how do you stain a log home

5 Steps For Log Home Stain Application

• Step 1: Washing Use a pressure washer on the lower setting to make sure the existing finish remains in-tact. ...
• Step 2: Stripping Assuming your old finish will need to be removed, find a good-quality chemical stripper. ...
• Step 3: Inspect Chinking Now’s a good time to scrutinize your home’s chinking or caulking. ...
• Step 4: Apply Stain ...
• Step 5: Apply Top Coat ...

Full Answer

How do I prepare my logs before staining?

To make the stain last longer and keep your home protected from the elements, there is some prep work to do before you begin staining. It’s important to clean your logs before you stain to remove old stains and chemicals. You can clean your logs by corn blasting, sanding, power washing or using chemical strippers.

Do you stain the interior of a log home?

Stain the interior of your log home for beauty and protection. Related Articles. Staining the interior logs in a log home brings out the natural beauty of the wood while protecting the structure from moisture. This is one of those tasks that is an absolute "must" to preserve the logs and keep them from deteriorating for the life of the home.

How do you stain logs with a sprayer?

Pour an interior latex log stain into the garden sprayer and begin spraying the interior logs. Once again, work in a 4-foot-by-4-foot area and backbrush the stain into the wood. Test the stain on the wood. Fill a spray bottle with water and spray the stain on areas that look worn or dull.

How do you seal and stain a log cabin?

Remove all the sanding dust for proper sealing and staining. Put on a paint spray respirator before spraying. Pour a wood sealer into a garden sprayer and cover the interior logs. Work in roughly 4-foot-by-4-foot areas and backbrush the sealer in with a 4-inch paintbrush after the sealer has been applied.

How to make a log stain last longer?

What is the best stain for logs?

What is the best way to clean wood logs?

What is the technique of spraying and back brushing?

What to use to prevent mold and termites?

How to avoid blotchiness in cooler?

Can you color chink on logs?

See 2 more

What kind of stain do you use on a log home?

The best exterior stain for log homes are oil or water-based products that saturate wood pores to prevent water penetration. They typically contain a drying oil or resin in a transparent or semitransparent stain.

Is it better to stain or paint a log home?

The primary benefit of staining the exterior rather than applying log cabin paint is a stain's ability to allow logs to breathe. Log cabin paint will seal the logs completely, trapping any moisture that's already inside, leading to rot.

How much does it cost to stain a log home?

Stain will come in right around $1600. Now the national average to apply log home stain in the nation currently sits around $1.30 a sq ft, so with labor costs you are coming in around $3,900.

Can you change the color of a log home?

Yep, change the stain color on the logs, the deck, the trim work. Change the color of the chinking -- if any. You can even change the style and color of the roof. Download Weatherall Color Viewer here.

What is the best finish for log homes?

2022 Best Log Home and Cabin StainsOrganiclear Log Stain.WeatherSeal Exterior Wood Finish.UV Guard Log Stain.UV Guard II.UV Guard Advance.Log-Gevity Log Stain & Stabilizer.Log-Gevity Finish Coat.Lovvit's Natural Gold.More items...

How often do you Restain a log home?

every 3 to 7 yearsAs a general rule, you will need to stain your log home every 3 to 7 years, depending on the elements. Elemental factors include exposure to rain, sunlight, hail, wind, climate, and more.

How many coats of stain do you put on a log cabin?

The most important step to staining your log home is to read the instructions. Most stains require two coats, however some of them require three. Wait at least 24 hours between coats. Before you apply the finishing coat, make sure that cover any place that you do not want to be stained.

Is it cheaper to paint or stain wood?

Stain is often cheaper to purchase than paint. It is easier to apply stain, as well as to re-coat surfaces that need a touch up.

What color should I stain my log cabin?

The darker the wood, the less influence stain will have. Lighter woods have more range of color. If you are looking to work with the natural beauty of the wood as opposed to covering it up, go with a lighter color of stain that enhances the natural color of the wood.

What colors are good for log homes?

So to recap, the best complements to a log cabin interior include whites and saturated versions of colors such as yellow, blue, red, and green. The wood is enough of a neutral, and the addition of tans, beiges, or grays would be nothing but dreary.

Should you stain a log cabin?

Staining your log cabin is more than just an aesthetic choice — it's essential protection to make your exterior last for the lifetime of your home.

What is the life expectancy of a log home?

However, a properly cared for log home can easily last 50 years without much trouble. Another con is that they can be quite expensive to build. This is because the logs used need to be treated properly and milled; you need to have a good contractor who has experience in log home construction.

