Articles Tagged:

stairs and railings

My Dream Home Idea Notebook goes everywhere I go! It has all the must-haves for our new house (measurements, colors, photos). Easy Dream House idea file tips

Getting a composite deck? We are, too! Here's what I've learned about the similarities & differences between MoistureShield and TimberTech. See which one we are leaning toward... and why.

I've spoken with ChoiceDek and MoistureShield reps several times now. Here's what I've learned about these composite decking materials. Good stuff!

There are a number of factors which can ultimately increase (or decrease) the costs associated with building your new home. Some things to keep in mind...

We built a log cabin that is CLOSE to our dream log home, but a few things are lacking. Here are a few things that we would do differently if we were to build a log home again.

We fell in love with the log staircase that Hiawatha had in their model log home. It was comprised of half logs for steps and fit perfectly into the home's layout. It was something that we just 'had to have' in our log cabin. We researched the cost, and then compared the various log staircases that were available. Here's what we've learned about log stairs...

The look of exposed trees brings a bit of nature indoors. And who doesn't want to bring a little outdoors in, right? Especially in a log home! Here's how you can create the look of real trees inside your home -- particular around pillars, columns, and poles located in the basement, near stairways, and around kitchen islands & bars.

If log homes are your thing and 'rustic' is your game, then you're going to love these pictures of REAL tree accents and the use of rustic looking logs -- or heavy timber -- inside a log home. You'll also see photos of fun ways to incorporate trees and heavy timber logs into the EXTERIOR characteristics of your log home.

After a lot of research and homework, we've actually decided AGAINST using composite decking at this time. It wasn't an easy decision. Far from it. In fact, we were honestly looking forward to trying it. But the cons outweighed the pros at this point in time. Here's why...

Without a doubt, our log home will be more like a bungalow with some interesting angles, curves & unique hardware, rather than purely straight lines and squares. But it wasn't until we started fine-tuning the details like a big wooden speakeasy door with a dentil shelf -- Arts & Crafts; prairie style windows -- Craftsman; tapered columns and wide steps on the porches -- bungalow that we even realized we were gravitating toward the Craftsman style of home architecture and decor which encompasses all of these things, and more.

What follows are some of the most interesting things I've learned about composite decks, along with some of the questions I still have about composite decking materials. Specifically, I'm interested in TimberTech vs MoistureShield composite decks.

As I see it, here are a few of the things that set TimberTech apart from other composite deck companies...

We are considering using composite decking materials for the decks and porches on our new log home. But we're torn... between looks and durability. Here are our thoughts...

So, which is the MOST likely to be used and appreciated?... A screened in front porch? Or, a screened in back porch? What about a partially-screened in Porch? Here are my thoughts.

Some tips for deciding on the right log home floorplan for you... based on your family's wants and needs, as well as how your family plans to utilize the spaces within your home.

Have you given any thought to just how long those things that you're installing are going to last? I have. Recently the National Association of Home Builders -- NAHB -- shed some light on the life expectancy of common components inside a home. Have a look...

How we designed our log home: We started with a list of things we WANTED... added the features we NEEDED... then compiled the Ultimate Dream Home Wish List!

Lonnie and Sherry built this log home from scratch themselves. It took them 2 years, and they have a lot to be proud of. Check out all of these one-of-a-kind features...