Could going green mean living in log cabins?

 Could a log cabin be an answer to the energy crisis, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of using logs for homes in our ancestor's traditions.  Is this an idea whose time has come?  

The Log Home Builders Association claims log homes can fix the real estate market.  So what is unique about them.

Many potential home buyers these days are struggling with trying to obtain financing in the current economy. Others are facing foreclosure on their existing homes. Both might be served by building their own log homes from scratch without a kit, and doing it for the lowest possible price to avoid a mortgage, log home builder groups declare.

"While commercial builders typically buy everything new" said Steve White, a Director of the Log Home Builders Association, ”an owner-builder might opt to use reclaimed lumber, recycled windows and doors, and install used appliances. This can save lots of money in the overall cost of a finished home.”

And with no mortgage, there’s no worry about future foreclosure. "It was important to us that we build our house without a mortgage" said Mary Claire, a member of the Association. "My husband and I worked on the house when we had money and finished it in about six months without a bank loan. No one can take it away from us.”

The Log Home Builders Association offers a 2-day class on how to build log homes from scratch. The next class will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 4th and 5th, 2010. 

Log home builders make a pitch to enumerate their benefits stick-built homes don't have.  What do they say are these benefits?

The benefits listed include the fact that most of these log homes are said to be made to a higher standard of craftsmanship and custom touches and therefore have a higher resale value.  They are said to be sturdy and able to stand up to weather problems.  Log homes are considered energy efficient as well, if built and sealed properly, thereby saving money on energy.  They are also considered to be more quiet than stick-built homes and easier to keep free of mold and infestations.

Log cabin homes can be built from scratch from specially-designed plans or bought from a manufacturer and able to be set up and ready to move into in a matter of weeks, according to some proponents. 

How much does it cost to do this?  One expert gives this estimate:   

" The average cost to build a log home in the U.S. is approximately *$90.00-$110.00 per square foot turnkey. The square footage you need to be concerned with is the actual living area on the main and second floor if applicable. Basement space and garage area are not included in this estimation. You need to take the basement and garage square footage times $35.00-$55.00 approximately to arrive at a cost for construction."

The total cost under these estimates would be $250,000 to $350,000 not including cost of land and including all the bells and whistles with a two car garage and full basement for a 2,000 square foot home.  Costs can be minimized by not having the basement, a smaller garage, and a smaller square footage.

Back to our ancestors?  Is this how they survived the winters and without air conditioning and is that a good idea?  It might be something to consider as more Americans look for choices for the long term.

That's left for the reader to ponder.