Log Home Restorations
All Log Home Restorations consist of two types. They are decided by the end finishes that the client desires or the budget permits. These finishes are either a Semi-Transparent stain or a Solid Color stain.
Solid Color Finishes
Solid color systems dont involve as many steps as the Semi-Transparent finish system. When using the solid color stain, the home is pressure washed with products designed for Log Home Restorations and Log Wash, which is a cleaner specifically designed for use with log, to remove all impurities such as mold,mildew and all othe stain damaging agents.
The other, more intense, washing we provide is a product called Renew by Perma-Chink. This product is not an annual cleaner, its designed for applications where the exsisting finishes have failed and the UV has penetrated the wood and leaves a graying where this occurs. When Renew is applied it’ll remove these areas and remove stain and all else and provide a good bond for the stain to apply to. Any area where stains are to be applied need to be cleaned thoroughly before any finishes are applied and i’ve got testing strips to measure the PH levels in the log to make sure that our clients get the most out of there finishes. One mistake can cost a homeowner thousands in future repairs, thats why we tell all our clients WE KNOW LOG HOMES!!! The steps are the same after the afterblast is put on in the Semi-Transparent section.
Semi-Transparent Finish System
This finish is the most intensive one of the two, because in order to achieve the desired look of the Semi-Transparent stain, the majority of the time the home will require removal of the old stain. This can be achieved several ways the first is by using a stripper. This is done by applying the product with a brush or a roller. It is the kept damp for a period and most of the time it will require scrubbing and a second coat. I recommend this product only for use on light or severely damaged finishes. Experience has taught me this.
I usually always recommend Media Blasting the intended surface be Media Blasted using a fine glass to be propelled at the log surface and remove all the old stain and provide a uniform surface for the new finishes. I prefer this method, because it provides that surface and it pleases more homeowners.
After the blasting is complete, an after blast is applied to fill any pitting that may have occurred and smooths out the surfaces to reduce the amount of stain needed to provide the uniform coverage that our clients expect from our Log Home Restoration company.
***The rest of these processes are the same for both systems***
At this point all the sealing of checks, joints and corners are sealed with once again products designed for Log Homes and their applications. The products expand and contract with the logs as they warm and contract with the temps. They are designed to prevent cracking like the conventional products do. Any gap under 3/4 of an inch can be sealed through using Energy Seal by Perma Chink. Anything bigger than that has to be backed properly and sealed with Perma-Chink Chinking for best results. They invented the chinking and have perfected the material through the years. We pay special attention to the corners and windows and doors. Water, Air and the sun are the enemies to any log home and eliminating their infiltration is essential to a log homes survival.
The next step is to coat the prepped surfaces with 2 coats of stain that are sprayed onto the wall and brushed out on the log surfaces to provide a consistent coat to the log or wood surfaces. All stains are applied in this manner and this includes the top coat of clear too. The Semi-Transparent stain we use is designed to allow the logs to breath through it and allow moisture to escape them. If you trap moisture in some logs they will rot. I’ve seen where a solid was put on new surfaces with a high content of moisture and I ended up replacing 5 logs cause of it in 5 years. NO GOOD. I’ve got a moisture sensor that tells me the percent of moisture is in the wood and i use it. New homes must breath. Older homes have had time to expel that moisture and a solid can be a great option to older homes. We’ve got the experience and knowledge to help our clients to achieve the best protection for their home in the most effective way. The solid doesn’t require a top coat of clear after this step, but a Semi-Transparent stain will require a coat of sealer top coat, usually Advance by Perma-Chink. This is brushed out for consistent coverage and top your Log Home Restoration with the protection it deserves.
At the end of every Log Home Restoration, we offer all our clients a maintenance program designed specifically for their home. Usually the west and the south side are the first to fail so we target them and continually check them and design them to add as much life to the stain as possible.
All Log Home Restorations are unique and throughout the years there's not much that surprises us. This is what gives you the advantage with We Know Log Homes you’ve got that experience and knowledge of log homes working for you. Just ask our past clients about us and that’ll tell all about us. We go the extra mile and love what we do.
WE KNOW LOG HOME RESTORATIONS!!!
