Old log house: reclaiming (and improving) its front?

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Hi all! I recently bought this old log house that's been neglected since a very poorly done major renovation in the early 70's. Among other things, they walled in the original covered patio, which makes the entrance both ugly and impractical because of rain, and especially snow and ice sliding off the tin ceiling onto the heads of the unsuspecting. Also the door off to one side makes the 7x27ft space pretty uncomfortable to use.

Now, the house is pretty small, originally 30ftx30ft exterior dimensions, plus another 8 ftx 30ft of covered patio. Can you think of a way to retain the space but reclaim the charm of the house?

Here's the entrance currently:

Here's a drawing of what I was perhaps thinking: (I know my drawing isn't super clear- I was thinking it might be nice to redo the roofline to put in a large and wide dormer so that falling rain and snow aren't so much of a big deal, and reframing the front to put in a nice wood entry door with windows on either side. There is a gorgeous mountain view that faces this entrance so the view from the dormer is particularly nice; hence the windows and mini balcony up there. The mini balcony would also shield the entrance from rain and snow.

Thoughts? Or other ideas altogether? Thanks in advance!

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Comments (4)

apple_pie_order
4 years ago
Is the red metal roof in good shape? Is the brown log wall original? That is, have you removed the enclosed porch and what we see in the photo is the old porch floor?

What is your budget for making current round of changes? DIY or professional?
HU-187528210
4 years ago
If the interior allowed I’d center the door. Add the porch back. And add a portico or roof over the porch. I don’t think I’d add a balcony for more than one reason...
the real question is what/ how much can you or do you plan to do to this?
musicallyyours thanked HU-187528210
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musicallyyours
Original Author
4 years ago
Hi apple pie: This will be DYI but with my dad who has built a number of houses, so he's pretty capable. The red metal roof is in good shape still. The walls that you see in the photo is the siding that someone added in the 70's to enclose the covered porch. Inside the exterior walls in the photo is the original porch floor (it is carpeted with a plywood subfloor so I don't know yet what it looks like). That person also added the dormer that you see, which is not done very well and the windows and insulation desperately need replacing in any case. I have no set budget but would not want to spend more than 30k.

I assume that the roof above that existing covered patio is supported by posts, as the log wall, which must take the remaining weight, is 7 feet inside of that. (you can better see where the log walls are from this photo).
apple_pie_order
4 years ago
Thanks for info. Is the siding in good solid shape or kind of flimsy? Keep or replace?

One way to think about the front of the house is to think about how the 7 by 27 foot space can be used with the room inside the logs or by itself. For example, if the there's minimal log wall remaining, the 7 b 27 foot space could be added to the living room area (if that's what's there). If there's only an old front door, that means the old porch area could be basically a mudroom in winter and a skinny extra living room with a view from new windows in area in summer. A measured floor plan would help.

There are metal and glass awnings that could channel snow to fall off the sides, not on the heads of visitors. A new front door with windows on both sides to the nice view is a possibility if you want to reconstruct the front porch wall and its siding.
musicallyyours thanked apple_pie_order