Basic Log Home Maintenance

Log homes are unquestionably gorgeous. They embody a rugged, natural look like no other structure, and yet they don’t skimp on beauty and design. One question a lot of people have when they first consider a log home is what kind of maintenance will be involved. Does owning a cabin mean taking on a large burden of upkeep?
The answer is that log homes do have special needs, but they don’t necessarily require more work than other structures. They’re particularly vulnerable to the sun and thus require regular protection—kind of like how you have to reapply sunscreen—and the natural materials need unique care as well. Jim Barna Log and Timber Homes recommends cleaning the outside of your log home every 2 to 3 years and sticking to a schedule for coating the logs. Your log home builder and the manufacturer of the sealants you’re using should be able to give you more precise instructions.

You can take specific steps to optimize the protection you give your log home. For one thing, you can design the structure with roof extensions and locate the cabin so as to protect it from the sun and ran. You can also get it inspected every season to make sure it’s in good shape and repair any cracks or chinks that might allow moisture to seep into the logs and cause damage.

Overall, your basic log home maintenance isn’t terribly burdensome, and there are professionals to help you out. Yes, building with logs brings with it some special care needs. But those needs are not excessive, and the rewards of owning a gorgeous log home are well worth the effort—at least most cabin owners seem to think so.