Log homes were once a necessity, but now they have become a beautiful tradition. While many people are building log homes for vacationing in the mountains, others are doing this in order to live in on a permanent basis. Regardless of the reasoning, these old time structures lend a rustic magnificence to any piece of land.
There are several steps to take to ensure that a log home lasts for generations. One of the most important of these steps is the process of staining it.
Firstly, it is best to ask some questions and do some research on the various stain manufacturers. The options are numerous and quality is essential. The colour options for stain extend far beyond brown with choices including natural wood tones such as tans, smokes, and reds. There are also more adventurous colours of stain with hues of greens, blues, and amethysts. Regardless of the colour chosen, applying some type of finish to a log home is extremely important. Without continued maintenance, which includes refinishing a log home every few years, it will deteriorate and not only deplete its beauty, but its durability.
Important Elements to Staining Projects
* It does not matter if a staining project is DIY or if a professional is hired, the log home must first be properly cleaned prior to applying any stain or sealant. Ensure that all debris and grime has been thoroughly removed because the stain and sealant will not adhere to dirt. There are chemical washes especially designed to remove this type of dirt and prepare log homes for finishing.
* Only use a high quality product with UV protection and special colour pigments when staining a log home. Different species of wood require different types and colours of stain in order to achieve the same effect. There are also stains available that contain chemicals to repel mildew and insects.
* Make sure that careful attention is paid to the ends of the logs. The grain is exposed and susceptible here to various insects and moisture that causes mildew growth.
* Always be sure to immediately follow up any staining project with a high quality clear coat. The clear coat protects the log house from the harsh elements of nature and insects as well as mildew and bacteria growth caused by moisture build up.
* The log home should be inspected for problem areas about every six months. These should be immediately and properly addressed. It is also a good idea to thoroughly wash the structure about once a year to remove dirt, pollen, or any other wood damaging debris. This debris can also attract various insects, serving as feeding and breeding grounds.
* Log homes should be refinished every few years and clear coat touch-ups should be performed between the refinishing projects.
There seems to be a great deal of controversy over the cost of log homes and the maintenance to properly care for them. Most maintenance is simple and will protect the home from future damage of all types, and therefore reduce future repair costs. It is a good idea once a year to have log homes professionally inspected for underlying issues or damage. These professionals are trained to look for signs of damage and what should be done to resolve them.
