Photo: Log Home

Finding Log Home Packages

Modular log cabins and prefab cottages are homes that have already been assembled before they reach the actual site where the home will be situated. 

Photo: Log Home

Depending on your specifications, they can arrive at the site completely assembled or partially assembled at a factory prior to their arrival.  They include the newest developments and state of the art materials in prefabricated homes.  Most professionals will say that prefab cottages are actually different from a modular home and maintain that prefab cottages are almost the same, if not the same, as a home built onsite.  However, others might argue that modular log homes and prefab cottages have developed mobile home technology.  These prefab cottages and log cabin homes have taken modular home architecture and design to a new level.

Are Prefab Cottages And Modular Homes Right For You?

Modular log homes and prefab cottages are attractive not only to people who enjoy the rustic feel to their home, but who may have already considered the costs of owning a home built onsite.  The financial savings of prefab cottages versus onsite homes are often quite large.  Many people realize the economic benefits of investing in prefab cottages and modular log cabins. 

If you are someone who has always wanted your own home built, but were deterred by the construction costs or the long waits for construction completion, prefab cottages and modular log homes might be an attractive option for you.  These homes can also be custom designed to your tastes, style, and construction preferences, and they can typically be completed in a manufacturer’s factory in as little time as 3 weeks, with an additional few days allowance for the onsite installation.  Also, if you are someone who has a concern for the way your quality of life affects your surrounding environment, a well built modular log home could be the right choice for you, as they are often constructed with energy efficiency and cost savings in mind.

In general, you can still reap financial benefits from owning prefab cottages and modular log homes beyond initial cost savings.  For example, most prefab cottages will begin to increase in value, similar to onsite constructed homes.  By speaking with your financial institution or local bank, you can also find out what mortgage and financing options they have for prefab cottages.  In this way, you can also begin to earn equity on your home.

Becoming Familiar With The Process

If owning prefab cottages interests you, but you are not familiar with the process, it is best to do some research before you begin contacting companies.  The company, Merrimac Log Homes, offers log homes that have already been designed to certain specifications.  There is a wide variety, and you can browse their offerings by visiting their website, merrimacloghomes.com.  Their photo gallery also gives you some idea of what you can expect from the finished product of your log cabin kit.  This site also provides a step-by-step photo gallery guide that allows you to become more familiar with the process, from laying foundation, to flooring, insulating, and roof installation.  By viewing the actual hands-on process, you can get a better idea as to whether or not prefab cottages and modular log cabins are right for you. 

Rising Popularity And Prefab Cottage Styles

The Post and Beam System is a well known style of modular log cabin.  The home structure is built with a combination of posts in the external portion of the house that are connected together by beams extending over the width of the home.  This style is popular because it gives spaciousness in the home that clients often desire in their prefab cottages or log cabins.  People tend to like this style since it gives them more interior decorating options than other building systems. 

The Premium Vista Series from Spirit Cabins also has similar features to the Post and Beam models.  For example, within the cabin series, the Aspen lofts and Sequoia log homes both feature the spaciousness of the Post and Bean system, as well as vaulted ceilings and outdoor porches.  Depending on the styles within the series, these types of spacious modular log homes can come in 1, 1 ½, and 2 story designs.  Spiritcabins.com offers several different series of cabins with classic modular designs, as well as some of the more modern trends in prefab cottages.

The Phoenix System models are classic building systems respected for their durability and strength.  While the Post and Beam system provides spaciousness, the Phoenix System uses durable timber which allows these types of prefab cottages and modular log cabins to last through heavy storms, hurricanes, extreme tropical climates, winter weather, etc.  Many people do have modular homes in areas with harsh winters, so the durability of this system does make it stand out from other types of prefab cottages.

The Classic Timber models also use durable timber in an interlinking fashion.  The intertwining link method allows for heightened levels of insulation, which has increased its popularity among people who live in cooler climates.  In turn, you can save on energy costs by using this system.  The Afton Log Home Company are specialists in these three building systems and modular log cabin kits, and information on these systems can be found on their site, aftonloghomes.com.

Cedar Wood Homes

As modular log cabins increase in popularity, the choices in styles and creativity are also a concern for owners.  Whichever building system model of prefab cottages you decide on, the most popular contemporary modular log cabins use certain types of wood.  Prefab cottage lovers have made the cedar wood modular log cabin very popular.  In particular, log home styles built with Western Red Cedar are best sellers.  The beauty and durability of cedar wood alone make this type of log cabin a favorite.  Popular styles range between 700 and 3000 square feet. 

Many of the cedar homes can also come with cathedral style vaulted ceilings and added features of glass walls that complement the wooden structure.  Cedar wood log home models are usually preferred to, for example, white pine wood homes, or hickory wood homes, because these types of wood may tend to erode quickly in various climates.  While red oak is known for its strength, it does not have an equal level of pliability necessary to construct prefab cottages.

Green Homes

Green prefab cottages and modular log homes are energy efficient homes and environmentally friendly.  The benefits of these particular prefab cottages are that they save you money on your heating and cooling systems, as well as energy costs.  Professionals have said that this style of modular log cabin can actually save you almost 40 percent in housing costs.