Log home restoration provides a second life for historic structures.
Log home restoration provides a second life for historic log structures. At the same time, restoration provides insights and information about the time, location and people from when the log cabin was built. Log homes are restored for use as family homes, visitor centers, history museums, gift shops and more. The process to preserve an old log cabin varies according to the condition, location, age and intended use of the home, however some steps are applicable to most log homes. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Evaluate the best type of restoration required for your hand-hewn log home. Restoration formats range from historically accurate restoration, adhering closely to the original materials and construction techniques, to remodeling which focuses on modern upgrades and improvements. If owners apply for any historic preservation grants, federal, state and local preservation guidelines will apply.
2. Evaluate the condition of the foundation of your log home. Some amount of settling is common to all old homes. However, if the settling has caused stress on any support beams or walls, repairs are required. Rather than repairing the entire foundation, restrict foundation repairs to the ares in need of work.
3. Inspect the condition of all logs throughout your hand-hewn log home. Supporting logs that rest on the foundation and logs connected to doors and windows are most commonly damaged. Carefully examine logs for rot, bug infestation and deterioration. Treat, chink or replace any deteriorated logs.
4. Examine the fireplace, roof and windows for deterioration, cracks and leaks. Weather, stress and moisture cause degradation of these aspects of your log home. Undertake needed replacements and repairs.
5. Check all plumbing and electrical systems. For newer log homes, the electrical wiring and plumbing may be up to date. For old, historic structures, complete re-plumbing and re-wiring may be needed.
6. Restore the interior aspects of the log home. Look at paint, wallpaper, flooring, built-in cabinetry, lighting, furniture and accessories. If the log home is meant to be an accurate historic restoration, antiques and reproduction products might be used. For example, a reproduction wallpaper with an historically accurate design motif might be selected. For a remodeling project, there might be only a few historic objects used throughout the log home.
Tags: historic structures, restoration provides, hand-hewn home, historically accurate, home restoration
