Log home living can be one of the greatest experiences of a lifetime. The rustic beauty of log home living is legendary. For many of us with busy lives the peace and tranquility that comes with log home living can be just the right balance. Log homes can be more solid, secure, and durable than conventional construction. With custom log home construction from HomeSource Log Homes, your monthly utilities can be lower in all 4 seasons, and your comfort level more stable.
One question that is often asked regards the care and maintenance of the exterior wood and logs. With any wood construction there will be required upkeep, but now thanks to new breakthroughs in sealant and protective chemicals, it is easy, inexpensive, and most important, infrequent.
For over 30 years, HomeSource has built quality log homes that were built right to last, but now with our new optional permanent sealant that comes with a 25 year guarantee you can have a log home with very little upkeep.
WHAT KIND OF MAINTENANCE IS THERE ON A TYPICAL LOG HOME?
It is essential that the exterior logs are protected from the very outset, and the most common sealant uses a wood protectant stain that is applied to the logs during construction. Sealing the logs with a protectant like TWP will help prevent other, more serious, issues arising in the future.
STAIN:
The first application of stain should last 2-3 years. After a few applications the multiple layers of stain are absorbed into the wood and become part of the natural color. From that point, they can go longer periods before needing to be stained again. Obviously, any parts of the home that get direct sunlight will need more attention than the shaded areas, so keep that in mind when building and setting your log home on your lot. With log homes, you will be able to tell when the time is right to re-stain.
CHECKING:
Another common expression associated with log home living is a condition called checking. Logs tends to shrink as they dry, and it causes horizontal cracks in the surface. These surface cracks do not effect the integrity of the logs unless they are left untreated. Also it’s important to consider how the logs are dried, as it has a big impact on how much they will check. Logs that are air-dried tend to check more than logs that are kiln-dried. Kiln-dried logs are dried at 165 degrees (F) to have a consistent low moisture content. This minimizes shrinkage, and checking. It’s important to note, however, that checking is a natural process for logs, and requires little more than yearly walk-arounds and small portions of special caulk.
The reward for modest annual maintenance is a beautiful home that will look substantial for many years.
IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A LOW MAINTENANCE LOG HOME?
The amazing answer is finally YES! As an option with our package we offer a low-maintenance log home through a proprietary chemical treatment process. We can now build your home with a 25 year guarantee sealant. This is virtually unheard of in the log home industry.
HOW IT WORKS.
During construction a patented sealant is applied to the logs. The chemical creates a bond with Alkali based products, like wood, to create a permanent internal bond. It seals out moisture, molds, and acid while also strengthening the wood. It is guaranteed for 25 years!
Once the base bonding agent is applied the pure silicone stain goes on. It can be applied as a clear coat to bring out the natural beauty of the wood, or there is a cedar stain coloring option.
And all chemicals used in this product are environmentally friendly, and safe to use!
THE BOTTOM LINE
A log home is more than a just a home, it’s a lifestyle. And for many of our customers the maintenance requirements were a happy sacrifice.  Well, now you can just be happy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
joe Courtney
ceo
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