- Selecting the right windows for your cabin can save thousands in construction costs.Poet's Cabin image by Lucid_Exposure from Fotolia.com
The type of windows you select for your cabin can have a major impact on its aesthetic appeal and your wallet. Windows and doors can account for 10 percent of the construction costs, according to Mountain View Homes, a real estate company specializing in log homes in the Poconos. No matter what your building plan, the following ideas may help you select the most durable, cost-effective option. - Wood frames are popular choices for cabin windows because they keep heat in and match the appearance of the rest of the structure. However, wood is also susceptible to swelling, shrinking, warping, rotting and other problems associated with weather and age. Windows constructed of man-made materials, such as vinyl or aluminium, will last longer. Vinyl has the added bonus of sharing some of the heat-retaining properties of wood, although it is more expensive. If you opt for aluminium, consider an aluminium-clad option, which has a wooden core for heat retention.
- Allowing plenty of time to plan the windows--the Log Home Builders Association recommends giving yourself about two years--can reduce the expense with little impact on the final construction. Spend this time searching for deals from manufacturers, such as manufacturers’ seconds or slightly discolored frames. Buy them as you find them and you could stockpile some serious savings.
- You can often find excellent quality used windows for a fraction of the price of new ones at surplus building material stores, flea markets or on the Internet. The Log Home Builders Association reports that one of its members saved $13,000 on windows alone by buying used models that were virtually indistinguishable from new ones.
- Factory-ready windows come in a variety of sizes and shapes. By selecting a factory size and building your cabin to suit it, you could save thousands of dollars over time. Not only are stock sizes cheaper than custom versions, they are also easier to replace. One caveat is that stock sizes vary by region, so check with your local building supply stores to see what the stock sizes are in your area before committing to a model.
- You can select windows in a variety of styles, from double hung, with two operating sashes that slide up and down, to awning-style windows, which are hinged at the top and swing outward. However, simple casement windows, that have one hinge at the bottom and swing out, are the easiest and least expensive to build and also have a more traditional look than more complicated models, according to Best Log Cabin Kits, a website that reviews and offers help with the most popular cabins that are built from kits.
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