When you move into your custom-crafted wood home, the last thing you want is to spend your weekends on upkeep. The good news? Thoughtful design choices and a little expert insight can significantly reduce maintenance needs—while keeping your home beautiful and protected for years to come.
We sat down with Drew Prochazka, Beaver Mountain’s Vice President of Business Development, to share practical advice from his 20+ years in the log home industry—and two decades of firsthand experience living in a Beaver Mountain home.
The Importance of Wood Finishes In Log Home Maintenance
While no home is maintenance-free, the right finish makes a world of difference. “I always start with a good cleaning,” Drew shares. “A gentle pressure wash and wood-safe cleaner go a long way—just be sure not to overdo the pressure or you can damage the logs.”
Be sure to inspect for checks (natural splits in the logs) that may have opened since construction. “Fill any upward-facing checks with stainable caulk,” says Drew. “This prevents water from settling and causing long-term issues.”
After cleaning and drying, apply your chosen stain, sealer, or topcoat—products from PermaChink, SashCo, Sikkens, Woodguard, or Outlast are all great options. While some homeowners choose to DIY, many hire professionals to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Need a recommendation? We maintain a list of trusted contractors who’ve worked with our homes before.
Recommended: Clean and reapply finish approx. every 5-7 years, depending on product used
Keep Those Gutters Clean
One of the most important considerations for any homeowner, regardless of home type, is maintaining a structurally sound roof and keeping up with regular gutter maintenance. For a log home, this is particularly important. Thanks to clean gutters and a well-designed roof, water can quickly be moved away from your home’s logs. The goal is to direct water away from the home, minimizing the moisture that comes in contact with the logs and gutters will help move that water toward a drain or rain chain.
Recommended: Check and clean gutters 2x/year
Staying Mindful of Landscaping & Pests
“Plan landscaping with clearance in mind,” Drew advises. “Keep plants trimmed back and avoid anything that touches the logs. This helps reduce moisture buildup and deters pests.”
Be mindful of regional wood-boring insects. “Wood bees love soffits,” Drew explains, “so we offer aluminum soffits as a low-maintenance solution.” Adding products like Outlast NBS 30 to your stain can also help deter bugs.
Recommended: Check and cut back landscaping 1x/year
Why Porches & Overhangs Are Key To Low Maintenance Design
Strategically designed porches and roof overhangs aren’t just charming—they’re essential protection. “Sun and rain are the biggest threats to your wood finish,” Drew says. “Our homes typically include 24-inch overhangs and can incorporate wraparound porches to shield your logs from the elements.”
This design feature significantly extends the life of your finish and reduces how often you’ll need to reapply it.
What About ‘Conventional’ Siding? How Do Log Homes Compare?
It’s a myth that log and wood-sided homes are inherently more high-maintenance than vinyl or metal-clad homes. Every home requires care, just in different forms. Vinyl fades, metal chips, and all types of siding eventually need cleaning, repainting, or replacement.
“We’ve looked into metal siding painted to mimic wood,” says Drew. “It looks great at first, but when it fades, how do you touch it up?”
The bottom line? With the right materials and wise design choices, a wood home is just as practical—and even more rewarding.
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Log and wood sided homes like the ones Beaver Mountain provides are designed to last a lifetime – and beyond. Maintenance is a regular part of homeownership for all homes; even if log and wood sided home maintenance looks a little different from conventional homes. Our team of experts have spent the past four decades bringing thoughtful design to every house they custom craft to ensure that the homes we provide will last for generations to come. We understand the steps needed to ensure homes stay free of common issues, and happily share our knowledge with clients to ensure they will always have an exceptional experience living in their Beaver Mountain log or timber frame home.
