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The inside of a home is where you do most of your living. As such, it’s important to take time to select the right interior stains and finishes for your log and timber home. You will achieve an interior that is visually pleasing and performs well for years when a proper stain is chosen.
Two Traits
When it comes to interior finishes, there are two phenomena that homeowners tend to overlook.
1. Surprising surface area. Interior walls and ceilings dramatically increase the amount of surface area that requires treatment. Generally there is about twice as much stainable surface on the interior than the exterior. You’ll be looking at the results of your interior stain for years to come throughout your entire home, so choose wisely.
2. Choices, choices, and more choices! During a new build, homeowners are faced with hundreds of decision points along the way, often with details unfamiliar to them. It’s common for homeowners to ask the general contractor (GC) for advice. Many GCs typically recommend a “safe” off-white color, but that doesn’t always translate well with the natural logs in a cabin. A GC wants to stay on schedule, but selecting your interior stain takes a little time. You can’t easily undo stain.
What’s Your Color?
When selecting the perfect interior stain for your log home, consider how you use your space and the atmosphere you want to create. Is your home filled with natural light? Do you lean towards cozy dark walls with a lighter ceiling, or do you prefer a bright and airy ambiance with lighter walls? Keep in mind that wood absorbs light, so a darker stain can make a room appear significantly darker than you might expect.
Next, think about the tint base. Do you favor shades of brown, red, gray, or perhaps a bleached look? Wood stain trends come and go, so it’s essential to explore your options and choose a tint that you’ll love for years to come. Remember, it’s easier to darken a light stain than to lighten a dark one.
Distinct Needs
Not all interior wood is the same. Logs and heavy timbers are not like the wood of cabinets, moldings, and furniture. These smaller wood products are usually sprayed with nitrocellulose lacquer to protect them through a hard, shiny finish. Unlike cabinets, tables and trim, larger timbers and logs are more dynamic. If you try and put a similar lacquer on your interior log walls, the finish will crack and peel as these larger pieces of wood naturally contract and expand. A specialized finish for logs will ensure the interior looks the best for years to come.
Some homeowners wonder if the interior can go “au naturel” and keep the wood plain with no stain or topcoat. While interior logs may not be subjected to the same elements as their external counterparts, unfinished logs and timbers will absorb cooking oil and odors and collect dust, handprints, and water stains if not protected. Have you ever run your hand across rough-cut wood? The roughness of the wood is not very pleasant to feel. All those little crags and jags on the surface need to be covered in a light film; one that’s strong enough to be wiped down and protect the wood while remaining flexible enough to not crack as the log expands, shifts, and contracts over time.
Choose a stain that’s designed for the demands of a log home interior. Exterior stains contain higher levels of biocides and preservatives that you don’t need or want inside your home, especially where you’re eating and sleeping. This is also why you want to avoid an oil-based stain. Oil-based products have high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are extremely unhealthy in enclosed spaces.
Smart & Attractive
Start with a stain that gives you the aesthetic and exact level of transparency you desire. Here at Perma-Chink Systems, we recommend using one of our Lifeline Interior stains, which come in a wide array of tones, including clear. After staining, add one or two clear coats of interior finish; Lifeline Acrylic or Sure Shine, a water-based poly finish. Both add enough film to protect your logs and minimize the roughness of logs so they can be easily wiped and cleaned. Lifeline Acrylic and Sure Shine come in gloss or satin. Sure Shine is strong enough to withstand foot traffic, and an excellent alternative to wood floors than smelly and caustic oil-based floor coatings.
These stains also contain the right amount of UV protection to avoid “picture framing.” Picture framing is the shadowy discoloration that remains on the wall when you move a bookshelf or a picture. After all, your stain should let you redecorate your log home whenever you want! Perma-Chink interior stains and finishes will ensure that the inside of your log home is just as breathtaking and gorgeous as the outside.
To order free color samples, visit our online store here or call us to discuss custom colors at 1-800-548-3554.
What Makes A Topcoat Different?
There is a common thought out there that believe topcoats are just the regular finish without color added. However, our topcoats are completely different than our finishes because they do different things.
