Building a new home like a log cabin is an exciting event. Depending on who is building the log cabin, it could be a primary residence or a great place to vacation. Regardless of why you are building the log cabin, making sure that the correct foundation is installed is key. You wouldn’t want to build a log cabin and have the building contractor use the wrong foundation. This could put the whole structure at risk. Wondering how to build a log cabin foundation? The soil properties and local building codes are just two factors when choosing a log cabin foundation.
Let’s take a look below at some more details regarding the log cabin foundation choices.
What Types Of Foundations Are There?
Believe it or not, there are a variety of foundations available to choose from when building a log cabin. The size, slope, time, cost, land clearing, settling, and ground type will determine the type of log cabin foundation. Let’s take a look below at what the choices are.
- Concrete Slab Foundation – This type of foundation requires grading of the land before construction. Additionally, it is recommended that a vapor barrier is installed.
- Pier Cabin Foundation – This type of foundation consists of concrete piers that are constructed to support the weight of the log cabin home. Also, they elevate the log cabin off the ground.
- Crawl Space Foundation – This type of foundation has a barrier wall. It is very similar to a concrete pier foundation, but the perimeter wall is three to four feet high. There is an open space underneath the main flooring of the log cabin that is constructed with floor joists.
- Basement Cabin Foundation – This type of foundation is dug roughly 8 feet into the earth. They are constructed on top of a concrete slab foundation. The walls are there to provide support to the log cabin structure.
Depending on the soil type, water tables, soil properties, climate, topography, and building codes will determine if you will utilize a concrete pad, pier, crawl space, or basement foundation. Call on Magnolia Inspection Services for assistance with determining the best type of log cabin foundation for your log cabin home.
Other Recommended Maintenance
Now that you know how to build a log cabin foundation, let’s take a look at a few areas of maintenance. One of those is the ventilation fans in the crawl space. Keeping the warm air circulating in the crawl space is important and also to have dry air as well. Some people may find that a dehumidifier or vapor barrier works better.
Next, if you are looking at buying a currently constructed log cabin, you will want to read up on if buying a home with foundation issues is a good idea. Some specific details are helpful to any home buyer when looking at a home that potentially has foundation issues.
Lastly, if you are building your home on a sloped property, you will want to know the main issues when dealing with sloped properties. Sloped properties could mess with your log cabin foundation. Be sure to read up on any potential pitfalls.
When Do I Call A Professional?
Building a log cabin will require you to choose a reputable licensed building contractor. During the building process, there will be a variety of inspections conducted to ensure that the home is being properly constructed. One of those is an inspection of the foundation. It is important to hire your local home inspection team that has experience inspecting log cabin foundations. Consequently, they will understand what to look for in terms of structural stability.
Conclusion
When it comes to any new home build, there are a lot of working parts in play. Making sure that everyone is on the same page is key. You wouldn’t want a new log cabin with a poorly constructed foundation. Call on your local home inspection team, before, during, and after the construction of your log cabin foundation and home. Reach out to Magnolia Home Inspection services for a full log cabin foundation and home inspection in Houston, TX, and the surrounding areas.