What is the best wood treatment for a log cabin?

Best Wood Preserver for Log Cabins: Top 10Osmo Natural Oil Wood-stain. ... Barrettine Log Cabin Treatment. ... Cuprinol Ultimate Garden Wood Preserver. ... Ronseal Total Wood Preservative. ... Sadolin Wood Preserver. ... Cuprinol Exterior Wood Preserver. ... Protek Wood Preserver Plus. ... Cuprinol Wood Preserver Clear.More items...•

Should you stain a log cabin?

Staining your log cabin is more than just an aesthetic choice — it's essential protection to make your exterior last for the lifetime of your home.

Is painting wood better than staining?

Painting coats the top of wood while stain penetrates the wood. Stain protects and preserves the beauty of your wood compared to paint which covers and hides it. Stain wears away gradually for periodic re-coating. Paint peeling requires extensive scraping.

What is the best paint to use on a log cabin?

The most common and, by extension, most popular kind of paint to use on a cabin exterior is acrylic-latex paint. Acrylic-latex paint dries quickly, looks great and better yet, provides a strong layer of protection against weather and mould wear.

How to Choose the Best Log Home Stain for Your Cabin

Choosing the Right Formula for Your Log Home Stain The primary difference between interior and exterior stains is the presence of additives. Because exterior walls are exposed to the elements, ingredients are often added for UV protection and to prevent fading.Others fight the growth of fungi, mold or mildew.

Why Do Log Cabins Need to Be Stained?

If the romance of logs is enough for you, you may want to keep your home looking as natural as possible. But consider using some color, no matter how subtle. Naked log walls may look great, but they're more porous (and harder to clean) than logs with a glossy finish — especially in kitchens and bathrooms. For a happy medium, apply a clear topcoat. But remember: that palette isn't necessarily permanent. "The more transparent the stain, the more likely the end result can change," says Deb Bassett, Marketing Director of Sashco Inc. in Brighton, Colorado. "The aging process — and exposure to the elements — can shift a log's color to become little more yellow or gray." If that's a little too natural for you, consider a pigment that's close to your ideal natural wood finish. As a bonus, using a colored stain can increase UV protection, so log walls with pigmented color usually need less maintenance.

What color is a log cabin stain?

Just 10 years ago, your choice of log home stains might as well have been brown, brown or brown. But contemporary manufacturers now offer a wide array of colors, from ocean blue to forest green — even pumpkin orange. These hues are still inspired by Mother Nature. She just kicked them up a notch. And your log cabin stain choices don't end there.

How long do you need to keep logs stained?

The range can be anywhere from three years (for a heavily exposed outdoor wall) to 15+ years for an indoor wall that isn't exposed to direct sunlight. For a quick guesstimate, compare your most weather-beaten wall to your least-exposed wall.

What color is the east coast?

One of the most popular colors on the east coast is gray. Whether on the rocky New England shoreline or tucked into a woodsy area in the South, gray exteriors can give your home a weathered look, as though it's been part of the surrounding landscape for 100 years. Folks on the west coast seem to favor golden shades — perhaps inspired by ...

Why do you put UV protection on walls?

Because exterior walls are exposed to the elements, ingredients are often added for UV protection and to prevent fading. Others fight the growth of fungi, mold or mildew. Most interior walls don't need these additives, though UV protection may be a good idea in a sunroom or any space with lots of windows. If you don't think your walls react ...

Can you stain a log home with only one color?

There's no rule that says you can only use one color on your log home's exterior. These homeowners put two coats of stain and sealant on outside logs but kept the interior logs unsealed with only one coat of stain for a more natural look. (Photo: Heidi Long / See this home here.)

Can you use oil based formula on log homes?

However, a manufacturer may still recommend an oil-based formula for restaining an old log home if you don't know what formula was originally used.

Step 1: Washing

Use a pressure washer on the lower setting to make sure the existing finish remains in-tact. The pressure washer should be set at around 1500 pounds per square inch. Higher pressures will actually damage the wood. Pay more attention to the upper areas of the logs since more contaminants can collect there.

Step 2: Stripping

Assuming your old finish will need to be removed, find a good-quality chemical stripper. Following manufacturer’s directions, test a small area, first, to see how effectively the stripper will work. Don’t skimp on cheaper products—you’ll just end up with more work and a good dose of disappointment and aggravation.

Step 3: Inspect Chinking

Now’s a good time to scrutinize your home’s chinking or caulking. If you notice any cracking or receding, remove ineffective materials and replace with new. Chinking can be applied with a putty knife of caulking gun; and there are dozens of various caulking and chinking products available.

