Choosing a Log Cabin Roof
What does a log cabin roof look like: Take the time to plan the design of your cabin, but don’t forget what’s going on at the top. Use these pro tips to choose a log cabin roof that’s not only stylish but also practical.
Choosing a log cabin roof may seem like a small matter. When choosing a cabin design, the floor plan is often the most eye-catching feature for homeowners.
However, choosing the right roof style and material can play a big role not only in the style of a cabin, but also in how spacious a cabin feels inside. Here are some things to consider when choosing your canopy design.
The Right Roof Shape for You
There are many different roof styles that can grace the roof of a cabin, from gable roofs to hipped roofs, pyramid roofs, and mansard roofs.
For cabins, a gable roof is probably the most common choice, more common than for any other type of house.
The reason is simple: it maximizes the space upstairs and offers more options for additional rooms, storage, or architectural details.
“This is due to several factors—high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling glass walls to enjoy the view are probably the two most important. However, gable roofs are not the only type of construction that lends themselves to cabins.”
“Our clients prefer the traditional cape or chalet roof found on many log homes, If they choose a design with lots of windows with a view, a vaulted roof can be added.”
Regional Differences in Roof Styles of what does a log cabin roof look like
Some roof styles are more common in certain areas than others. In part, this distinction is simply a matter of preference. But the weather in different parts of the country can also play a role in your roof choice.
says Allen Halcomb of MossCreek Designs in Knoxville, Tennessee. “But out west, in Colorado or Montana, where you get a lot of snow, it’s actually better to leave the snow on the roof so it doesn’t pile up around the tree trunks.
You’ll often see an 8/12 [34-degree angle] or even a 6/12 [27-degree angle] pitch.”
In New England, rickety roofs are more popular, says Mark Feder, sales manager for Appalachian Log Homes in Ripley, West Virginia, because they collect less snow.
Log roofs are slightly different from traditional roofs in that they are designed to protect the logs from rain and snow, Lanner adds.
“One of the biggest differences for me is the size of the overhangs,” he says. I also like to use stepped overhangs at the tops of the gable roofs, which not only provides extra protection for the tree trunks, but also adds some architectural accents.”
Choosing a Roofing Material
Another factor in the style of your cabin is the roofing material you choose.
The most cost-effective option is asphalt shingles, which you can replace with more dimensional “architectural” shingles to give your cabin a distinctive look.
Metal roofs are also becoming increasingly popular for cabins, partly because of their appearance and partly because of their durability.
Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most popular (and most affordable) roofing material on the market, offering many benefits, including their light weight, fire resistance, and ease of installation and maintenance.
They also come in a variety of colors and textures to suit any home style. However, they are known to fade over time.
While they generally come with a 15- or 30-year warranty, there is a risk that they can lift or crack in extreme weather conditions.
If you want an upgrade, look into architectural (also known as dimensional) roofing shingles. They are twice as thick as asphalt shingles and can mimic high-quality materials like slate, brick, or cedar.
Metal
Metal roofing is the second most popular roofing choice after asphalt shingles and comes in a surprising number of materials, of what does a log cabin roof look like including copper, aluminum, zinc, and steel.
Each has advantages and disadvantages specific to each type, but all are known for being virtually maintenance-free and long-lasting.
They are fire-resistant, won’t warp or rot, which justifies their high price. They are ideal for extreme conditions and repel rain and snow better than any other roofing material, but they can get dented in a hailstorm.
Different metal roof styles include standing seam, shingles, vertical panels and shingles, as well as bright colors like cobalt blue, barn red and forest green.
Slate
While traditional slate roofs have fallen out of fashion due to their heavy weight and high cost, if you’re building an older home (or never want to think about the need for a new roof), slate is a smart choice.
It can last a century or more, is resistant to mold and mildew, fire-resistant and environmentally friendly.
Cedar shingles
Cedar shingles have a distinctive look that simply can’t be replicated with synthetic materials.
Cedar shingles are expensive due to the high cost of materials and the complex installation process, but with proper care to protect against wear and tear (which includes a full surface cleaning every two years), they have a life expectancy of over 50 years.
Clay
Clay roofs have been used for centuries, in part because they can create cool, comfortable interiors. Clay not only helps reduce energy costs, but it is also a durable material.
And while you might think of a clay roof as the traditional barrel-shaped, terracotta-colored tiles, tiles can also be made to mimic slate or shingles.
In the past, tiles were made by hand, but today they are machine-cast, kiln-fired, and sealed to reduce moisture absorption. However, because of their weight, installation is still labor-intensive.
Roof extensions
Roofing options for your cabin aren’t much different from those for a traditional home.
What can really add to the price of your cabin is adding exposed wood beams and trusses that match the other wood elements in the cabin.
You can build a more conventional roof with pre-assembled trusses and lumber, then hide that structure behind drywall, siding, OSB, or plywood.
This is a less expensive roofing option, but not as visually appealing.
“The most cost-effective roof systems are simple or prefabricated rafters.”
But according to Feder, even a less expensive roof structure can be spruced up without much effort.
“If the sheathing is OSB or plywood, the customer has the option of finishing the ceiling with drywall or adding 1-inch-wide tongue-and-groove boards to the underside of the trusses to create a wood ceiling,” he says. “Decorative, non-structural beams can also be added.”