Swedish Cope
Log Home / Cabin Construction Guide

DESIGN YOUR HOME TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS:

• LONG ROOF OVERHANGS: Having long roof overhands will protect your log walls from rain and snow as well as the sun. We recommend you have a minimum of a 3' overhand on your roof (longer than 3 feet is even better). A long overhang is easy to achieve on the gable end side of the home. A 3' overhang may be difficult to achieve on the eave side, especially if you have a steep roof pitch.

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• COVERED PORCHES: A great way to protect your logs as well as provide shelter and a nice aesthetic look is to have covered porches. They will be especially beneficial on the eave sides of your home.

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• KEEP LOGS ABOVE GRADE: Keep the logs at least 24" above the finished ground level to keep water and snow from damaging them. Rain that runs off the roof will splash back up on to the logs and damage them if the logs are not high enough above the ground. Snow that builds up or drifts against the logs will also damage them over time. It is ideal to install your foundation at least 24" above the finished earth level. Then install the sub floor which will likely be an addtional 12" above the foundation. Doing this will elevate the starter wall logs approximately 36" above earth level.

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• LANDSCAPE DESIGN: How you plan your landscaping is critical in protecting the logs. Do not allow vegetation such as shrubs or trees to grow within several feet of the logs. If vegetation grows against the logs the log will decay from the moisture in the vegetation over time. Trees can help protect your log home by acting as a wind break and also casting shade. When planting trees keep in mind the size they will eventually grow to. Do not plant trees or shrubs so close to the home that after they grow they will touch the logs. Create a non sprinkled landscape barrier around the entire perimeter of the log home with bark or landscape rock, etc. Do not allow water from sprinkler systems to get the logs wet. Keep your lawn far enough away from the logs that when you water the lawn or other vegetation the water does not get on the logs. Also keep in mind the mist that a sprinkler creates. Repeated watering of the logs will eventually cause decay of the logs.

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• RAIN GUTTERS: Rain gutters are a great idea. Make sure the rain gutter does not leak water on to the logs. Rain gutters may not be an option in areas that receive a lot of snow because large amounts of snow an dice may be likely to damage or tear them off.

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