Anyone have comments on maintenance for log homes?
by
David
+11
We were thinking of building home and log would look good on the site. But as you get older, I would prefer less maintenance. I am thinking a log home would be more maintenance than a traditional brick or stucco home because of staining and caulking. All comments welcome.
Thanks
Thanks
14 answers
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One on-line blogger stated, "We just bought a beautiful 5 year old log cabin about 6 months ago. The previous owner said that for the outside, it has to be power washed then resealed/stained every couple of years. I guess a little more frequently than you would, say, paint a regular house. The inside, the home inspector told me is really easy. Just wipe the walls down every couple of weeks. I forget what she said to use, vinegar & water, maybe? And hardwood floors are fairly simple also, I use either Murphy's Oil Soap or Pledge ready to use floor cleaner. Just squirt, mop and let dry. I don't think it's too much different than a regular house....maybe a little bit more work but nothing drastic that I've found. I've also found that our house holds heat really well. Guess that will be good for the winter." So it seems not to be a big issue. Might think about buying a pressure washer.
James A
on Jul 20, 2011
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What is nice about stain grade or natural wood is that is holds up much better than painted materials. If there are scuffs or wear and tear, the natural patina of the woods distracts from this character. A friend of mine lets us borrow their cabin during the off season and I am amazed at how little evident of wear there is in the home since everything is natural. I would suggest minimizing the amount of painted surfaces in the house to cut down on maintenance costs. Other areas of consideration are the mechanicals and roof on the house. Install a roof with a longer life-cycle (30 years +) and install high performance HVAC and water heaters.
SawHorse Design Build
on Jul 20, 2011
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Colorado has its share of log homes, and maintenance is comparable to any natural wood sided home. Fiber cement siding would be a more robust material by a long shot but also is a completely different look
KMS Woodworks
on Jul 20, 2011
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Log homes do as any other types of home require service and maintenance. If you reside in an area in which these types of homes are located then getting service work done on them by someone who understands their needs is easy. However if you are a lone wolf in your area with this type of home, you need to consider what your abilities are and how long you wish to do the necessary work on it. You cannot simply power wash a log home. Water is its enemy. As with all wood products logs are no different. Oftentimes when log homes begin to look shabby they are blasted using walnut shells or corncob to remove the patina on the surface to bring the logs back to what they looked like when the house was constructed. Then using proper sealants the logs are re-stained over to preserve them. However, log homes have special sealants and gaskets to keep the air out and can be easily damaged by someone who does not understand how to maintain the house. Which goes to the very reason if you are the lone wolf with this type of home you may be hard pressed to find someone who really understands how to properly service the unique properties this type of home offers. But as with all other homes they require service and each type of home requires some sort of special service that is unique to its style and material makeup. So be sure to choose your style wisely and be sure to do your homework on the long term maintenance it will surly require as it ages.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Jul 20, 2011
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We built a log home in 1986 using kiln dried white pine from a company out of Ellijay, Georgia. The logs were rounded on the outside with flat inside walls. We used the best products on the market for these type homes to keep the logs a rich pecan color (product included stain), keep them sealed and to maintain an insect free log. We treated our home (4,000 square feet) about every three to five years and it was a time consuming expensive task. I speak from first hand experience - NOTHING prevented carpenter bumble bees from drilling hundreds of holes on the bottom side of the logs, the eaves of the house, the ceiling of the porch and the corners of the house (where logs crossed) every spring. We spent hundred's and hundred's of dollars buying one product after another; all of them promised their product would work. NOT! We finally had no choice but to completely cover the house with another product which required no upkeep (composite material that looks just like a shaker shingle.) We also covered the inside walls with sheetrock and presto we have a brand new looking home and no longer deal with the evil carpenter bees
Ginger H
on Jul 21, 2011
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David, My father built a log home in central New York in 1976 where he lived until he passed on last summer. He had the same problem with carpenter bees. I did not live in the house but based on what experience I did have with working on it with him, as charming and rustic and neat as it may be, I would not invest in one myself. My father was able to discourage the bees from drilling, but understand he lived back in the woods and I suspect the products he used were better suited to fuel jet engines than treat your house for pests. Understand that I am not an expert in log homes, but I do have a natural wood deck and I know what it takes to keep that up. Logic tells me it can't be too much different. Tim
Hewitt Remodeling Services LLC
on Jul 21, 2011
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Carpenter bees once they attack a home and nest their young come back each year. besides commercial sprays or dusting the finish covering the wood is all that can be done to stop them. Natural finishes are about the worst coverings you can use. Paint being the best. If the surface is properly sealed you should be able to control them. The National Pest Association can be contacted for methods of control if your pest person cannot stop them. Google their organization to get the information.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Jul 21, 2011
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Painting a log house (in my opinion) would be aesthetically very unappealing and really defeats the reason for building this type of home. We used commerical sprays but I assure you trying to "dust" logs on the underneath side of a two story home is impossible. We consulted with experts not only in pest control but also the US Forest Service!
Ginger H
on Jul 22, 2011
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OMG....I did not even think about the carpenter bees. People say they dont eat cedar, well they bore holes in the old cedar stained facia. I like the look of a log home, but now I am leaning more toward stone / stucco and glass. We redid our home from cedar siding to stucco with AL facia, Very little maintenance. One side of the house does not get much sun and there was some green on the house. I used the product Wet N Forget ? from costco. I put it on last fall on lower portion of the wall. I did not think about it until this spring and noticed I had green about 8ft up on the wall, then I realized this stuff does work good. Were I sprayed it, 6 months later still doing well. Probably go to the home show in Sept to see what new ideas are out there.
David
on Jul 22, 2011
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Carpenter Bees do love cedar [at least mine]! Any more suggestions on how to control them?
Patsy W
on Jul 22, 2011
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My sister lives in a log home and finds the dust that accumulates on the logs inside to be a problem with her allergies. Dusting each log surface gets to be a big chore.
Virginia A
on Jul 22, 2011
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David, I checked in to that WET & FORGET, now that is my kind of product! Sounds like it takes a while, but had great reviews...thanks for the info!
Patsy W
on Jul 22, 2011
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I noticed this spring when I put some on the other portion of the wall, it did remove all the "greeen" stuff that was on the wall. This was not very heavy, but it removed it instantly, and still doing well.
David
on Jul 22, 2011
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Cncerning the carpenter bees ...There are residual insecticide products such as Cyzmic CS or Cyper WP that will kill the bees. Treatment is usually best done before nesting activity gets started. Nesting and the rearing of young carpenter bees occur in the late spring or early summer. Treat when the bees are seen early in the spring. for best results.
James A
on Jul 23, 2011
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