Wood Treatment Options For Log Homes
- Air- and Kiln-Drying the Logs. Because water inside the wood can support a host of harmful organisms, the first step log home producers take is to reduce the moisture ...
- Borate Treatments. Some log home producers also protect the wood from insects and fungi by dipping logs in tanks filled with a borate-based solution or infusing them with a ...
- Cleaning the Logs. Once the logs are assembled at your home site, they should be treated with a cleaning solution to remove mill glaze, road grime, mud and dirt ...
- Applying a Wood Preservative. The next treatment your logs will receive after cleaning will likely be the application of a wood preservative.
- Biocides. To protect against fungi, mold, mildew and insects, some manufacturers add chemicals called biocides to their wood preservatives.
- Pigmented Stains to Combat Damage from UV Rays. Manufacturers offer sunblock and pigmented preservatives to mitigate the damaging effects of the sun's ultraviolet rays.
- Topcoats and Finish Coatings. Depending on which product line you use, you may have to spread on a final finish coat after applying the wood preservative or stain.
Full Answer
How do you take care of a log home?
Rehab of log home exterior. My parents have a great 1980s log home in the western US where it's very dry with serious winters. Two sides of the house are fully exposed to the elements and are showing some serious deterioration.
How are log homes made?
The best prevention method is to clean well, add borate rods to prevent moisture retention, fill with backer rods and then caulk. Make sure that all new cracks are treated with borate, stained, and then caulked. Wood Treatment Options for Log Homes Re-staining the Logs: What Should You Use? Is a Maintenance-Free Log Home Possible?
Can I make my old log cabin look new again?
We recommend cleaning logs with a combination of water and a wood-friendly detergent, i.e. TSP (Trisodium Phosphate Cleaner). We want to stress that we DO NOT recommend power-washing logs to clean them. Applying water under high pressure can be …
What are the most common log home maintenance myths?
Apr 07, 2017 · Using a suitable caulk that closely matches your stain color, such as Sika-Flex Log Home Tan or Sashco’s Conceal, seal the hole with caulking using a foam brush dampened in water to smooth it even with the wood surface. Allow the caulking to dry for at least 24 hours before continuing to the next step. Viola’, you have defeated these culprits!
How do you treat the outside of a log home?
You'll get best results if you use a non-toxic exterior cleaning product designed to be applied and then washed off. Scrub the surface with a soft car wash brush with a long handle. Rinse thoroughly with clear water after washing and scrubbing, then let the walls dry for two warm days before examining the surface.Mar 17, 2021
How do you restore an old log house?
Log home restoration involves processes of caulking, log home chinking, applying borate preservatives, and log home staining. The first step of surface preparation takes a lot of work but is most critical in ensuring the stains and sealants work long-term.Nov 12, 2021
How do you make an old log cabin look new?
0:143:35Makeover: An '80s Log Cabin Gets A Fresh New Look - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe overall color palette was orange. And terracotta. And yellow. We wanted to achieve a cleanerMoreThe overall color palette was orange. And terracotta. And yellow. We wanted to achieve a cleaner aesthetic a bit preppy. And bring in a lot of Navy. And really clean it up to let the logs.
Can you cover the exterior of a log home?
Our response: You are not alone in your frustration with log home maintenance. It can be a time consuming and in some cases very expensive. While I would never want to see beautiful logs get covered up with siding, I will say that it is possible to cover the logs with siding.
How often do you have to refinish a log home?
A log cabin should be stained every four to seven years. The time between each staining of the log cabin is going to vary depending on where your log cabin is located. If you are in an area where your cabin gets a lot of exposure to rain, wind, hail, and even sun, then you will need to stain the home more often.Nov 11, 2020
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.
How do you brighten a log cabin?
3 Ways to Brighten Up the Interior of a Log Cabin HomeSand the Logs. If. your log cabin home has exposed logs on the inside, they may have been stained. ... Pickling. Many. log cabins have wood paneling on the inside, which can be painted like any. ... Wall Hangings. Back. in medieval times, castles were cold with stone walls.Aug 31, 2015
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.Jan 20, 2021
Can you repair log siding?
Repairing and Replacing Damaged Logs Ideally, any damaged logs on your home will only require a repair rather than a full replacement. Logs with moisture damage limited to the surface can often be repaired by chiseling out the rotted areas, treating with a quality wood preservative, and finished with a sealant.May 24, 2018
Can you put vinyl siding over a log cabin?
Framing the exterior of this log cabin with furring strips to make a flat, even surface for installing the vinyl siding. Framing out an even surface for installing the vinyl siding. The furring strips are fastened directly to the log cabin siding.Dec 14, 2019
Can you put vinyl siding over a log home?
In many situations, putting siding over the affected logs does not alleviate the environmental pressures that caused the original logs to rot in the first place, i.e. moisture and sun. So it stands to reason that with the same pressures present, the new pine siding will eventually rot too.
