The idea of buying and restoring a log home is often accompanied by notions of romance, adventure, or rental or timeshare profits. But the reality is that restoring a log home can be a costly, time-intensive endeavor.
If you’re thinking about restoring a log or wood-exterior home, you may also want to consider a log-like siding such as TruLog™. TruLog is a cost-effective, energy-efficient steel siding system designed to provide your house or rental cabin with the rustic aesthetics of a traditional log home, and without the long-term maintenance concerns. Below is a look at some of the basic costs associated with log structure restoration, and how alternatives like TruLog compare.
Factors in Log Home Restoration Costs
When it comes to log homes, the term “restoration” can be pretty broad. Restoring a log home may include some or all of the following services:
- Log repair or replacement
- Stain or other exterior finish removal
- Caulking or chinking removal
- Borate treatment or application of other wood preservative
- Sealant application
- Stain or finish application
- Caulking or chinking renewal
The costs attached to restoring a log home vary depending on the extent of work necessary, the size of the home, and other circumstances. Based on national estimates, the cost of renovating a log home may range from about $15,000 to upward of $100,000.
The process can also be a lengthy one. Even with the help of experienced contractors, the restoration of a log home may stretch beyond a month. The removal of old finishes alone may require a week of labor; drying time must also be allowed between washing, sealing and staining, and curing time is required for any caulking or chinking that must be done.
Log Home Maintenance Costs
In addition to restoration costs, it’s also important to consider the extended costs of maintaining a log home.
Log structures require annual inspections and routine maintenance. Yearly maintenance for a log home may average between $2 and $5 per square foot; for a 1,500-square-foot home, that’s at least $3,000 per year.
The TruLog™ Advantage
TruLog offers the old-fashioned warmth and charm of a log cottage, but with a number of state-of-the-art benefits that include:
- Improved energy efficiency: TruLog is backed by contoured foam backing that provides superior insulation
- Greater durability: TruLog offers enhanced protection from the elements, pests and fire damage
- Cost effectiveness: TruLog features authentic-looking wood grain, hew lines and chink lines, but it is more cost-efficient and faster to install when compared to a comprehensive log restoration
- No maintenance: TruLog is truly maintenance-free; you can keep your TruLog home looking great with a simple rinse from your garden hose
To learn more about TruLog and whether the innovative TruLog system may be a good fit for your home, please contact TruLog online or call us at 970-646-4490. TruLog is based in Loveland, Colorado, but we ship nationwide and work with installers in multiple states including Colorado, Wyoming, Missouri, Texas and Pennsylvania.
