Walking traffic, direct sun, and standing water make decks higher maintenance than log walls.
Most log home finishes are too soft for use as a deck stain. Use a finish rated for decks.
Clear finishes are more prone to UV damage and have shorter
lifespans than pigmented finishes on decks and log walls.
For matching the house stain to the deck consider LifeTime,
Sansin, Sikkens (ProLuxe), Transformation, WeatherSeal, WR-5, or X-100 Deck.
Inspect areas where the deck meets the log walls. This area can
be a problem area for wood rot. Water runs down the deck to the log
wall. Flashing will solve this problem where the deck meets the wall.
Contrasting colors of deck stain to the house can be attractive - e.g. light honey colored house, dark honey
colored deck.
Pressure treated or green treated decks can be stained,
but wait 3 months to 1 year. This allows the wood to dry and the green
color to fade. This will give a more true color to the stain that you
purchased.
Cedar decks stand up better to the weather but they
still need a water repellent, pigmented finish. All wood rots when
conditions are right.
Railings are high maintenance; watch the tops of log railings for sunburned and water catching depressions.
Be careful of cedar railings that were strip peeled. Strip peeling (removing the bark without using a drawknife)
can leave a thin layer of cambium that will peel off prematurely,
making it appear that the stain is peeling. Also, the closed wood pores
can repel the log or deck stain's ability to adhere.
Questions on maintaining the legacy of your wood structure? Give us a call- 1-800-359-6614
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