Lifeline Acrylic Gloss and Satin (G/S) and Sure Shine™ Gloss and Satin are totally different formulations than Lifeline Interior or any other finish. Lifeline Interior, Lifeline Accents, and Prelude™ contain a polymer system that offer some distinct adhesion advantages when applied to bare wood. Topcoats are designed to envelope those finishes, protecting the color and wood from environmental damage and everyday living.
Why Do I Need An Interior Topcoat?
When left exposed without a topcoat, interior finishes are more susceptible to dirt pick-up that may not be easily cleaned off. When topcoated with Acrylic G/S or Sure Shine G/S, the finish surfaces become much more impervious to dirt pick-up. The wood surface becomes more slick and smooth, enabling them to be kept clean with much less effort. And as mentioned earlier, the topcoat protects the finish from abrasions, dirt, water, and more. The bottom line is that Lifeline Interior, Lifeline Accents or Prelude are highly recommended to be topcoated with either Acrylic G/S or Sure Shine G/S to get the maximum protection for your log or timber home interior.
When Can I Apply A Topcoat?
The best time to apply a topcoat is when your log home has dry or seasoned logs. Whenever a house is over one or two years old, or you are sure your logs are dry, be sure to obtain samples of both Acrylic G/S and Sure Shine G/S. If Acrylic G/S does not result in the smooth, slick surface that you desire, try Sure Shine G/S. Sure Shine G/S is a water-based acrylic-urethane that builds depth and luster with fewer coats. However, polyurethane films are less breathable, so we do not recommend their use on logs that have not fully seasoned. If your home is finished in Acrylic, in the future Sure Shine G/S can always be applied over the Acrylic G/S if you want an exceptionally smooth, deep finish on your interior walls.
Can I Topcoat Over Bare Wood?
What if you don’t want a pigmented stain on your interior wood? Do you need to apply Prelude or Lifeline Interior Clear before applying Sure Shine G/S or Acrylic G/S? From a technical and performance standpoint, it does not matter which one you choose, although Prelude does include an additive called UV Boost that will help prevent the picture frame effect that occurs over time. Although UV Boost can be added to Interior Clear, Acrylic G/S and Sure Shine G/S, most people prefer not to spend more money than they need to, and using Prelude as a primer on bare interior wood will significantly decrease the amount of more expensive Acrylic G/S or Sure Shine G/S you will require.
How Can I Get Lifeline Acrylic or Sure Shine?
We’re glad you asked! You can order online at Store.PermaChink.com or call us at 1-800-548-3554. We’ll be happy to help get your started on protecting your home.
In loving memory of our late president Rich Dunstan.
In The Beginning
In 1980 my neighbor told me about building a log home in Eastern Washington. He said that he loved the home and the lifestyle but was disappointed wind constantly blew and cold, harsh winters meant there was no real effective way to seal the gaps between the logs. The house leaked air and heat and wind-driven rain came right through the walls.
He tried various caulking materials with little success. Caulking around a bathtub or sink was significantly different from ‘caulking’ literally miles of seams between logs in a log house. After a number of conversations and experiments, we discovered there was no readily available product that could seal the gaps, look like authentic chinking, and last more than a few months.
After months of trial and error it became apparent that if we were going to design a material that would be acceptable to our criteria, we would have to design it ourselves.
The product we were designing was to be a replacement for what was known in the Log Home Industry as “chinking” – the sealant that historically provided the seal between the logs. A chink is a gap – as in Biblical Times, “A chink in his armor’. Therefore, chinking is a material to fill a gap. Throughout the centuries of constructing dwellings out of logs, numerous methods were used to seal in between them. Early builders used pretty much anything they could get their hands on to seal the gaps – mud, straw and mud, cow manure, or mixtures of cement and mortar.
The Criteria For Crafting The Perfect Chinking
During our investigation we determined that in order to be a true solution, the sealant must meet the most important requirements:
- It had to be textured to look like authentic mortar chinking.
- It had to “look like it belonged there.”
- It had to be able to expand and contract to follow perpetual log movement. As logs dry out in the summer, they shrink in diameter – in the winter or rainy months they absorb moisture and swell, increasing in diameter.
