One of the many advantages of owning a log cabin is its capacity for customization and additions; popular upgrades may include porches, floors and different roof styles.
One upgrade that homeowners may wish to consider is adding a balcony or terrace as it provides an oasis of calmness for relaxation and respite from daily life.
Design
Residential log cabin balconies provide the ideal setting for entertaining guests and spending quality time with loved ones, providing protection from the elements and helping control heating and cooling costs. Furthermore, these additions enhance any log home by complementing its topography and architecture seamlessly.
To avoid moisture issues on a balcony, it’s essential to make sure the ledger board is flashed correctly and that water doesn’t run back onto logs and cause decay. We usually create a slot in each log before inserting a piece of flashing made out of silicone caulk into it; this allows water to run off rather than pool up against logs.
One of the great features of a log home is its flexibility to meet your specific needs and style preferences. There is a range of windows and doors to choose from, as well as various roof styles and add-ons that allow your home to truly stand out.
Add features like stone showers and wood siding to make your home even more aesthetically pleasing, creating a natural aesthetic that fits right in with a log cabin home.
Materials
As you collect materials for your balcony project, it is crucial that they are organized and protected from moisture and heat. Maintaining an organized workspace will help expedite progress quickly while avoiding potential delays. Follow manufacturer’s instructions regarding preparation time before using these materials in any project.
Once your materials are in place, it’s time to assemble the frame. Install a ledger board – typically 2-by-6 piece of lumber attached directly to your log home’s rim joists – as this will protect against water seeping in and causing long-term rot damage. It is also essential that flashing be installed beneath this board for added protection against moisture entering and seeping into your log home’s structure.
Install the joists and beams that will form the structure of your balcony using a level and square to ensure they are straight, using either lag screws or joist hangers to fasten them into place.
Once the frame of your balcony is finished, you can begin adding features and accessories that will make it an enjoyable space to be. For example, furniture such as lounge chairs and dining tables can be added. Lighting fixtures like string lights, lanterns or wall sconces can help create an intimate ambiance; you may also incorporate greenery with trellises or flower beds for additional charm.
Permits
Integrating a balcony or terrace into your residential log cabin upgrade project is a wise investment, adding tremendous value and benefits that can be enjoyed by both you and your family. Furthermore, having such a space provides the perfect place for hosting friends and relatives in an informal manner.
There is one main distinction between a balcony and terrace: One is permanently attached to your home’s structure while the latter can be freestanding, built directly on the ground.
Before beginning construction on your balcony, it is necessary to obtain a permit from your local building authority. This step is essential both in terms of safety and legal issues; submit the application early so as not to end up having to return materials that have already been purchased if later you find out from plan reviewer that project is prohibited.
Once you have your permit in hand, the next step in installing your balcony floor should be installing its frame and joists. Deck boards or more traditional wood materials make suitable choices for these purposes; be sure to secure them to each joist using lag screws every 12 inches for security.
Construction
Residential log cabins provide an idyllic getaway, and adding a balcony or terrace is a cost-effective way to expand their livable square footage significantly. When building your log balcony, however, certain considerations must be kept in mind to ensure its longevity and structural integrity.
Log homes are built from handcrafted, scribed-fitted logs of various sizes that may or may not be uniform in shape and size. Most modern American log homes use milled, pre-cut and shaped logs instead of the more laborious hewn variety to speed up the building process, with most shells becoming weather-tight within two weeks in some instances. Furthermore, this method exposes logs less directly to weather elements, making mold or mildew problems or insect invasion easier to identify as they arise allowing faster identification – as well as possible!
Due to their unique construction, log houses often do not meet standard building code energy standards. Your local building inspector or state energy office should be able to inform you on any applicable energy compliance recommendations or enforcement in your area, while some states offer prescriptive packages designed specifically to make compliance easier during log house construction.