Start a file or notebook to keep track of your home's maintenance.
Details to include:
- the stain colour and
brand
- date the stain was applied
- date the sealant was applied
- unusual or early wear/tear
This will help you in the future as all the years roll into one and you can't quite remember what shade of brown that was.
If you are buying an older log home, ask the owners for any maintenance records including details of when the home was last stained and with what. Without some form of record, it can be challenging to determine whether the new and old materials are compatible.
Weathering of untreated, exposed wood is a natural process which starts
as soon as the wood is exposed to sun, wind and rain, causing the wood to eventually
become gray.
Weathering is the breaking down of surface wood fibers. As the fibers break down, wind and rain wash them away. By itself this is not catastrophic damage, however, this opens up the surface to penetration of molds, fungi, insects and moisture. We know these factors cause even more severe damage.
before...
and after
The beauty of a log home is the wood and grain and you want to bring that out the best you can. Regardless if it's oil or water-based or a fancy hybrid, a semi-transparent stain won't disappoint you as these stains allow the natural beauty of any wood species to shine through.
During the process of a year of swelling and shrinking, logs can move approximately 1/4 inch. Normal stains are not created to be able to take that much abuse. This is why we highly recommend products that are made specifically for the needs of log homes.
New Log Homes
You want to do all you can to protect your home right from the get-go. Once the shell is up on your homesite, it is time to start the process of your log home maintenance chapter.
Generally with new homes, the logs have spent some time outside and are starting to weather. Before the staining will take place, a light sanding or Osborning should occur to remove the weathering on the logs, not to mention the pencil marks, dirty fingerprints and general roughness of the logs. Sanding/Osborning will bring the logs back to the original color of the wood and provide a clean surface for the stain to adhere to.
Durability
No two houses are the same as to
how long the stain will last.
The manufacturers give guidelines
but there are many factors that will
deteriorate the finish - amount of
sun, how many trees provide shade,
overhang of roof, rain/spashback/gutters/,
and snow build-up against the logs.
There are four major factors that will influence how long your stain will last:
- the stain you use (you get what you pay for!)
- preparation that is invested prior to staining (ensuring wood is clean, sound & dry)
- proper application and the care that is provided to your home after it has been stained
- location of the property - wood will rot if anywhere near the Wet Coast side of BC
- position of the log on the home*.
*The upper curve of the log will
experience more weathering than
the bottom half, especially on south and
west facing walls. As
well as the UV damage, more dirt
and pollen will stay on this area, expediting
the weathering process. Additionally,
this portion of the log experiences higher temperatures to the bottom half
- exposing it to uneven stress.
Selective sanding can be done to remove the dark color that has formed on the upper curve of the log. Or consider staining these areas more frequently to stay on top of a maintenance program.
Reapplications
One of the biggest and costly mistakes
is to expect too much from a stain.
Know the recommended reapplication
dates and stick to them. Although
the color may look ok for now, the
water protectiveness might have
been lost, exposing the wood to
sun and rain. Waiting another couple
years will only darken the wood
and may open it up to rot. A quick
wash with one maintenance coat will
be faster and cheaper than sanding
and several coats of stain.
If you get on a maintenance program with Skookum Log Care, we'll assess the stain condition and let you know if you're losing protection or if you can wait another year or more.
Types of Stain
Most finishes can be broken into
oil-based, water-based and emulsion
(a mix of oil and water) types. These
can then be distinguished by those
that penetrate the wood, those that
form a protective film on the surface,
and those that do both. Generally speaking,
the more pigment in a stain, the more
protection you’ll have.
Transparent stains or clear stains are basically a type of water repellancy with UV stabilizers and a fine pigment. Lightly coloured finishes lack sufficient pigment to stop UV degradation of wood. So although they may show the beauty of the grain the most, they require the most attention and more frequent applications.
Semi-transparent stains have more
colour pigment and are more durable,
providing more protection against
weathering.
Tung and Linseed oils should not
be used unless with a mildewcide
since these are natural products and
provide a food source for mildew.
Varnish is a penetrating film-forming material. It is a beautiful wood finishing product however does not offer much protection from UV and requires high maintenance and cost. Eventually with the build up of coats it will offer more UV protection but with time, the appearance of it will become darker and darker.
Topcoats
Most stains these days have a clear topcoat that can be used as the maintenance coat. The benefit is that the logs do not appear darker after every maintenance application. This topcoat must be applied to the logs while the stain is in good condition - not cracking or peeling or else the re-application of the base coat must be conducted in order to maintain the UV protection required.
Staining Indoors
We recommend staining indoors as the
stain (clear or coloured) will protect the
wood from high moisture areas like the bathroom
and kitchen, make the logs easy to
wipe clean, and with a UV
protection choice, it will prevent the
logs from darkening over time due to sunlight
coming in through the windows.