An online (log home) community for log home enthusiasts.

To loft or not to loft, that is the question

First let me say, I am glad to be a new member of the log home community. This is my first, and surely not my last post to this site. I have enjoyed reading other posts, and look forward to joining the fun. Now down to business. I dreamed of, and included a small loft in my log home. All the articles I have read on the subject state that the cost is minimal, but my contractor said that the loft would add at least 20k to the cost of the building, because of having to add stronger structural materials, and the staircase would use up too much floor space, so I would have to add footage, I need advice from someone who has been there, and done that. Let me add that our living/kitchen area, where the staircase would be located is a generous 27x18 ft.

10 Comments

Comment by Ted on June 6, 2008 at 6:27pm: Hi Marlene, having looked (no examined) over a hundred floor plans, it's hard for me to understand why your contractor is giving you this piece of information. Unless you have drastically changed the original layout (I'm assuming you have selected a published floor plan) then the house would be structurally designed to support a loft. Plus, without seeing the floor plan, you seem to have enough living room space for 3 foot wide stairs. If you have, indeed, bought a stock floor plan, if you could find a way to post it in this "community for log home enthusiasts", we could give you better guidance.
Ted

Comment by Marlene on June 6, 2008 at 8:03pm: Ted, thank you for your quick response. The floor plan we have chosen is the "Neches" from Satterwhite. We have not purchased the plan yet, as we are still trying to make decisions. The original floor plan does not include a loft, but we like everything else about the plan, and want to add the loft over either the master bedroom, or dining area. I will try to send a picture of the plan to this post, but I cant make any promises.

Comment by Marlene on June 6, 2008 at 9:25pm: Ted. After an hour of trying to solve the puzzle, I finally got a picture of my proposed floor plan. I had to take a picture with my phone, and e-mail it to myself. I was not able to put it on the blog comment page, but it is in the photo's under "no subject". I hope this gives you a clear view of the plan, and I appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks. Marlene

Comment by Leah Kerkman on June 6, 2008 at 10:00pm: Hi, Marlene: First, let me say: How exciting that you're looking to build! Now, onto the meaty part...Building up can be tricky business, especially if you're going off a plan that doesn't already incorporate a second level. While I can't say for certain that his estimate is fair (I'm not an architect; I just interview them for Log Home Design!), I have heard that second levels add a lot to our bottom line. After all, in addition to the structural support a loft would necessitate, you'll also be paying for more log courses and therefore more construction costs. But there are definitely ways to make it work.

How would you feel, for example, about moving one or two of the bedrooms upstairs? Then you'll be looking at a smaller footprint, which could lower your starting price a bit. After all, if you're going to be building an entire second level, you might as well get your money's worth! But I would suggest you talk to a designer about it. If you plan on getting your package from Satterwhite, I'm sure their in-house designers could talk you through it. After all, nearly all stock plans are customized a bit for different customers.

Good luck! And let us know what you find out!

Comment by Donna Peak on June 6, 2008 at 10:46pm: Marlene, I think Leah's advice to check with the designers at Satterwhite is totally on target. They'll be able to tell you the logistics and cost of adding a loft better than anyone. But let me throw this out there—based on the fact that you've chosen a single level floorplan makes me think that you don't really want a full second level, so ask yourself why you want the loft and how much you'll actually use it. Granted, it is a quintessential log home design feature, but if all your living is going to be done down below, do you want to incur any extra expense, no matter if it's $5k or $20k? Now if you plan to use it as a home office or a hobby room and it will see a lot of action, then it's well worth the investment. But if it's just because "log homes should have a loft," I'd reconsider. The log home mold has been shattered--it's all about how you'll live in it happily ever after. Let us know what you decide.

Comment by Marlene on June 9, 2008 at 8:34pm: Thanks for the great comments Leah and Donna. I appreciate the insite. You are correct Donna, I do not want a full second level, our log home is for retirement, and the stairs are something we want to avoid for a "have to climb up there every night, or sleep on the couch" situation. I did want the small loft for an office for myself. Based on the use I would get out of it right now, the idea is appealing, but for something that would gather dust in later years, it is something to think about. As with all of us, we have to spend the money where it is needed most, and will benefit the most, so at this point, I guess I will have to put my "office" on a lower level. As much as I would enjoy sitting up there above it all, I will have to come down to earth, unless we win the lottery, which is really "up there".

Comment by Neighborhood Host on June 9, 2008 at 10:36pm: Not sure if this helps, but I found the Neches floor plan listed on LogHome.com. Analyze that!

Comment by MtnGal on June 10, 2008 at 5:58pm: Hi Marlene:
A great room with soaring open ceiling is part of the log home dream for us. We have found in the dozens of companies that we have looked at - that generally it is less expensive to have the sf that you want by utilizing a loft area.I just took a quick look at the Satterwhite site &
it appears that the Savanah is larger & yet less expensive than the Neches. I'll bet Satterwhite can find a way to accomplish what you want. Good luck!

Comment by Marlene on June 11, 2008 at 9:17am: Thank you MtnGal, I will be sure to look at the Savanah, and give it a good analysis.

Comment by Marlene on June 11, 2008 at 9:34am: MtnGal. Thank you, but the Savanah will not work. I cannot have a bedroom upstairs, as my Mother-in-law, who is 89 years old will be occupying the second bedroom, and she cannot navigate the stairs, and the third bedroom is for my husbands work shop and hunting room, which needs easy access to the outside. So we are back to square one, which means everything on one level. My dream of a loft is just that, a dream, not a necessity, so I have decided to make my get away haven in the patio area outside my bedroom door.My son has offered to build me a waterfall fountain, with a stream running through the garden area. I cant wait to start planting flowwers. Again, thank you for the input, and good luck on your own log home dream.

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