Schutt Log Homes and Mill Works

If you’ve been dreaming about building a home for your family, you’re not alone. Across the country, more families are stepping away from cookie-cutter houses and choosing oak log cabin kits for strength, character, and long-term value. At Schutt Log Homes in Missouri, we’ve seen a huge rise in people wanting a home that actually feels like home—warm, inviting, and built to last for…

Built the Way Barns Used to Be When you walk into an old barn built from oak, you can feel the difference — the solid weight of real wood, the craftsmanship that has stood for generations. At Schutt Log Homes and Mill Works, our Oak Barn and Barn-House Kits carry that same tradition forward — real oak beams, hand-crafted details, and designs that bring rustic heritage into modern living. Each…

If you’ve been dreaming of a log cabin or oak hybrid home, but you’re holding off because “the market’s slow” or “interest rates are high,” you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: what feels like a bad time might actually be the smartest time to start building. At Schutt Log Homes, we’ve helped hundreds of families build custom oak homes—through good times, slowdowns, and everything in between.…

1080 sq ft At Schutt Log Homes, we believe that big dreams often begin in small spaces. That’s why we created the 1080 square foot “Acorn Kit Home” our most compact and affordable oak home kit, crafted for simplicity, strength, and total self-reliance. Whether you’re a first-time builder, a weekend DIYer, or planning to downsize, the Acorn Kit is designed to make your dream cabin a reality. 🌳…

At Schutt Log Homes, we know that today’s builders want the strength of tradition combined with the flexibility of innovation. That’s why we created the Hybrid Oak Home Kit—a unique blend of rugged oak craftsmanship and customizable modern living. If you’re dreaming of a cabin that blends rustic charm with versatile design, this kit delivers the best of both worlds. What is the Hybrid Oak Home…

At Schutt Log Homes, we believe everyone deserves the chance to build the log home of their dreams—without breaking the bank or hiring a full construction crew. That’s why our Oak Log Cabin Kits are designed specifically for DIY enthusiasts, homesteaders, and anyone with a passion for hands-on craftsmanship. Why Choose Oak? Oak is one of the strongest, most durable hardwoods in North America.…

Log Homes = Healthy Homes

Although Oak is a hardwood and very insect resistant, there is one insect which can be a nuisance to Oak log-home owners. The Powder Post Beetle can be a sneaky little devil. Schutt Log Homes and Millworks has had some experience with these little buggers and we will explain what they are and how to deal with them.

These tiny beetles (generally 1/8” – 1/4″ in length) bore into wet wood and lay their eggs. The eggs hatch into larva and begin to bore through the wood-eating starches found in the wood, creating small pinhead-sized tunnels. When the larvae have completed their development, they will emerge through small holes. (It can take up to 3-4 years for Powder Post Beetles to mature and emerge.) This is when most people notice a fine powdery pile of dust left under the beetles’ hole. In most cases, this is the end of the powder post beetle problem.

Once raw wood is kiln dried or air dried to a moisture content below 10%, Powder Post Beetles will no longer lay their eggs in the wood. The female beetle won’t lay her eggs in wood with a low moisture content or wood which has a low starch level. As the wood dries the starches also dry up.  Most Oak log homes moisture content drops rapidly the first year after construction. Due to this and the fact that Powder Post Beetles cannot bore through wood finishes or stains in order to lay eggs means the problem will often cure itself.

On occasion, it may be necessary to treat an area of a home for Powder Post Beetle infestations. Usually, these areas are damp areas such as wood in crawl spaces. The simple treatment is to spray a product called Bora-care or Tim-Bor. These products are odorless and non-toxic but very effective.

So, if you see a small pile of fine wood powder or some tiny holes in your wood, do not panic. Powder Post beetles are just sneaking out of the wood. Chances are if you do notice them they will be gone in a few weeks and you will never see them again.

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Know what you are getting into. The decision to build a log cabin kit is a decision to live a lifestyle. This decision should not be taken lightly. The log cabin life is a peaceful life that draws you in and holds you close.

Custom Log Home Kit

There are many aspects to the building process and things should be done in the right order. Do your research. Find out what is included in the kit and what’s not included.

