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At Sashco, our foundation, all we do and decide, every bit of our direction, is built around five foundational values: truth, trust, care, forgiveness, and respect. We’ve been operating by these core values for more than 85 years.

When we were developing our values, the subject of care came up. Do we care about each other? Who do we need to care about? As we looked back at our discussions, we realized that, in a way, we were debating over who we didn’t have to care about! That realization made our answer crystal clear: yes, we do need to care, and care must be all-inclusive.

Sure, that’s easy to say, but what does that look like on a practical level? Let’s be honest. No one always likes everyone they work with. Does that mean we can’t still care about them? Absolutely not. Does all-inclusive care mean there’s never conflict? Negative ghost-rider. Conflict is often a necessary part of progress. Without contrasting ideas, it’s almost impossible to truly drive innovation. Can you engage in caring conflict? You bet!

Living and working by values like care mean you assume, look for, and point out the best in your team. Care means working together for the company’s and the customer’s greater good, rather than stepping on heads to get ahead. Showing care demonstrates the values we hold. It tells the truth, it trusts and respects others and their ideas, and it’s quick to forgive.

To be a company driven by care, though, you must go beyond just the team’s inner workings. You must demonstrate and extend all-inclusive care to everyone with whom you interact. Our shipping team cares about the UPS and FedEx guys who pick up from us each day. Our customer service team cares about the stressed-out homeowner on the phone who desperately needs a little guidance. Our sales team cares equally about the buying manager and the sales floor clerk.

Kindness is a bit of a buzzword. It’s simple to talk about being kind. Care, though…care requires putting kindness into action, even when it’s not easy. And when care isn’t shown, it means making it right. The right thing is often the hard thing, but the worthy thing.

How can you reduce callbacks for repair jobs?

We talked to high-performance builder, Matt Risinger of the Build Show to see what tips he had to share.

What do six months in the field working as a warranty manager teach you? Two things, callbacks are common and costly!

That was the eye-opening experience that taught Matt Risinger why high-performance products truly matter. Matt and his team have been building architecturally driven homes that meet the highest standards of craftsmanship, durability, efficiency, and comfort. As host of the “Build Show,” he has become a nationally recognized expert in building science and high-performance construction. Through education and practice, Matt is driven to elevate the standards of the building industry.

Benefit from Matt’s experience with some of his top tips for avoiding the pain of callbacks.

Material selection is VERY important!

It’s one thing to filter callbacks as the warranty manager for a prominent builder. It’s a very different beast when the company is your own. Customers aren’t calling a warranty manager. They’re calling you! After making many costly mistakes, Matt realized that not all products are created equal. Especially when it comes to caulk and sealants, Matt’s top tip is to draw a hard line for durability and reliability. Matt explains that “When it comes to selecting a sealant, I’m always asking myself, ‘Is this going to be better than what I’ve used? And will it be lasting and durable?” You feel a well-built home when you walk in. So does your customer. A high-performance sealant matters big time.

To learn more about high-performance sealants watch this Sashco & Build Show Webinar:

Think long-term.

You know the scenario. You’re standing in the caulking aisle. There are countless choices. Do you choose the tube that runs you a couple of bucks, or do you opt for a high-performance sealant that will last? Even if it means paying two or three times more? According to Matt, a high-performance caulk like Big Stretch pays dividends well worth a few extra dollars. “I started using Big Stretch because it created very few callbacks. I love Big Stretch. It’s a little more than a commodity product that will look great the day you install them. But one month, one year, five years later, it’s going to look very different. A high-performance product has to adhere well, bend, and stay flexible and elastic. Low-cost products may have one quality. Big Stretch is the one that has all three. Easy choice.,” explains Matt.

Coach the customer!

You’re the pro! Your customer depends on you to help educate and guide them. They have input on the budget, yes. But what they want is excellent work. Help your client understand why product selection is essential and how the minimal cost of high-performance products ultimately gives them what they desire most, a well-built house to enjoy for years. Matt encourages you to translate his experience to your customers. He says, “I’ve experienced a lot of failures in my 25-plus years in business. Those mistakes have driven me to want to pick the right sealant for the application. Regardless of cost, because how much does it cost to come back and redo caulk that’s failed? Probably several hundred and a man’s day of work. Not to mention my reputation and the trust of my customers. It’s just not worth it.”

Are you a pro passionate about high performance? Want more tips about how to sell that passion to your customers? Watch the entire episode of Les’s Corner!

Be sure to follow us on social to keep up with how Matt Risinger and other pros like to use our high-performance products.

@sashcoinc

DOWNLOAD: Navigating Sealant Technologies Amidst Supply Chain Disruptions

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Fact or Fiction: Linseed oil is food for mold; therefore, you should never use a stain with linseed oil in it.

Answer: It may surprise you! Our resident stain expert Jim Barnes plays some Fact or Fiction to give you the lowdown on the pros and cons of linseed oil to help you decide.  

Fact or Fiction: Linseed oil contributes to mildew growth.

