Summer Segeleon's Page

Hi Summer, We built out first log home (also in PA) with green logs. Ours were treated with borate after milling. They were 8" round with double T&G. We also used a thru-bolt method. We did not wait an entire year before treating. We stacked the logs in the summer and before the winter got too bad (a nice spell in late November) we treated the exterior of the house with Woodguard. It turned out fine. We left in interior untreated so the logs could still breathe for a good while longer. That first winter once we got our HVAV running, the logs really began to dry. We had a humidifer on our heating system and HIGHLY recommend one. That first winter, crank it up. We selected the Woodguard after running our own experiment. We obtained samples of products and treated a log piece the winter before we built. We threw the log piece out on our deck and let it there all winter, through the rain, sleet, and snow. In the spring we cut slices off the sample. Woodguard and Sikkens protected the log the best, so we selected Woodguard ('cause at that time it was less expensive). Our logs shrank a total of 2.5" over the 10' wall, so each log really only shrank a fraction. Make sure you leave speace above your doors and windows for shrinkage. Also, make sure you atached your interior walls in such a way so they can "move" as your home dries. If you have further questions, you can get our contact info on our web site and give us a call. Building our first log home was the coolest project. We enjoyed it so much, we are now dealers and do this all the time. Good Luck. www.ccloghomes.com