This post was updated on May 1, 2024
Best Wood Stains for a Log Cabin in 2024
We at Deckstainhelp.com offer tips for more than staining decks. In this article, we offer our insight on which stains are the best for log cabins. We always appreciate your input, so feel free to leave a comment below with pictures of your log cabin stain projects. For 2024, TWP 1500 Series and the Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain are two excellent examples of log cabin stains.
Best Exterior Wood Stains for a Log Cabin and Wood Framed Homes
There is no doubt that a log cabin is a thing of beauty in almost any type of landscape. To keep a log cabin looking good and lasting for many years, maintenance is key. Log cabins can be very high maintenance and homeowners know all to well the tedious task of keeping it in good condition.
Like any other wood structure, a log cabin needs to have a protective finish. This keeps water and UV damage from rotting the logs and causing damage to the structure. Determining the best wood stain for a log cabin takes many factors into account. The texture of the wood, age, log moisture content, and climate are just a few. So while there may be many wood stains best for a log cabin there are a few that stand out.
Considering that most log cabins are constructed with rough-textured porous wood that eliminates using any type of stain made for dense smooth woods. A wood stain that is uniquely designed for rough sawn and porous wood is ideal.
Wood stains such as TWP 1500 Series and the Restore-A-Deck Wood Stain are two good examples of log cabin stains. These penetrating stains help prevent the damage caused by water, fungi, and UV radiation. They will allow the natural beauty of the wood to show through while providing maximum protection.
For extra dry logs, a stain like Armstrong Oil Based Stain can be a great choice. In addition to enhanced beauty and weather protection, Armstrong utilizes nondrying conditioning oils to replace the wood’s natural oils that have since evaporated. The nondrying oils separate from the drying side of the formula that remains at the surface to lock in the conditioning oils providing a dry to the touch barrier.
Try to stay away from wood stains designed for smooth hardwoods and also film forming or acrylic based stains. These types of stains are not best used on the rough sawn cut texture of log cabins and can cause a whole host of problems.
If you Have Questions on Staining Your Home, Please Ask Below
How can I get color samples for log cabin
You would need to check with each brand’s website to see if they have samples. Was there a certain brand you were looking at? here are some links below:
https://www.armstrongclarkstain.com/samples
https://www.twpstain.com/stain-samples
https://www.restore-a-deck.com/restore-a-deck-stain-samples.html
We have a 14 yr old cedar log home in Maine (approx 3600 sq ft floorplan). Original builders/owners stained the exterior using Sikkens (old formula). First new owner stained 8 yrs later using Sikkens (new formula). Two yrs after that, as the current owners, we are now faced with mold/mildew on every surface (almost), with the likelihood that it’s growing between the layers of stain. The deck is actually peeling. Is this even possible with Sikkens? We’re starting to get quotes on media-blasting with pulverized glass ($22,000) then power-washing and re-staining ($12,000+). Do procedures and cost sound about right? Considering using WoodGuard but is TWP better? Desperately need to prevent this problem in the future!
Media blasting is the correct way to fix this. Yes, Sikkens can peel, especially the newer formula. I’m not sure if your costs are right for your area since they can vary. It is best to get 2-3 quotes and then compare.
TWP is better than WoodGuard. You would need the 1500 Series for Maine.
We’re renovating the Lake House. We choose new pine log siding to replace the old log siding as the house addition would not match on the entire house. I am a long time customer of TWP and that was easy to go with them again. My question is with the new wood how long do I wait to stain, and if it turns grey can I stain over that without removing it? I read about mill glaze, the resins on smooth surface from milling blades. I read to wait 5-6 months prior to staining.
The old cabin wood was very dark and we want to get this as dark as possible. Going with dark walnut TWP 1500.
Thanks!
Eric
See this from the TWP site about new wood.
https://twpstainhelp.com/prepping-new-wood-for-twp-stains/
You must remove any gray and prep before staining.
Ok. Will the TWP not adhere as well if it is grey? Is 5-6 months a long enough wait period or can I lightly sand and stain sooner?
Thank you!
Eric
You cannot apply a stain over gray oxidized wood. It has to be removed. 4+ months and then clean and brighten for prep, not sand.
@Morgan
More pics
@Morgan
Pics
Just bought this stockade log fixer, ADU, and pole barns remodeled from the 50’s onward using wood from the property.
There’s a variety of surfaces including: old fir logs, old rough sawn fir decking, railings, benches and fir clapboards, as well as new cedar clapboards and treated railing and decking added by us. Pole barn is getting new T-1-11 and Hardie board.
Media blasting everything this week, then hoping to find a coordinating line with products in the same color and finish for each surface.
Was planning on using Cabot, in one color for the different applications, but this is not advisable anymore, correct? Even if we could find the original high VOC oil formula?