5 Log Exterior Maintenance Essentials
While Gingrich Builders has primarily earned our reputation for building beautiful custom log homes, we do more than that. Our teams of log home experts are prepared to perform all of the necessary maintenance to keep your home protected from the elements and looking fantastic.
Sashco: High Performance Log Home Stain and Products
At Gingrich Builders, we choose to use and sell Sashco products because of their reliability. We’ve been building and maintaining log homes for more than 45 years and we trust Sashco.
What causes mold to grow in a house?
The more moisture there is, the more mold will grow. Shady trees, drippy rooflines and backsplash all contribute. Keep an eye on the north side of your home, as it will receive the least amount of sunlight and, as a result, will stay damp longer after a rainfall.
How to keep carpenter bees from destroying wood?
The best way to keep carpenter bees from destroying your wood is to use liquid formulations containing permethrin and cyfluthrin and dusts containing boric acid. Once bees are gone, plug holes with steel wool and caulk, followed by a finish stain.
Do log homes need maintenance?
Large overhangs, porches, proper landscaping and tall foundations will prevent maintenance nightmares. A log home is not a conventional home and will require non-conventional maintenance, but as long as you are aware of this up front, you can design and plan for this.
What is the purpose of a log home stain?
Fact: A log home stain’s main function is to repel moisture from being absorbed by the wood AND protect the surface from the sun’s damaging UV rays. Dry areas usually have lots of sun and you want to prevent wood degradation. The pigment in the stain helps with this.
Is oil based stain green?
Oil-based stains have been wrongly maligned; water-diluted petrochemical stains are no less “green ” than wood stains utilizing modern vegetable oil-based technologies. While designing compliant oil-based stains requires a greater degree of formulating expertise and sophistication than their water-based counterparts, oil-based stains will continue to maintain a strong, viable and eco-friendly presence.
What is a check on a log?
Cracks , also called "checks" are a natural characteristic of logs and nothing to worry about, unless they are on the topside of an exterior log where rain, snow and dirt can accumulate. The best prevention method is to clean well, add borate rods to prevent moisture retention, fill with backer rods and then caulk. Make sure that all new cracks are treated with borate, stained, and then caulked.
Is oil based stain better than water based stain?
Sometimes it is presumed that oil-based stains are better. That is not necessarily so, if the stain is applied according to manufacturers directions and a good maintenance plan is implemented. Depending on sun exposure and humidity levels where you live, any of the stains can be recommended. Color may also be a factor as to the choice of stain-- all stains come in different shades and colors. Oil stain is often thicker and can often hold more pigment than its water-based counterpart.
What does it mean to own a log home?
If you own a log home yourself, you know that they also demand a certain amount of attention on a regular basis when it comes to properly maintaining them.
Can you power wash logs?
We recommend cleaning logs with a combination of water and a wood-friendly detergent, i.e. TSP (Trisodium Phosphate Cleaner). We want to stress that we DO NOT recommend power-washing logs to clean them. Applying water under high pressure can be detrimental to the “health” of a log building.
How do I clean a log cabin?
After you’ve successfully cleaned the exterior of your log cabin or log home, the next step is to perform an exterior visual inspection. Make a note of where you observe signs of the following: 1 Carpenter Bee entry points 2 Checks larger than ¼” wide 3 The condition of caulking around windows, etc. 4 Evidence of termites and their mud tunnels (Please note: If you observe any sign of termites, contact a licensed exterminator for treatment before proceeding further.)
How can I make my old log cabin look new again?
The first step to make your old log cabin or log home look new again is to clean the exterior – especially if the logs have become severely weathered or grey in color. By cleaning first, you can better assess the true condition of the logs and then establish what needs to be done and the materials needed.
What is clear coat?
Clear coating helps protect the wood from UV rays to prevent discoloration of the stain. In addition, it also serves to repel water and prevent mildew and algae. To apply a clear coat, simply brush it on, just like you would with a stain. Our crews use the Sashco Cascade as our clear coat of choice.
Can you pressure wash logs?
While pressure washing is usually enough to prepare the surface for the new stain, media blasting can be necessary in some cases. In addition, you want to make sure the logs are clean and free of dirt before you go any further, as pollen and dust can prohibit the new stain from bonding to the logs.
What is the best way to remove a stain from a log?
Removal Methods. In most cases, media blasting is the best way to remove stain quickly and easily. Over the years, log refinishing and refurbishing companies have experimented with a variety of media: sand, corncob grit, glass pellets, walnut shells — even baking soda and dry ice.
Do you need to stain a log home?
This regular staining requirement is part of routine log home maintenance , just as wood-siding needs to be repainted and vinyl-siding has to be replaced if it cracks. Even brick houses require occasional cleaning and mortar repair. Though giving a wall a fresh coat of stain is pretty straightforward (clean the logs; let them dry completely;
