of installing an HVAC system in a full-log house. Installing heating and cooling equipment is not much different in a log siding home than placing it in one with vinyl or other siding. These cons of heating and cooling a full-log home are worth considering:

• Some homes need high-pressure duct systems that fit into tight angles and require higher installation costs
• Traditional ductwork angles must be kept at a minimum to work efficiently
• If you have a second floor, the first floor walls should be designed to easily move the air straight up to the second floor
• Open floor plans require both supply and return vents to move air to the upstairs and around the system
• Full interior log walls need specially planned ductwork and vents properly placed for efficient heating and cooling

Summary

Effective plumbing, electrical wiring, and HVAC systems can be installed in both log siding and full-log homes. The advantages of building a log siding home far outweigh a full-log house. They include easier and faster construction and less expensive materials and labor. Let us know your log siding home material needs.

Resources And References:

• Log Siding Homes
• How To Hire A Plumber