Is it good to seal immediately after the construction of a log cabin ?

Wooden construction is typically built from raw materials, with an expectation that it will continue to settle and work for several years. This is the main reason why it's always better to wait before applying sealants. We recommend waiting at least 2 years (depending on the environment) before starting the sealing process. Sealants are flexible and can accommodate wood movement up to an incredible 65%, but from our experience, the movement from initial construction to complete settling is often much more significant. Some logs in log cabins shift, and in the corners, there's both right-hand and left-hand turning wood. This can cause cracks to appear in the sealed gaps. It's similar for timber-framed structures, depending on the construction method. Some timber frame manufacturers leave gaps between the beams to allow for free movement during drying.

If you have no other option and can't wait, you can seal the log cabin or timber frame earlier, with the understanding that repairs will be needed for any cracked joints after a few years. If your structure uses dry wood, you can seal it immediately after construction. It's advisable to wait with coatings before sealing; see the question, 'Is it better to seal a log cabin before or after coatings?' All these gaps settle well immediately after construction, and this is how it looks after a few years. Wood is a natural material and will always move. It also depends on the technologies used and the way logs are settled. Different manufacturers will vary in quality and the end result, but similar problems will be encountered by the vast majority, at least to some extent

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