Can you live green in prefab log cabins?

As we face a world impacted by global warming, many of us are turning to green living as a means to reduce our carbon footprint and help heal the planet in any way we can. Finding the right house is a big part of that, as the wrong materials could severely damage the surrounding environment or cause toxic air pollution.

When it comes to log cabins, there is a clear negative connotation. People remember decades-old warnings about downed trees and dangerous chemicals. But times have changed and now not only is it easy to live green in a log cabin, but prefab log cabins in particular offer you some amazing opportunities to do so.

Here are ten ways you can live green in log cabins, wherever you are.

Ways to live green in prefab log cabins

1. Look at the chemicals used when dyeing. For many years, this was the biggest concern with log cabins. The stain and sealant used on the wood was incredibly dangerous for the environment and sometimes even bad for the people living inside the house. That is no longer the case and safe and environmentally friendly chemicals have taken its place. You can find eco-friendly products that will keep your log cabin in tip-top shape without attacking Mother Earth. Look for cabins with the green seal of approval.
2. Choose log cabins that use reclaimed wood. The second biggest environmental concern was that log cabins require the felling of trees…lots of them. Entire forests have been cut down in the name of construction and it has wreaked havoc on natural beauty around the world. Don’t worry, you can find a ton of recycled wood anywhere from lumber yards to junkyards. Many kits and prefabs now use this wood to offer greener kits that don’t waste materials while being cheaper to produce (and cheaper for the consumer).
3. Keep the bugs away. How could having bugs in the home be an environmental hazard? They are not, in themselves. But having to use an exterminator that comes with dangerous poisons and sprays can be a serious problem. Not to mention that certain animals can be disturbed if they become relays to humans for things like shelter and food. Keeping them out early on is always a better idea. Make sure the manufactured home you choose doesn’t have any gaps, unusual crawl spaces, or easy access to the interior for anything that isn’t meant to be there.
4. Make sure your cabin is properly sealed. Another way we harm the environment is by using certain resources more than necessary. Perhaps the most common examples of this are heating and air conditioning. It’s easy to forget how much we’re spending when we turn on the temperature control in our homes. At the very least, your bill at the end of the month will remind you of that. Making sure your log cabin doesn’t have any leaks where air escapes can really change that.
5. Deal with damage quickly. Prefab log cabins are generally made much sturdier than most of their counterparts. Logs are better equipped to handle the elements than drywall and plastic sheeting. But damage does happen, especially if the cabin hasn’t been restored in a while or if you live in an area that has harsher weather at certain times of the year. The faster you fix damage, the less damage there will be. That means fewer materials to fix it.
6. Add some enhanced features. Do you want your cabin to be especially ecological? It may be worth adding a feature or two to make it that way. For example, are you concerned about the amount of energy you use? Put on some solar panels and start making the switch to a greener form of fuel. Do you want to use less water? Opt for a manufactured home with low-flush toilets or add a water tank in the back that captures rainwater. You’d be surprised at how customizable prefabs can be, especially when it comes to green upgrades and upgrades.
7. Locate your cabin in an urban area. This may seem strange, but listen to me. A log cabin doesn’t just have to be in the country and with prefabs they can be placed anywhere. By living in a city instead of the countryside, you can use public transportation and decrease car use. You can find community gardens and participate in citywide efforts to decrease harmful environmental habits. Not to mention, you can walk more, which is great for your health!
8. Change of clothes for domestic consumption. Sometimes it’s not our home that sets the standard, but the decisions we make every day that have the most influence on our footprint. Take a look at the items you buy. What’s in them? How are they packaged? Are they local or do you have to import them from somewhere else? Are there ways you could change your purchasing options to better reflect your desire to be greener? Even the stores you choose can make a huge difference to what is being done to our planet, as well as the brands we choose to give our money to. Spend wisely.
9. Recycle, recycle, recycle. Of course, recycling is an important part of keeping the world clean. Whenever you’re using reclaimed wood, why not go all out and start recycling the items you use around your home? You can pass cans, plastics, even wood from projects or repairs that you take out of your cabin. Less litter means less in the landfill and we could definitely benefit from that.
10. Fill your house with used items. Finally, we have items like furniture and other expensive items. Buying used is one of the best things you can do to achieve your green living goals. You can even get manufactured homes that you have owned before!