Log House Floor Plan - The Rustic American Design

For home builders who crave a comfortable and cozy home that evokes the spirit of nature, nothing says rustic American design quite like the icon of early housing. The log house floor plan fits the bill both in structure and aesthetic appeal. The appealing feeling of warmth most people marvel at is quite unlike any other type of home.

A log house is quite literally a nest type home whose peculiar beauty is a byproduct of its woodland charm. In spite of the durability of log homes that derive their character and strength from tightly woven trees, the appeal of a log house floor plan is limited to less than one percent of all new homes built every year.

A log house is quite literally a nest type home whose unusual beauty is a byproduct of its woodland charm. In spite of the durability of log homes that derive their character and strength from tightly woven trees, the appeal of a log house floor plan is limited to less than one percent of all new homes built every year. Of those log houses built on a yearly basis, approximately 90 percent are kit houses

For those home builders determined to have a log house of their very own, they should be aware of the fact that they face certain challenges unique to the log house.

1. Because most log homes are built from a kit, finding a lender can be difficult.

2. Most lenders want to be assured that the home is appraised appropriately. Home appraisal of log houses isn't easy because of the lack of comparable log homes and this can lead to difficulties in obtaining a construction loan.

3. Underwriting of mortgages is based on approximately 3 comparable sales and one must be a log house. Underwriting criteria for do-it-yourself kit houses such as the log house tends to be much more strict than for a traditionally constructed home.

Beyond the financial challenges of owning a log house, there are further considerations.

1. Dust collection: Dust collects on the rough interior planed surfaces of a log house over time and is difficult to remove. This can be a problem for those with house dust allergies.

2. Chemical Sensitivities: Allergic individuals should double check that logs haven't been treated with chemicals, stains, sealers, or solvents. Most chemicals are added to prevent rot or deter pests. This can also pose a long term problem.

3. Finally, it's hard to change the decor if you grow weary of it - you can change the floor covering, the window dressings and wall art, but the basic flavor of the home will always stay the same.

How much does a home built from a log house floor plan cost?

The cost of a log house is comparable to other home types but is dependent on several factors:

1. The average cost for a kit log house runs between $85 to $125 per square foot. this is for the kit house only. The costs of land, septic, and water well are not included in the price per square foot.

2. A hand built log house can cost considerably more. The average price begins at about $100 per square foot and can rise up to $350 per square foot or more depending on the size and complexity of the log house floor plan being built.

The do-it-yourself home builder can save big money on construction. If you want to construct your own log house, but haven't the necessary skills there are several schools across the country that will teach you how to build your own log house from the ground up. Tuition averages approximately $900 and does not include tools.

Although nothing says rustic American design quite like the log house floor plan, without careful planning the cost could be quite painful. For those who love the rough pioneer spirit, the log house floor plan is the perfect place to live out those American Western dreams.

Get fantastic ideas for your new house! House floor plans come in all shapes and sizes. Find the right house floor plan for your family today!

Ranch House Floor Plan - American Casual Living Homes

The ranch house floor plan is a shining example of the American Dream in its purest form. It was then, and remains today, the most widely built housing style ever seen in America. This house plan style had its heyday from 1949 to 1965 for several reasons.

Prevailing loan programs of the day made getting a home loan with no money down easier than it ever had been in previous years. Soldiers returning from World War II wanted to settle down and begin raising families. With the demand for homes at an all time high, the simple form and lack of detail made the ranch house floor plan much faster to build than a stately Tudor style home. Formal foyers and spiral staircases were discarded and replaced by level entries and single story plans.

The availability and increasing popularity of the automobile also defined the heyday of the ranch house floor plan. For the first time, the garage was moved to the front of the home. This was the first generation of home owners to have a highly prized freedom and mobility to work and shop in the city and then retreat to the suburbs to live. Because the suburbs removed the need to build houses close together, lots became increasingly larger and the square footage of the average house floor plan expanded accordingly. Ranch house floor plans generally accentuated the width of the lot.

The informal lifestyle of California became popular as early as the late 1940s and magazines began to promote casual living as the ideal. Influences such as courtyards, patios and other Spanish colonial architectural details were embraced and played upon. What was known as the front porch or veranda, was moved from the front to the back of the house and heralded the arrival of a significant lifestyle change. Families now preferred the privacy of their back yard rather than sitting on the front porch watching traffic.

Americans believed that technological advances helped win the Second World War and launch was was to become known as the Space Age. Innovative designs such as the all electric home were supposed to make housework a thing of the past. Realizing the dream of space travel was on the horizon as well and home owners wanted a housing style that was reflective of the new modern era. Synthesized versions of Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie style ranch house floor plan became very popular in more well to do areas.

The ranch house floor plan was the American Dream in a box from the late 1940s to the mid 1960s. Sliding glass doors, kidney shaped swimming pools and back yard patios created a new informal way of entertaining guests. Though the ranch house floor plan was the embodiment of casual living, most homes of that era lacked architectural details that would make them memorable. By the 1970s, the ranch style house was replaced by the split level home with Colonial or English details. The 1980s saw a reversal of the ranch house floor plan formula that included showy front entries with grand staircases and vaulted ceilings while the back of the house was left almost naked. The only remains of the ranch house floor plan today are the open floor plans, great rooms and hearth kitchens and the current popular trend of an outdoor room. All leftovers from the original ranch style housing era.

Get fantastic ideas for your new house! Ranch house floor plans come in all shapes and sizes. Find the right house floor plan for your family today!