It goes without saying that you want to be able to enjoy your log cabin for as long as possible. You can extend the life of your log cabin by efficiently preserving and maintaining it. We would always recommend either painting or staining your log cabin. Preserving your log cabin All your log cabin's wooden parts will need regular maintenance. Protecting the wood is thereby of the utmost importance. Wood is an organic and warping material which needs to be protected from UV rays, rain, microbiological influences and from shrinkage and expansion. You can do so by applying a protective layer to the wood. This layer must be moisture regulating, breathable, elastic and waterproof. Special wood paint and transparent stains all have these properties.    Paint or stain? You can choose from a covering or transparent finish. Paint covers the wood, whilst stain can either cover or be transparent. If you are opting for a covering paint or stain, then you must cover the wood grain completely. The relief will only remain visible with coarser wood. The wood grain will remain visible when using a transparent stain. As covering stains result in a more severe layer thickness compared to transparent stains, these stains offer longer protection. So your log cabin will require less maintenance if you opt for a covering stain compared to when you use a transparent stain. Stain is available in various different shades. The darker the stain colour, the better it will protect against UV rays. As a transparent stain won't offer any protection against UV rays, we would not recommend using this for the outside of your log cabin       Painting or staining method We recommend treating the tongue and groove joints of the profiles before the log cabin is assembled, as you won't be able to reach these once the log cabin has been built.   How do I go about realising a covering finish? First treat the log cabin with one layer of suitable foundation varnish. You will thereby be protecting your wood against wood rot, mould and insects. Subsequently apply two layers of covering varnish. If you see the wood is starting to ‘sweat', then you need to repeat the treatment. We recommend applying one layer of indoor stain to the inside of your log cabin. How do I go about realising a transparent finish? Impregnate the log cabin by applying one layer of stain. Subsequently apply two layers of outdoor stain. We recommend applying one layer of indoor stain to the inside of your log cabin. Maintenance Maintenance is necessary once the paint or stain weathers or has become weathered. Slightly-weathered wood does not require a completely new undercoat. Apply one or two coats of stain or paint (depending on the condition of the surface). If much of the stain or paint has become loose then you will need to sand the surface thoroughly and then apply a new layer of undercoat followed by two coats of stain or paint. Weather resistance Bear County log cabins feature a special corner joint which creates an excellent seal. However, notwithstanding this special joint structure it is possible that the joint may leak during a heavy rainstorm following a long period of drought. Spraying the interior corners of your log cabin with a silicone spray will prevent leaks. In addition, ventilation is also important; open the windows and doors at regular intervals.

Other useful tips Insure your log cabin. Make sure that the log cabin is sufficiently ventilated. Lubricate the lock with graphite powder once a year. Do not clean the perspex with abrasive cleaners; use soap. Regularly check that your log cabin is sturdy and level. Make sure that barbeques, garden flares, etc., have cooled down before storing them in your log cabin. Do not place heavy objects against the walls; these could cause deformation of the structure. Adjust the wind anchorage at regular intervals; this is necessary since the wood "works".