Planning makes log home ownership well worth it

The number one reason people do not buy a log home or WoodHaven wood-sided log home is maintenance. Planning before you buy can make it easy — and worthwhile.

You can create longevity by making sure your design incorporates a few key elements. Your goal is to keep water off the logs, especially in spots that might decay. Plan in order to protect. Look 30 years down the road, not 10.

Spots that are most likely to get wet are around the valleys and under the overhang side of your roof. Make sure you have 16- to 24-inch overhangs. Installing gutters is a great way to prevent back splashing from rain and snow runoff.

Make sure your foundation is off the ground. Have two or three blocks showing. This will protect your log siding from unintentional damage. Your log maintenance will be minimized by keeping your log siding off the ground.

Consider cultured stone instead of landscaping to conceal the block. Landscaping close to a log home tends to hold moisture which can cause decay. It’s just not a good idea. A sprinkler system easily can spray water on the logs, wearing off the finish and adding moisture to the wood over time.

Your goal should be to plan, design and maintain your home to enjoy it, not work on it.

Take a good look at log protection products since there is a big difference between cost and guarantees. We recommend that you walk around your home and give it a good look at least every three years — preferably once a year.

Managing the maintenance of your log home can be easy. Your concerns about potential damage can be alleviated through preventable measures.

When you commit to a log home, you’re in it for the long term — after all it has been your dream. As you think about maintenance in the years to come, a few of these tips will allow you to enjoy your log home even more.