July 8, 2024
What you need to know to keep your beautiful timbers in top form.
You made an excellent choice by featuring timber in your home’s design. Thank you for choosing Cornerstone Timberframes as your supplier of fine structural and decorative timber.
As a new owner of a timber frame home, there are only a few things to keep in mind as the years go by. Two topics apply to virtually all timber frame and mass timber residential structures:
- Cracks (seasoning checks) that form as heavy timber dries in response to interior humidity.
- Best practices for maintaining exterior timber finishes.
Let’s begin with the first — and most common — question.
Timber Checking (Cracks in Posts and Beams)
Humans have built with timber since long before recorded history. Only in the last two centuries have our homes become as separated from natural humidity cycles as they are today. While modern construction offers many advantages, it also means interior air is often much drier — especially in colder regions of Canada.
When a tree becomes a post or beam in your home, it still contains a portion of its living moisture. At Cornerstone Timberframes, timbers are kiln-dried to stabilize the outer layers and protect against sapstain, but deeper moisture naturally remains.
Over the months following installation, that moisture slowly exits the timber. As the wood dries, it shrinks slightly across its width. This releases internal tension and causes cracks to form parallel to the grain. These are known as seasoning checks.
Seasoning checks are natural, unavoidable, and structural harmless. Larger timbers tend to develop more visible checks than smaller ones.
Reducing the Size and Number of Checks
While checking cannot be eliminated, there are effective ways to reduce its size and visibility. The goal is to slow the rate at which moisture leaves the timber.
- Manage interior humidity. Use a humidistat as soon as the home reaches lock-up and throughout the first year. In winter, aim for a minimum of 30% relative humidity. In summer, 40–50% is ideal. Humidifiers can be stand-alone or integrated into HVAC systems.
- Limit excess heat. High temperatures accelerate moisture loss. Sunrooms and spaces with large windows can experience intense solar gain. During the first year, use blinds to reduce heat buildup and avoid excessive fireplace use.
Treating Visible Checks
Occasionally, a check forms where it is visually distracting — especially with darker stain colours that expose lighter interior wood.
A simple, homeowner-friendly solution:
- Use an atomizer-style spray bottle that produces a fine mist.
- Fill it with the stain used on your timber frame (contact us if you need colour confirmation).
- Test the spray on scrap material.
- Lightly mist stain into the check and wipe away excess with an absorbent cloth.
One pass is usually sufficient. A second coat can be applied once the first is dry. While a check will never disappear entirely, reducing colour contrast makes it far less noticeable.
Cleaning Timber Surfaces
Sansin finishes are durable and easy to maintain. Periodically inspect timbers, especially exterior locations exposed to airborne dust.
For routine cleaning:
- Use lukewarm water with a small amount of mild dish soap.
- Apply using a soft cotton or microfiber cloth, wrung damp.
- Rinse cloth frequently and finish with a clean-water wipe.
Maintaining Sansin Exterior Finishes
Interior timbers typically require no maintenance over the life of the home, aside from high-touch areas such as handrails.
Exterior timbers should be monitored seasonally. Sun exposure is the primary factor affecting finish longevity. Watch posts, fascia, and gable trusses most closely.
When you see early fading or cloudiness, it’s time for a maintenance coat.
- Clean the timber surface
- Lightly scuff with 220-grit sandpaper
- Remove dust
- Apply a half-strength coat of Sansin SDF Naturals
Purchasing Sansin Products
Use Sansin’s dealer locator to find a supplier near you. To ensure correct colour and dilution, contact your Cornerstone Timberframes representative for stain details.
Preferred Application Method
Always follow manufacturer instructions. While brushes work well, Cornerstone’s preferred method is a synthetic lamb’s wool pad attached to a wood block. This allows fast, even application while maintaining a clean finish.
Keep a wet edge, back-brush as needed, and watch for drips.
If you have questions not covered here, contact Cornerstone Timberframes. We’re always happy to help you care for your timber investment.
