Caring For a Handcrafted Log Home
Many times people misunderstand the truth about caring for a 
handcrafted log home. As a builder we are very frequently asked about log home maintenance. People are wise to explore what a house will entail before they built it.
The first step is for a homeowner to admit that all homes, garages, and outbuildings will need some care each year, unless of course you are moving into a concrete bunker. (Even then maybe the acid rain would wash way some of the cement). But anyway, log homes are no different and when comparing them to other readily available building products they are not much more maintenance than other styles of construction.
The second step is to invest in a high quality log home package. If the logs are already full of bug holes, checks, cracks, and twisted lumber before you begin the you are going to face much higher care costs– and also much more time.. The Scandinavian full scribed log homes are the tightest. With tight corners and overlapping of log surface to surface on a curved plane means elimination of air seepage between them.
The third step is to convince yourself not go cheap on exterior sealant. If a bucket of stain bares an inexpensive price and a note that it is good for twelve months, then pass it over. Stain such as this has no body and will not last. Going cheap means that you are spending a lot of money on your home but you are not willing to invest in something durable to protect it. If you want extra log home maintenance then purchase the least expensive stain you can find.
The fourth step is to get out your check book and purchase stain that costs around $350 for a five gallon bucket instead of $50. A five to seven year guarantee shows that a sealant is quality instead of cheap. For a handcrafted log home be sure to look for stain that will breath. Handcrafted homes have a higher moisture content than does a milled log home. For all of the handwork the logs must be moister, so you need a sealant that will allow moisture to escape and the logs to breath.
The fifth step is to carefully apply the stain to the home. Though it is tempting to pay your nephew to just climb up there and paint it on the home, probably he is not experienced enough to get the job done carefully. It is best to have either the log home builder or a paint and stain professional apply the exterior sealant to a home. Brushing it on is the way I prefer to do it. Be sure to carefully brush each log. After edging an area then long even strokes makes the stain go on evenly. With handcrafted log homes it is important to brush each side of the log and push the brush bristles down into any checks or cracks. This helps provide the best sealant possible.