In the Woods

Introduction

Keeping your log home looking beautiful once you've moved in need not be a complicated process. However, some of the decisions you make early on will play a role in determining just how much time you'll spend on maintenance over the coming years.

For example, many log home buyers opt for wood windows/doors as sensible complements to beauty of a log home. They're certainly not wrong; however, upgrading to clad units, while more costly at the outset, will avoid both the need for sealing, staining or painting those items during erection and scraping, stripping and/or repainting periodically in years ahead.

Likewise, choosing treated decking for porch floors and open exterior decks/balconies may seem to be a low maintenance move. Composite decking, on the other hand, requires virtually no maintenance to look nearly as good as new for decades.

The siting of your log home on your property will also have an impact on maintenance. Taking advantage of existing shade trees and/or porches to minimize the direct sunlight any exterior wall is subjected to will reduce the frequency of preservative/stain applications.

And, the selection of the initial preservative/stain applied to all exterior wall surfaces is an important one. Some preservatives require a one coat application; others specify multiple applications. Be aware whether or not the time and expense you may be saving with the initial application will have an effect on your reapplication schedule.

Maintenance

With a log home, protecting the exterior wood surfaces is synonymous with protecting your investment. Fortunately, there are many products on the market today that will allow you to do just that.

• As the logs may acquire mud, dirt and other foreign substances during transport and construction that can prevent preservatives or finishes from properly adhering to the wood surfaces, it's important to treat the logs with a cleaning solution once the log walls are erected at your home site.
• That done, a preservative that offers protection from water, insects and ultra-violet light must be applied. In some cases, it may be necessary to have the preservative supplier add biocides and/or UV protectants to the preservative itself; in other cases, a recommended finish coat may be needed to provide the additional protection.
• Typically, reapplications are to be done every 3-5 years. However, local climate and site conditions may require more frequent reapplications, particularly on wall areas that are otherwise unprotected from sun and wind. The preservative manufacturer's labeling will guide you with information as to how often reapplications are required.

After more than 25 years of experience with various types of preservatives and exterior wood treatments, In The Woods has established a Dedicated Customer Care Program with Perma-Chink Systems, Inc. Click here to be linked to the Perma-Chink website, where information about all of their wood preservative products can be reviewed