| The stain on your logs is the most important line of | | | | to certain factors like the sun. The very first log |
| defense against the three main enemies of your logs. | | | | home I ever worked on had an existing stain on it |
| Those are the sun, (U.V. damage), moisture, and | | | | that was linseed oil based. The sides of the home |
| fungi. After proper preparation of the wood/logs, we | | | | that got the most U.V. exposure were quite black. |
| believe it is one of the most important decision's that | | | | This wasn't the typical sun damage concentrated on |
| is made for their longevity and beauty; you should | | | | the upper curvature of the logs, but pretty much |
| use the best stains available, and not cut corners on | | | | covered the whole log. I found out after doing some |
| quality. There are many stain manufacturers out | | | | research about the fact that linseed oil has a |
| there. They all claim to be the best and do an | | | | photo-chemical reaction with ultraviolet rays that |
| excellent job of protecting your logs from the | | | | turns the wood black. This is on top of the fact that |
| element's, etc. But from our experience, most of | | | | linseed oil is one of those natural oils that many |
| them do not. One of the most common area's of | | | | organisms like to feed on. Like I mentioned before, |
| shortcoming we see is the U.V. protection provided | | | | its like candy-coating your house. I think that linseed |
| by stains. We see many log homes where the sun is | | | | may be fine to have in some stains if the amount is |
| actually sun burning the wood, and turning it black | | | | very minimal, but I still see no reason to have it in a |
| right through the stain. Many times this happens in | | | | stain at all. There are better ingredients to add as |
| one to three year's after application of the stain. This | | | | fillers to the stain. |
| is a prime example of the stain that was applied just | | | | The application method of the stain is the next most |
| not having enough U.V. inhibitors. It doesn't do any | | | | important step. First we mask off doors, windows, |
| good to have a stain that provides good moisture | | | | etc. Anything that we don't want stain on. We |
| protection, but allows the sun to damage and | | | | protect concrete, bushes, and so on, with canvas |
| destroy the wood cells underneath the stain!! | | | | tarps. Then, we use airless sprayers to get a large |
| We use what we feel are the best stain's available | | | | volume of stain on an area of the logs. The stain is |
| today. They are formulated to prevent the damaging | | | | then back brushed by hand to work it into to pores |
| effects of water, fungi, and U.V. radiation. They are a | | | | of the wood and even it out. This step is then |
| V.O.C. Compliant blend of natural and synthetic resins | | | | repeated a second time, with the end result being |
| which penetrate wood pores to block out water and | | | | that the wood has absorbed as much of the stain as |
| provide long-lasting protection. A unique feature is | | | | it can, and the stain is applied evenly. This method |
| that these stains contain nutrient-free resins, instead | | | | gives the most uniform look, with the greatest |
| of high levels of fungicide to prevent mold and | | | | amount of protection for your logs. The result is |
| mildew growth. There are many stains produced that | | | | value for you, the homeowner. Your log home will |
| have natural oils and minerals as key ingredients, that | | | | last the longest period of time in between re-staining, |
| are actually food for mold and mildew spores. Staining | | | | with NO damage to the wood cells of your logs. |
| your home with some of these products is like giving | | | | This is part one of at least a three part series on |
| an invitation to all kinds of little critter's to make a | | | | stains for your log home or cabin. In the next parts |
| meal of your log's! One example of this is Linseed oil | | | | of the series, we will address the different types of |
| based stain. I'm amazed at the number of stains that | | | | stains, and pigmented stains versus clear-coat stains, |
| still exist out there that are linseed oil based. | | | | which stains are best and why, etc. I hope you'll join |
| Obviously these stain manufacturers don't have a | | | | me for those articles as well. |
| clue about what their stains do and how they react | | | | |