Anyone intending to refurbish an old house has many elements to consider when choosing a contractor. Having these ancient dwellings returned to their original condition requires the builders to have a familiarity with the building styles used. If one needs them to use those old techniques, they need to find professional log home restoration contractors.
Many ancient structures are going to have suffered all the wear and tear that time can do. Water intrusion can create rot or black mold, and this is a serious matter to address before restoring the structure really begins. Carpenter bees can leave hundreds of holes on the surface of the logs, which allows water and mold to get into the interior of the logs.
There is an epoxy available to restore logs which have become soft over the years. Since internal rot can cause logs to weaken, this state can cause them to be unable to bear the weight of a house. By filling these areas of rot with this epoxy, original wood is preserved but also restores the strength, and should be able to hold the house up.
If the original structure was made of pine, oak, or cedar, then the contractor is strongly encouraged to find the same kind of logs to use. The older the structure, the more important it will be to use the same materials. Preservation of original construction, along with attention to the use of time-appropriate materials and techniques is key to successfully restoring the house.
A great deal can be learned about the building style if one is familiar with the people who most likely built their cabin originally. Immigrants from different parts of Europe had their own building styles, and within a certain period they probably kept to it. In order to truly recreate the home as it was, the owner might want to find out who the original builders were and what style of structure they were most notable for.
One good clue owners can identify to determine what style the original house was, is by noting the corner notching technique. This can vary depending on the ethnicity of its original builders, as well as what time period the structure was erected. Corner notches established rigidity and stability of the house, and the techniques improved through the centuries.
Daubing and chinking were techniques used in much of the older construction to seal cracks on the outer walls. These materials were usually available in the direct vicinity, so knowing what materials are available in the way of mud, lime, or even moss can solve the puzzle. Also, certain ethnic groups might have been known to use specific materials, and this can help create a starting point.
For anyone who really goes out of their way to research the structure, they may be able to find drawings or an old photograph. Local historical society groups are an excellent way to find a photograph. Also, some Internet groups will have posted various photographs of towns the way they were the last century, so an extensive search online just might reveal how the houses looked.
Many ancient structures are going to have suffered all the wear and tear that time can do. Water intrusion can create rot or black mold, and this is a serious matter to address before restoring the structure really begins. Carpenter bees can leave hundreds of holes on the surface of the logs, which allows water and mold to get into the interior of the logs.
There is an epoxy available to restore logs which have become soft over the years. Since internal rot can cause logs to weaken, this state can cause them to be unable to bear the weight of a house. By filling these areas of rot with this epoxy, original wood is preserved but also restores the strength, and should be able to hold the house up.
If the original structure was made of pine, oak, or cedar, then the contractor is strongly encouraged to find the same kind of logs to use. The older the structure, the more important it will be to use the same materials. Preservation of original construction, along with attention to the use of time-appropriate materials and techniques is key to successfully restoring the house.
A great deal can be learned about the building style if one is familiar with the people who most likely built their cabin originally. Immigrants from different parts of Europe had their own building styles, and within a certain period they probably kept to it. In order to truly recreate the home as it was, the owner might want to find out who the original builders were and what style of structure they were most notable for.
One good clue owners can identify to determine what style the original house was, is by noting the corner notching technique. This can vary depending on the ethnicity of its original builders, as well as what time period the structure was erected. Corner notches established rigidity and stability of the house, and the techniques improved through the centuries.
Daubing and chinking were techniques used in much of the older construction to seal cracks on the outer walls. These materials were usually available in the direct vicinity, so knowing what materials are available in the way of mud, lime, or even moss can solve the puzzle. Also, certain ethnic groups might have been known to use specific materials, and this can help create a starting point.
For anyone who really goes out of their way to research the structure, they may be able to find drawings or an old photograph. Local historical society groups are an excellent way to find a photograph. Also, some Internet groups will have posted various photographs of towns the way they were the last century, so an extensive search online just might reveal how the houses looked.
About the Author:
You can get valuable tips for choosing log home restoration contractors and more information about a reputable contractor at http://www.loghomecare.com/restoration now.
No comments:
Post a Comment