More often than now, your new contemporary log cabin or glulam label home will be constructed on your lot in its basic, wooden state. From here on out, you will need to make a decision, if your log home supplier will apply all the paint job after construction, or you will have to do it yourself.
Either way, there are a few things you should know about paint, their types, what layers to apply and so on. In this post, we will go through several types of paint, so the decision you make is as informed as possible.
Type of wood and primer
Before you apply any type of paint to your new log cabin, first layer should always a be a primer. A primer is a protective layer that secures the wood from moisture, rot and moulding. It also hardens the wood to make it more resistant to the natural elements. They also help the paint that goes over them to stay longer without chipping or washing out. Most traditional primers are oil-based, as they are considered stronger, but there are also water-based options. Very often the type of primer is matched with other paint, so for example, if the primer is oil-based, the paint should be oil-based as well.
What determines the type of primer is wood used to construct your log home. The type of primer necessary for full logs is much different from glulam planks or simple planks. Discuss with your local primer and paint supplier, which type you need based on your log home construction.
Types of paints
First coat – a very important step right after applying the primer. First coat is a special type of paint that further hardens the log your cabin is made of and helps maintain the coloured finishing paint applied afterwards. The first coat hue is chosen depending on the final colour planned for your log house. If your log house or pod cabin will be lighter in colour, the first coat should be lighter as well. If you’ve chosen a darker colour – the first coat should be chosen accordingly.
Finishing coats – every paint of any colour in the palette is the finishing coat that hardens the wood and gives it a unique shade. These shades are applied after the primer and first coats are in place. This is true for a new log cabin, but if the wood has been painted previously, the old layers should be washed out first before applying the finishing coat. The coats also come in types, which we will go through below.
Gloss and satin – a type of paint with extremely shiny quality. Usually used for the interior design purposes, but recently has been gaining popularity for exterior painting as well. It looks best on metal or wooden surfaces and will reflect a lot of light, hence making it shinier. Satin types are also gaining popularity as an alternative to full gloss. They’re slightly softer with their shine and can work wonders in exterior painting projects.
Flat – a paint with matte quality, usually very good at securing the wood against moisture and mould. An excellent choice for damp climate. Often used to paint the decals, like joints or interlocking corners, where moisture and mould tend to accumulate. Can also be used for interior purposes. Some producers include vinyl as a paint ingredient, making it even more hardwearing.
Eggshell – a very popular type of coat with a particular sheen. This sheen often resembles an eggshell – as in it’s neither very glossy nor completely matte – which is where the paint gets its name. Its use is very universal, this type of paint is used inside and outside of the log home. The specific sheen of the paint depends on the producer and can vary in matte and glossy characteristics.
Specialty paints
These days, glulam log homes and contemporary log cabins can get quite large and come with several rooms of different uses. For these rooms, specialty paints can do a better job, since they’re produced with a specific purpose in mind.
Bathroom and kitchen paints – these rooms see more moisture than others. Which is why paint designed for these areas are so incredibly good at protecting wood against mould and water damage. Wherever you plan to use a lot of water, specialty water-resistant paint the best choice.
Floor paint – this types of paint is made to harden floorboards or concrete to withstand heavy foot traffic. Floorboards are not different from outside glulam planks, as they will need a primer and first coat before. If you plan to paint concrete floors, you will first need the concrete cured before you can apply any paint.
Metal paint – if you have ay metallic details in your cabin, specialty paint for metal is a good option to consider. Especially on outdoor decals, this paint prevents rust and protects metallic items against the elements.
If you’re planning to paint the entire log cabin or glulam modular house yourself, consult your paint supplier before purchasing any type of paint. There are many variables to consider, and you should choose one that is best for you. Good luck!