Log Home and Cedar Wood Siding Stain Tips
There is little debate that the climate you live in will take its toll on all your wood surfaces if they are not protected. Without adequate protection water and moisture can easily penetrate a wood surface causing it to swell. In the heat of the day the sun beats down on these same surfaces drying them out causing them to shrink up again. This constant expanding and contracting cycle causes the wood to split, crack, and splinter.
Unprotected wood is also at risk for mold and mildew. Anytime moisture is present, mold, mildew, and algae can become a problem. Prolonged exposure to these contaminants causes wood rot and decay jeopardizing the wood's longevity.
The risk of water damage, sun fading, and mold/mildew rot can all be avoided by protecting the wood with a water repellent and UV blocking wood stain. Surfaces that are more at risk are horizontal surfaces such as decking and tops of handrails. But this does not mean that vertical surfaces are safe from harm, they just take longer to show signs of wear.
Vertical surfaces like log homes and cedar wood siding are also subjected to harsh weather and are at risk if not treated. These surfaces need protected with a quality wood stain. Wood stains best for these types of surfaces are penetrating semi-transparent stains that fade over time and will not darken. These particular types of wood stains can be cleaned and reapplied as needed and make maintenance a lot easier.
We do not recommend using a film forming other types of heavy pigmented or solid stains or paints. These types of wood stains are tougher to maintain and need heavy stripping or cob blasting to remove them before a new coat can be applied. These wood stains do not last any longer than the penetrating log home stains and only add extra time and costs to maintenance.
Semi-transparent log home and cedar wood siding stains that penetrate well and do not darken will provide suburb protection from water damage and sun fading. Once these vertical surface stains begin to fade, all that is needed is a light wash and a stain recoat. They also enhance the beauty of your log home or cedar wood siding by allowing the wood grain to show through. They are available in many different colors and tints. Log home and cedar siding stains will condition the wood and give you many years of protection between maintenance coats.
Please ask any questions as to what stain would work for your Log Home or Cedar Siding.