If the stain on your log home is faded or worn off, it may just need a fresh coat of stain. Re-staining your log home is an important part of its maintenance program. It goes a long way towards keeping your log home looking great for years to come.

Logs need the protection from the elements that a quality log home stain provides. To keep your logs in good shape, it is necessary to clean and re-stain the exterior logs about every three to five years, depending on the type of stain you use and the exposure the logs get to the elements. (Selecting the right stain)

Not quite sure if your home may need blasting before re-staining? Find out more!

Here are some tips for re-staining:

• Cleaning the exterior logs is a part of the preparation that needs to be done prior to applying a fresh coat of stain. It is important that there is a clean surface so that the stain can adhere properly to the old stain.
• If at all possible, find out what type of finish you currently have on the logs. You may have a semi-transparent stain, a solid-body stain or even paint. Is the stain oil based or water based? It is important to know if a quality finish was used in the past. Some hardware store brands of stain are not good for your logs and even if they “look” OK, they should be removed before problems develop such as rot.
• Doors and windows must be masked before the new stain is applied. This requires attention to detail and the willingness to put the time into the front end of the job.

Your logs may need a complete refinishing process if:

• You have paint on your logs. Paint doesn’t allow logs to breath as well as stain does.
• Your stain is pealing or dark in places and these compromised areas cover a large part of the building.

Click here to learn more about how Edmunds & Company refinishes log homes.