Ranch Versus Cape Cod 2 Replies

We have a layout but are thinking of not having anything except a loft, keeping it a ranch.  We have heard it cost less to build up, but our thinking is that one boy is on his way to college and we have one more that will be in the has for a while.  We are planning on having a full basement and are thinking it would help with costs if we only built a loft on the second floor and put the 2 bedrooms in the basement and then we would have the master, kitchen, dining room and great room on the 1st…Continue

Started by Shannon in Building and Maintenance Issues. Last reply by Chris Wood 7 hours ago.

Electric Questions 10 Replies

We are in the design phase for our log home.  I will be acting as our g.c. and our electrician.  What are the do's and dont's of doing electric in a log home?  Can we put can lights in an exposed wood ceiling on the main floor if there are bedrooms on the cape cod level or 2nd level?  What do we do about sound issues from people walking around on the 2nd floor.  What other options has other people come across for lighting other than can lights, fan/light combos and track lighting?Continue

Started by Shannon in Building and Maintenance Issues. Last reply by shanny 10 hours ago.

reclaimed wood 4 Replies

I'm planning the building of my future log home and I would like to build it by reclaimed square logs. Moreover, I would like to use reclaimed wood for interior decors, for instance for the floor rooms (wide planks), the counter and sink tops, the mantel of fireplace and so on. So I turn my questions to people who have built their log homes by reclaimed woods:1 - is it easy to find in the market reclaimed wood?2 - is the price of reclaimed wood cheaper or more expensive of manufactered logs,…Continue

Started by Alessandro Garassino in Building and Maintenance Issues. Last reply by shanny 11 hours ago.

Caulking between logs and chimney 7 Replies

Hello all.  First time posting here, so if anyone can provide a little advice or direct me to a previous post on this topic, many, many thanks!  I've recently moved into a 10 year-old log home (yellow pine D-logs) with a two-story stone and mortar chimney running top to bottom on the sunny end of the house.  There is a gap of 0.25" to .5" between the D-logs and the mortar where the logs have pulled back from the chimney on the outside of the house.  I'm guessing that this end of the house has…Continue

Started by Guy Montag in Repair and Home Projects Help. Last reply by Scott M 17 hours ago.

Oil Based Stains vs. Water Based Stains 11 Replies

I just bought a log home in Northren Utah. It has been neglected and I need to refinish the exterior before winter. I could use help understanding what is best stain to use in a dry climate. I have heard such conflicting ideas to which is best. I have heard the "oil is good for cars, but not for logs". Is this true? I have also heard that "Oil is not good for dry climates". I would like Messmers TimberFlex, but I dont want to make the wrong choice after I have spent so much money getting the…Continue

Started by Kyle Gomm in All About Stains and Sealants. Last reply by Scott M on Tuesday.

Log Home Pressure Washing in the Desert 1 Reply

In the exciting world of Log Home Finishing, one of the truly awesome tools that we get to use is pressure washing.  In the real world of log home finishing, using a pressure washer is one of the most misunderstood concepts in wood restoration.  The skill of pressure washing with hot water and chemical is developed over many years, and there is not enough time in one discussion to explain it all.   A good place to start the discussion is 'where does…Continue

Tags: washing, restoration, re-stain, stripping, stain

Started by Colorado Log Home Finishing in Repair and Home Projects Help. Last reply by Brian Weigel on Tuesday.

Film Forming vs. Penetrating Oil 11 Replies

Newcomer to the forum - with perhaps a common question regarding stains and sealants.  I've read the other posts, and apologize for any overlap.We have recently completed a massive 2-week stripping and sanding project with our ~12 year old log cabin (lodge pole pine) in northern Wisconsin and I'm having difficulty deciding what to finish the logs with.  A film-base sealant or a penetrating oil?  I'd hate to go through such large effort and then choose poorly and essentially waste all the time…Continue

Tags: restoration, forming, film, oil, sealants

Started by Dale Egan in All About Stains and Sealants. Last reply by John Sanders on Monday.

TWP Stains 6 Replies

Builder wants us to consider TWP stain for our exterior.He used it for 20 yrs. in California. We're in Maine. Any good or bad experiences? Thanks, AlContinue

Started by al cayot in All About Stains and Sealants. Last reply by al cayot on Saturday.