How long will my log home last without stain?
No stain material is going to last ten years without some type of maintenance. The more you keep up with maintenance, the easier and more cost-effective it is to protect your log home. Will my log home require chinking or caulking material?
How much does it cost to stain a log cabin?
I’ve previously used foam guns that can be loaded with cans of pressured expanding foam – this typically costs around $75. The average maintenance cost for a 2,000 square feet cabin is around $1,350 per year: $767 for 35 gallons of log cabin stain every three years $75 for general maintenance (e.g. foam gun, guttering, downspouts).
How often should you stain your cabin?
Like we said above, the short answer is every 3 to 7 years. But let’s get a little more specific, that’s a fairly broad range. The first time your cabin gets stained, you actually shouldn’t wait as long. It’s best to add another 2 coats of stain to your cabin after about 2 years.
What are the most common log home maintenance myths?
Ten of the most common log home maintenance myths debunked. Applying stain to a log home: stains are important for combatting moisture, insects, fungi and UV Rays.
How Often Do You Have to Stain a Log Home?
If a high-quality base layer is applied, the average log home can get away with a touch-up coat every two or three years. With that said, climate and severe weather challenges can put a varying degree of strain on the home’s exterior, so it’s important to check the exterior for signs of weakness, regularly. In addition, south-facing walls typically face more exposure to the sun, meaning they can be damaged by UV rays at a faster rate than other walls with more shade.
How Long Can I Delay Staining My Log Home?
If you’re like most homeowners, chores that you once tackled with pride can begin to get less appealing as the years go by. When it comes to log homes, re-staining the exterior is one of those maintenance tasks that you shouldn’t put off very long. Stain is often thought of as an aesthetic aid for the home’s exterior, but it actually provides an important layer of protection, too. When the surface of the exterior begins to wear off, structural components of the home can become compromised quickly. Moisture can get in and cause those beautiful wood beams to warp, rot, and mold. Not only is this highly unpleasant, but it can also be structurally dangerous!
Do high quality stain products last longer?
It goes without saying that high-quality stains are generally formulated to last quite a bit longer than generic, low-quality staining products. Sometimes this difference can be seen in the product price tag, but other times it isn’t quite clear. Research the different products that are available to get a better idea of how often the stain will last on your log home, taking wood type and environmental challenges into account.
Is There a No-Stain Alternative?
Luckily, there are now exterior siding products that don’t require re-staining. Better yet, choosing one of these exterior alternatives doesn’t mean that you have to give up the beautiful look of natural wood!
Why do you need to stain logs?
If the water beads up on the logs and rolls off , you are in good shape, but if the water gets absorbed , you need to stain your logs.
How long do log cabins last?
Adam Hambleton. December 12, 2019. The rustic charm of a log cabin can last for decades if it is cared for properly. However, if maintenance is not kept up with a log home, it will deteriorate in a matter of just a few years. One of the essential elements of maintenance of a log cabin is treating the exterior logs with stain.
How long do oil based stains last?
Water-based stains are on the shorter end of longevity, with a lifespan of around three to five years, whereas oil-based stains will usually last approximately five to seven years.
Why do logs rot?
Logs naturally soak up moisture, and if your home is in an area that receives heavy precipitation, it can generate the growth of mold and fungus, which will induce rot . That is why stain is so imperative it helps to seal out moisture and protect your logs.
How does UV light affect stain?
Even the amount of light that reaches the exterior of your logs will impact the color of your stain because UV rays break down and “bleach” the color of your wooden logs.
When to Stain Your Log Cabin
Now that we know you should be staining your log cabin every few years, how will you know when it’s time to complete this project.
Why Do Log Homes Need to Be Stained so Often?
Traditional homes do not need to be painted quite as often as log homes need to be stained.
What Are the Negatives to Living in a Log Home?
Although you may consider having to stain your home every few years a negative, there are a few other things you should be aware of before you purchase a log home.
What Is Involved in Staining a Log Home?
To save money, many people choose to stain their log homes themselves.
How often do I need to re-stain my log home?
You should re-stain or touch up your log home about every three years. No stain material is going to last ten years without some type of maintenance.
Why do log homes need caulking?
It’s typical for log homes to require caulking in the corners of the home, because these areas experience more movement than other parts.
Should I apply a water-based stain or an oil-based stain to my log home?
Both water-based stains and oil-based stains have advantages and disadvantages, so this depends on your personal preference.