- It had to adhere tightly to the logs and form a continuous, watertight seal that doesn’t separate from the wood.
- It had to be easy to apply in gaps up to 4 or 5 inches and not slump or wash out.
- And most importantly, it had to LAST for decades.
Common caulking materials were quickly ruled out. Everyone has seen thin caulking beads applied to exterior trim that invariably separate, peel off, flake, crack, and ultimately fail. No caulk could adhere to the wood well enough and could not be applied to the thickness and height required without slumping and running out of the joint. And all caulks had that smooth, artificial look that frankly looked like caulk! Okay for around the tub or sink, but not for my log home, thank you.
So, after months of experimentation and learning a tremendous amount of chemistry about polymers (the chemical building blocks of literally everything that we commonly call paint, plastic, vinyl, glue, etc.), we designed a unique sealant that met all the requirements.
During the design phase we located an innovative small company south of Seattle that manufactured synthetic stucco. They had the experience and the machinery that helped us scale up lab designs to large scale production. We began selling early product in 1981 and the first house we did was in Sun Valley, Idaho – in the middle of winter.
Going To Market
Soon after, we had a saleable product that met EVERY design requirement. I did a little market research and discovered that the largest part of the national log home market was in the eastern United States, particularly the Southeast. I also discovered that of the numerous styles of log homes, the three largest manufactures of dovetail-designed log homes were within 100 miles of Knoxville, Tennessee. I liked the dovetail design because of the nature of the structure, and the way the logs are stacked resulted in a chinking gap of up to 4 inches! In some cases, almost 25% of the wall area was chinking!
So, we set up a manufacturing plant in Knoxville. The timing was right because as soon as log home owners and manufacturers discovered that we could finally provide a dramatically better solution to one of the most significant and perplexing aspects of a log home – the business grew rapidly.
Solving Manufacturer’s Greatest Construction Need
Early adopters such as Hearthstone, Honest Abe, Stone Mill, and Appalachian Log Homes helped pave the way for essentially all others to follow. As a matter of fact, one of the earliest applications for any Manufacturer was Appalachian. Turns out they had a contract with the US Forest Service to build an outhouse. The location was remote, and the house needed to be completely assembled and transported via helicopter. Obviously, mortar chinking could not withstand that type of stress, so they tried Perma-Chink. That outhouse is still standing today and is weather tight – some applications simply CANNOT fail!
The development of synthetic chinking solved one of the most serious and vexing aspects of the log home industry. The chinking formulation is unique and specifically designed for log homes, and not simply ‘caulk with sand in it’ as others have offered.
George Washington’s Farm log cabin restored with Perma-Chink Systems log home sealants and stains.
Rick Denton, Honest Abe Log Homes President Emeritus said “Perhaps the invention of Perma-Chink kept Honest Abe in business, as well as every other log home company using a chinked product line.” Read his story here:https://www.honestabe.com/blog/perma-chink/
A Great Success From Fantastic Partners & Customers
What started out as an idea has literally revolutionized the entire industry. Worldwide, most log structures use synthetic chinking, and the largest supplier of the most authentic and highest-performing log home chinking is Perma-Chink.
We used the knowledge and expertise we developed in formulating Perma-Chink Chinking (remember the polymers?) to design the longest-lasting semi-transparent stain in the industry. The formulation is also unique, providing a ‘furniture grade’ appearance that outlasts any exterior stain on the market.
As history has shown, and something we take pride in, whenever a log home owner becomes aware of a concern, whether it be sealing, staining, or preservation or maintenance, we already have a solution.
Driven to Exceed Now & In The Future
We are humbled that Perma-Chink Systems has become the household name in the log home industry and is recognized for its high quality. Our products grace the log homes of such noted Americans as former President Jimmy Carter, clothing designer Ralph Lauren, movie star Tom Cruise, Olympic champion figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt (read the story here) and thousands of great American homeowners.
Perma-Chink Systems has a slogan – “Simply Unmatched”. By crafting the best quality products and engaging in providing the best customer service, we will attain our goals and make great strides towards exceeding our customers’ expectations for years to come. To be “Simply Unmatched.”
