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How To Maintain A Log Home

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.

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.

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.

How often should a log home be stained?

As a general rule, you will need to stain your log home every 3 to 7 years, depending on the elements. Elemental factors include exposure to rain, sunlight, hail, wind, climate, and more.

Are logs for log homes treated?

The bottom line is that log homes require the same amount of time and care than any conventional home, and some might argue that they require even less. Designed to protect your new home, these wood treatments come in liquid, powder or solid form, and they serve different functions.

How much does it cost to reseal a log cabin?

Sealing and Chinking Repair The cost of resealing and repairing log cabin chinking can cost anywhere from $2-$5. For a typical 1,500 square foot home, the price tag for this type of log cabin maintenance may run anywhere from $3,000 to $7,500. Homes that are not maintained properly may sustain damage.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Should you paint or stain a log cabin?

Instead of painting, you should stain your cabin. Stain allows the cabin to breathe, and a clear coat can help repel excess moisture without trapping moisture inside. Luckily, if you’re over the wood look, you can stain your cabin a color other than brown!Feb 23, 2021.

Should I power wash my log home?

You’ll need to prepare the surface beyond cleaning for best results. Whatever you do, never use a pressure washer on log cabin walls. Almost all cabins are made of softwood. It’s too easy to damage the wood surface or accidentally drive water deep between the logs.

Should logs be dried before milling?

A: Summary: Logs should be milled for drying as soon as possible, and the ends should be sealed as soon as they are felled. A bandsaw mill will create less waste than a chainsaw mill. They should be milled about 1/4″ over than your intended final thickness.

How long should logs dry before being used to build?

You should seal the ends within minutes after being cut down; you should not wait hours, and definitely not days! The drying time will vary depending on the wood species and thickness of the logs, but they will take at least one to two years to dry – the longer you can leave them before you start building the better.

Do log homes withstand tornadoes?

Roof loss is the most common manner in which a home fails during heavy winds, whether from a tornado or a hurricane. This is not a problem with a well-built log home. Log homes have very sturdy walls, and the heavy-duty logs used in construction are capable of standing on their own, even without a roof.