Log Home Products
Log Home Stain, Sealer, Chinking and Caulk
The Stain Depot carries everything to stain, seal and restore a log home or log cabin: log home stain and sealer, clear coats, wood preservatives, cleaners, chinking and caulk. We stock Sashco, Sikkens / PPG ProLuxe, Messmer's and Outlast in gallons and 5 gallon pails. Orders placed before 4pm ET ship the same day, with free shipping.
Shop Log Home Products by Brand
- Sashco: Transformation and Capture log stains, Cascade clear coat, CPR log cleaner, Log Jam chinking, and Log Builder and Conceal caulk
- Sikkens / PPG ProLuxe: Cetol Log & Siding, the Cetol 1 + 23 Plus system and Cetol Maintenance RE
- Messmer's: TimberFlex colors and TimberFlex Clear Top Coat
- Outlast: Q8 Log Oil preservative stain and KleenStart cleaner
- Log and siding stains: all stains made for log walls and wood siding
Types of Log Home Stains
Log home and log cabin stain falls into four main types of finishes and treatments:
Log Home Clear Coat and Sealer
A log home clear coat or sealer goes over the stain to add water and UV protection and a finished sheen, and it's how most stain systems are maintained:
- Sashco Cascade: clear top coat over Capture, in matte or semi-gloss
- Sikkens Cetol Maintenance RE: clear satin refresh coat over Cetol 23 Plus or Log & Siding
- Messmer's TimberFlex Clear Top Coat: clear coat for the TimberFlex system
- Sashco Symphony: clear coat for interior log walls, in satin or gloss
Can You Use Deck Stain on a Log Home?
Sometimes, but a log home stain is usually the better choice. Logs move, shrink and check as they age, and log stains are made to flex with them on vertical walls. Some penetrating stains work on both. TWP 200 Series, for example, is labeled for log homes as well as decks. For log walls, choose a product made for logs. For a log home's deck, use a deck stain.
Log Cabin Restoration Products
Application Techniques for Staining
How to stain a log cabin or log home:
- Clean the logs and let them dry completely.
- Repair: chink wide joints and caulk checks and cracks before staining.
- Apply the stain following the product's directions on coats, back brushing and dry time.
- Add the clear top coat if your system uses one.
Step-by-step guide: how to stain a log home with Sikkens Cetol.
How Much Does It Cost to Stain a Log Home?
Material cost depends on the size of the home, the condition of the logs and the product you choose. To estimate how much stain you need, divide the wall area by the product's coverage and multiply by the number of coats. For example, Outlast Q8 covers about 125-175 sq ft per gallon, and Sikkens Cetol 1 RE about 200-300 sq ft per gallon on rough logs. Rough, weathered logs soak up more stain than smooth ones. Buying 5 gallon pails lowers your cost per gallon, and every order ships free. See our stain coverage guide.
Maintaining Log Home Stains
Check your log home once a year, especially the walls that get the most sun and rain, since they wear first. Wash off dirt and mildew, re-caulk any open checks, and apply a maintenance coat before the finish wears through. Each product page lists its recoat schedule. Outlast Q8, for example, needs a second treatment on log walls within 24 months, then every 4-8 years. See our log home maintenance schedule.
Popular Log Home Stain Brands
Sashco makes a complete log home system, from stain and clear coat to chinking and caulk. Sikkens / PPG ProLuxe Cetol is a long-time favorite for log homes and siding. Messmer's TimberFlex gives a varnished look with a clear top coat. Outlast Q8 Log Oil is a penetrating oil with a built-in wood preservative.
Log Home Stain FAQ
What is the best log home stain and sealer?
It depends on your logs and the look you want. For an oil-based log stain with no clear coat, look at Outlast Q8 or Sashco Transformation. For a satin finish with a clear coat, look at Sikkens Cetol 1 + 23 Plus or Sashco Capture + Cascade. Read our best log home stain guide.
Do I need a clear coat on my log home?
Only if your stain system calls for one. Sashco Capture uses Cascade, and Sikkens Cetol 1 uses Cetol 23 Plus. Penetrating oils like Outlast Q8 don't need a clear coat.
How often should a log home be stained?
It depends on the product and how much sun and weather the walls get. Plan a yearly inspection and a maintenance coat when the finish starts to wear.
Where can I buy log home stain online?
Right here at The Stain Depot. Orders placed before 4pm ET ship the same day, with free shipping. Questions? Email Sales@TheStainDepot.com.
