Designing your log home is one of the first steps in your housebuilding project. You may have a clear idea of your dream log home or still want to explore your options. We want to help you find your dream log home in which your family will love spending time — in this blog post, we’ll tell you how to customise models from our collection.
A pre-designed Honka log-home model is a cost-effective option. It is also quick and easy to build. A range of models are available: from traditional one-storey log homes to modern ones with large windows. Our collection has something for everyone.
However, not everyone finds their dream log home among our models. So it’s worth remembering that you can customise models from the Honka collection. You should treat our models as a preliminary basis for the log home of your dreams, since they can be freely modified. Our design service will be delighted to help you design a home that fulfils your needs and desires — based on a model from our collection if that’s what you choose.
How is a Honka log-home model customised?
Our log-home models can be modified in almost limitless ways, and you can even combine models. The clear architectural language of our models enable cost-effective customisation. Below, we’ve outlined the most common modifications to facades and interiors.
Changes to the facade
It’s often the facade, the visual focus of a building, that crystallises the preferences of a home builder. A facade can be influenced by the architectural language of a building, the shape and size of windows and doors, their location and number, and the facade’s materials and colours. Features such as the roof, windows and surface materials can be modified.
Changes to the roof:
- A model’s roof shape can be changed quite easily; by having a gable roof instead of a shed roof, for example.
- The roofing material can be changed as you like.
- Soffit boarding can be placed on the eave-structure’s lower or upper surface. The latter option leaves the beautiful load-bearing beams visible, creating a modern, lightweight eave-structure. This often has a dramatic impact on a building’s appearance.
Changes to the windows:
- If the model appeals to you but there are too few windows, or they’re too small, you can add more or enlarge them. The number and size of windows can also be reduced.
- Why not change the model’s overall appearance by changing the position of the windows?
- Or add window lattices to create a more memorable impression. You can also omit the lattices included in the model.
- Weatherboards can also be customised.
Other modifications:
- Choosing your own colour scheme can have a major impact on the look and impression created by your home. Just change the colours of the model as you like.
Changes to the interiors
You can customise log-home models’ interiors to meet the needs of your family. When doing so, please bear in mind that the architects who designed our models created the best-functioning floor plans on the basis of years of experience, hundreds of designs, and an understanding of what works. So always consult a Honka expert and explain the ideas behind your proposed changes to interiors.
Changes to interiors:
- The floor plan of the Honka model displays the planned room order. You can change this partially — for example, by exchanging the positions of two rooms with each other — or completely change the floor plan.
- You can resize the rooms by moving the interior walls.
- Lengthen a log-home model to create more interior space. NB! When creating more space, don’t change the width of the model’s frame: this will increase costs considerably more than lengthening the model would.
Changes to material choices for interior walls:
- Choose the surface materials of interior walls to create a unique feel in your log home. Instead of logs, you can choose brick walls or gypsum board for partitions.
Lounatuuli — an example of a model’s customisation that meets the resident’s needs
A few years ago, two Honka customers, Susanna and Mika Laine, built a beautiful Lounatuuli log home in central Savonlinna. Their version of the Lounatuuli model is a good example of facade and interior customisation. The model was adapted to create the perfect home for the Laine family.
Facade modifications to Lounatuuli
The Laines had the New England architecture of their Lounatuuli facade made slightly more traditional — without obscuring the model’s original identity.
The Lounatuuli model from Honkarakenne’s collection is shown on the right, the Laines’ facade is on the left. The log-home is a modified version of our Lounatuuli model.
For example, the facade was modified by changing the position of the windows shown on the left. The windows on the right were exchanged for glass doors to provide two entrances to the terrace. Our website’s model Lounatuuli features window lattices — the Laines opted to adorn their doors and windows with beautiful white frames. This lovely log home’s facade is crowned by a round window added above the door.
Changes to Lounastuuli’s interior
From the start, the Laines designed their take on Lounatuuli as a home for life, which could be opened out and modified when their two children left home. Accordingly, they changed the interior spaces and layout of the original Lounatuuli model.
On the right is the Lounatuuli floor plan from the Honka collection; the Laine’s floor plan is shown on the left.
The layout in the original model (upper image) has been given a makeover. The location and size of the rooms have been changed and a toilet and walk-in closet have been added to the master bedroom. Both the toilet and walk-in closet have sliding doors, so space could be added without increasing the house’s floor area. In sum, the changes have resulted in a log home that will serve the Laines’ needs for many years and be a joy to live in.
Have you found a Honka home model you’d like to customise? Here’s what to do next
If you find a model that speaks to you, remember that you can customise it to fit your family’s needs. Your local Honka dealer will assist you with this.
If none of the models in our collection quite fit the bill, the answer may be a custom-designed log home. This means designing a home that meets your individual needs, assisted by a Honka expert. Read more about our design service here.
How can we help you?
Share your log home dreams with the nearest Honka representative. We will help you to realise them.
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