Generally only the areas most affected by the weather will need re-touching. When it begins to look faded its time for another quick coat! When spring arrives it 's good time to check over your cabin to see if this needs doing! As log homes are very different to normal timber frame houses with block work walls, the log walls behave in a different manner to traditional concrete/stone/brick walls.
Shrinking
When trees are growing they have moisture in them. Once they have been felled, the moisture level begins to drop to equilibrium with the surrounding atmosphere; this can take a good number of years if left to happen naturally, so the logs are kiln dried to speed up the process. As they dry, they shrink slightly. Most of the shrinkage happens before the logs are manufactured but once the log home has been built, the logs will dry out a little bit more to match your local climate. As the wood shrinks, this leads to settlement. Also wood is a natural product and will in time have splits and cracks but with the wood thickness this will not harm the structure of your cabin.
Settlement
In log cabins, settlement occurs when the logs shrink a little, causing the walls to lower a couple of inches. This is not a problem. Our log homes are designed with this natural occurrence in mind, allowing the logs to settle without affecting the building.
It is a good idea to protect the inside of your cabin with a varnish or to soap the walls to keep them clean and looking great.
INSTALLED BY US ;
When our installation team have fitted your cabin they finish off by spraying your cabin with a Cuprinol clear wood preserver this is a 5 year protective treatment , however we reccomend that within a year of us installing the log cabin you will need to retreat the cabin as it doesnt protect the cabin from uv rays, this will not stop the wood from loosing its natural colour to do this you need to coat with a exterior varnish or a colour stain treatment
Unlike some other garden wood treatments
Cuprinol Total contains active ingredients that penetrate into the timber to prevent rot and decay. Other ingredients in the Total advanced triple action formulation work together to ensure the wood is totally protected against the weather and stays looking its best for up to 5 years. this is available in different shades of colours.
A few tips to keep your cabin looking like new are ;
Spring is a great time to step outside and look closely at your log home. Check for any obvious damage from the winter winds and freezing:
- dark areas can indicate leaks and rain tracks;
- mud or dirt splatters will show where rain is splashing onto the walls.
1. Spray or splash a bit of water on your logs and see what it does: if it beads up and rolls down you're good for another year. But if it soaks in you should be considering a new coat of stain on the outside for this spring maintenance season. It's especially important to check the log ends as end grain tends to soak up moisture more.
2. Check that your plants and trees around the perimeter of the log cabin haven't grown and gotten too close to the wood. These can direct rain onto your logs and block the sun and air circulation from drying any moisture in the area. You should have a good 1' - 2' space between your logs and any shrubbery so cut them back or re-plant.
3. Make sure that the earth around your log cabin isn't too close to the wood as well. You want a minimum of 2" between the base and the ground to minimise rain splashing back onto the logs, especially if you don't have wide overhangs to direct the rain away. You should also be sure that there are no low spots in your property that catch the rain and keep it from draining away.
4. By now it should be obvious that moisture control and water management are key in the long-term longevity of your log cabin. If you don't have gutters already installed, they can be a great investment in caring for your larger investment in your log cabin. If you do have gutters, take the time to clean them out and ensure that the discharge is directed away from your house where it can drain away.
Also from season to season slight adjustments may need to be done with your doors, as they can occasionally swell. The cabins come with adjustable hinges that should solve the problem. If you need any advice on how to do this telephone our installations manager who will gladly advise you.
If your cabin is well maintain it will give you many years of pleasure and keep looking great !
