Now Available: Expert Power Washing for a Cleaner, Stronger Exterior.
If you own a log or timber home in Northern Michigan, the Upper Peninsula, or Northern Wisconsin, you know it takes a special kind of care. WEATHERWIZE focuses exclusively on log and timber homes, so you’re working with specialists, not a general contractor trying to “make it fit.”
Our team helps protect and restore everything from weekend cabins and family retreats to heritage lodges and custom-built log homes. We build, maintain, and restore with the north woods in mind, using proven methods that hold up to tough weather while respecting the natural beauty of your property and the environment around it.
Weatherwize provides a full range of expert services designed to protect, restore, and build log and timber homes that stand the test of time. Explore our services below:
Repair, restore, and preserve aging log homes with expert craftsmanship.
Specialty cleaning methods include media blasting, hot pressure washing, and soft washing.
Historic log cabin restoration, log replacement, stain stripping, and restaining.
Structural restoration for interiors and exteriors, with solutions for decks and log joinery repairs.
Seasonal and annual maintenance programs tailored for Northern Michigan and Wisconsin log homes.
Expert caulking, chinking, air sealing, flashing, and splash proofing for year-round protection.
Professional log home inspection and maintenance planning for absentee owners and vacation retreats.
Custom log home builds crafted to Upper Peninsula standards and local climate requirements.
Site preparation, energy-smart consultation, and use of sustainable regional materials.
Collaborative process from design through finish, always honoring the owner’s vision.
Our approach to log home care centers on expertise and transparency. The process is designed for clarity and results:
Start with a direct conversation about your log home’s needs. We review your goals, your home’s condition, and available services.
When needed, a detailed inspection identifies issues ranging from soft log ends and moisture damage to failing stain and compromised joinery.
Receive a tailored restoration, repair, or maintenance plan designed for your home, climate, and lifestyle.
Weatherwize carries out the agreed project step by step, using environmentally friendly products.
Benefit from long-term stewardship, including seasonal maintenance, inspection programs, and expert support built for the needs of Northern Michigan and Wisconsin cabins.
With over 60 years of combined experience, our team stands out as true log home professionals. Our CEO/ Owner serves as President of the International Log Builders Association, and we’re proud members of the Great Lakes Log Crafters Association, which reflects how involved we are in our craft and the log home industry.
Your home is cared for by our in-house crew of trained, focused professionals. We don’t outsource the work, and we don’t hand your project off halfway through. The same team stays with you from the first evaluation to the final details, using materials and finishes chosen for the realities of life in the Upper Peninsula and the north woods.
We also take sustainability seriously. That means thoughtful sourcing when logs are needed, mindful product choices, and work practices that reduce waste. We apply premium stains and care products from trusted names such as Sashco, Sansin, Permachink, and Outlast Q8, offering quality and protection built for this climate.
Log and timber home repairs require professionals who understand the unique character and needs of wood structures in the North. Weatherwize is not a general contractor. Instead, we deliver:
Specialist cabin support and guidance, from restoration plans to ongoing maintenance.
Transparent advice and education about log home care, tailored for new owners and legacy properties alike.
Guidance on buying, selling, and preserving log and timber homes for lasting value.
Quick answers to common questions in our log home FAQ.
Explore our project gallery to see completed work, and meet the WEATHERWIZE crew on our meet our team page.
Weatherwize proudly serves Marquette, Escanaba, Iron Mountain, Munising, Rhinelander, and the surrounding regions of Northern Michigan, the Upper Peninsula, and Northern Wisconsin. Our coverage ensures responsive service and regional expertise throughout these communities. See a complete list of areas in our service area overview.
From restoring vintage cabins to building new timber homes designed for generations, we’re ready to help. Request a quote, plan an inspection, or start your personal consultation today to keep your log home strong and beautiful for years to come.
Nate and his crew did an excellent job of fixing the issues I had with my cabin. I would highly recommend that you contact Nate if you need any work done on your log cabin.
The work was very well done. We had to replace a few logs. Clean up was good. We will have them return for any future log home needs. Planning on having Weatherwize crew back, to do exterior staining.
Weatherwize did a great job. They got the job done within the time period they said they would. And the quality of their work was excellent. The guys are pleasant and professional. If you hire WeatherWize I doubt you will be disappointed.