Homeowners ask this question a lot, to make sure the home looks like how they imagine. The answer to this question depends mainly on which sealant is used and how you want your home to look.
Sealant Choice
If you’re using Perma-Chink chinking, we recommend staining your home first with a Lifeline stain of your choice, then seal the log gaps with Perma-Chink, and finish with Lifeline Advance Topcoat. The application of Advance will make the home easier to clean (recommended two times per year with Log Wash).
If you’re using Energy Seal or Woodsman, and you don’t want log gaps or the sealant to be noticeable, we recommend applying the sealant first, then apply your choice of Lifeline stain and topcoat. For the least visible Energy Seal lines, select a color that is a shade lighter than the stain color. If you like the aesthetics of visible lines, you can apply Energy Seal after the application of a Lifeline stain and before Lifeline Advance.
What If I’m just applying a new coat of Lifeline? Do I need to redo my chinking?
If you’re just applying a maintenance coat, or just want a new color for your home, you do not have to rip out your old chinking. You can either mask off the current chinking before staining, or you can use our Chink Paint to refresh the color after staining.
What about when to seal checks?
Another issue you will have is with upward-facing checks. These are the cracks in the wood that end up collecting water and lead to log deterioration. We offer Check Mate 2, a highly flexible sealant that will create a seal in the check, preventing water from entering the log. Checks can appear at any time as the logs age, it’s a natural occurrence.
If your logs have checks before you stain and seal your home, seal the checks now. Check Mate 2 will accept stain. Just make sure you select a Check Mate 2 color one shade lighter before staining.
Final Answer
The order which you apply stains and sealants varies on what you’re currently working with. For the best performance, we recommend stain first, seal second, and apply Advance Topcoat third. This will provide the best protection for your home.
You can read more about applying sealants in our Sealants Guide PDF.
Curious to Know What Makes Your Log Home Exterior Different From the Rest?
Perma-Chink Systems is dedicated to exceeding expectations, ensuring that our products reflect both our commitment to quality and our responsibility to the community. That’s why we go the extra mile to ensure our wood stains and finishes are crafted from the most environmentally friendly materials available. Our commitment to sustainability doesn’t just stop there—our products also deliver a refined, furniture-like finish that enhances the beauty of your wood. But unlike the furniture coatings, our finishes are designed to breathe to let the moisture evaporate from your logs.
LIFELINE stains and finishes from Perma-Chink Systems stand out for several reasons:
- Waterborne Formulation: Lifeline products are water-based, making them environmentally friendly and easy to clean up with soap and water.
- Breathability and Flexibility: These finishes form a breathable, elastic barrier that allows the wood to expand and contract with changing weather conditions, reducing the risk of cracking and peeling.
- UV Protection: Lifeline stains contain high-performance pigments and UV inhibitors that protect the wood from sun damage while highlighting its natural grain.
- Durability: The finishes are designed to be long-lasting, requiring minimal maintenance.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Lifeline stains enhance the natural beauty of the wood, providing a rich, vibrant finish that highlights the grain and texture.
- Safety: These products release no toxic fumes and are not flammable, making them safer to use.
- Ease of Application: Lifeline finishes are easy to apply and can be used over existing water-based stains, provided the surface is in good condition.
- Easy Maintenance: Lowest maintenance of any exterior wood finish.
LIFELINE stains are a top choice for log homes and wooden structures, blending protection with stunning aesthetics. One of the key considerations for log and timber homeowners is selecting the right stain color. While many stains may look impressive immediately after application, the real test is whether they retain their beauty over time.
With LIFELINE, you’re choosing a high-performance finish that maintains its vibrant appearance long after application. Engineered with cutting-edge technology, LIFELINEis the most advanced wood stain available for log and timber homes in the world.
Request your free sample today and see for yourself how LIFELINE can preserve the beauty of your home, even as the seasons change. Order free samples by calling your local store at 1-800-548-3554 or order from our online store here.
