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The information detailed below was provided courtesy of The Log Homes Council.
Many homebuyers choose log home living because of the lifestyle and the unique properties of the home itself. But,  with the choice of a log home comes certain responsibilities. Log homes are one of the few types of residential homes built today with exterior wood siding. Granted, log walls are not typically thought of as siding, but they are a log home’s only natural defense from the elements. Vinyl siding has replaced wood as the exterior siding of choice in most new residential developments; however, homeowners still prefer homes with log siding. With preventative maintenance and routine inspection, log homeowners can protect their dream homes from adverse conditions.
Wood is the most versatile natural building material on the planet. As a renewable plant material, wood offers some natural resistance to the effects of sun exposure, moisture, extreme temperature, insects and microorganisms. When more than one of these conditions is present at the same time, however, wood can begin to deteriorate. Unlike homes built with vinyl siding, a log home’s structural integrity is dependent on sound maintenance practices.
Of all natural hazards to wood, moisture can be the most  destructive. Moisture, in combination with sunlight, greatly intensifies and accelerates the damaging and discoloring effects in wood cells and can cause cracks to form on the wood surface. Specific levels of moisture also support wood-destroying rot fungus, mildew, sap stain, and are a necessary requirement for many insect infestations.
While moisture is the principal ingredient supporting wood deterioration, it is also the most controllable. The primary goal of log home maintenance is finding ways to control moisture.
Keeping the Logs Dry
The most basic way to keep logs dry is to shelter them from Mother Nature. If a log surface is left unprotected for a prolonged period of time, the bare wood surface will quickly discolor and start to erode and decay. Certain species of wood are naturally more decay-prone, so understanding the natural properties of your home’s wood type is essential. To keep logs adequately protected, some type of water and weather resistant coating is needed to provide a barrier that will help shield the harmful outdoor elements from the wood surface.
Choosing a Wood Coating
The key to selecting the appropriate coating for your log home is research. It is natural for homebuyers to consult their  home’s manufacturer for advice. Beyond consulting the log home company, homebuyers can research a variety of companies specializing in log home stains, preservatives, and sealants. These companies offer vast information on their product, will sometimes send free samples, and explain why their system is the system of choice for log homes. Once you have compiled more information than you ever thought possible on log home maintenance, it is best to consult the real experts — other log homeowners. You will be able to learn what methods worked for certain types of homes without the pressure of feeling “sold” on a product. Generally, the large amount of information you have gathered will edit itself down to a few reputable choices of preservative.
Other Considerations
Before selecting a stain or other preservative, it is best to consider the location and design of your log home. Southern climates, higher elevations, and waterfront properties are examples of locations that can expedite deterioration of a log’s protective coating. The southern and western sides of a log building will always weather at a faster rate than their eastern and northern counterparts. That is why design and landscape considerations, such as a porch on the southern side of the house or trees that serve as a natural shelter against the direct exposure of the sun and wind, are important factors in determining the overall frequency and cost of maintenance.
Periodic Inspections
All log homeowners should perform visual inspections at least once a year to insure the integrity and well being of the home. On newer logs that are in the process of losing internal moisture and drying out, cracks (called checks) in the logs can occur. These types of checks, caused by the natural drying  process, cannot be prevented to any measurable degree by a protective coating. Checks in your logs serve as a water trap and areas around them are susceptible to wood stain erosion and even rotting. Checks in the upper curvature of the logs are most serious since they tend to accumulate and hold more water than cracks along the bottom half. The most severe checks, those facing upward, should be remedied immediately to prevent log damage and preserve the life of the coating.
Other items of note during your log home inspection include spots where the wood stain starts to look drab or shows signs of fading. That means it might be time to recoat your home. Discolored logs can be an indicator of water stains or fungus. Nearby wet spots can identify the culprit, whether the excess moisture stems from leaky gutters, poor drainage, or faulty plumbing.
One more notable concern is insects. From termites to carpenter bees, insects can prove to be a thorn in a log homeowner’s siding, or just a minor nuisance. Prevention against insect infestation begins with home design. While there are safe, preventive measures on the market, chemical treatments should be considered after other, more natural options. With enough foresight, the most trouble you will have from insects will be mosquitoes on your porch.
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