A lot of people don’t understand what goes into maintaining a log home compared with any other type of home. We’re here to sort out fact from fiction to help you better understand log home and log cabin maintenance.
Myth 1: Maintaining a log home or log cabin is time consuming
Your log home will need different maintenance than a traditional home. Plan ahead by designing your log home with proper landscaping, tall foundations, porches, and large overhangs to cut down on maintenance time. An easy way to help make things easier is to add TruLog Siding, no maintenance!
Myth 2: Log homes have a lot of insects
Thanks to the use of the natural mineral borate, modern log homes and cabins don’t have termite problems. Some log cabins do have problems with carpenter bees, but you can prevent this by using liquid formulas that include permethrin and cyfluthrin along with dusts that contain boric acid. Once they’re gone, plug holes with caulk and steel wool, then apply a finish stain.
Myth 3: Log homes get moldy fast
Anywhere that experiences moisture is at risk for mold. The north side of your log home is especially appealing to mold, since that’s the part of your home that takes the longest to dry after it rains since it gets the least sun.
Myth 4: It’s complicated to maintain a log cabin
Log cabin maintenance isn’t any more complicated than regular home maintenance. It’s just different. Make sure to clean and dry surfaces before you stain them, and clear the dust, pollen, and mold off your logs every season. Pay special attention to the west and south walls of your log home.
Myth 5: Log stains are all basically the same
Every stain company has its own formula, which means you can get different log stains from different brands. What matters most when choosing a log stain are your home’s materials, age, and environment.
Myth 6: I can buy stain for my log cabin from my local hardware store
Sure, home improvement stores sell stain, but they don’t specialize in stain for log homes. Your better bet is to get stain from a log home stain store to make sure you’re getting a high quality log stain that will keep moisture from getting into the fiber of your logs and prevent sun damage.
Myth 7: Log home stains hurt the environment
Older stains that contained high volatile organic compounds were harmful to both people and the environment. Today’s stains do not have the same pollutants.
Myth 8: Cracks in my log home are a problem
Cracks are natural in logs. They’re not cause for concern unless they appear on the topside of an exterior log, where they can accumulate rain, dirt, and snow. Treat cracks with borate, then stain and caulk them.
Myth 9: I should use oil-based stain instead of water-based stain
If you already have an oil-based stain, then yes, you should stick with it. The same goes for water-based stain. If you haven’t stained your log home yet, though, then your choice of water-based or oil-based will come down largely to personal preference. Oil-based stains can often hold more pigment, so the color you want might be the largest factor in deciding which type of stain to use.
Myth 10: I don’t have to stain as much if I live somewhere dry
Stain does more than just protect against moisture. It also protects against harmful UV rays, which you might have more of if you live in a dry area. No matter where your log home is, it needs to be stained as part of routine maintenance.
Now that we’ve cleared up these myths, let us know how we can help you get started building your dream log cabin! Contact us today to get started.