Answer: Sort of fact…and sort of fiction. 

In properly formulated oil-based stains, like Sashco’s Transformation Log & Timber Stain, mildew and algae growth is no worse than on any other modern stain. These formulas contain mildewcides and algaecides to prevent or significantly reduce these problems. That said, it’s true that linseed oil by itself can be a food source for these molds. When homeowners buy straight linseed oil from hardware stores, dilute it with some mineral spirits and Japan drier, and make their own «stain,» mildew growth is not uncommon. This practice is still common enough that most contractors have or will come across this scenario. Unfortunately, homeowners who DIY stain this way don’t have access to the modern mildewcides and algaecides that most manufacturers who use linseed oil include in their formulas.  

Fact or Fiction: Linseed oil is just another oil and isn’t anything special.

Answer: Fiction.

Linseed oil is rare among drying oils because it remains soft and flexible for a long time after drying. Most drying oils get hard and brittle. In moderate quantities, it is used to soften alkyds and other oils commonly used in semi-transparent stains. The final formulation remains flexible enough to move with the wood as it expands and contracts with moisture and temperature variations. The stain doesn’t crack under normal wood movement and can keep water out for years when properly formulated. There are many oil-based stains on the market precisely because oil stains provide unparalleled beauty, penetration, ease of use, and the ability to reliably re-stain woods. Often, water-based stains can’t match all of these benefits. Linseed oil plays a critical role in this.  

When we come across opinion pieces that declare anything as the root of all evil, it is good to follow the money: what are the writers trying to sell? It is easy to point to the worst-case DIY linseed stain and cry out, «The sky is falling!» or «All linseed oil is evil» The reality is it’s somewhere closer to Earth.  

SO…  

Is linseed oil a problem in some stains? Yes, absolutely.

When we see extensive black mold on a home, does that mean its stain contained linseed? Nope. It might, but plenty of cheaply formulated stains and coatings, both oil and water-based, don’t protect well against mildew and algae. Algae, another organic growth completely different from mold can appear black, especially when dirty, and many stains don’t protect against algae at all. (Sashco is unique here. We’re the only company in the log home market that includes algaecide in all of its stains.) Any sun-exposed area with mold-looking spots should be suspected of being algae.

Do we have to take extra care when re-staining a home with severe mildew? Yes. We want to kill the mildew spores, preferably with oxygen bleach (or regular bleach and LOTS of rinsing). Using a high-quality stain with mildewcides and algaecides is essential for keeping mildew at bay in the future.

Is media blasting good enough to remove severe mildew? When the blasting is sufficient to remove all the visible discoloration, it can be. That level of blasting isn’t always desirable, so it is sometimes preferable to pre-treat the mildewed surfaces with an oxygen bleach before blasting. Will leftover linseed oil in the wood cause future mildew?  If the stain is properly formulated with mildewcides and algaecides, there shouldn’t be any problems if the wood has been prepared (blasted) down to the «freshly sanded» color.

This beautiful home was finished by Jenkins Painting in Sashco’s Transformation Log & Timber Stain.

So to sum up:

  • Linseed oil is fine when properly formulated with mildewcides and algaecides.
  • Any stain will support mold and algae growth when cheaply formulated without mildewcides and algaecides.
  • Routine maintenance is key to keeping mold and algae at bay.

Request A Free Stain Sample

We offer free samples so you can see our stain technology first-hand. Order samples today for your next project.

REquest Stain Samples

Macro trends we’re seeing right now

We are all experiencing product shortages caused by disruptions to the supply chain and a lack of labor in the workplace.

The result is empty shelf space.

How do you navigate this?

Sashco is here to help!

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Ah, summer. The moneymaker! You’re in the thick of the busy season. It’s easy to get caught up and put off planning for leaner times. Don’t make that mistake! One of the wisest ways to prepare for the slower season is to build value-added services into your business now. These four «all-season» money-making services keep your bottom-line consistent and strong all year long.

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Color is a beautiful thing. It can also be the source of sleepless nights, eye-twitching, and the reason you’re popping Tums. Let’s face it, choosing the right color for your log home is a big deal, and it can feel pretty darn stressful. We get it, and we’re here to help! These top-tips go a long way to giving you color confidence!

Get Inspired

First, spend a lot of time just looking around at homes you love. What tones speak to you? Looking at stain colors on other homes gives you a big picture idea of what to expect on your own. We have tons of inspiration for you here.

Take Your Color & Maintenance Temperature

Next, consider maintenance and protection. While every Sashco stain will protect your home from the beating Mother Nature dishes out, darker stains do provide slightly more longevity. Lighter colors require slightly more frequent maintenance. When choosing a stain color, «take your temperature.» What’s most important to you? Want to go darker and go a bit longer between maintenance coats? Great, you’ll be thrilled with colors like Transformation Stain in Brown Tone Dark or Redwood, or Capture Log Stain in Chestnut or Mahogany. Maybe you’re more of a purist and prefer lighter, more natural-looking logs and don’t mind doing maintenance a few months earlier. Perfect, we’ve got just what you’re looking for. You’ll be swooning over colors like Capture Log Stain in Natural or Wheat, or Transformation Stain in Gold Tone Light or Natural.    