Step 4: Apply Stain

Prior to staining, cover walls and doors, shrubbery, decks etc. with plastic sheeting. Assuming the logs are completely dry, apply the stain according to manufacturer’s directions; and usually, the stain product can be applied with a brush or airless sprayer.

Step 5: Apply Top Coat

Protecting the stain with a clear topcoat will reflect ultraviolet rays and add an additional layer of water repellency. But keep this in mind: Never use varnish, shellac or a polyurethane, non-breathable coating of any kind! Strange as it may seem, logs need to ‘breathe’.

How to remove grime from a wood floor?

Lightly sand the area with 200-grit sandpaper. This removes built-up grime, and it scores the surface so both the sealer and stain have a better surface area to grip. Brush off the dust with a stiff-bristle brush.

Why do you stain logs?

Staining the interior logs in a log home brings out the natural beauty of the wood while protecting the structure from moisture. This is one of those tasks that is an absolute "must" to preserve the logs and keep them from deteriorating for the life of the home. It is best done when the home is new and unfurnished, ...

How to remove sanding dust from a wood table?

Brush off all the sanded areas with a stiff bristled brush. Remove all the sanding dust for proper sealing and staining.

What to use to mask off windows?

Mask off around windows and doors with painter's tape.

Can you use a log stain on a ladder?

If you are using a ladder to reach high places, make sure the feet are firm and level, and never exceed the recommended weight of the ladder. Never use an exterior log stain on the interior. Exterior stains contain built-in pesticides and chemicals that inhibit ultraviolet rays from the sun from damaging the finish.

Do logs need to be stained?

If the water beads, the stain is intact. If the water is absorbed, the logs need to be stained. Areas such as laundry rooms, kitchens and bathrooms are more prone to wear and need maintenance staining more often than anywhere else in the house.

Who is Dale Yalanovsky?

Dale Yalanovsky has been writing professionally since 1978. He has been published in "Woman's Day," "New Home Journal" and on many do-it-yourself websites. He specializes in do-it-yourself projects, household and auto maintenance and property management. Yalanovsky also writes a bimonthly column that provides home improvement advice.

When to Stain Your Log Cabin

Now that we know you should be staining your log cabin every few years, how will you know when it’s time to complete this project.

Why Do Log Homes Need to Be Stained so Often?

Traditional homes do not need to be painted quite as often as log homes need to be stained.

What Are the Negatives to Living in a Log Home?

Although you may consider having to stain your home every few years a negative, there are a few other things you should be aware of before you purchase a log home.

What Is Involved in Staining a Log Home?

To save money, many people choose to stain their log homes themselves.

How Often Do You Have to Stain a Log Home?

If a high-quality base layer is applied, the average log home can get away with a touch-up coat every two or three years. With that said, climate and severe weather challenges can put a varying degree of strain on the home’s exterior, so it’s important to check the exterior for signs of weakness, regularly. In addition, south-facing walls typically face more exposure to the sun, meaning they can be damaged by UV rays at a faster rate than other walls with more shade.

Is There a No-Stain Alternative?

Luckily, there are now exterior siding products that don’t require re-staining. Better yet, choosing one of these exterior alternatives doesn’t mean that you have to give up the beautiful look of natural wood!

How Long Can I Delay Staining My Log Home?

If you’re like most homeowners, chores that you once tackled with pride can begin to get less appealing as the years go by. When it comes to log homes, re-staining the exterior is one of those maintenance tasks that you shouldn’t put off very long. Stain is often thought of as an aesthetic aid for the home’s exterior, but it actually provides an important layer of protection, too. When the surface of the exterior begins to wear off, structural components of the home can become compromised quickly. Moisture can get in and cause those beautiful wood beams to warp, rot, and mold. Not only is this highly unpleasant, but it can also be structurally dangerous!

Do high quality stain products last longer?

It goes without saying that high-quality stains are generally formulated to last quite a bit longer than generic, low-quality staining products. Sometimes this difference can be seen in the product price tag, but other times it isn’t quite clear. Research the different products that are available to get a better idea of how often the stain will last on your log home, taking wood type and environmental challenges into account.

Preparing the Exterior

If you have decided to apply stain to your log home with a sprayer, you will first need to complete some prep work. If your log home is new, you will want to remove the “mill glaze,” or the hard finish that is created during the milling process to protect the wood.

Prepare the Surrounding Area

One of the negatives of using a spray applicator is that particles do not always land directly on your log home. Stain particles can be picked up by even the slightest movements in the air, and may find their way to your windows, shrubbery or even nearby sidewalks or cars.