John Ricketson
Project Manager – Hearthstone, Inc.
www.hearthstonegeorgia.com
At every trade show, I get asked the same question: How long does Perma-Chink last? My answer has always been “I don’t know, we’ve only been using it for 37 years”[ed. note – as of 2019]. I built my log home in 1988 and used Tan Perma-Chink with Dark Honey Lifeline EX stain because I wanted a combination that was not too much of a contrast and the results were exactly what I had intended. The home has weathered and aged over the 32 years and I have re-stained it a couple of times, the last time being 8 years ago. The East side and North side required very little maintenance then, just a light cleaning with Log Wash and a renewal coat of Lifeline Advance. The South and West sides required a little more effort after cleaning due to exposure to weather and the sun. A refresher coat of Lifeline EX and Lifeline Advance Satin on the logs, gable end siding, and roof fascia got it to looking like new again.
So, after 31 years, I took a close look at a log wall that has been exposed on the Southwest side, where it get as much abuse from the elements as possible, and here is what I found: Out of eight horizontal runs of Perma-Chink, only one showed any indication of age. This was course number 5 and is the one directly under the 32′ tie log that runs above the fireplace, where the interaction of the stonework to the log wall can sometimes cause the log to ‘hang up’ and not fully settle. This was confirmed by looking at the dovetail corner notch, where there had been some separation. Even though Energy Seal was not yet available, the caulking originally used there was still in good shape and there was no danger of air or water infiltration on the dovetail notch that sloped away from the home. Even with all of that, the Perma-Chink separation was less than 1/16th of an inch, and in that one run only, the other seven runs were still providing a perfect airtight and watertight seal.
The surface seemed to be slightly faded, so I got out my Frog tape and taped the lower edges of the chink spaces (because I am not as meticulous with a brush as most people) and proceeded to refresh the surface of the chinking with Chink Paint. Twenty minutes later, the surface on that wall was like new and I am looking forward to answering the question again at the next trade show with: “I don’t know, we’ve only been using it for 37 years and if you want to refresh the color or change the color, a little Chink Paint will quickly get your home as good as new.”
Why Perma-Chink Sealants Are the Best Choice for Your Log Home
Sealants play an essential role in our daily lives, from the windshield of your car to the bathtub, and even your windows. They keep water out, prevent air leaks, and ensure your home stays comfortable and protected. But not all sealants are created equal, and when it comes to log homes, the right sealant can make all the difference.
Everyday Examples of Sealants
You may not realize it, but sealants are all around us:
- The windshield of your car is held in place with a sealant to keep water out.
- There’s a bead of sealant around your bathtub to prevent water from seeping behind tiles.
- Your windows are sealed with a special material to stop cold air, rain, and drafts from entering your home.
If you take a close look, you’ll notice that sealants vary in texture, flexibility, and performance. The best sealants are those that remain flexible and durable across a wide range of temperatures, sunlight, and environmental conditions. And this is where Perma-Chink Systems really shines.
Why Choose Perma-Chink Systems Sealants?
So, why do homeowners choose Perma-Chink Systems sealants for their log homes? Here are three key reasons:
- Keep the Elements Out: First and foremost, Perma-Chink sealants provide a reliable barrier that keeps water, air, and insects where they belong—outside your home.
- Attractive Appearance: Our sealants are designed to blend seamlessly with the natural look of your log home, offering an attractive finish that complements your decor.
- Proven Performance: With a reputation for long-lasting durability and superior performance, Perma-Chink products are trusted by homeowners and professionals alike to deliver reliable, long-term protection.
Why Sealing a Log Home Is Different
Sealing a log home presents unique challenges. Logs are naturally irregular, and when stacked on top of each other, gaps can form between the logs or around window and door frames. These gaps allow cold air, water, and even bugs to infiltrate your home. That’s where Energy Seal® comes in.
Energy Seal: The Ideal Solution for Log Homes
Energy Seal is a textured, acrylic polymer sealant specifically designed for log homes. It provides a flexible, durable seal that adapts to the natural movement of logs as they expand, contract, and shift with changing weather conditions. Here’s why Energy Seal stands out:
- Flexibility: Energy Seal’s flexibility allows it to maintain a tight seal as logs twist, turn, and shift with the seasons, ensuring that gaps don’t reopen over time.
- Water & Air Tight: It creates a resilient, water- and air-tight barrier, preventing moisture infiltration and keeping drafts at bay.
