Nicholas Martin Home Restoration | New Hampshire
Restoration IS possible. Download Sashco's restoration guide here.
In 2012, an old, 1940’s cabin built from wood harvested on the very property Nicholas had spent so many years visiting became available for purchase. The old cabin was terribly rundown and, in Nicholas’ wife’s opinion, seemed more like a nightmare than a dream come true. The amount of work the cabin would require in order to be habitable, much less their dream cabin, was daunting. Nicholas wondered, could a novice homeowner with no log home restoration experience manage such an overwhelming project? Despite the tattered condition, Nicolas knew he could not pass it up.
Homeowner Insight: At our first visit to the cabin, all I could think was, “What have I gotten myself into?”
What Did I Get Myself Into?
The initial euphoria Nicholas felt was tempered slightly as he began to realize the size of the project he’d just taken on. The rustic little dream cabin was in serious need of TLC after years of being boarded up and uncared for. The home was badly deteriorated on the exterior with significant rot, completely black walls covered with mold, and a leaking roof. Inside, things were no better. The interior was completely infested with mice and carpenter ants, along with a completely rotted out floor.
Wisely, Nicholas knew one thing for certain: before he ever touched his new cabin, he needed to thoroughly research how to refinish such a severely deteriorated log structure.
The Transformation Begins
Nicholas knew that he wanted to do the bulk of the refinishing work himself, but understanding just what that required would be one of the most important steps in the restoration process. Research and education provided Nicholas the “know how” he’d been searching for. He was confident and ready to begin transforming his tattered cabin into the getaway of his childhood dreams.
First up, a new roof! The first priority was to keep more water from getting into the cabin.
Second, get rid of rot. Nicolas wanted to be sure he thoroughly addressed the rot issue. He was not willing to skimp on this important step. He decided to hire an expert to reface the rotten logs.
Application Tip: Some refinishing work is more technical than others. Severely rotted logs may require an expert to ensure safety, structural stability, and a lasting repair.
With a strong foundation in place, it was time for an aggressive blasting method using glass media to get down to bare, sound wood. An Osborn® brush eliminated any wood “fuzz,” and checks were filled with Backer Rod and Sashco’s Conceal®. Nicholas’ cabin was already beginning to look years younger. Properly prepped, the cabin was ready to be stained.
Homeowner Insight: “I immediately began researching the finishing process like crazy. I wanted to do it right, because if I missed a step I’d be the one to have to live with it. As I researched, Sashco® products and Transformation Stain® just kept coming up as the best — not just for good looks, but also for the best protection.”
The Stain Decision: When in Doubt, Go Dark!
- Dark stain provides better protection
- Transformation Stain® Log & Timber provided both stunning beauty and unparalleled protection
For more more tips and tricks, download Sashco's restoration guide.
The Happy Ending
Restoration IS possible. Download Sashco's restoration guide here.
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Cabin Porn: Inside
