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Virtually all homes, whether log or conventional, need exterior maintenance. One wall, in particular, requires more attention than the others and that is the south wall. The north wall tends to be the coldest while the south-facing tends to be warm.
Your climate has its own effect on houses, especially where they receive the most sunlight. These issues can present themselves but there are solutions:
- Drying and cracking wood
- Stain that fades from the sun
- Caulking and chinking
- Excess brightness
- Wood peeling
- Moisture issues
It is far better to spend more time upfront preparing the walls correctly than letting nature take its course. You can keep your exterior walls looking great with an adequate amount of TLC.
Wood Drying and Stain Fading on Log Home South Walls
Both log siding and full log houses face this issue year-round. Wood can dry out to some extent, crack, settle, and its stain can fade more on the south side. These issues will be ongoing unless you take the necessary initial steps to limit them.
- Solution 1: Excessive drying can be greatly reduced by installing pine or cedar log siding that has been kiln-dried to the correct moisture content at the mill.
- Solution 2: Cracking can also be minimized by following Solution 1.
- Solution 3: Prevent log settling by building with log siding because it is more stable. The siding is installed on conventional framing and locks together with the tongue and groove/end-matching design.
- Solution 4: Stain fading is minimized by applying high-quality stain and sealant according to the manufacturer’s instructions when the house is first built. Subsequent cleaning, staining, and sealing will help the home looking new.
Caulking and chinking issues need to also be addressed.
Caulking and Chinking Issues
Caulking and chinking on the south side can fade, crack, dry, and fall out. Solution: Like stain and sealants, caulking and chinking must be applied correctly when the log home is first built. Avoid the cut-rate products and use the best you can afford. Check the caulking and chinking annually and repair or replace them when you clean the siding and restain.
“Virtually all homes, whether log or conventional, need exterior maintenance. One wall in particular requires more attention than the others and that is the south wall.”
Excess Brightness Through South Windows
Although some people may not see this as an issue, others believe it is for these reasons:
- Their eyes are too light-sensitive
- Rooms get too warm in the summer
- Items inside rooms can fade
- Too much glare off shiny items
Solution 1: Control the amount of sunlight entering rooms by the size and number of windows. Use adequate shades, blinds, or curtains where needed.
Solution 2: Install window awnings on the outside walls that blend in with the logs
Solution 3: Plant trees that will provide some shade
Solution 4: Choose window glass that reduces glare and harmful sun rays
Don’t overlook peeling issues with wood, stain, sealants, and finishes that are coming up next.
Peeling Issues with Log Home South Walls
The last thing you want your exterior walls to do is to experience ugly peeling issues with the stain, sealant, and wood. The greatest reason for peeling stain or paint is too much buildup on the surface of the logs or log siding. Too many layers of finish can form an impermeable barrier that does not allow the wood to ‘breathe.’
The other big factor that causes peeling is improper preparation of the wood before the staining, sealing, and finishing process begins. Solution 1: Wash the log walls thoroughly and let them dry before applying another coat of stain and finish. Solution 2: Do not paint your log walls because the paint does not ‘breathe.’
Log Home South Walls Moisture Problems
Even though south-facing walls receive more sun, they can still face moisture issues. In areas where it rains a lot, humidity is excessive, and sea breezes frequently blow, these walls need attention. Problems with mildew, mold, rotting, and insects can occur that must be addressed.
Solution: The main thought here is to prevent moisture from accumulating on the siding, its joints, in corners, on log trims, and where an open porch or deck adjoins the walls. Caulk, stain, seal, and finish these areas according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and your issues should be minimized or eliminated.