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Log stains, chinking and cabin caulking are staples for the preservation of your log home. Eventually, you will find yourself applying at least one of these materials if you own a log home. It is always best to consult with your builder or application contractor before making a purchase. Chinking, caulking and stain are available in a number of colors, consistencies and performance ratings. Below you will find info to help guide you through the maze of log home products.

1. Chinking is designed to stand out from your wood.
2. Caulking is designed to blend in with your logs.
3. Chinking material can be used in joint sizes ranging from 1/4” up to 6”.
4. Chinking can be done by professionals and homeowners.
5. Log home products are typically higher performing products as compared to stick built products.
6. Purchase a stain material from a reliable manufacturer and a reliable source.
7. Not all oil based stains are the same.
8. Not all water based stains are the same.
9. The staining process is typically done first followed by chinking or caulking.
10. All log home stains will need a maintenance coat in 4-5 years.
11. More prep work is critical for the success of water based log home stains as compared to oil based stain products.
12. Oil based stains have a stronger odor than water based stains.
13. Most chinking materials are water based.
14. Installing backer rod behind chinking or caulking will help these materials to expand and contract.
15. Backer rod is available in a number of different profiles such as full round, D shaped or trapezoidal shaped
16. Borate treatments need to be applied before the application of log stain materials.
17. Impel rods work very well in areas of high moisture content.
18. Log checks facing upwards should be filled if they are greater than a 1/4”.
19. Surface preparation is the key to success for applying any stain.
20. It is ok to use a different color stain on the inside of your log home.
21. Applying an interior clear finish to the inside of your log home will make cleaning much easier.
22. Corn cob blasting is effective in the removal of stains, dirt, grease or grime.

In conclusion, there a number of choices on how to preserve your dream home but as a consumer you need to ensure that you are asking the right questions.

For more information about chinking material, application tools or contractor referrals contact Mountain Home Building Products toll free at 800-490-3695.

Log home supplies such as chinking, log home stain and cabin caulking are typically required in order to properly maintain your log structure. Mountain Home Building Product is a leading distributor of Sashco log home supplies such as Log Jam, Log Builder, Conceal, Chinker’s Edge, Transformation stain, Capture stain, High Sierra stain and Symphony interior clear finish.

Chinking is often used in joints that are greater than 1” wide. The most widely used chinking material is Log Jam. It has been manufactured by Sashco for the past 30 years. Log Jam comes in a wide variety of colors and is available in 29oz tubes and 5 gallon buckets. Log Jam chinking is the choice of professionals because it is highly elastic and comes with a standard 10 year warranty with the option for a lifetime warranty.

Selecting the right log home stain can be difficult but is very important when it comes to preserving your dream home. Water based stains can provide good protection from harmful UV rays but they can also be difficult to apply. Oil based stains are typically easier to apply but require solvents for clean up and give off an odor during application. With that said, I recommend an oil based stain product called Transformation. It retails for $295 per 5 gallon bucket but it provides the ultimate in protection. Additionally, it gives your logs a rich, natural appearance.

Log home caulking is often used in joints that are less than 1” wide. The most widely used caulking material is Log Builder. It comes with a standard 15 year warranty. With that said, I would recommend using another caulking material called Conceal. It does not have the same name brand recognition as Log Builder but is much easier to apply and blends quite a bit better with your wood. Finally, it is also manufactured by Sashco log home products.

In conclusion, your wood should be clean, sound and dry before applying your log home stain. It is important to use a stain that is compatible with your chinking or log home caulking. Purchase both materials from the same manufacturer in order to eliminate any problems down the road. Sashco manufacturers a number of log stains, chinking and caulking materials.

For more information about log home supplies contact Mountain Home Building Products toll free at 800-490-3695. Mountain Home Building Products is a leading distributor of chinking, log home stain, cabin caulking, clear wood finishes, log siding, house logs & rustic lighting.

