|
How
to Choose the Right Log Home Finish
Trees
produce organic compounds which defend them from the elements
and keep them healthy for hundreds of years. Once trees
are cut and milled, these compounds are quickly depleted.
As opposed to film-forming coatings, Timber Tek UV penetrates
deep into the wood pores and locks in these natural defenses,
fortifying the wood's ability to withstand the ravages of
weather.
•
Choose a finish that will perform well in your climate.
Many log home finishes will perform well in dryer climates,
but cannot withstand the harsh weather conditions of the
Pacific Northwest.
•
Don't make your decision based on color. Durability is a
much more important factor than color aesthetics. If a finish
is of substandard quality or unsuitable for your type of
logs, color can change very quickly.
•
Price should not be the determining factor in your choice.
Building materials warehouse stores sell wood stain for
$14 per gallon. These big-name, low-cost finishes are lower
in quality and durability. Consider your log home as an
investment and protect your logs with a specialty finish
designed especially for them.
•
Learn what the moisture content of your logs must be in
order for the finish to be applied. In the Pacific Northwest,
humidity is high. Logs here have a higher moisture content.
Even logs that are kiln-dried and shipped here will soak
up moisture along the way. Many brands of finish will only
absorb deeply if applied to very dry wood. Look for a finish
that can absorb well into wood with a higher moisture content.
Ask if the finish breathes and allows the logs to slowly
dry out and season.
•
Ask about the maintenance process. Does your product need
to be stripped before it is re-applied? Stripping is a difficult
and time-consuming process. If the finish contains soft,
non-drying oils and waxes, it is likely that it must be
stripped. Also ask how the product weathers. Does it crack,
chip, and peel as it weathers? Finishes that form a surface
film often crack and peel as they weather. They must be
removed before they are re-applied. Penetrating finishes
are much easier to maintain because they simply wear thin
over time. A new coat of finish can be applied right over
the top.
 |
•
Choose a brand of finish that provides great technical
support from the manufacturer.
It's important to apply your finish correctly when you're
trying to protect a beautiful investment like a log
home. You want a manufacturer who can support you with
one-on-one instructions and tips from "real people"
who want to help you. |
•
Look for a finish with a clear topcoat system. Keeping a
clear top coat fresh over the years is much easier than
repeatedly applying new coats of color.
•
Choose a brand of finish that provides great technical support
from the manufacturer. It's important to apply your finish
correctly when you're trying to protect a beautiful investment
like a log home. You want a manufacturer who can support
you with one-on-one instructions and tips from "real
people" who want to help you.
•
Ask to see a Material Safety Data Sheet about the product.
This technical sheet will have a section that tells you
the percentage of hazardous ingredients in the product.
Some finishes contain as much as 80% hazardous ingredients.
Ask yourself some of these questions…Over the years,
do you want to deal repeatedly with these dangerous chemicals?
Do you want to worry about stain rags that could spontaneously
combust? Do you want to wear a full respirator and chemical
suit when you apply the finish? Consider whether you want
to expose yourself, your family, and your home to these
kinds of toxic materials. When you discover that some of
the most durable finishes on the market today are very environmentally
safe, the decision is easy.
•
Find out how the finish must be applied. Many need to be
applied by hand brushing. Imagine hand brushing an entire
log home every few years! Look for a finish that can be
sprayed on.
•
Ask the finish manufacturer to provide you with reference
letters from satisfied customers. It never hurts to ask!
The manufacturer of a high-quality product should have letters
from clients who have been satisfied with product performance
and customer service.
•
Discover if the manufacturer has sufficient experience with
log home finishes. Perhaps the finish is a brand new product
that has never been tested in the tough, Pacific Northwest
weather. If so, don't let your home be the "test market."
More questions?
Ask the Pacific Northwest log home finish experts at info@timbertekuv.com
|
