How to Preserve a Custom Colorado Log Cabin Home
This log cabin home continues to maintain its beauty for over two decades.
Photo: Roger Wade
This stunning log home in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, was built 22 years ago. Perched above 8,000 feet, it endures harsh winters with up to 12 feet of snow, as well as more than 300 days of sunshine each year, exposing the logs to intense UV rays.
Photo: Roger Wade
Building and maintaining a home in these conditions requires careful planning, expert finishes and durable materials. This home demonstrates how thoughtful design and superior protective treatments can create a structure that not only withstands extreme weather but also showcases the natural beauty and timeless appeal of log construction. Here, we share how this home’s beautiful finish has weathered the environment for over 20 years.
Photo: Roger Wade
To begin, the exterior logs were washed with a professional-grade log wash, followed by a borate treatment on all first-floor framing and two feet above the foundation to guard against wood-destroying insects. Upward-facing checks were sealed with a log sealant matched to the natural wood tone, and all log ends were coated to prevent water absorption. To withstand the region’s extremes, the exterior was finished with two coats of premium stain topped by a protective clear coat. The transparent pigments provided essential UV protection, enhanced the rich color of the logs, and delivered a subtle, furniture-grade sheen.
Photo: Roger Wade
Inside, the logs were finished in a deep natural tint to evoke the warmth and character of the frontier. Two coats of dark natural stain were topped with an acrylic satin finish, creating a durable, easy-to-maintain surface. Chinking in a warm grey highlighted the logs’ depth and texture. Ceiling treatments added dimension and artistry: the dining and media rooms feature European custom-tinted stucco, the kitchen showcases a hand-troweled light brown finish that reflects light and warms the space, and the media room ceiling is an “old leather” maroon, lending a stately, elegant presence that complements the soaring logs.
Photo: Roger Wade
Every aspect of this home’s construction balanced beauty, function, and resilience. From exterior sealants and finishes to interior colors and textures, every detail was chosen to withstand harsh conditions while highlighting the natural character of the logs. More than 20 years later, the finishes remain vibrant and protective, requiring minimal maintenance while preserving the home’s integrity.
Photo: Roger Wade
When homeowners invest their heart, time, and energy into a custom log home, it deserves products and techniques that are equally enduring. This Glenwood Springs retreat stands as a testament to careful craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and the timeless appeal of a log home built to last—for generations to come.
Rick Webb is a VP of Sales at Perma-Chink Systems, the largest manufacturer of log home chinking and sealants. For more information reach out to info@permachink.com or call 1-800-548-3554.
Content for this article provided by Perma-Chink Systems, Inc.
