Frequently Asked Questions

Why refinish your log home? 

Refinishing extends the life of your logs or wood product by removing the surface damage to wood and applying a protective coating, such as a water-based stain. The stain protects against water and sun, the two most harmful elements on wood.

Why choose a water-based wood stain?

Wood stains are preferred on log homes because they show the beautiful natural grain of the wood that characterizes a log home.  Choosing a water-based stain it is better for the environment, with the added benefit of allowing the logs to breathe, therefore releasing any moisture from inside of the logs. If a log is stained with an oil-based or film forming stain, there is a risk of trapping moisture in the log, potentially creating the hazard of the log rotting from the inside out.

Why choose Sansin water-based stain? 

Cowboy country log homes has been using Sansin brand stain for 10 years now. It provides a beautiful finish that is easy to apply consistently for a smooth and even finish. It is manufactured in Canada and is better for the environment than the oil-based stains of the past.
See the Sansin website for details on its product and color choices.
https://www.sansin.com/

How often should you refinish your home?

When people think of refinishing their home, it often involves the sandblasting and application of the wood stain. A well-maintained log home is one that is re-stained often enough that it only requires a wash and re-application of the stain. However if the logs have been left long enough that they are starting to show sun and water damage, then they may require the sandblasting to bring the wood back to its natural raw look.

Will my home look brand new once it is refinished?

The final appearance of your refinished home will vary depending on the quality of the logs at the time of the sandblasting. If the home has been left a very long time before being refinished, older logs may not sandblast as uniformly, leaving a more inconsistent surface texture of the wood. We can remedy this to some degree by doing a light palm sand at the end of the sandblasting. We can discuss if this is necessary for the final look for your home at the time of refinishing.

What is the best blast media to blast the home? 

The blast media we use consists of tiny glass beads, similar to beach sand, made from recycled glass and are silica free and environmentally friendly. Once blasting is completed, the blast media can join the existing dirt around the home with no adverse effects to the existing soil.

What is log home chinking?

Log home chinking is the application of acrylic or silicone-based material between the logs and sometimes in the cracks of the logs to reduce draftiness and pest infiltration into the home.

Why chink your home? 

Chinking can be helpful if you are experiencing drafts, dirt and dust infiltration, and flies or other pests into the home. It can also offer a more aesthetic look to your log home if you prefer the contrast of the chinking to the logs themselves.

How wide does the chinking line have to be? 

The width of the chinking line depends on any gaping between the logs necessary to be covered and/or personal preference. Some people prefer a thicker line for the look of the home. While others prefer the chinking to be as unnoticeable as possible.

What if I prefer no chinking?

Handcrafted log homes with quality hand scribing can have a tight fit that does not require chinking. A special open cell foam gasket can be put in laterals to also reduce any airflow through the joins of the logs. If chinking is required on an older home, we can minimize the width of the line as much as possible, choose a color that matches your stain as close as possible, or stain over the chinking to make it less visible to the viewer.

What product is used for chinking the log home?

We use a product called Perma chink. It provides the elasticity needed for the changing shape of the logs as they age and dry out. It also will absorb the stain allowing us to stain over it, reducing the contrast between the logs and the chinking.
https://www.permachink.com/

How can I build a log home that minimizes the need for refinishing?

Since sun and water are the most harmful natural agents to wood products, we can increase the longevity of the wood by taking measures to reduce their impact on the wood product.

The  first thing to do is have a solid foundation that lifts the logs up off of the ground level, so that water cannot pool or soak the material that is directly adjacent to the logs on the bottom of your home.

The  second best defense against the elements is to have adequate overhang from your roof structure. Especially on the sides most affected by the sun and moisture in your area. You must always make sure the logs do not extend past the overhang of the roof, as these areas are the most susceptible to water soaking into the log and starting the process of rot. A wrap around the veranda can be a functional and beautiful addition to your home that can increase the life span of the logs that make up your home.

The  third aspect that affects your homes protection is if there are surrounding trees or buildings to create some natural cover.

The  fourth aspect to protecting your home is the application of an appropriate wood coating such as a water-based stain. This should be done as soon as possible to the fresh logs before any damage has been allowed to occur.

The roof is a very important piece to protecting your log home investment. Not only should the overhang be long enough to protect the wood, but eaves troughs are important to direct water away from the home and the wood surfaces. We tend to use steel roof coverage because it is durable and will protect the home for many years.

Why choose handcrafted versus manufactured log homes? 

Handcrafted homes allow the natural beauty of the log shape and design to show through. It creates a home that is unique to the type of wood used and results in a one-of-a-kind home that cannot be identically reproduced.

What type of notches are used in a handcrafted log home?

There are numerous different notches used in the construction of log homes. The two primary types that Cowboy Country Log Homes uses are the Scandinavian Saddle notch and the Dovetail notch.

How do you hand scribe the logs for a snug fit to improve insulation and look?

Logs are fitted by tracing the shape of the lower log to the log above with a tool called a scriber. It is similar to a geometry compass used for drawing circles.

What types of logs do you use in your building of handcrafted log homes?

Log shells are constructed using handpicked Pine, Spruce, Fir or Cedar logs. Careful attention is put into the selection process to ensure the straightest and soundest logs are used.