Before or after buying your log home there are certain things every log homeowner should know. Some things might be open for debate but one thing is for sure, your log home will require attention. This doesn’t mean that you will spend all of your waking hours staining, caulking, sealing, chinking, re-caulking, re-chinking and re-sealing. It does mean that you will need to pay attention to your log home like you might pay attention to your car. Below you will find some helpful tips and information to guide you through owning a log home.

1. Have realistic expectations for the maintenance on your log home. There will be some.
2. Set up a routine log home maintenance schedule.
3. Follow a routine log home maintenance schedule.
4. Apply log stain when your log home needs it. Remember you get what you pay for most of the time. Good log home stains are not cheap but you will save you money in the long run.
5. Good log home stains will offer about 3 years of protection on the southern exposure of your log home and 4 years of protection on the other sides of your home. These figures are just estimates and will vary depending on a number of factors.
6. Expect to caulk or chink your log home at some point.
7. Some log homes require more chinking, caulking and stain than others
8. Almost all log homes require some chinking or caulking whether it be in the horizontal log joints, the corners of the logs or around your window bucks.
9. As we mentioned earlier, the better the log stain material the less stain maintenance your logs will require.
10. Design your log home with maintenance in mind. Remember the less exposure your logs take the less maintenance they will require.
11. Square logs weather better than round logs.
12. Log home chinking can be used for aesthetic purposes or as a weather-tite barrier.
13. Log home caulking should typically blend in with your logs. Conceal caulking by Sashco sets itself apart from all competitors.
14. Some water based log stain materials are very good while others are very bad.
15. Some oil based log stain materials are very bad while others are very good.
16. Your log home stains should be compatible with your log chinking and your log home caulking materials.
17. The preferred time to maintain your log structure is typically during the summer.
18. Remember you log home is a dream home. Don’t forget to treat it like one.

For more information about log home caulking , chinking, log home stains or contractor referrals contact Mountain Home Building Products toll free at 800-490-3695.

Chinking for your log home can be easy and complicated all at the same time. It is important to follow the guidelines below.

1. Select the right chinking application contractor for the job. Ask your chinking contractor for references. Most good chinking contractors will not mind sharing this information and will probably provide it before they are asked for it.
2. Select a chinking material from a reputable chinking manufacturer such as Sashco.
3. Select the right chinking material for your job. Some types of chinking material have more texture than others.
4. Select the type of chinking application you desire. Do you want a clean and crisp finish? Are you looking for trowel marks in the material or are you looking for a very rustic appearance with the chinking material?
5. Inquire with your chinking contractor whether backer rod will be installed. It is highly recommended to install some form of backer rod before installing your log home chinking material.
6. Select a chinking material that is going to be compatible with your log home stain. If you are unsure about the compatability of your log chinking and your log home stain then speak with the manufacturers of both products.
7. Inquire about the product warranty. Log Jam chinking is the only chinking that offers a lifetime warranty. Some of the other chinking materials offer 5 and 10 year warranties. Check with your chinking manufacturer for specific details.
8. Ask your chinking contractor what type of application warranty they will provide after the chinking has been installed. It is standard for chinking application contractors to offer 1-2 year warranties for small repair work.
9. Cover all details with your chinking contractor. It is much easier to agree on a contract before the job starts as opposed to during the middle of the job. Make sure to speak with your chinking application contractor about all of the horizontal and vertical details. Do you want your chinking to tie in with your drywall? Are you going to want to install chinking in all of your corner joints? Will your door and window trims require chinking?
10. Inquire about the time frame for the chinking application. It is much better to have the chinking for the exterior of your log home done during the summer and fall seasons. The chinking can be done during the winter and springs seasons but more precautions need to be taken in order to get the job done right.
11. Agree with your chinking contractor on who is going to purchase the chinking material.
12. Finally, make sure your chinking color selection is agreed upon. Once again, it will become difficult to make color changes after the job has been started.

For more information about chinking material, chinking application tools or chinking contractor referrals contact Mountain Home Building Products toll free at 800-490-3695.