Today’s definition of a log home has changed to include this 14 year old log home which actually has log siding applied to a conventionally framed home. There are advantages to this method if done right and disadvantages if not.

Over the last 14 years several things combined to create problems for this home owner. The main issues included the lack of a proper overhang, severe exposure on the south and west sides, lack of experience and common sense during the siding application and poor maintenance schedule.

To provide a warranty on the stain and blend the new logs with the old it was necessary to strip the finish down to bare wood.

Since the finish was nearly off the south and west walls we decided to try a chemical stripper on the two remaining sides. It worked fine and to make sure it was rinsed properly we tested the PH level after completing each side. We then left the wood to dry for a week and tested it with a moisture meter before continuing with the stain. Had the stripper failed we would have had to use our media blaster.

Permachink Ultra 2 stain with a clear top coat of Advance was chosen to provide a 5 year written warranty. To seal the joints in the logs the original builder failed to use enough backer rod so it had a high failure rate. We used Energy Seal and Check Mate 2 with the proper backer rod to fill all the joints and cracks after applying a borate preservative to the most vulnerable areas.

The log truss and stair repairs shown were done after the log and stain restoration as an extra work order.