Log homes are strong, sturdy, and beautiful, but, like all homes, they are also vulnerable. Constantly under attack from the elements, pests, and other threats, these homes require regular cleaning with products that address those intrusions and preserve the beauty of the logs. Selecting the appropriate cleaner is the first step in the right direction, according to Barbara Murray, president of CTA Products Group in Southaven, Mississippi, who points out that the cleaning needn’t always be invasive, but …

For those familiar with log homes, the terms “chinking” and “sealing” are fairly familiar. At some point, most any discussion of construction and maintenance will at least touch on these topics. “In Old English, the term ‘chinking’ meant to close a fissure or gap,” explains Nadia O’Hara, advertising manager of Perma-Chink Systems. “The process of chinking involved the installation of various materials over the horizontal voids between log courses to prevent air and water from enter…

Choosing a stain, paint, or sealant for your log home may be as challenging as finding the perfect lot or settling on a specific floorplan. The choices abound, and the uses are often confusing. But there is hope in having an easier time making the right decisions. Before committing to a stain, sealant, or paint, understanding the attributes of each is a prerequisite. Knowledge of the basics makes charting the course easier. “On log homes the stain performs two basic jobs, protec…