Why Log Homes are On the Rise in the UK

It’s no secret there are many advantages to log homes, a comfortable and cost-effective way to get extra accommodation and space you need at home for relatives or at your
favourite holiday destination.

Since the pandemic hit in March 2020, there has been growing distrust in care homes due to the alarming infection rates reported in the initial stages of the outbreak. This has led to many families considering alternatives for their aging loved ones – a main contender in this market has been the log home.

Aside from giving you the peace of mind of having your vulnerable relatives close by during these times, there are other lesser-known benefits to a log home that have contributed to
its increasing popularity. In this article, we explore further the advantages of log homes and why they’re a worthy addition to your garden or perfect for your desired holiday location.

The Advantages of a Log Home

Low Maintenance
Unlike conventional brick and mortar buildings, a log home is virtually maintenance free. Aside from a recommended yearly wash-down for the exterior and the occasional manual check on sealings and gutters, these buildings are famous for their ability to stand the test of time.

Energy Efficient
Due to logs high levels of natural insulation, these buildings are great at holding onto heat during the winter as log homes are usually airtight, avoiding leaks, airflows, and condensation which can generally increase costs associated with heating up and cooling down your home. Because of this, heating bills remain low all year round. So, no more worrying about the dreaded December heating bill!

No Planning Permission
The requirement for Planning Permission depends very much on how and where you anticipate using your log building. Log homes and log annexes are typically considered permitted development on your property, simplifying Planning Permission requirements for your log home. As most log homes are classified as transportable homes, they fit within the Caravan Act. This means that they almost always won’t need planning permission or building regulations to be built, saving you from the long process and endless paperwork that normally comes with any home renovations. Note that if your log home or granny annexe is NOT a mobile home or is sited outside of your garden, you will usually require Planning Permission and Building Regulations approval.

Great Investment
By building a log home in your garden, you’ll be increasing the value of your property. With the growing interest in multigenerational living – the added benefit of a log home will help you to sell your home in the future, for a higher price.

The Uses of a Log Home
The most obvious purpose of a log home is as a granny annexe for relatives or to support multi-generational living. However, there are many ways people have been making the most of log homes over the recent years.

Holiday Home
Now more than ever, people are investing in the ‘stay-cation’ market. Rather than opting for the standard caravan that has traditionally been seen in abondance at holiday parks, many families have invested in the more glamorous log building option. Not only does this investment ensure that you’ll never have to worry about a fully booked holiday park, by choosing to rent this asset out when you’re not using it, it can work as another source of income.

Norwegian Log’s log homes are made of transportable prefabricated components that make up your log cabin and will be manufactured off-site in a factory before being transported to the chosen site. This allows for quick assembly and minimal disruption to your garden.

Rented Room/Home
Many homeowners have been making the most of their large gardens by turning them into money makers. By building a log home in your garden, you can offer an entirely independent living solution that can be rented out for a far higher monthly price than just renting a room in your home – allowing you to recoup the price of the log home in just a few years.

Multigenerational Living
The housing market is becoming increasingly hard to break into, meaning that many people in their 20’s and 30’s are struggling to get onto the property ladder and are stuck in a rental situation that leaves no deposable income to save for a deposit. Parents of adult children are opting to build log homes/annexes in their gardens as a stylish and straightforward way to help young adults gain complete independence by having a place of their own and less monthly out goings. Some are using the log home arrangement to allow their children to successfully save for a deposit, whereas others plan to use it as a retirement plan – with the parents and children swapping properties later in life and using the log building as a granny annex.

Discover Norwegian Log’s range of both timeless traditional and stylish contemporary log homes/annexes and explore our image galleries and 3D virtual tours to discover how our existing customers have utilised their log home.