Log Home Tips
Springtime Pests: How to Protect Your Log Home from Termites and Insects
Log homes are a stunning blend of natural beauty and craftsmanship, but they often face an unfair reputation when it comes to pests. Contrary to popular belief, log homes aren’t inherently more prone to insect infestations than traditional wood-framed homes. The difference lies in visibility: pest problems in log homes are often easier to spot, while issues in conventional homes can go unnoticed for years, hidden behind drywall and other materials. That said, no home is completely immune to pests. Termites, carpenter ants, powderpost beetles, and other wood-boring insects can still threaten your log home if proper precautions aren’t taken. Understanding these pests and implementing proactive measures can help you preserve your log home’s beauty and structural integrity for years to come. Understanding the Threat: Common Log Home Pests To effectively protect your log home, it’s...
Questions You Should Ask Before A Log Home Restoration
- Who is the manufacturer of the log package?
- What species of log has been used?
- Have additions been made to the original structure?
- What materials have been used in maintenance applications so far?
- Who constructed the structure and how old is it?
- Are there any known problem areas? Any known coating or sealing failures?
- What should the structure look like when you’re done?
- What is your workable budget to restore my log home?
- Is there a priority list for the work?
- What methods are used to remove the existing finish?
- What is the estimated cost of a log home restoration?
- How long does it take to finish restoration work?
What Methods Are Used To Remove The Existing Finish?
- Ozzying (Sanding) uses an osborne brush or buffing pads at changing speeds of right angle grinder.
- Media Blasting is performed with corn cob granule, glass, walnut shells, or food grade baking soda.
- Chemical Strippers -This step of removing an existing finish from your log home requires the greatest amount of time in the restoration project. It is very important to get this right and strip off any existing finish completely so that you have a clean canvas to work on.
As a log home owner, do due diligence before selecting one of these methods. You will need to work out which method would suit your budget and needs best. When hiring a pro, do check out the contractors past work to get a clear picture of what the end result may look like.
Log Home Deck Design – 12 Things to Think About Before You Build
All log homes need a deck or porch as a standout feature of their home to define what lies within. With summer about to arrive, everyone is ready to soak up the warm weather and enjoy the outdoors. Nothing is better than a log home deck to add value to your property and also allow you and your family to make use of it frequently to get the most of the great outdoors. Before you start digging, you have to plan and design your deck to go well with your log home. Here are some tips to keep in mind before building your dream deck for your log home: Location: Decide on where the deck should be located on the house. With the average outdoor area about 17-18% of the square footage of the entire house, it is important to think of the deck as any other room. The parameter of the deck should be at...
Tips To Extend The Longevity Of Your Log Home
Wood is a robust natural material that despite its durability is subject to ongoing changes from external natural forces. The biggest threats affecting the beauty and endurance of log wood are the potent natural forces of moisture and sunlight. While these two natural elements do not affect the surface of your logs, they do create the right conditions for more destructive forces to be unleashed against your log wood home. Depending on the conditions faced by your log home, it is possible to take certain precautions to prolong the life and beauty of your home. Keep Logs Dry Many people mistakenly believe that using particular species of log wood that have natural decay resistance will help their log home last for decades without the need for any regular maintenance that comes with owning...