Answering the question of this topic can be tricky. To put it simply, it largely depends on you – the log cabin owner. To be more precise, it depends on how much time and effort you are willing to invest early in your bespoke timber house construction. The more care you are willing to put in, the less professional maintenance you will need as time goes on. Also, you will be able to do a lot of the maintenance yourself and feel the true owner of the log house.
In this post, we would like to share some tips we at Eurodita uncovered during our lifetime of business. We will instruct what you can do early in your glulam log home construction to make your life easier later. Remember that thoughtful investment and well-chosen materials can go a long way for your log home supplier and especially for you.
Good design
First and foremost step in building a long-lasting, low-maintenance log home. Make sure your log cabin manufacturer offers the best solution based on your landscape. Go in detail through large overhangs, porches, proper landscaping and foundation tall enough for that particular landscape (if the ground is particularly wet, you might need taller foundation). These four aspects, when implemented properly, will save you many maintenance nightmares sure to come ahead if not done properly. Remember, that a glulam beams house is not a conventional house. That simply means that your solutions should not be conventional either.
Dry and de-mould
This has to be done regularly and especially after every cold season. Make sure to keep an eye out for your northern wall, as it will be receiving the least amount of sunshine. Dampness is the great enemy that produces rot and mould and hence should always be fought back. Make sure you dry out the walls of your cabin and re-apply the stain regularly. Always watch for mould in the darkest corners and de-mould if you notice even the smallest spots. There are many great chemicals that pose no danger to you or the environment. If you feel not up to the task, this step is the one you should consider hiring a service for. Discuss this option with your log home supplier.
Watch for insects
Another aspect that you would have to keep a watchful eye on, just like with mould. Termites in this day and age are no longer a problem. Every self-respecting log home supplier uses natural, anti-termite mineral called borate that takes care of the problem without causing damage to human beings or the environment. A common current-day problem, depending your location of course, are carpenter bees. They tend to put their nests into small nooks inside the logs and slowly destroy the wood around them. Yet they can also be prevented by using permethrin and cyfluthrin containing stains and additional liquids. Then on top it’s recommended to use a dusting material that contains boric acid. Once the infestation is gone, plug all the holes where it could possibly come back. While you can get rid of insect infestation yourself, if it got big, you should consider hiring pest control.
Quality stains
We covered the importance of stains in several posts and mentioned it here already. It’s only because stains are the primary line of defence for your glulam beams house against the elements and pests. We always advise our clients to get the highest quality stains possible and to not skim on them, even if the bespoke timber houses are in an arid location. Even though arid locations will not suffer moulding problem as often, they still need stains to protect them from the harsh UV light. Arid areas usually see more sunlight and hence they will need to be better protected against the damage. Every time you refresh the stain, make sure it has proper UV protection.
Additionally, there’s a lot of debate going on whether oil-based or water-based stains are better. We can affirm that in this day and age, both are a good option and will depend on the wood used and location of the stain. Indoor and outdoor stains are obviously different. Discuss with your log home supplier about the requirements of your bespoke log home and make an informed decision.
We say it often and we will say it once again: always research before you buy. Find out everything there is to know about the landscape and weather conditions your glulam beams house is going to be battling and prepare it accordingly. When planning your maintenance schedule, be honest with yourself and make sure you’re up to the task. There’s no shame in hiring a professional maintenance crew, especially because at the end of their work, you will be a happy owner of a beautiful bespoke residential log cabin. It’s definitely worth the investment. Good luck!