Today’s modern log home plans are made primarily with pine logs or materials made to look like logs. True log homes are made from logs that have not been milled into conventional lumber, just like the log cabins of yesteryear. Present day modern versions are designed with relaxation and comfort of country house plans, may be one or two stories and range in size from a simple cabin to a grand Northwestern style house. There are numerous styles available including vacation designs, waterfront house plans and mountain retreats. Log homes often incorporate prows accommodating plenty of large floor-to-ceiling windows, which capture outstanding views of the surrounding landscape. Wood decks, covered porches, metal roofs and stone chimneys contribute to the rustic look and feel of these homes and give the sense of living hand-in-hand with nature. In general, log house floor plans feature open living areas, an expansive great room for gathering, soaring ceilings, exposed interior logs and a radiant fireplace. And an added bonus – these homes are environmentally friendly. Logs are a renewable resource and their thermal characteristics generally exceed the minimum energy efficiency code requirements making log home designs an earth-conscious substitute for common house plans. A log home plan is an ideal alternative for a Cabin and Cottage house plan, Country home plan or Vacation design.