- Texture for a Natural Look: The textured surface of Energy Seal serves two purposes:
- Flat, Non-Shiny Finish: Once cured, Energy Seal doesn’t have the shiny, artificial look of typical caulking. Instead, it achieves a natural, matte finish that blends seamlessly with your logs and stain.
- Better Stain Adhesion: The textured surface also allows Energy Seal to accept stain more effectively, ensuring it blends in and virtually disappears when you stain your log walls.
Pro Tip: Staining Over Energy Seal
If you plan to stain over Energy Seal, here’s a helpful tip: choose a stain that’s slightly lighter than the color you intend to use for your logs. It’s easier to cover light-colored Energy Seal with a darker stain than it is to cover darker sealant with a lighter one.
Seal in Comfort, Save on Energy
By sealing your log home with Energy Seal, you’re ensuring long-lasting protection against the elements while also boosting your home’s energy efficiency. Don’t let gaps and cracks waste your energy and money—choose Perma-Chink Systems sealants for the best in performance, durability, and aesthetics.
Let us help you keep your home snug and energy-efficient this winter.
The RHEOLOGY of Perma-Chink
Theoretical aspects of rheology – a branch of physics – deal with understanding the relation of the flow and deformation behavior of material and its internal structure.
The rheology additives in Perma-Chink help ensure that the polymer properties meet specifications for the end use (texture, product film properties) and product quality.
Rheological properties of Perma-Chink
- Greatly improved low shear (as in standing after application) results in high viscosity to prevent slumping
- High shear (as in pumping ) decreases viscosity to make the product easier to apply and tool.
Tips On Applying Perma-Chink
Some people think that Perma-Chink sealant is just like any other caulking product on the market, so they apply and finish it with the same methods. Typically, silicone caulking can be smoothed just by running a damp finger along the bead of caulking. Using that method with Perma-Chink will give you less than desirable results. To get a smooth, clean finish with Perma-Chink, spray the sealant liberally with water then tool it with a metal spatula or similar. It may seem counter-intuitive to apply water to smooth it, but it’s the best method. Unlike smooth caulking, the texture in Perma-Chink (and Energy Seal) needs more water to maintain a smooth finish. And it’ll be much, much easier.
*Substrate conditions such as substrate outgassing, volatiles in the wood and backing materials can contribute to formation of blisters.
Want to learn how to apply log home chinking? Download our Sealants Application Guide here.
MOBILE LOG CABINS (or PLUG & PLAY TRADITIONAL LOG HOME)
By Dan Waring, British Log Cabins
Mobile homes…Traditionally an ugly metal box, BLC have taken the parameters defining the mobile home and delivered a beautiful alternative LOG CABIN!
Developed in response to an increase in the popularity of ‘Log Cabin Holidays’ our Mobile Log Homes include everything. The entire building is prefabricated off site in our log building yard on a specially designed rolling chassis.
The building comes complete including a kitchenette, bathroom suite, LPG boiler, radiators, log burner and all internal finishes.
All that is required on site is a concrete slab and waste and water connections – they really are a plug and play, traditional log home!.
Log building as a construction method and art form has been around for centuries. It’s origins were in Eastern Europe and Scandinavia. As a trade it has a long established history. The often romanticized vision of a cozy, traditional log cabin in a holiday area is now a reality.
As a mobile home, The Nook is not only completed to a very high standard in both design and construction and very well insulated but it is also VAT free. The mobile home is delivered in two halves and re-joined on site. This reduces the impact of onsite construction works.
If you want a mobile home log cabin within your garden to be used as an extra room in addition to the main house then you will not need planning permission unless you live in a conservation area.
Mobile cabins are a great idea if you are thinking of starting or expanding a holiday business . The cabins are of high quality, and provide a wow factor that normal static caravans do not.
To find out more about The Nook, visit British Log Cabins website https://www.britishlogcabins.com/mobile-log-cabins
By Seth Murphy
Homeowners almost always have a list of projects to complete around the house. If interior projects are on your list, don’t let winter slow your progress. The truth is, there are several indoor maintenance projects that are ideal for winter.
