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How much you pay for log cabins depends not just on the size of the building but also what types of logs have been used to build it. There are some, which have been built using handcrafted logs, which are quite expensive, and there are those that have been built from milled logs and these types of cabins are a lot less expensive.

It is important therefore before you actually decide on getting such a cabin built you know the difference between milled and handcrafted logs. Generally, those that are milled have been prepared using either a sawmill, a lathe or a planer. This then ensures that each log will be cut to a specific profile or shape. As you will soon discover milled logs have a far more uniformed shape and size to them compared to handcrafted ones.

Also, logs, which have been milled for a cabin, will have been air or kiln, dried to remove any excess moisture before construction begins. This will ensure that sufficient amounts of moisture have been removed and prevent the possibility of the building shrinking too much once the wood dries out further.

Because the wood will have been either planed, sawn or lathed the surface of the logs will be smooth. Plus in many cases, they will also have a tongue and groove joints so actually putting the logs together is much easier. This means that building the cabin is a lot easier and will often take a lot less time to complete. However, if you want to retain that rustic look to your cabin the outer face of the log can retain its rough bark coating.

Generally, the wood that is used for milled log cabins comes from trees such as cedars, pines or spruces as well as firs. The least expensive type of milled log cabin is one that has been made using either pine or spruce. Whereas if you are willing to pay more then the option is to go for one made from cedar.

Above we have explained something about what milled logs are, now we will provide you with some information regarding handcrafted ones. These will be prepared using either a drawknife so the wood will be hand peeled or they will be water peeled. In most cases, the wood will still be green, as the trees from the which the logs are being produced have only been cut for a few days or a week. Where as milled logs can be either air or kiln dried, with handcrafted ones the only way is to extract moisture is through air-drying. There are unfortunately not enough kilns around which are large enough to accommodate these logs.

The types of trees that are most favoured for handcrafted log cabins are the Douglas fir, Pine and Spruce. However, there are some log cabin companies who prefer to use woods such as Oak, Juniper, Cyprus and Alpine Fir (also known as True Firs).

How much your log cabins cost not only depends on the way in which the logs have been prepared, but also the size of the property. Plus the amount of time and effort that it takes to actually construct the cabin. As mentioned handcrafted ones are more expensive than milled ones because the work is, more labour intensive and much larger pieces of wood are used.