Try Before You Buy!

Once you’ve decided which color family you prefer, try it on for size! If you’ve ever painted a room, you know that seeing color on a tiny chip versus an entire room is a very different experience. Multiply it by, well, a lot, when you see a stain color online or stain board versus your entire home! If you want total color confidence, you need to know the color you choose for your home is right before you cover the whole dang thing and it’s too late. Many factors influence what a stain looks like on your home—lighting, wood prep, even individual logs impact how stain looks. We take the stress out of selecting a color with the sample packages of your dreams. One quick order gets you product info, samples, and more — all in a fun box. It’s like receiving peace of mind in the mailbox. Get your free stain samples here.

Congratulations! You’re on your way to a gorgeous log home and way better sleep. You can go ahead and toss the Tums.

Tip #1: Proper Prep, Please!

Spend any time around Sashco peeps, and you’ll hear ad nauseam about the importance of proper prep. Why? Because it will guarantee the best long-term performance in a stain. Without proper surface prep, even the best log home stain in the world will fail.

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Most of you have more work than you can handle, so why bother marketing your business? Here are two good reasons:

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As a contractor, pricing your services is one of the most important keys to business survival…and one of the most difficult to master. Charge too little and your business won’t make it; charge too much and you risk losing business to competitors. We’ve all been there, and we feel your pain.

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Every month we feature a contractor, business, or success story. Learning from others in the biz is the best kind of learning. This month, we’re featuring Tony Christensen with Kbartee Renovations.

Spring is upon us, which usually means business picks up. Tony with Kbartee Renovations has been in full swing through the winter, too. We’re grateful for the time he spent with us, sharing more about his business here in Sashco’s home state of Colorado. 

How did you get started in Log home finishing?

I graduated college with a degree I wasn’t going to do anything with and was looking for work. Scott Stropko (Sashco’s Western Territory Manager) was a good family friend and he asked if I liked working outside. I said yes. He hooked me up with Jim Davis out of Wyoming and I started four days later. I worked with Jim for 3½ years and decided that I didn’t want to travel as much anymore, so another business partner and I broke off on our own. I worked with my business partner here in Colorado for 11½ years. Then, about 18 months ago, I decided to split off on my own. Life. is. great! Every day I pinch myself to make sure it’s real. I have an incredible job and I get to work in some incredible places. When I decided to be sole proprietor, it was a little scary. I never thought I’d be this busy. It’s mind blowing. I’m so grateful. There wasn’t a day during COVID that I didn’t work. 

What is your favorite part of this work?

Restoration. I like working on older homes. I like it when homeowners haven’t liked their home for a while, but didn’t know they could get it the way they wanted. I simply apply expertise and elbow grease. I love taking a home, transforming it, and seeing how happy the homeowner is at the end. We’re restoring their dream. Their smiles make it all worth it.

What is your least favorite part?

Weather: It’s hard to work around the weather. But then, I had more working days in January and February of this year than I have in March and April because of spring snows. It’s also difficult to manage expectations for people who don’t know that we’re booked so far ahead. They call in June wanting their home done by end of the summer. 

What is your advice to a newbie?

I wish Sashco offered the Zero Failures Business Focus class when I started out 13 years ago. I’d be so much further ahead. I would tell people that your word and your reputation are everything in this industry. You better have an incredibly good work ethic and be able to work with lots of different personalities. Be willing to learn. Soak up everything. It’s paramount to do good work and maintain high-quality relationships in this industry. If you get a bad rep with homeowners, that’s also a bad rep with distributors and others in the industry. When you screw up (not if, because it will happen), be willing to fix things and learn from it. Don’t just cut and run. You learn who you don’t want to be before you learn who you do want to be. 

What does the future look like?

I’ve had opportunities recently to merge with another company or purchase another company, but I really like where I am now. I like having the smaller crew. It’s part of the appeal with homeowners, too. I’m the owner, I will be on the jobsite 85-90% of the time, they’re dealing with me from A to Z. I’ve gotten really good at selling that. There are people who I know want to grow. That was me at first. I have two guys working for me and they’ve caught on really fast. Eventually, I know I will need to ease back and let those guys take some things over. In 5 to 10 years, maybe they’ll want to buy me out and I can go buy my cattle ranch.

Speaking of cattle ranching, what is the meaning of Kbartee?

Kbartee is a brand my wife’s grandmother sewed into her wedding dress. It’s a K, a Bar, and a T. As a gift for our first wedding anniversary, my wife registered it. I wanted something different for a company name and this just fit. It will be the brand for our cattle ranch someday.

Thanks again, Tony, for the time. Hit Tony up to talk shop!

Tony Christensen
kbarteerenovations.com
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