Looking at TWP, AC, and RAD stains, it doesn’t appear that one line has it all. Will we have to just mix and match?
Do any other recommended lines exist that have color coordinated products for:
-Semi-solid penetrating oil for the logs to cover discoloration
-Solid stain for clapboards to cover discoloration
-Semi-transparent stain for new decking
-Acrylic resurfacing product for old decking (planning rebuild soon)
-Acrylic solid coating for cement boards
Also, do we need a brightener after media blasting?
FYI
-In Washington state 8b, fungus of many kinds
-One side of house heavily treed, other side faces full weather
-Old decking is covered, new decking is open
-Everything treated with Borate for insects
-Old paint blasted off
-Color needed is dark brown
No, there is no such thing as coordinating colors for the same lines in different opacities and they would never match as colors vary drastically based on the wood type and age of the wood for semi-transparent and semi-solid colors. You would have to find a mix that works for you. We would not suggest Cabot. You do not have to brighten after media blasting.
Ok, thanks!
Cabot does have all those products available in the same colors, and they do seem to magically match regardless of species/age/opacity, which is why we thought we had a foolproof plan.
But the new formulas are such a flop, we’re forced to pivot to a new brand. Thanks to this website though, at least we won’t waste time and money on products doomed to failure! We will take your advice and find a mix that works.
Let us know if you have any questions based on the brands and types you are using.
We want to re-stain our 35 year old pine log cabin!Behr stain has been used multiple times but didn’t seem to hold up more than 3 or 4 years!It is a very dark color like espresso!What stain would you recommend!We were thinking about using the Armstrong Clark brand in the espresso color they have!Can we just stain right over the old stain?Can you tell us what we need to do and what we need to get?Thanks
Your first issue is fully removing the Behr. You cannot stain any brand over the current coating. Post some pics for prep advice.
Once remvoed, the AC stains would be an excellent choice.
i have had a log cabin for 5 years now i used the timber pros XP log stain as per the instructions and unfortunately after a year it started to peel off. I have re-stained it again after 2 years and the following year it started peeling off again. That stain was recommended to me by the log home company which i found very ineffective and a waist of time and money as i have to consider a better stain and re-do the work. What stain would you recommend knowing i need to sand the old stain off.
thanks .
Best to media blast this off for prep. As for the new stain, you want a fully penetrating stain so it does not peel and is easier to clean and recoat. Try TWP 1500 or 200 Series.
I want to re-do my south facing wall of my log home. It was originally stained with Cetol 1 and Cetol 23. About 4 years ago I put on a coat of Cetol Maintenance. Should I get down to bare wood or can I put something over the previous coats? I just want to protect the logs from us damage. Thanks, John
Remove and start over. Post some pics for prep advice.
We purchased a log home that hasn’t been cared for. At some point they painted it green. We’re going to get it walnut blasted and then stained. The company doing the blasting recommend Messmers, I was thinking Lovitts. What do you recommend? TWP?
TWP or Armstrong Clark stains would be excellent choices.
I have a 5 year old cedar log home. I used a semi transparent water based stain from Sherman Williams(regret)and now and stripping off the stain and want to go with an oil based stain. Looking at Cabot’s or TWP but my question is you can still see some of the latex in certain parts of the logs, not much and with it being cedar don’t think it will be noticeable. Would oils based over those places hold up? See pic below
You should remove the current coating when switching brands and types of stains. TWP is much better than Cabot.
Since 95% is removed, a similar color may blend the old stain though so it is not noticeable. Dark Oak or Rustic in TWP.
we have a 15 year old cypress log home in colorado at just under 10,000 ft. elevaton. Unclear what was previously used to stain but need stain that is uv resistant and also resistant to brutal winter weather and exposure to intense sunlight on the sunny side.
You will need to remove the old stain first. Post some pics for prep advice. Once removed, try TWP 1500 Series or Armstrong Clark Wood stains.
So I’m in Saskatoon SK Canada and the dulux store has got a deal going on for Olympic 59000, 59000C 5 gallon for $100 just wondering what your thoughts are on this product for doing a cedar cabin that hasn’t been restained in +20yrs?
If im getting the paint and stripper brightener looking around $400
I want to do it right and one side is telling me thats a pretty good deal ill just make sure that is prepped well but the other side is like you pay for what you get and should be looking for something better like TWP or Defy paint.
I’m thinking going
2x TWP201 Cedar 5 Gallon
1x Restore a deck stripper
1x Restore a deck brightener
looking at $658
should i be getting double restore a deck if doing a whole cabin?
I want to buy local and CoOp with there hybrid stain is looking like a good option
have you heard anything on that stain?
TWP 200 Series is much better than the Olympic products. We would use that.