Can a cabin or log home make a good survival retreat property? It’s important to consider your prospective home’s ability to withstand disasters, provide security, be durable and easy to maintain, and a comfortable and functional living environment.
Security
A log cabin actually presents advantages over conventional construction in fire resistance. Built with massive logs instead of milled lumber, the increased mass-to-surface-area of log construction can slow the advance of fire, making firefighting efforts more effective. Additionally, burn-through of logs is significantly slower than conventional construction, allowing a log home to maintain its structural integrity despite fire damage, and preventing rapid collapse.
The increased hazard of wood siding can be reduced with a concrete foundation or rock facade, separating the logs from any burning material on the ground. The relatively low surface area still acts to inhibit rapid combustion. As with any construction, the roof and attic space is most vulnerable, so design a fire-resistant roof material and protected eaves.
Ballistic resistance for log construction is superior to conventional construction, but inferior to concrete or masonry. For maximal ballistic protection, consider a log facade over a masonry construction. Significant improvement to ballistic performance can be achieved with strategically located rock or masonry facade over log construction, without a major detriment to outside appearance.
Overall, cabin type homes generally perform well with respect to security. However, since they are often built as vacation or part-time residences, doors, windows, and other critical features may be substandard or insufficiently installed. Verify that all entry points are constructed appropriately and have good quality locks.
Durability
Log homes are noted to perform well under seismic and wind loads due to the increased mass and interlocked construction. Specific design considerations should be made for homes being constructed in high-risk areas, but log homes do not appear to be at any disadvantage due to natural disasters, and may outperform conventional construction in some cases.
As with any home construction, the roof may be the weakest point. Most cabins have a conventional metal or shingle roof. A wood roof is preferable for long term durability, shedding snow effectively, and minimizing leaks. Exercise all normal care and maintenance to avoid problems.
Upkeep
The log wall system has two key components—the logs and the chinking. While preservation of the logs is critical for structural integrity, this is generally addressed by preventing water damage and UV damage with exterior stain. The chinking provides essential sealing, insulating, and weatherproofing functions. If you expect to be utilizing your cabin as a long term survival residence, it will be essential to have the capability to maintain, repair, or replace the chinking, either using stored chinking compound, or being prepared to revert to more traditional methods.
Log homes in general are not extremely well-sealed or energy efficient, unless specifically constructed with efficiency in mind. Additionally, except for milled log cabins, natural variations and settling over time will make both interior design and interfaces with doors and windows more challenging.
Appearance
In many areas, especially throughout the Rocky Mountains, log cabins are a common sight in rural areas. They are generally inconspicuous, but may be seen as more likely to be owned by snowbirds or other non-local part time residents. This may lead to a slightly higher burglary risk, as a well appointed cabin may be perceived as lucrative and unwatched. In most rural areas across the US, a cabin will not attract any notable attention, and will blend in compared to other non-conventional constructions.
In conclusion, while there may be more ideal construction methods for consideration if building from scratch, log cabins are a reasonable option. They are generally more readily available than the alternatives, and an unobtrusive choice.