1. Freshen Wood Trim and Moldings, Doors and Window Frames, Cabinets, etc.
Freshening wood trims, cabinets, doors and window frames are perfect indoor maintenance projects for winter. Winter is the best time to stain inside because the air is drier than humid summer air and helps the finishes dry more quickly. You also can crack a few windows in winter to provide proper ventilation without worrying about bugs flying inside. Another reason to stain in winter is that you will get your inside projects done and have more time to do exterior projects when the weather improves. If you plan to hire a contractor, winter is a better time for interior jobs because they are slower in winter and usually offer off-season deals.
Keep in mind that you do things a little differently when staining interior trim than when staining walls. You’ll need to sand your trim until it is smooth, clean the dust, and then apply finish. You can apply color stain before you finish it with a clear topcoat, or just apply a clear primer directly to wood. Then topcoat it with clear Acrylic Gloss or Satin, or Sure Shine diamond finish. Some people repeat the sanding, cleaning, and finishing process to get a smoother finish. If you would like to add more gloss to your wood trim, Sure Shine Gloss is your best choice. Click here for application instructions.
2. Check for Air Leaks
Many indoor winter maintenance projects also help homeowners save money. In fact, one of the best money-saving maintenance tasks is checking for air leaks. According to HomeAdvisor, you can “stop energy-sucking, money-wasting air leaks by caulking, sealing and weather-stripping all of the seams, cracks, and openings in your home.”
There are a few DIY solutions for air leaks. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, reducing air leaks cuts heating and cooling costs, improves durability, increases comfort, and creates a healthier indoor environment for your family. A simple test for air leaks, hold a lit candle or incense stick next to potential sources of air leaks on a windy day. If the smoke blows horizontally, you have a leak to seal. It’s especially important to check for air leaks if you have a log-style home since builders intentionally leave room for settling.
Caulking and weather-stripping are two common solutions. Seal and weather-strip doors and windows that leak air. You also should caulk and seal air leaks where plumbing, ducting, or electrical wiring enters through walls, floors, ceilings, and soffits. You also should cover your kitchen exhaust fan when not using it, ensure your dryer vent is not blocked, and seal air leaks around your chimney, furnace, and gas-fired water heater vents with fire-resistant materials like sheet metal or sheetrock.
Sealing the leak with Energy Seal prevents water penetration along with air infiltration. Next you have to decide if you want to attempt to correct the problems yourself or use a professional contractor. For log home owners, here’s where things can get a bit tricky. Most painters and contractors are familiar with sealing and caulking conventional homes, but log homes are different and it takes someone with log structure experience and expertise to do the job correctly. Plus, general purpose caulks and sealants found at local hardware stores and DIY outlets just don’t offer the performance that’s required for the unique needs associated with log homes.
If you need help finding someone in your area who has experience doing this type of work, give Perma-Chink a call and they will provide you with referrals. 1-800-548-3554.
By Seth Murphy
papadiy.com
Home improvements can be expensive, but they can greatly increase your home’s value. When it comes time to decide which improvements to make, there are a few things to consider. Here are some tips on how to improve your home to increase its resale value.
Small improvements can be big!
Did you know that some home improvements only cost a few hundred dollars? Small but noticeable upgrades like repainting your entryway and adding a few nice flowers can really make a difference in how welcoming your home looks, a.k.a. “curb appeal.” Also, the most popular upgrades for dollars spent versus return in increased value are small kitchen and bathroom upgrades. You don’t need a whole redo of those rooms if the appliances are in good condition. Little touches like new lighting fixtures and backsplashes will greatly improve the look with small expenditures of time and money. Installing loose-fill fiberglass insulation in the attic gives the most return for your investment, and it’s not a large expense. Adding energy-efficient windows to replace older, drafty ones can improve both your current energy bills and your future resale value. So go ahead and see what small improvements you can make to have your house be more inviting to buyers.
Large-scale improvements can greatly increase value
If your home furnishings are older and in need of replacement, be sure to look for energy efficiency and universal design. The latter is a relatively new concept that incorporates ability-awareness features into home pieces so that the elderly or those with mobility concerns can use the furnishings easily. Think walk-in showers or lever-style handles rather than knobs. Such features make any room easier to use by all the people in your household, no matter what the condition of their hands or eyesight.