The working environment in the upper great lakes can be challenging. All times of the year are a good time to work on log homes. New construction runs year round. We limit our Staining / painting and exterior caulking / chinking between April and November. November to April we focus on structural log repairs, carpentry and interior remodels.
It depends on a few things, first being whether they are inside or outside. If they are outside we like to caulk sky facing checks that are larger than 1/4 inch. On the inside we identify checks that have air flow and caulk them. Checks and cracks generally expand and contract seasonally as the log moisture level changes. To mitigate check size and movement inside the structure, maintaining a indoor humidity level of around 45% seems to help most buildings. This advice applies to cracks and checks that run parallel to the grain of the log. If the checks run diagonally to the log there is a problem and this doesn't apply.
First of all we are not a certified home inspector. We do offer consultations for log homes. Log homes are unique and have different issues than traditional homes. We can help you look for and identify any issues that may be missed during inspection. It's not uncommon for us to find repairs that would cost tens of thousands of dollars to do. If you are looking to purchase a log home call us for a consultation so you can relax about the purchase.
Both styles are log homes. Both are wonderful options. Handcrafted log homes are made from natural trees that are fit together by a skilled craftsman (hopefully). Milled log homes are also made from trees that have been run through a machine to make the logs fit together. Many times handcrafted log homes cost more due to the extra labor to build. Both styles of homes are dependent on good design and craftsmanship for longevity.
Modern chinking if installed correctly can last for the life of the home. Mortar based chinking doesn't airseal or last very well. Old chinking can be upgraded.
This depends on many factors. What stain you have, how much sun exposure it gets, was the stain applied correctly the first time, what color stain you have, how much exposure to the weather the logs are getting. To properly answer this question we need the specifics of the home.
We are more than happy to help. Please send your inquiries, we don't charge for over the phone consultations.
With the exception of a few bugs most infestations are the sign of a bigger problem. Treating for the bugs doesn't always mean you are treating the problem. If you are concerned about bugs we are here to offer solutions.
It's rare that we see a log home that can't be saved or restored. Most times the limiting factor is the budget for the project. If you have a place in question please contact us for a consultation.
In our local climate, natural log railings that are exposed to the weather, generally have a service life of 15-25 years. We offer some rot prevention solutions to prolong your exposed railing. We are often asked to repair log railing. In general once a railing begins to have structural issues it's not worth repairing...it is time to replace. We can match log railings to your home or replace your log railings with a more durable option.
Most problems we see are due to the architecture of the home. These are related to splashing on the logs, ice dams, settling, improper or lack of flashing, inadequate overhangs, window placement and building site selection to name a few. Most common areas we repair on log homes are dormers, decks and railings.
Log home Construction takes many years to perfect and peoples taste are different. Who makes the best is a heated subject. From a restoration standpoint we see the most problems with the homeowner built it.
We recommend that you use a stain specific to log homes. There are many great stains on the market. All have some pros and cons. There is no perfect stain. We can help guide you in this decision. Some of our customers homes are well over 100 years old and have never been stained and are performing wonderfully. In fact the wrong coating on your logs is worse than nothing on your logs.
We identify the rot, cut the log out and put a new one in. Matching the logs and color of the old and new is the hard part. Replacing logs often involves removing windows, doors, decks, cabinets or built-ins. Each log replacement job is unique, contact us if you have questions.
The answer is maybe. The condition of your stain may offer some insight into the condition of your logs. If you have concerns about your stain we are more than happy to assist you.
Refinishing a log home can be rather labor and material intensive. This depends on what needs to be done to the home and what you want to achieve. We have different options available for different budget. For a quote on your project contact us.
Our core area is Michigan and Northern Wisconsin. For certain jobs we will work anywhere in the United States.
We do corn cob blasting along with walnut and ground glass blasting.
Milling logs is an essential process in the construction and restoration of log homes, transforming raw timber into the beautiful, precision-crafted logs that give your home its unique character and charm...
When it comes to restoring your log home, chemical stripping is another option to consider alongside media blasting, corn cob blasting, and sandblasting...
When it comes to restoring and maintaining the natural beauty of your log home, media blasting, corn cob blasting, and sandblasting are three powerful techniques that can help you achieve outstanding results...
Chinking and caulking are two crucial elements of log home maintenance that play a vital role in preserving the structural integrity, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal of your home...
Maintaining a log home is essential to preserving its natural beauty, structural integrity, and value over time...
Maintaining a log home is essential to preserving its natural beauty, structural integrity, and value over time...
