Living in a log home is the dream of thousands of Americans. Those that don’t build one are held back by the cost of a new home and/or they don’t want to move. These reasons are understandable, especially if you are settled down and like it where you live.

The answer to living in a log home is not as expensive or complicated as you might think. Many people have converted their current home into a log home with pine log siding. You can have a complete conversion inside and out if there are no regulations to stop the construction.                      

Another idea is to convert the interior and leave the exterior as it currently is. Possibly a log home won’t fit into the neighborhood, city ordinances won’t allow it, or you live in a homeowners’ association? You must decide if this change will or will not clash with the exterior walls of your home.

Exterior Only: Convert Your House Into A Log Home

Cutting costs in half by converting only the exterior of your current home into a log structure. A detached garage can also be converted to match the house. These are the general steps a contractor, carpenter, or you need to take to complete the project.

BEFORE

AFTER
  • First off, determine if retaining the existing siding and covering it is feasible
  • Determine if removing the existing siding and replacing it is feasible
  • Once the above decision is made and is positive, order the siding, corners, and trim
  • When the siding and accessories arrive, stack them and let them acclimate for a few days
  • Install the log corners first, followed by the log trims, and the siding.
  • Caulk the joints where needed and stain/seal all the wood.

Another option is to install pine log siding on the exterior and pine paneling on the interior walls. Wood paneling can be installed over drywall or the drywall can be removed and replaced with knotty pine paneling.

 An Interior Only Conversion

BEFORE

AFTER

The second option is leaving the exterior walls of your home as is and installing pine log siding on the interior walls. This is typically accomplished by removing the drywall and attaching the siding directly to the wall framing. If you discover the exterior wall insulation is insufficient, you can add more before putting up the siding. The light switches and wall plug-ins will need to be modified to work with the thicker walls.

Likewise, You may want to replace the ceiling drywall with knotty pine paneling. The tongue and groove/end-matching design makes it easier to nail to ceiling joists or furring strips. The light fixtures will also need altering because the paneling is thicker than drywall.

“Living in a log home is the dream of thousands of Americans.”

Exterior And Interior: Convert Your House Into A Complete Log Home 

If your budget and zoning laws allow it, the best plan is to install pine log siding on both the exterior and interior walls. You will have a log home that provides the full log look at less expense and you won’t have to move.

Gorgeous log homes are not only the dream of thousands of families it’s also a national icon. A large great room with real log or pine paneling walls is a beautiful thing to behold. If desired and feasible, a non load-bearing wall can be removed to open up an area for a great room. Add some log beams and change the lighting to accent them.    

Add some rustic furniture, a non-ventilated gas or electric fireplace or stove, a mantel, and a few antiques and you have a cozy log home atmosphere.                                                                                                                                                 

Install Knotty Pine Ceilings And Floors

What more can you remodel in your house to make it more of a log home? Add knotty pine ceilings and floors in some or all the rooms to make it happen. They can be upgraded by:
 
  • Covering the existing drywall with pine ceilings or
  • Removing the drywall and installing knotty pine
  • Removing the current flooring material and replacing it with pine
  • Adding insulation in the ceiling or below the floor for noise-deadening

Unfinished knotty pine paneling and flooring are easily finished with stain and/or a clear coat after installation. Flooring boards are also available unfinished so you or a painter can finish them. Save a lot of time by ordering pre-finished paneling and/or pine flooring.

Don’t Forget The Trims And Baseboards

You will need new trims and baseboards with a log home conversion. A variety of styles and sizes can be ordered to coordinate with the exterior and interior walls. They can be stained to match or contrast with the color of your walls.

If you want a log home and don’t want to move, go for installing pine log siding. It’s affordable for most people and you will absolutely love it!

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