Q: Why would I want to buy my log siding prefinished?
A: Number one reason: it's more economical! Prefinishing can save you as much as half the cost of having your siding stained on site. Plus prefinishing in a controlled factory environment allows a much more uniform coating that penetrates deeper than field coating. This gives you a finish that will last longer. As little as two weeks exposure to weather and sunlight can negatively affect wood siding's ability to hold a field-applied finish. Prefinishing also avoids problems with shrink lines when seasonal temperature changes shrink/expand the siding.
Q: Why is kiln-drying of my log siding important?
A: One of the variables we control in order to assure a high-quality prefinished stain job is the water content of the wood. Too much water and the stain doesn't penetrate as well. Note that not all kiln-dried wood is the same; differing percents of wood water content all are referred to as "kiln-dried". We specify our wood kiln-dryed to a specification that is ideal for the staining process.
Q: Why do you stain the back of the log siding where no one will see?
A: This helps the performance of the stain on the side you do see. It controls the absorption of water on the backside, which not only helps the front side stain to look nice longer, but it also helps to avoid dimensional problems such as cupping and warping.
Q: Should I specify the use of rain gutters and down-spouts?
A: Yes. A good roof water removal system with gutters and down-spouts will help to direct water away from your siding. Be sure to keep this system in good working order by cleaning out the gutters frequently. Direct the down-spout discharge at least 6 feet away from your home (even further away is better).
Q: How close can I plant shrubs to my log-sided house?
A: Keep shrubs 3 or 4 feet from the log-sided walls of your home. You don't want wet leaves held against your log siding, and you don't want to restrict air movement that aides in the drying process after it rains.
Q: What kind of ground cover should I use next to my house?
A: If your log siding is close to the ground, be sure to specify a ground cover that doesn't hold water. Ground cover rocks work great, and your local landscaping supplies dealer will typically have a selection of them in different colors and textures to match your landscaping theme. If you don't use rocks, try to use only inorganic materials and keep them at least 1 foot from the bottom row of log siding. (see design issues above...)
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