Can I apply a clear finish to protect my logs?
No, most of the protection from stains comes from the pigments. Clear wood finishes look nice, but they don’t last more than 6 months. Typically, the darker the log stain, the more protection and durability it offers.
What is the purpose of a log home stain?
Fact: A log home stain’s main function is to repel moisture from being absorbed by the wood AND protect the surface from the sun’s damaging UV rays. Dry areas usually have lots of sun and you want to prevent wood degradation. The pigment in the stain helps with this.
What is a good stain for logs?
A good log home stain is formulated to prevent moisture from entering the fiber of your logs and has the right amount of pigment to prevent sun damage. A log home stain will also give you the best overall look for your home.
Why do you stain logs?
Applying stain to a log home: stains are important for combatting moisture, insects, fungi and UV Rays.
What is a check on a log?
Cracks , also called "checks" are a natural characteristic of logs and nothing to worry about, unless they are on the topside of an exterior log where rain, snow and dirt can accumulate. The best prevention method is to clean well, add borate rods to prevent moisture retention, fill with backer rods and then caulk. Make sure that all new cracks are treated with borate, stained, and then caulked.
How to keep carpenter bees from destroying wood?
The best way to keep carpenter bees from destroying your wood is to use liquid formulations containing permethrin and cyfluthrin and dusts containing boric acid. Once bees are gone, plug holes with steel wool and caulk, followed by a finish stain.
What is the real story of log homes?
The real story is how the homes got that way in the first place. The homeowners were either unaware of wood upkeep or neglected to take care of their logs. But if you educate yourself and plan ahead, you will have a minimal amount of time, money and effort to place in your log home maintenance regimen. The following questions should help dispel ...
How long do logs last?
If you keep your logs dry and off the ground, they can last at least a lifetime.
What is a Sashco log home?
Sashco log home products are the result of extensive testing to design products that solve problems that log home owners face. For each of Sashco’s log home stains, there is a color-matched caulk available to use with it. This allows for seamless caulking repairs that perfectly match your home’s exterior color. Additionally, Sashco’s caulks bond with the log surface, creating a long lasting and beautiful finish.
Who builds log homes?
While Gingrich Builders has primarily earned our reputation for building beautiful custom log homes, we do more than that. Our teams of log home experts are prepared to perform all of the necessary maintenance to keep your home protected from the elements and looking fantastic.
Who builds log homes in Eastern Pennsylvania?
As the experienced log home builder throughout Eastern Pennsylvania, Gingrich Builders is here to help you with log home exterior maintenance. Read on to learn the five essential things you NEED to do to maintain a log home exterior — plus, learn our pick for the best log home stain on the market!
Can you use insect repellent on a log?
Applying insect repellent is very similar to using the CPR Log Cleaner — it must be mixed with water and sprayed on the exterior. In the worst cases, you may need to call a licensed exterminator you trust to apply a more potent and effective treatment.
How much does it cost to stain a log cabin?
As I stain my cabin every three years this works out to an annual cost of $767 for log cabin stain.
How long does a cabin stain last?
To start with making sure you have properly cleaned and prepared your cabin. The key to ensuring the stain lasts for three or more years is the quality of your preparation.
Why is it important to clean a log cabin?
Your cabin’s logs can become darkened by splashback from water very quickly, which can cause decay, infestation, and many other expensive problems. You would first notice this when cleaning your cabin if certain patches are darker than others.
How to get blonde stain out of log cabin?
If you have an oil-based stain then look at the knots in the logs, if they have become blonde then it’s time to apply a new coat of stain too. If you haven’t recently washed your cabin, then another quick check is to spray some water on the logs. The water should bead and very quickly run down the cabin.
What is routine maintenance of log cabins?
Whilst log cabin maintenance can depend upon site location, design prudence, maintenance and environmental factors; one thing is for sure, routine log home maintenance is an often-neglected step for ensuring the longevity of your home.
What is it like to live in a log cabin?
Owning and living in a log cabin is a fantastic and privileged experience ; being surrounded by such a beautiful, natural, and rustic environment can provide you with such tranquil feelings.
How do I wash a cabin?
The best technique I would recommend to wash your cabin is to use a mild detergent and a soft-bristle brush. One of the better detergents is X-180’s Weathered Wood Restorer. It will cost around $150 for 5 gallons. Make sure to mix the detergent with warm water (not boiling) using a 50:50 ratio.
