What do you get when you combine a roofing contractor and a sealant manufacturer for a chimney repair project (apart from much time spent arguing over who gets to use the rad tools)? An expert example of tuckpointing a chimney.

Recently, Sashco president Les Burch and Sashco team members Sabrina and Randy helped Shane Guerra, the owner of Synergy Property Solutions, and his team, repair a chimney. Shane used Mor-Flexx, a latex acrylic caulk designed specifically for the chimney repairs. Mor-Flexx is ideal for use on mortar between stucco, concrete, bricks, and stone, or stucco repairs.

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A recent post on a popular contractor locating service website asked this question: “Why are contractors so bad at calling people back?” He posted that 70% of the contractors he had contacted failed to call him back. Time for an uncomfortable confession: Sashco fields this same question multiple times every week. We hear, “You gave me the names of these contractors, but none of them are calling me back. Why?” Having more calls than you know what to do with is a great “problem” to have. So, how can you ensure that you respond to every legit call? Maybe it’s time to consider the help of a call service to handle incoming calls and scheduling. We are talking about the pros and cons and how to know if hiring a call service is right for your business.

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What if you could see how your log home stain would perform before you ever applied it?

Now you can! Sashco put Transformation Log & Timber Stain to the test in side-by-side comparisons with a variety of competitive stains.

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Yes! You’ve chosen your stain, done all the prep, plus secondary prep, and you’ve blocked out that day on your calendar with just the right weather conditions for staining and getting the job done. Before you get started here’s a few tidbits and tips you should know.

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Borates are one of the most affordable ways to protect your log home. You’re basically buying low-cost home insurance. That’s a no-brainer! These preservative products are designed to protect your wood from rot and wood-ingesting insects. Adding this affordable step at the beginning can save you headaches down the road, including the time and money it costs to replace damaged wood.

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You’re ready to restore a historic log home? It’s exciting but requires special knowledge. Therefore, before you dive into any historical preservation or log home restoration project, here’s what you need to know from a restoration expert.

The background

Recently, Mark Nelson of Nelson Restoration worked on a Grand Teton National Park project. Mark partnered with Sashco to provide key decision makers with the best information regarding log structures preservation. A report by Sashco contrasted traditional preservation methods such as mortar and linseed oil with modern products.

Both approaches were discussed in the report, which was compiled with Mark’s input. Modern products are often easier to use and cost less in the long run, even though traditional methods require more maintenance. Also discussed were the environmental impacts of each approach, noting that modern products are typically more sustainable.

The rest of the story…

The report concluded that using modern products to preserve log structures is a viable option. Above all, it gave stakeholders the information they needed to make an informed decision .

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What affects Stain color?

Folks are passionate about getting the perfect color on their home. It can be a challenge when there are so many factors that can affect stain color. We’re here to help explain exactly what affects that perfect color so expectations are crystal (or, perhaps semi-transparently) clear.

Stain Color Rule: The final color will always be a combination of every visible layer.

When applying transparent or semi-transparent stains (which all of Sashco’s stains are) everything under the stain affects the color.

(Side note: with solid stains and paint, only the stain or paint shows, not the wood underneath. Unfortunately, this also hides developing problems that you won’t find until it’s too late. This is why Sashco doesn’t make, nor recommend, solid paints and stains for logs. Whew! That was a long side note.)

So, what affects the first coat of color?

The color of the wood itself (species and even individual logs can vary a LOT)
The absorption capacity, aka porosity, of the wood (again, species and even individual logs can vary a LOT)
The condition of the wood. This include factors such as:
- Is it newly sanded?
- Is it sunburned? Is there yellowed wood present? (Wood yellows/oxidizes as it ages. Shameless plug: Colorfast can minimize this color change!)
- Gray, weathered wood — this wood always stains to a black color!
Clean or dirty wood — every discoloration from dust, pollen, bird poo, mold, etc. will be locked in under the stain if not first removed.
The previous exposure of the wood. On recoats, exposed walls are expected to be more porous and stain darker than walls that are more protected from the elements.
The penetration of the stain. Keep in mind that oils penetrate, acrylics don’t – well, not much.
The color of the stain being applied.

TIP: You can wet the wood down with a little water and it will darken somewhat. Imagine a brown cedar shake – it “wets out” to be dark brown-black. Gray wood also goes nearly black when wet. This wet down is a good double-check for color, as well as a test for sufficient prep on formerly gray weathered wood. Still dark after all that sanding? You need to sand some more.

What affects the second coat of color?

The color of the first coat. (Seems like a “duh” statement, but sometimes the obvious isn’t so obvious.)
The absorption capacity (aka porosity) of the stained surface. Just like wood, stains vary in their porosity! Things to consider when it comes to absorption:
- Film-forming stains in good condition won’t allow much, if any, penetration (Hint from the pros and also the novices: This is the perfect time to do maintenance—when things are still in good shape! Wait too long and you’ll have more extensive and expensive prep on your hands.
- As some stains age, they get more porous and will absorb quite a bit of stain. Eroding alkyds (Sashco’s Transformation Siding & Trim) are an example of this type of stain. They don’t peel, they erode over time, which makes them more porous.
- Wet on wet coats: Drying oils — alkyds or natural oils like Transformation Log & Timber — need the first coat to cure before the second coat is applied. Otherwise, the second coat soaks in and results in a dull look and a different color.
- Non-drying oils will soak in more and more, oil as they never dry. The color deposited on the surface will remain for only a while, then will be burned off the surface within a few months. (These types of stains also interfere with the adhesion of chinking and caulking. Every log home has some areas that need to be sealed. As such, Sashco doesn’t recommend any products with silicones, waxes, or non-drying oils.)
The color of the stain being applied as the second coat. This can be different than the color of the first coat. Shifting to a darker color can really highlight wood textures.

