Heritage log houses carry colourful history and interesting living traditions. Because of this, when renovating your residential log cabin, it’s important to preserve the identity of your log house while increasing its value. Make sure to retain the original elements of your wooden house, including the exterior decorations, furnaces, old-fashioned metal fittings, porches, proportions, structural shapes, volumes, and windows.

Facts you should know when renovating your log cabin

When your log cabin has been damaged, look for high-quality lodges for sale and choose a wooden house that suits your preferences and needs the most. If you decide to renovate your old log house instead, you must first research its history before touching anything on the structure. 

Here are some facts you should be aware of to effectively evaluate the technical condition of your cabin:

  • The durability and lifespan of your wooden log cabin highly depend on its foundation, drainage system, and roof. 
  • Long-term humidity is a great threat to the quality and lifespan of your residential log cabin.
  • Precipitation that is left unattended could result in roof and gutter leaks, wall cracks, and ground moisture. 
  • Unventilated spaces are most prone to moisture and could develop into poor conditions over time. 
  • Wet and damp wood is vulnerable to fungi and mould attacks.
  • Old wood has higher chances of getting infested with termites and insects.
  • Removing the cause of the damage of your log cabin is important, and it requires cleaning and drying your room.
  • The source of dampness should be isolated, cut out, and replaced. 
  • Flame retardant treatments for your wooden house make the wood resistant to fire or less flammable and less resistant to fungi and mould.

Below, we will give you three renovation tips so that you can effectively renovate your residential log cabin while retaining its identity.

 

1. Start with the foundation

 

In a major renovation of a residential log cabin, the first part that needs fixing is the foundation, which is often most vulnerable to rotting and weakening over the years. 

Know that old wooden houses usually have layers of soil accumulated under their foundation. To dig this out or drain the water away from the log structure, contractors create a slope or use jacks to lift the structure.

 

2. Use traditional materials

 

Keep in mind that your old wooden log cabin is prone to expand or shrink depending on changes in air moisture. Because of this, you should avoid using modern masonry or concrete. Instead, opt for traditional materials that match or are in tune with existing materials of your wooden house to ensure the preservation of your building.

You should also practice extreme caution if you decide to integrate modern synthetic materials into your wooden house. Most contemporary components, such as fillers, plastic variations, and sealants, are highly absorbent to humidity, making your house prone to moulds. Make sure to consult with experts for advice on how to overcome such situations.

 

3. Use the right timber species

 

Did you know that wood actually shrinks while it dries? Varied moisture content would mean that the timber is more likely to crack in the location of the wood joints. Because of this, renovating old wooden houses requires using the appropriate timber. When choosing a replacement for an individual part of your residential log cabin, you should use the wood with the same moisture content or much higher quality compared to the existing timber species of your log cabin. 

Conclusion

Your residential log cabin can become fragile over time, which is why it should be regularly maintained. If there are multiple defects, it’s best to seek cosy lodges for sale or have your wooden house undergo a thorough makeover or renewal of individual parts.

If you’re looking for lodges for sale in The Lake District, then you can depend on us. Get in touch with us to see how we can help you!