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A New Log Home is Being Built!!!

I first met Monica in Feb. 2011.  She had  been talking to a friend (log home builder in New Hampshire) whose business was unfortunately a casualty of the times.  My friend introduced us and the rapport was great from the start.  After doing this as long as I have it is clear that even in tough times it isn’t going to make sense to take on a project if either the builder or owner don’t have a good feeling about the other.

It was obvious from the beginning that this was going to be a custom designed log home and the budget was going to be tight.  Right from the start Monica was open to a couple of small design changes that afforded us the ability to design the project so as to be friendlier to the budget while not taking anything away from the original concept.  That isn’t always possible but this home provides a good example of where that can work and in the next blog I’ll show specifically what was done.

Cleaning and Staining an Old Log Home

We went to Lake George NY early this week to do a little work on a recently purchased log home built in the mid 1980’s.   We were there the week of the Americade  motorcycle rally.   Americade bills itself as the worlds largest motorcycle rally and adheres to the motto “Loud pipes risk rights.”  It was a great week to view beautiful bikes.  After a little repair work was done to the log home we gave it a good cleaning, (washing not cob blasting) a little new caulking and a few other touches and the home was ready for stain.

We used the four step Permachink method of primer sealer, two coats of stain and top coat to get the desired finished results.  The client was very happy and even to the point of saying when they first saw the home up for sale they never envisioned it could look so good.

We did a little interior refreshing with a permachink product that seals the logs and adds a slight sheen which brings out the beauty in the logs.  It’s a great look that allows the wood to breath and makes the logs much easier to keep clean.

The exterior now looks fantastic and the interior will be finished up soon.  I’d like to come back on a bike next year to check up on the home and spend more time touring the area with Americade.

Rounded Porch Ceiling

This rounded porch ceiling was exactly what the clients wanted.   We used 1×6 V-groove and it is a pretty tight curve being only 14″ from the corner from the beginning of the curve to the end.

While this porch is on a conventional home it could certainly be appealing on many log homes.  As a log home builder I look forward to offering this custom design in the future.

Checking Your Log Home Annually Part I

In an effort to get the most out of the water repellant sealant on your log home, Permachink recommends a gentle washing of the home at least once a year.  Washing will give you a few positive results including a cleaner appearance, removal of flying insects & mold spoors and is an excellent time to give the home a once over inspection.  In New Hampshire I try to do this in late spring just after the pollen has stopped drifting from the trees.

The tools I like to use are just a five gallon bucket with a little log wash and water.  After hosing down the house I’ll wash it using the same soft brush designed for washing the car.  Then rinse the soap off and that part is done.

During the wash around the house keep your eyes open and a pair of clippers on hand.  Years ago I was inspecting a log home in Florida.  As I got in really close to a gap between the logs and a window I realized I was eye to eye with a pigmy rattlesnake.   Now, I was a lot smaller then than I am today but still a lot bigger than that snake but which of the two of us do you think jumped.  The clippers are to trim back any plant life that’s within about 18 inches of the home.  Eighteen inches of airspace will be enough to get good airflow and not trap moisture on the logs.

Make no bones about it; water is the enemy of the log home.  Any water that can get trapped inside of a log can become a headache.  Any upward facing checks that can collect water should be caulked.  My favorite caulking is Log Builder and can be found for a reasonable price at (http://www.discountloghomesupplies.com/pg_clk.html).  If the check is larger than 3/8 of an inch you should use backer rod.  Small amounts of backer rod are usually available at a local hardware store.  If you need a lot be sure to check out this (http://www.kenseal.com/content/store/backer-rod.cfm) site.   Make sure the gutters are clean and not leaking.  I recently inspected a home where a gutter was depositing water at the top of a butt&pass corner.  That’s pretty much a worst case scenario.   At least there were no snakes in the gutter.   ***

What to use when sealing the exterior of a log home.

I received a call from a gentleman in NY state who’s getting ready to buy an existing log home on Lake George.  He sent photos and we talked about what he’ll need to do to the home.  Much of the information I passed on to him is generically good for most log homes.  He’s checked the home for logs that may have deteriorated and that is not an issue and he does not need to have the home cob blasted.

The house needs to be washed and rinsed thoroughly.   When washing first get the wall very wet.  Use a garden pump sprayer to apply a mixture of Log Wash, 20% Bleach and water.  Where necessary scrub the logs using a stiff nylon bristled brush.  Rinse thoroughly before the logs dry and repeat as necessary.  It may also be necessary to increase the percentage of bleach.

Over the years I’ve tried many different stains and sealants on the exterior of log homes.  Over the past few years we’ve worked almost exclusively with Permachink products.   At their website ( http://permachink.com/ ) there are many products and a lot of info.  These four products we’ve found to work very well together and I’m completely comfortable recommending them.

A.  LOG WASH

B.  PRELUDE

C.  LIFELINE ULTRA-2

D.  LIFELINE ADVANCE

There is a lot more to add but that will come with time.   Use these products and follow the directions and you will be happy with the outcome for years to come.

Custom Laundry in Plymouth, MA

Just completed a CUSTOM LAUNDRY installation in Plymouth, MA.  Here are some images of the project…

             

Welcome to Our New Website…

Welcome to New England Log Home Builders

What We Do and Don’t Do 

New England Log Home Builders does not sell log homes.  Many manufacturers sell log home kits.  At New England Log Home Builders we are builders of log homes.  Instead of selling a kit from one company we focus on constructing the log home after the manufacturer and model have been chosen.  Over the years we’ve built log homes for about a dozen different log home manufacturers. 

Who We Are 

New England Log Home Builders is a small contractor/subcontractor.  At the head of the organization is John Pierce.  John began working in the log home industry in 1979.  New England Log Home Builders works with a small crew with four men at the core and try to never take on more than two log home construction projects at the same time.  Over the years John has found that limiting the work being done to only two projects results in a higher quality log home end product.

Where We Do It

In addition to having built Log Homes from Florida to Maine on the East Coast, John has built log homes in Asia and Central America.  Also one of the core group of four that makes up our team has built a log home in Europe.  At this time we’re trying to stay focused in New Hampshire and South Central Vermont.

A Little More About What We Do

New England Log Home Builders is happy to subcontract the dry-in process from the general contractor, or from the homeowner who wants to act as their own general contractor.  Depending on where you’re planning to build, New England Log Home Builders may be able to work as the general contractor if that’s what you’re looking for.  If you’re looking for a consultant either with a pen in hand or a hammer we can provide that service also. 

 

We also have experence with restoration from simply reconditioning the exterior of the home to replacing water damaged logs and complete sanding and resealing the interior.

New England Log Home Builders

John Pierce | (603) 680 1311 | info@newenglandloghomebuilders.com