If you are looking at completely redoing your kitchen or bathroom or other rooms in the house, be sure to check around for reputable contractors and design ideas. The more you know going in and the more specific you are with your design plans, the more likely you’ll end up with a remodel that fits into your planned budget. Look online for ideas and local pricing information. For example, HomeAdvisor indicates that the average price to remodel a kitchen ranges from $15,428 to $38,607. Keep in mind that the labor and fixture expenses may vary greatly, as will the timeframe of the project. Comparison shop online to see what new kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, and flooring options cost to help you determine your price range for upgrading those or other rooms in your home.
Another consideration is the outside of your home. If you need a new stain job or new roof or siding for the exterior, that should be done before spending money on interior upgrades. Try to make repairs before upgrades. If something is not working normally or looking good, that will be a tip-off to potential buyers that your home has not been maintained well. So walk through and look at everything like you’re a stranger. What do you see that needs repair? What looks shabby, dirty, or just dark? Start with those areas.
So whether you’re looking at a few cosmetic improvements or major upgrades to your home, you can find all sorts of ideas and price points online to help you decide. Look at the upgrades that will quickly improve energy efficiency or functionality. This will help make your home more appealing to buyers. That, in itself, is worth the money.
July is National Log Home Month. During the month of July, log home manufacturers will honor America’s log home heritage by hosting home tours, log raising demonstrations, log home building seminars and more. There are many different sizes and styles of log home construction to suit any homeowner’s vision.
Here we present the TOP Log Home Manufacturers in the USA and invite you to visit their websites and see what they have to offer. Each manufacturer is outstanding in quality of craftsmanship, and this is not a ranked list.
Are American Barns disappearing? Not so fast…
There are thousands of iconic barns throughout America, from different periods in our history. These historic barns were once an integral part of American life.
The traditional design and use of the “barn” has evolved tremendously over the years. We have moved from large, open structures based around cattle stalls and hay storage to huge multi-purpose barn palaces.
A bit of the history
The word barn comes from the Old English language, for barley (or grain in general). The first barns were not American by design but were European-style longhouses that included stables and sleeping quarters. Brought to America along with the first settlers, the oldest barns were constructed in the classic “English barn” style.
As with any structure built for functionality, designs do not follow one pattern for long. English barns were further adapted into larger, timber-framed structures, which became known as the Yankee barn. One of the most fascinating aspects of barn construction is the common use of simple farmstead creativity. The earliest barns were built with timbers hand-hewn to shape, with the rough chopping marks of an axe. Slightly older timbers might be hand-cut with huge two-person saws, while newer barns have the clean-cut lines of sawmill machinery. More history here https://www.almanac.com/extra/evolution-american-barn
Traditional style barns pay homage to a great American tradition. For those seeking a multi-function barn made of traditional materials, these structures are hard to surpass. In keeping with the look and feel of the turn of the century, Hearthstone developed a process for giving the timbers a surface texture that mimicked the circular cuts of timbers that had just come out of an old sawmill.
A HEARTHSTONE HEAVY TIMBER BARN IS THE ULTIMATE OUTBUILDING
With the popularity of open-air structures for commercial properties, equestrian, restaurants (especially during pandemic), the Timber Frame Barn’s massive beams create breathtaking effects of open spaces and craftsmanship style rarely seen today. The large sliding doors open to cobble stone floors and the authentic smell of white pine creates an environment of harmonious interaction with nature.
Horse Barn
This beautiful, yet functional, barn was designed to house horses and the occasional social gathering. Because the customer was in the process of restoring a farmstead from early in the 20th Century, the technique & style reflects that period & geography. The naturally weathered Cypress board & batten gives the barn the perfect rustic finish.
Barn Homes
One of the most popular innovations is the “barn home” due to the open, airy floor plans and massive posts and beams. These homes convey the aesthetics of a traditional barn combined with an exciting modern design.
Check out their collection of Wedding Barns, Cottage Barns, Event Barns, Guest Barns and more here: HTTPS://HEARTHSTONEHOMES.COM/BARNS.HTML
All of Hearthstone barns are custom designed and made.