A log home is one of the more decorative looking types of properties to live in and many people in more rural areas own this style of property. The look of natural wood can be attractive, although it is generally recommended that the wood of a log cabin be given a protective treatment. This is especially the case for the exterior of a property which is exposed to the elements and log home stain is a product that can be used to treat the wood of a log cabin.
Log home stain is generally a liquid compound that is painted onto the wood of a log cabin and is used for a couple of purposes. First and foremost it is a protective material that can help wood cope better with the effects of sun, rain and snow. Most stains will typically cover and penetrate the wood to give it sun protection as well as making it water repellant. This can provide it with greater resistance to weather damage and in turn this can extend to the life of the wood and mean there is less chance of problems developing.
As well as being a protective substance, log home stain can also enhance the beauty of the wood and this is another reason for using it. Many wood stains on the market come in a few different wood tone shades and tints and depending on your preference it is possible to color the wood of your log cabin to your taste and style.
There are a number of manufacturers that produce log home stain with Log Care Solutions being one of these. The produce Woodguard log stain and this is a two coat system which comprises a deep penetrating wood preservative which is used as the first coat. This is followed by the application of a sealer coat and when used in combination the two coats can help to protect the wood. When applied in accordance with the manufacturers instructions the stain is rated to protect the wood of a log cabin for five years. It is available in six natural wood tones including honey, dark walnut and tawny cypress and this provides a choice of finishes. The cost will vary depending on the quantity required with a standard 1 gallon pail costing around $63 and a standard 5 gallon pail costing around $220.
Sashco is another manufacturer that produces log home stain products. They have a few different products available and this includes protective substances such as Transformation Exterior Stain, High Sierra Interior/Exterior Stain and Capture Interior/Exterior Stain. Their products are available for sale at a range of log home suppliers and hardware stores around the country and details of the retailers that stock their products can be found at a distributor locator feature on the Sashco website.
Protecting the wood of a log cabin is a common sense thing to do and log home stain is designed for this purpose. It can help to extend the life of the wood and protect the exterior surfaces against weather damage. It can also be used to enhance the look of the wood and for these reasons using a wood stain is something that all log cabin owners should consider.