Walls

• Common assumptions may conclude hastily that the external walls of a log home differ only from a stick-built, framed house on the sole basis of material composition. Even though the use of intact, interlocked tree trunks might seem obviously different from that of an intricate arrangement of wooden boards nailed together, windows and doorways are universally necessary. Arguably, architecture determines individual structural integrity regardless of the quantity of portals or other openings in external walls.
  
  

Strength

• Compared to a century ago, modern construction advancements have improved the structural strength for both log and stick-built homes. However, many larger, stately log houses may not necessarily be more durable than quality stick built homes. Small, unimproved log cabins that are custom scribed tightly with big logs will usually be stronger than sprawling log homes of materials previously assembled, mechanically milled and fastened by state of the art technology.
  
  

Longevity

• The most important factors affecting extended habitability of either a log home or framed, stick-built house are individual craftsmanship and construction quality. Superior and regularly scheduled maintenance procedures are always important, too. If a log home or stick built residence is built as cheaply and quickly as possible, significantly higher maintenance costs are almost always guaranteed in the long run. Conversely, some intact Norwegian stave churches are over 700 years old.
  
  

Fire Safety

• Fire safety statistics are generally guarded carefully by authority of procedural insurance procedures, local liability laws and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Nevertheless, as their material composition tends to be far more solid and stout, log homes are arguably more fire resistant than stick built homes. A clear distinction must be made, however, from that of being fireproof. Unless a home is constructed perhaps from logs of solid iron, no residence is immune to such risk.
  
  

Cost

• Log home vs. stick-built construction incurs competitive prices across the board. Of course, individual craftsmanship and customized owner specifications affect labor, material and time costs greatly. Other potential factors such as excise taxes, import fees and shipping charges may exist according to location and legal obligations.