Choosing the Best Log Home Stain

Excellent quality log home stain is so crucial, yet the amount of options out there can be overwhelming. With so many factors to consider, we’re here to simplify the process for you! In this article we will: break down the components of high quality stains, give you the five most popular stain options, and answer all the questions about the details like choosing the correct color and expectations for professional companies.  Ready to protect your log home with high quality stain? Let’s go! 

The Importance of High Quality Cabin Stain

Before we get too far, we have to determine if it is worth it to pay for high-quality log cabin stains. The answer is yes! While you might be tempted to go for cheap stains that seem like they will save you so much, you might end up paying for it in the long run. 

High-quality stain will: 

• Protect your log home against UV exposure and elemental damage 
• Give a professional and beautiful finish for your log home 
• Reduce extra maintenance on your home 

While there are so many more reasons why it is important to invest in your home by using high-quality log stains, those are just a few highlights. Now, does a more expensive stain equal high-quality? Not always! Let’s explore the components of excellent log home stains. 

Components of High-Quality Log Home Stains 

If high quality log home stains are so vital, how do you know which is the best? Here are 5 components you should be looking for in your log home stain. 

• Pigments 
• Resin 
• Solvents 
• Drying agents
• Additives 

Let’s break these down individually.

Pigments 

Pigments are important because they provide color and also protection against UV exposure. The larger amount of pigmentation in the stain equals enhanced protection against UV exposure, meaning a longer lifespan for your stain. Look for log home stains that have a good amount of pigmentation. 

Resin 

This component of the log home stain will allow the pigment to adhere to the surface of the logs. It also creates a good barrier against any moisture that can seep in. The more common resins include acrylics and alkyds so look for those on the label.

Solvents

The job of solvents in a log home stain is to help dissolve the materials and create a smooth silky stain that is easy to apply and won’t streak when drying. In a water-based stain, the main solvent would be water, while oil based stains often use mineral spirits as their solvents.

Drying agents

These are essential for a quick drying process which means you won’t have to spend hours waiting for your log home stain to dry. Manufacturers will include good drying agents like cobalt for that speedy drying process, so make sure to look for that component when choosing a stain. 

Additives 

Many high-quality log home stains include additives which can vary from stain to stain. The important ones to look for are antifungal additives which protect against mold and mildew damage and water repellents which serve as an additional barrier against moisture damage.

5 Popular Log Cabin Stains 

Now let’s talk specifics. As experts in the log home staining field, here are five high-quality stains available for you to choose from. At Fine Line Painting,  we pride ourselves on using only the highest-quality materials, so we use the Sashco brand for the ultimate professional finish. 

1. Sashco Capture
2. Permachink Lifeline Ultra-7
3. PPG Proluxe 
4. Seal Once Nano-Penetrating 
5. Sashco Transformation

Each stain has their strengths and weaknesses, so below is a table breaking them down. Keep in mind, things like climate and geographical location can also make a difference in which stain you choose. 

The table above gives a clearer picture of the stain options you have available to you but if you still have questions about high-quality stains, contact us to find out more about the log home stain we use!

Choosing the Correct Color 

Now that you’ve decided which stain to go with, the question of what color to choose still remains. Stuck between choosing a more natural wood color or a darker rustic look? Or maybe you just want to put a clear coat on it and call it good? Below are 5 ways to make choosing the correct log stain color a little easier. 

1. Choose a natural wood color that matches with the surrounding environment 
2. Reflect your style 
3. Consider maintenance 
4. Test samples 
5. Ask professionals

Choose a Natural Wood Color 

While it can be great to choose a color that stands out, experts recommend choosing colors that allow the natural color of the wood to shine. If you have a light wood, you may want to consider a lighter color like honey or gold to let the vivid color of the wood be the star. If you have a darker toned  wood, think about a deeper colored stain that will make the wood look rich and cozy. The environment you are in can also help you decide what stain option will blend in and look natural. Whether you are in a dark forest without much light or an open field with lots of color and sunlight will impact the stain color. 