Read the Instructions

All staining products are different, so ensure that your product is made to be used with a spray applicator and that you understand how it should be used. If you are unsure, talk with a professional at a staining and coating store, such as Lovitt’s Coatings, to make sure you have all the tools you need to properly complete the job.

Set Up the Sprayer

Whether you are renting or buying a sprayer, make sure you take the time to properly set up the sprayer and read all the instructions. Sprayers should be completely clean before you start. You will also need to prime the sprayer pump.

Test the Product

This step goes hand-in-hand with the above step – test the products and sprayer on an inconspicuous surface to ensure everything works properly before you start on the main area. Use this time to adjust the pressure, find the right spray nose and work on your spray technique.

Start Spraying

Keep the sprayer nose parallel to the surface, moving quickly and evenly. Several thin coats are better than a thick one, which can cause drips or runs of the stain. Overlap your layers about 30 to 50 percent for even coverage.

Back Brush the Area

While one person is spraying, a second person should “back-brush” the stain or go over the stain with a brush. Because sprayers do not have a lot of force, you will want to brush over the spray for a clean, uniformed look.

How Often Should I Stain My Log Cabin?

Like we said above, the short answer is every 3 to 7 years. But let’s get a little more specific, that’s a fairly broad range.

What is the best stain for a cabin?

Deck stains are designed for flat surfaces and don’t allow the logs to breathe the way the log stain does. Some stains that are described as “exterior wood stains” are perfectly fine for cabins. Probably the most recommended brand of stain out there is an oil-based stain by TWP. Other top brands are. Permachink.

How many square feet does a gallon of stain cover?

One gallon of stain should cover anywhere from about 100-225 square feet. Smoother surfaces take less stain, and newer wood takes less stain. If your logs are rough, plan on 100 to 125 square feet of coverage per gallon. If your logs are smooth, plan on about 175 to 200 square feet per gallon.

How long do emulsions last?

Water-based stains for log cabins tend to last somewhere on the shorter side of this timeframe. Usually 3-5 years. Oil-based stains usually last more like 5-7. Emulsion-based stains are usually somewhere in between as you might expect.

How much does it cost to stain a cabin?

A good oil-based stain for your cabin will cost around $50 per gallon. You can definitely find some more and less expensive than that. Plus, if you buy in 5-gallon buckets, you’ll save a bit on your per-gallon price. And if you’re staining your whole cabin, you’ll be using quite a bit.

How does wind affect stain?

Other factors will have a big impact too. How much wind, rain, snow, and hail that your cabin sees will impact how long the stain lasts. Likewise, in windy areas the soil type will impact it too. If you have really sandy soil and live in a windy area, then your cabin is going to get sandblasted whenever the wind picks up. That will decrease the life of your stain. The humidity of an area will play into the equation too.

How long does it take to stain a cabin?

It’s best to add another 2 coats of stain to your cabin after about 2 years. Every time you add stain, some of the old stain remains. But with the first staining, there was no old layer of stain underneath. So inspect your stain after about 2 years and consider adding another 2 coats.

How to make a log stain last longer?

It’s important to clean your logs before you stain to remove old stains and chemicals.

What is the best stain for logs?

Choose Your Stain. First, you need to choose between an oil-based or a water-based stain for your logs. We recommend a water-based stain for a few reasons: Water-based stains are typically more durable. There is minimal odor with water-based stain. Clean-up is easy — all you need is soap and water.

What is the best way to clean wood logs?

Clean-up is easy — all you need is soap and water. Oil-based stains tend to be easier to apply, but water-based stains have more benefits. Plus, oil-based stains tend to crack as your wood logs expand and contract with the seasons. 2.

What is the technique of spraying and back brushing?

Spraying and back-brushing is the technique when you use an airless sprayer to apply the stain, and then you back-brush to make sure it’s evenly and thoroughly coated over the logs.

What to use to prevent mold and termites?

You should also apply fungicide and pesticide boosters, which prevent damage from mold, termites and other pests.

How to avoid blotchiness in cooler?

Pro tip: Working in the shade on the cooler walls will allow you to easily maintain a wet edge and minimize overlap marks and avoid blotchiness.

Can you color chink on logs?

You also won’t be coloring the chinking on chink-style log homes. Regardless of the method you use, make sure the logs are saturated with as much stain as they’ll take, and brush or back-brush any runs and overlap marks. Make sure your hard work is worth it with a high-quality, water-based log home stain >.