Log cabins, their construction and where they originated from
Log cabins originated for the most part in parts of Europe and Scandinavia but it is difficult to pin point exactly where they originated. Russia, Germany and Scandinavia all began using logs for the construction of Log cabins as far back as the Bronze age Log cabins are constructions that began by placing usually round logs on top of each other and then as time passed developments followed and Log cabins were better designed and water tight. The design was basic in the early days and basic constructions were present in America and Canada as far back as the 1600. Around this time basic log construction was also present in Sweden. Initially the log cabins were not meant to be permanent structures and there is little evidence to suggest that Log cabins were widespread in England.
Dating back to the 1600, Log cabins were quite cheap to build and a simple structure could be built in less than a month if many people worked on it. The logs that were the largest were usually the first to be used and the smaller logs being saved for the top of the cabin and the walls. The logs were usually cut to fit perfectly together but some constructions used notches to keep them in place. The floors and sometimes the walls were covered with skins and in today s modern Log cabins; the floors are wooden and covered with rugs. Most cabins built in those times were normally small and many of them had only one floor, although there were others that had a loft area that could be reached either by a ladder from the outside or a rope from the inside. The loft area was not big and was only normally used for a place to sleep. Some of today's modern cabins also have these loft areas that are quite small although we now reach the loft area by a more traditional staircase.
The debate rages on as to where exactly the log cabin originated from but many believe it to be Sweden. The log cabin played an enormous role for our ancestors and they were not only used as homes but as barns, shelters and sheds. Many of the earlier Log cabins are no longer in existence and were not meant to be permanent homes. Families normally moved out of the earlier Log houses in favour of better and bigger ones. The Construction of the log cabins improved as the years progressed and in the present day, are sophisticated structures.
Dating back to the 1600, Log cabins were quite cheap to build and a simple structure could be built in less than a month if many people worked on it. The logs that were the largest were usually the first to be used and the smaller logs being saved for the top of the cabin and the walls. The logs were usually cut to fit perfectly together but some constructions used notches to keep them in place. The floors and sometimes the walls were covered with skins and in today s modern Log cabins; the floors are wooden and covered with rugs. Most cabins built in those times were normally small and many of them had only one floor, although there were others that had a loft area that could be reached either by a ladder from the outside or a rope from the inside. The loft area was not big and was only normally used for a place to sleep. Some of today's modern cabins also have these loft areas that are quite small although we now reach the loft area by a more traditional staircase.
The debate rages on as to where exactly the log cabin originated from but many believe it to be Sweden. The log cabin played an enormous role for our ancestors and they were not only used as homes but as barns, shelters and sheds. Many of the earlier Log cabins are no longer in existence and were not meant to be permanent homes. Families normally moved out of the earlier Log houses in favour of better and bigger ones. The Construction of the log cabins improved as the years progressed and in the present day, are sophisticated structures.