Add it all together and you get…

…a different color every time! The vast number of variables that affect the color means that sampling is always your best option, even when doing maintenance. It’s why Sashco provides free samples of our stains and clear coats. Be sure to contact Customer Service when you need them!

At Sashco, we know that logs ain’t wood. So whether your’re finally building your dream home, looking to do some routine maintenance to keep your weekender log cabin looking beautiful, or in need of a complete log cabin renovation and restoration, we’re here to help with a full line of specialty log home finishing products.

Order Stain Samples

We make stain selection simple with curated colors and everything you need to create a log home you love, delivered.

Order Stain Samples

Inspiration Gallery

Need help selecting the right log stain color for your dream home? Here’s a little inspiration.

See the possibilities

Where to Buy

Find dealers near you and see which online retailers sell Sashco by visiting our Where to Buy page.

Where to buy

Find a Contractor

Need help finding a log home contractor? Visit our directory of pros who specialize in log home finishing and restoration.

Find A Contractor

Request A Free Stain Sample

Don’t surrender your fate to an online color chart. Order your free stain samples today.

REquest A Sample

Prep Time

So now it’s time to prepare your wood for staining. Substrate preparation is the most critical step in achieving stain longevity. As Kurt Denman of Benjamin Moore^® stated in the February 2007 edition of Coatings World magazine, “I cannot emphasize enough how critical proper preparation is to realize a successful staining project. It’s the ultimate determinant on how long the beauty of a job lasts.” Properly preparing the wood from the get-go will save you both time and money down the road.

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What is secondary prep? After you’ve gotten down to clean sound wood it’s time to clean up and remove wood fuzz media blasting another methods left behind.

When properly done, most blasting methods create at least some “felting”, AKA “wood fuzz.” Prior to applying any finishing products you must remove wood fuzz. Eventually all of that fuzz will fall off, so any stain applied to it will leave a mottled appearance and leave those areas exposed to weather. Additionally, blasting can sometimes raise the grain too much, making the wood too coarse. Even though the coarse texture is beneficial for stain adhesion, it makes the stain look darker and rougher.

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Tips to Help You Choose a Log Home Stain Color You Love

Choosing a stain and actually staining are two very different things. Part of the plan must be to sample the stain on your unique logs so you know what color to expect.

request stain samples

Sampling log stain colors on your home is a key step to ensuring you’ll love the stain color you choose. But how do you know which type of log stain you need for your unique log home? We know the struggle is real, so we’ve simplified the stain selecting experience, including the way you sample log stain types and colors.

First, Consider Compatibility

If your home is already stained, stain compatibility is a huge issue because not all stains are compatible with one another — nor with all sealants. That’s why it’s important to select a stain that will be compatible with caulking and chinking. When you consider that an average 2,200 sq.ft. ranch-style log home has literally one mile of log joints, many of which will need to be sealed at some point in time, adhesion compatibility with the stain you use is critical.

Next, Think Stain Types and Performance

There are three different types of stains available to you. Keep in mind that not all stains are created equal, and how deep a stain penetrates doesn’t necessarily equate to better performance. The best value for your dollar may be in a more expensive stain that has been formulated for a specific type of application, i.e. decks, logs, wood siding, etc.

With all types, good prep is important to get maximum longevity. Sashco recommends going with a surface stain or a shallow penetrating stain, both of which afford your home the greatest protection and long-term performance. The three types of stains are discussed below.

Here’s How to Decide Which Stain Type You’ll Need

1. Surface Stains

Capture Log Stain and Cascade Clear Coat System, Symphony Interior Clear Coat

OK to use on restoration projects when the previous stain contained no non-drying oils (keep reading for details)
Little, if any, penetration into the first layer of closed wood cells
Rely on adhesion and elasticity for performance
Good for use on most wood surfaces — handrails and vertical surfaces
Should not be used on roofing shingles and does not perform well on decks
Quality brands (like ours) have good longevity

2. Shallow-Penetrating Stains

Transformation Stain Log and Timber and Transformation Stain Siding and Trim

Best for use on restoration products where the previous stain is oil-based or unknown
Penetrates into wood about 1-3 cells deep
Good for use on vertical wood surfaces
Some brands are good on decks and fences
Should not be used on roofing shingles
Quality brands (like ours) have good longevity

3. Deep Penetrating Oil Stains

Not a product Sashco makes – we only make high-performance product lines.

Can be used on log homes, but won’t last long
Can penetrate as much as ¼” or more into wood
Good for decks, hand-rails, and roofing materials
Not compatible with most other finishing products (sealants in particular)
Appearance is short-lived, even with frequent re-application

Choosing a Stain Color

Your stain color sets the tone of your home—which why it’s important to request samples and test several different stains and colors to ensure you get the color you want.

Sashco recommends that you stay away from clear stains. Why? In sun-drenched areas where only a clear stain is used, the wood’s natural color will begin to darken after only a few months. While you’re not alone in wanting to keep as natural a look as possible, clear coats that promise to preserve the “just built” look are misleading. It’s impossible to load enough UV absorbers in any clear stain to sufficiently protect your wood. And even though the stain may still be repelling water, dark yellow and gray discoloration of the wood is a sure sign that the UV absorbers have lost their effectiveness.

We recommend you stick with high-quality, UV-absorbing stains loaded with pigments – which is where you get the majority of your UV protection – and follow these sample testing procedures to make sure you get it right before you start.

Need help choosing a stain color?

Check out our Inspiration Gallery – where you can view our high-performance log stains, sealants, and chinking products on real log homes. You can view by stain type and color to get a feel for the endless possibilities. Create your dream home, order our log stain sample kit today!

Have more questions, call one of our log home gurus and they’ll be happy to answer any of your log home staining questions today. CALL NOW