Wood in any home structure is subject to attack by insects and fungi. Sunlight and rain will cause untreated wood to turn gray. New developments in coating for the interior and exterior surfaces now insure that log homes, when properly treated, will last for generations. To minimize decay of wood, treatments have been developed which shed water either by the formation of breathable films or by repellent materials such as oils. The prevention of graying is achieved by the inclusion of ultraviolet (UV) light absorbing pigments into the coatings. The darker the pigment, the more effective UV light is absorbed. In experiments run by Mountaineer, Permachink's Life Line and Sikken's Cetol products performed best under extreme weather conditions. New borax treatments discovered in the early 1990's will protect logs from wood ingesting insects such as termites and old house borers for the life of the home, when the material is applied properly. This material is safe for humans and pets. Mountaineer recommends that every log home be treated with a product such as Bora-Care soon after the home is built, but before any other surface treatment is applied. The product is designed to penetrate deep into a log and can be easily applied with a spray.