| The stain on your logs is the most important line of | | | | pretty much covered the whole log. I found out |
| defense against the three main enemies of your logs. | | | | after doing some research about the fact that |
| Those are the sun, (U.V. damage), moisture, and | | | | linseed oil has a photo-chemical reaction with |
| fungi. After proper preparation of the wood/logs, I | | | | ultraviolet rays that turns the wood black. This is on |
| believe it is one of the most important decision's that | | | | top of the fact that linseed oil is one of those natural |
| is made for their longevity and beauty; you should | | | | oils that many organisms like to feed on. Like I |
| use the best stains available, and not cut corners on | | | | mentioned before, its like candy-coating your house. I |
| quality. There are many stain manufacturers out | | | | think that linseed may be fine to have in some stains |
| there. They all claim to be the best and do an | | | | if the amount is very minimal, but I still see no reason |
| excellent job of protecting your logs from the | | | | to have it in a stain at all. There are better |
| element's, etc. But from my experience, most of | | | | ingredients to add as fillers to the stain. |
| them do not. One of the most common area's of | | | | The application method of the stain is the next most |
| shortcoming I see is the U.V. protection provided by | | | | important step. First I mask off doors, windows, etc. |
| stains. I see many log homes where the sun is | | | | Anything that we don't want stain on. I protect |
| actually sun burning the wood, and turning it black | | | | concrete, bushes, and so on, with canvas tarps. |
| right through the stain. Many times this happens in | | | | Then, I use airless sprayers to get a large volume of |
| one to three year's after application of the stain. This | | | | stain on an area of the logs. The stain is then back |
| is a prime example of the stain that was applied just | | | | brushed by hand to work it into to pores of the |
| not having enough U.V. inhibitors. It doesn't do any | | | | wood and even it out. This step is then repeated a |
| good to have a stain that provides good moisture | | | | second time, with the end result being that the wood |
| protection, but allows the sun to damage and | | | | has absorbed as much of the stain as it can, and the |
| destroy the wood cells underneath the stain!! | | | | stain is applied evenly. This method gives the most |
| I use what I feel are the best stain's available today. | | | | uniform look, with the greatest amount of protection |
| They are formulated to prevent the damaging | | | | for your logs. The result is value for you, the |
| effects of water, fungi, and U.V. radiation. They are a | | | | homeowner. Your log home will last the longest |
| V.O.C. Compliant blend of natural and synthetic resins | | | | period of time in between re-staining, with NO |
| which penetrate wood pores to block out water and | | | | damage to the wood cells of your logs. |
| provide long-lasting protection. A unique feature is | | | | By no fault of their own, many log home owners do |
| that these stains contain nutrient-free resins, instead | | | | not realize what a critical decision it is as far as what |
| of high levels of fungicide to prevent mold and | | | | stain to apply to their home. And unfortunately, too |
| mildew growth. There are many stains produced that | | | | many of them have gotten off on the wrong foot |
| have natural oils and minerals as key ingredients, that | | | | and have gotten into a vicious cycle with their homes |
| are actually food for mold and mildew spores. Staining | | | | of having all kinds of really unnecessary problems and |
| your home with some of these products is like giving | | | | issues concerning the stain. This is partially because |
| an invitation to all kinds of little critter's to make a | | | | first of all, there is a lack of information as a whole |
| meal of your log's! One example of this is Linseed oil | | | | and secondly, there is much misinformation out there |
| based stain. I'm amazed at the number of stains that | | | | also. Some of the so-called "experts" that people are |
| still exist out there that are linseed oil based. | | | | maybe dealing with don't always have their best |
| Obviously these stain manufacturers don't have a | | | | interest in mind or just aren't taking the time to give |
| clue about what their stains do and how they react | | | | the homeowners the proper information either. My |
| to certain factors like the sun. | | | | goal is to provide log home owners with information |
| The very first log home I ever worked on had an | | | | that is useful to them in real world applications, |
| existing stain on it that was linseed oil based. The | | | | because I have had the opportunity to see how |
| sides of the home that got the most U.V. exposure | | | | most of the stains hold up in the real world and as |
| were quite black. This wasn't the typical sun damage | | | | far as I'm concerned, that speaks volumes more so |
| concentrated on the upper curvature of the logs, but | | | | than some company's slick sounding advertising pitch! |