A log cabin home is entirely different from a brick house. There are significant features between these two structures that make a world of difference. The looks or aesthetics of a log cabin are uniquely distinct, while a brick house also has its own recognizable features. The functionality of both structural buildings also has its own upsides and downsides. Get to know the differences between a log home and a brick house before you make your investment.
Log Cabin Home and Brick House: Factors & Features
BRICK HOUSE
First let’s look at brick houses. This is the most common type of house construction in Britain ‒ brick is a popular building material used to build walls, pavements, floors, and other elements. It has been a mainstay in masonry construction, then and now. A log home does not have this type of material that is created from clay. Other materials that are used in the making of clay include lime, clay-bearing soil, sand, and concrete.
Advantages of Brick Homes
Brick looks nice and sophisticated when added to the entire elements of your residential home. Unlike its log cabin home counterpart, a brick house is a durable and strong sanctuary. Brick materials protect homes from damage due to harsh storms, along with heavy rains and strong winds. Your house stays durable and resistant from the elements for a longer period of time.
Brick is a good insulator through retaining natural heat inside the house during cold weather. It also keeps your house warm for longer, making it energy efficient and reducing your carbon footprint. A log cabin home may not necessarily do the same especially when it does not undergo any insulation treatments. Due to the high insulation features of bricks, your household expenses for heat and gas are significantly cut. It helps you save money in the long run.
Low maintenance is one of the best features of a brick house. There are also choices of low maintenance log cabin homes but brick houses have their own unique features. Bricks have a natural aesthetic with unique textures and colours. Thus, you need not paint your house and it will not wear down or chip. All you need is a periodic light spray to keep it in top shape and condition.
Disadvantages of Brick Houses
Just like any other residential structures, brick houses also have their weak points. Looking into their downsides helps you wisely choose between a brick house and a log cabin home. For instance, brick is a much more expensive material compared to wood. Brick materials tend to be vulnerable to mould, especially in humid or damp areas. This is because brick has the tendency to contract or expand depending on the temperature. Brick is a porous material and cracks and pores could serve as places where there is mould build-up.
Bricks are irregular in style so it may be difficult to design or put them together. In contrast to the materials in a log cabin home, bricks are tough and cannot be easily torn down. The materials are not easily moved. Nonetheless, bricks are vulnerable to vines, which damage the bricks when they crawl up to the structure.
LOGS/WOOD
Logs or wood for log structures vary in species, features, designs, sizes, shapes, and colours. Wood products are popular for their natural seamless beauty. Wood is also durable and resilient, making it the perfect construction material for log structures. Wood comes in different types, including hardwood, softwood, and tropical hardwood.
Advantages of a Log Cabin Home
Cost efficiency is one of the major benefits of buying a log home. Wood is a traditional material and there are wood species that are much cheaper than brick.
Log homes are easy to work with due to their lightweight materials. A log house offers a sophisticated, timeless, and all-natural, cosy ambiance.
Wood is a better choice compared to bricks based on the location of the structure. Silt, vines, and erosion are factors that damage brick walls. Choose a log cabin home in locations with these elements as wood is a resistant material.
Certain types of wood, especially the dense and thicker species, are also good insulators. Thus, you need not worry about electricity costs. A log cabin house remains warm during cold temperatures as wood materials retain the heat inside the cabin. Wood also absorbs humidity, making it a natural air conditioner. Wood is flexible compared to bricks and you can reuse the material if you need to make minor or major renovations in the future.
Downsides of Log Cabin Homes
Wood is prone to wear and tear. This is one of the top reasons why most home buyers prefer their brick home counterpart. A log cabin home is vulnerable to the elements and may not be as durable and strong during harsh storms and strong winds. There are other weak points such as termite damage, water damage, and mould growth in damp, humid areas.
Most wood home owners are turned off because most of these log structures require chemical treatment for pest resistance and elimination. A log cabin home has materials that tend to expand and contract with the changes in the temperature. They can also twist or warp when the weather is bad.
Price and Speed of Building
Time influences the price and overall construction costs of building a log cabin home and brick house. Mortar and brick builds are basically slower compared to wood or timber. Thus, if time is of the essence and you need your house as soon as possible, go for a log structure. In the acquisition of materials, some timber factories may take longer to provide the materials you need. A Bricklayer, on the other hand, is more expensive compared to a wood specialist.
A log cabin home offers remarkable features and upsides while brick houses also have their own benefits and drawbacks. It all depends on your goals and preferences as a homeowner or investor as to which structure would work best for you. Know more about log homes or brick houses and make your choice today
