Log Home Refinishing

What are the steps in refinishing or restoring a log home?

Inspection

We come out and take a look at your log home. We check to see what type of wood was used in constructing your home. We also check for any places of rot(we have master carpenters who can replace anything). Once we look at the wood we then check to see if any previous stain or sealer has been applied to your home. We then get measurements and go over in detail the steps needed to make your home look new again.

Removing Gutter Downspouts and Prep Work

Before we begin the restoration process we remove the gutter downspouts, lights, fans and anything else that needs to be removed in order to refinish all wood that could be exposed to the weather.

Media Blasting or Chemical Stripping 

The first step in the restoration process involves using corn cob or recycled crushed glass and a media blaster to remove the old coating, gray UV damaged wood and mildew. This is a dry process and works great on many coatings and grayed wood fibers. This is our most used process.

Our 2nd option is using specialty cleaners (they're environmentally friendly by the way). In order for your home to look like new again you have to get back to new wood. Based on what we saw in the initial inspection we know what chemicals to use and at what strength. Once applied the cleaners will begin to soften and liquify the old degraded finish(if one was previously applied), soften dead grayed UV damaged wood fibers, kill mold and mildew and eradicate dirt. We then use LOW pressure HOT water from our commercial pressure cleaning equipment, usually 500-1000 psi to remove the old finish(if needed), mold, mildew and dirt. Revealing new wood!  We make sure to have someone inside the home at all times during the chemical stripping process.  It serves two purposes: some water will enter the house(never seen a log home that didn't leak) that will need to be dried up and by having someone in the house they can spot problem areas of leakage to be addressed later.

Neutralize/Brighten Wood

You won’t hear many painters talking about PH but it’s a big deal when you are using cleaners and other professional chemicals to clean wood. Because these cleaners are highly alkaline on the PH scale we need to use a chemical neutralizer to help balance the PH of the wood. Many painters have no idea what this step is and it makes a big difference in your final finish and how long it will last.  When the Brightener is applied you can literally start to see the wood change colors right before your eyes.

Buffing, Sanding and Other Prep

Once the home has been fully cleaned only then can we really begin our prep work on your log home. Our professionals will now proceed to buff every square inch of your entire home. We use professional buffers with buffing brushes attached that remove texture from the media blasting process or fuzzies from the chemical stripping process. We also have highly specialized sanders with dust extraction for certain instances. We then blow off all sanding dust.  NOW YOU HAVE A NEW HOME!

Borate Preservation

The next step of the refinishing process involves applying a borate solution to all exterior logs, porches and exterior beams.  This is a vital step and one that should only have to be done one time for the life of the house.  This is a permanent treatment that will keep wood damaging insects away from your home, and it also helps to prevent and kill rot.  Once the stain is applied it seals in the borate.

What about caulking and chinking?

When restoring or refinishing a log home, caulking and chinking are applied after the stain. Caulking and chinking are flexible textured compounds specially formulated to fill in the spaces between the logs. This helps stop airflow from entering the home, and helps to prevent water and bug damage. Poor chinking or caulking is one of the leading causes of water damage and log rot, which is why it is especially important to have it applied by a professional. Caulking is used in joints that are less than 1”, which allows for a quicker drying time. For larger gaps, chinking is used. It contains sand which gives it strength and allows for better adhesion to the home’s logs. Chinking also requires a longer curing time. When applied correctly, caulking and chinking provide essential protection against the elements, insects and other animal intruders. We ONLY use Sashco brand caulking and chinking. Lab results have proven it to be the very best in the log home industry.