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These are the five main things you must do to maintain a log home exterior: Wash the House Annually — Keeping the vinyl siding clean on a traditional home keeps its curb appeal. Touch-Up the Clear Coating — A clear coat is applied on top of the stain to all Gingrich log homes to protect them from the elements.
How often does a log home need to be sealed?
How often should I reseal my log home? The short answer is usually every 3-5 years but this can vary due to many factors.
How do you take care of a log home exterior?
So, how DO you maintain a log home? The most important factor is to clean: Clean and dry the wood’s surface before and after you stain, and keep the dust, pollen and mold off your logs every season. Pay special attention to the south and west walls of your log home, as they are more susceptible to the elements.
What maintenance does a log home require?
Maintaining a log home should be a bi-annual activity, specifically during spring and fall. Regular maintenance of your log cabin reduces the damage from UV, water, insects, and air infiltration.
How do you treat a log home?
Wood Treatment Options For Log Homes Air- and Kiln-Drying the Logs. Borate Wood Treatments. Cleaning the Logs. Applying a Wood Preservative. Biocides. Pigmented Stains to Combat Damage from UV Rays. Topcoats and Finish Coatings.
What are the problems with log homes?
The most common log home problems are: Moisture problems in log homes. Rain, snow, humidity, and damp places all cause moisture damage. Insects and critter problems in log homes. Insects and critters tend to love our log homes just as much as we do. UV Ray damage in log homes. 0 comments.
What are the disadvantages of a log home?
3 Cons of a Log Home Pest Control Can Be an Issue. A disturbing detractor for log homes is the fact that pests are attracted to materials used. Increased Maintenance and Upkeep. It’s no secret that log homes require much more maintenance than traditional homes. Higher Insurance & Risk.
Do log homes hold their value?
The value of log homes not only holds steady, but often increases. All of this means that most log homes are high in quality and value and are well-cared for, so they generally don’t depreciate and have a good resale value.
How long will a log home last?
While a log cabin can last for as much as 100 years in ideal circumstances, anywhere from 20 to 80 years is more realistic. The quality of the construction matters, as does the weather in the cabin’s location. At worst, a cabin will fall apart in five years. Log cabins can be durable rather than flimsy structures.
What are the pros and cons of a log home?
Owning A Log Cabin: 3 Pros And Cons Pro #1: Energy-Efficient. Pro #2: Environmentally-Friendly. Pro #3: Much Needed Comfort And Relaxation. Con #1: Maintenance-Prone. Con #2: Little To No Insurance Coverage. Con #3: Prone To Pests. Conclusion.
Are log homes difficult to maintain?
Maintenance Concerns All homes require some exterior care and maintenance, but log homes require a bit more than usual. Once a year, the home’s exterior should be washed to remove pollen, insect debris and other dirt. At that time, the home should be checked for mildew and mold, which should be removed if present.
Should I treat the inside of my log cabin?
Do I need to treat the interior of my Log Cabin with Preservative? It is not necessary but if a preservative is required or desired, use a biocide free preserver such as Osmo Wood Protector (4006). The inside of log cabins can be treated the same as the inside of a property, with interior floor oils or floor varnishes.
How do you repair a rotting log home?
How to Repair Log Rot Make a vertical cut on either side of the soft spot to the depth of the soft wood. Then use a coal or vibrating chisel and hog out the rotted wood until you reach solid sound wood. Level out the area to a flat surface. Coat the area with Shellguard RTU (borate) to prevent further expansion of rot.
Are log homes stronger than regular homes?
The Walls of Log Homes Are Stronger Than Traditionally Constructed Homes. Contrast this to a wall made of logs. The logs used in modern homes are of exceptional quality – they’re dense, strong, and totally solid, and these massive walls are what provide a lot of the strength that log homes are known for.
How do you keep logs from rotting?
The best way to prevent rot is to keep water out of your wood. This can be done by using a top notch exterior finish on your logs and log siding and regularly maintaining that finish per the manufacturer’s directions. The key is maintaining that finish on a regular basis to keep water out.
How do you preserve old logs?
A solution of borate (disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, not boric acid), applied liberally to the logs after being dampened, offers good protection against wood-destroying organisms and insects. After application, a water repellent sealer should also be applied as borate will wash out in the rain.
Are log homes warm in winter?
No, it’s not your imagination— log homes are warmer than traditional “stick-built” homes and there’s some science behind this concept. Insulation is a substance that slows or limits the transfer of heat over time. The wood studs are not as insulating as the fiberglass bats.
Do all log homes need chinking?
Essentially, chinking a log home will ensure logs which don’t fit together perfectly have a nice seal. This “nice seal” is the best maintenance free form of protection again moisture and air infiltration, insulation and fire barriers for your log home. Not all log cabins require chinking.
What is the R value of a log home?
In a solid log wall, the logs provide both structure and insulation. The R-value for wood ranges between 1.41 per inch (2.54 cm) for most softwoods and 0.71 for most hardwoods.
Does a log home need insulation?
The Natural Logs Often, the wood that is used in the construction is all that you need. They naturally provide insulation. When building your cabin, it’s important to consider the type of wood that will be used. It has a hand in how insulated your home is due to the R-Value of the logs.
Do log homes shift?
Traditional log homes are built by stacking the logs one on top of the other. But logs shift and shrink over time — most of it happens during the first decade after the log house is built. And as that happens the seams between the logs can widen, allowing wind and water to come in.
Can you remodel a log home?
Remodeling a log home is similar to remodeling a conventionally framed home. Updating a kitchen or bath in a log home, for example, will follow the same procedures as any other house. However, if you’ve outgrown your current log home and are planning to add on, you’ll need to keep several factors in mind.