Reflect Your Style

At the end of the day, this is your log home and you want it to reflect who you are. If you like the natural look, then go for it! If you prefer a two toned look with different colors of stain, that is also a good choice. Get advice from others, but remember that you will be the one looking at your cabin the most, so take time to think about which colors reflect your style and what you like. And if you know you are a person who has changing styles, lean towards a more neutral option in case a bold bright choice causes you to change your mind later. 

Consider Maintenance 

Think about which stains will be the best for maintenance purposes. For example, if you choose to just do a clear coat, chances are your wood will darken and weather more if your home gets a lot of sun. It is best to choose a color that will prevent fading and weathering. 

Test Samples 

A sure fire way to see what the stain will actually look like on your log home is to test it in a small area. Select several different samples and brush a small amount onto an already sanded section of the log home or a sanded wood piece that is the same as your log cabin to help you choose. 

Ask Professionals

Luckily for you, you don’t have to do this process alone! There are professional companies who are happy to help you choose the log home stain of your dreams. Going into your local log stain and paint store could be an option for some advice, or you can often contact the manufacturer that you are buying directly from like Sashco. If you have already chosen a professional painting company to stain your log home, contact them and ask them what color they would select. With years of experience, they will have the knowledge and tools to help you choose! 

Types of Log Home Stain 

You may have heard us using the terms oil-based, water-based, interior and exterior stains earlier in this article. If you are confused about when to use which stain, and what those stains even are, we’ll break it down for you.

Interior vs Exterior 

If you are needing to stain the inside and outside of your log home, you may be wondering if you need a different stain for both. The answer to that is:  it depends. Many water-based stains like Sashco Capture can be used for both interior and exterior surfaces. Typically, experts suggest a water-based stain for the inside of your log home, while oil-based stains are preferred for the exterior. We’ll break down oil vs water based stains in a bit, but another key factor to mention is the additives. Exterior log cabin stains usually have more additives to protect against UV damage, elemental exposure and general wear and tear. Interior stains may also have more finish options like glossy or matte that exterior stains may not offer. 

Oil vs Water Based

Now let’s briefly touch on the difference between water based log home stains and oil based stains. Here’s a table explaining it further: 

Often, professional companies suggest using an oil-based stain because of the better adhesion to the logs and vivid colors. Here at Fine Line Painting, we use the Sashco Transformation oil-based stain for the best possible look.  However, water-based stains may be useful on interior surfaces or if you are looking for a faster drying time and a more environmentally friendly option. 

What Should I Expect from Professional Companies?

Here is the bare minimum you should expect from a professional log cabin staining company that specializes in log home staining:  

• Commitment to quality
• Clear communication 
• Consistent reviews 
• Prompt finish 

Commitment to Quality

Sadly, some professional companies don’t always choose the highest quality stains. Check with the company you are hiring about the materials and stains that they will be using on your log home. If they are using a high-quality stain, you can trust that they are one step closer to doing an excellent job staining your log cabin! Also, check to see if they go above and beyond instead of settling for the bare minimum. For example, our log home staining company doesn’t just settle with two coats of stain, we will provide you with a four coat coverage for maximum durability and professional finish. 

Clear Communication 

Professional companies should always be upfront with their services, and communicate clearly with you on everything, from the times they will be working on your log home to the estimated costs. Clear communication at the beginning will reduce misunderstanding and potential frustrations later on. 

Consistent Reviews 

Maybe the professional log home staining company that you are choosing is a recommendation from a friend. While one experience may have been phenomenal, make sure you are checking their other reviews to hear what multiple people have to say about the company. If they are a high quality company, their reviews should be consistently positive and favorable.  

Prompt Finish 

Lastly, the professionals staining your log home should complete the job in a timely fashion. Get an estimate at the beginning of the approximate length of the project for a better understanding of the company. While staining log cabins can be a very laborious process and it is realistic to expect anywhere from several days to a couple of weeks to finish staining the log home, professional companies shouldn’t be taking months to complete it. Look for a professional company that will give you a high-quality staining job in a timely fashion, freeing you up to do other things! 

Well, that wraps it up on choosing the best log home stain! If you are looking for an experienced company in the Lebanon and Lancaster area, we are thrilled to offer you our professional services. Check out our completed projects to get an overview of our company or contact us to start the conversation. Let’s stain the log home of your dreams!