Don’t get in a hurry. Remember this is a project you will enjoy, approach it as the adventure it is. it will take time to complete the kit, you can’t rush your dream.

Use the buddy system. Friends are a great resource for advice and labor. If you have a buddy who is a plumber, electrician, or carpenter, they may have resources for discounted materials or will help you with your project in return for a favor. The barter system is still alive and well.

Shop sales. You can begin early in your project looking for discounted items you will need in your new home. Keep your eyes open for light fixtures, door handles, appliances, windows, doors, hardware, flooring anything you will need to finish your home. Hitting the sales or even scratch and dent stores or the internet can save you a ton of cash.

Know log cabins are not perfect and the material you receive will have imperfections. These imperfections add character and feeling to the home. If you want perfect logs without blemishes or knots then maybe the log cabin lifestyle is not for you.

Butt and Pass Corners. Typical logs for a Schutt Oak log cabin kit

The first year is the hardest as far as maintenance. The log home will need to be water sealed and chinked as soon as the roof is on. During the first year, the logs will expand and contract a bit and some of the chinking material may tear. This will need to be fixed. After the first-year maintenance is a breeze.

When your log home is finished, you will never want to leave. This will be a place you will cherish. A place where you will always feel comfortable. Your family will enjoy staying at home. Soon your friends will wonder what happened to you. You will answer with a huge smile, “I am living my log home dreams”.

Log Home Dreams

  Schutt Log Homes and Millworks

Oakcabins.com

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Corners for Log Cabins

This is a brief description of some of the options for corners in log cabins. They can be very basic or very intricate. The type of corner joinery you choose depends on the style of cabin you are building, your personal preference and skill level.

Dovetail: Typically seen on square, hewn, or chink-style logs. A dovetail joint is cut on the end of a log, where it would rest in a corner—one to the…

Cutting Costs on the roof for your Log Home

Are you looking for ways to save money building your log cabin?

Schutt Log Homes has some money-saving tips for the roof of your Oak log cabin kit.

Gable roofs are usually the most simple style roof to build as well as the least expensive. A gable roof without dormers will be unlikely to leak if installed properly. 

1280 sq ft Chalet Oak log cabin kit

Low Pitched roofs are recommended. A Steeper…

How About That Chinking?

At Schutt Log Homes and Millworks we get a lot of questions about chinking.

I’m going to take you through the process and hopefully give a few tips and tricks along the way. Although it’s not for everyone, chinking is one of my favorite things to do. Just remember don’t get in a hurry, you want a great looking finished project, so take your time and perfect your technic and you will cruise…

Do you dream of living in a log cabin?

As temperatures drop and the snow is beginning to fall we long for the cozy charm of a log cabin. Just imagine sitting in front of the glowing fire on a chilly night with your loved ones gathered close. No hustle and bustle of the world outside, just quiet contentment in the warm peaceful cabin.

Schutt Log Homes and Mill Works specializes in creating the Oak log cabin kit of your dreams. We will…

Not to worry if your logs turn gray

At Schutt Log Homes and Mill Works, we know all about gray wood and how to handle it. Any wood left exposed to the elements weathers to a silvery gray, and every species of wood does this. Weathered wood Ikeeps this gray coloring until it is cut, sanded or planed to remove the outer layer. This is a natural occurrence and depending on the environment, lumber can gray rather quickly. The…

Well Stacked logs are the key to log cabin building success.

At Schutt Log Homes and Mill Works we use either 6” x 7 ½” Oak logs or 4” x 7 1/2” Oak logs. Our logs are rectangular and come in lengths from 8’ to 20’ Stacking the logs for your log home can be an adventure. Each course of logs stacked adds to the excitement of living the log home dream. As the log walls get taller the home begins to show character and evolve into what the finished home will…

At  Schutt Log Homes and Mill Works our solid Oak Kit Homes are an exceptional value with an affordable price. We offer a huge selection of floor plans and styles to fit every personality and budget. Or will will be happy to assist you in designing your dream home from floor to loft to vaulted ceilings. Our newest offering is the Lake House, this kit is 1000 sq ft. with two stories, two bedrooms,…