Exterior Painting · May 2011
Log home exterior restained, green metal roof
Log home exterior restained, green metal roof. These are before, in-progress and after photos from the job, taken May 2011. This exterior painting project was done by Larry Gaytos and the My Personal Painter crew. We are based in Florence, Kentucky, and our work is covered by a 2-year touch-up warranty.
Before and After Photos
Log Home Exterior Restained Reddish Brown With Green Trim and a Covered Porch
This log home has round log siding, two roof dormers, a long covered front porch and a green standing-seam metal roof. Before the work, the logs had a reddish brown stain that had faded and dried out on the sunny gable walls. In progress, painters work from tall ladders on the gable ends, brushing stain into each log course under the green fascia. One painter kneels on the roof to reach the dormer siding. Under the porch, the tongue-and-groove pine ceiling shows lighter, freshly cleaned boards next to older ones, with green tape along the edges and drop cloths on the porch floor. In the after photo, the logs, dormers, square porch posts and porch deck share an even, rich reddish brown stain. The green window trim, green gutters and downspouts and the yellow front door stand out cleanly against the deeper wood tone.
How We Restained This Log Home, Step by Step
- We covered plants, walks and the porch floor with drop cloths, and set ladders on firm ground along each wall and gable end.
- We washed the logs and the porch ceiling to remove dirt, pollen and mildew, then let the wood dry before any stain went on.
- We taped the green trim, window frames and roof edges so the stain would stay off the painted trim and the metal roof.
- We brushed the stain into each log course, working the top of every log and the joints between them so water would shed off the wall.
- We reached the dormer walls from the roof and the high gables from ladders, keeping a wet edge so each wall dried to one even color.
- We stained the square porch posts and porch deck to match the logs, then pulled the tape and checked every wall in full daylight.
Trim and Accent Colors That Suit This Reddish Brown Log Stain
This job used stain, not paint, so these are similar paint colors to consider for nearby trim, railings or doors. They are not the exact colors on this home.
Sherwin-Williams Van Dyke Brown SW 7041
A deep, warm brown that suits porch railings, posts or a shed near a reddish brown log stain like this one.
Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage HC-114
A muted green that works for window trim on a log home. It echoes the green metal roof without competing with the warm wood.
Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog SW 9130
A soft gray-green for doors, shutters or an outbuilding. It pairs well with a green roof and a rich brown log color.
Questions About Restaining a Log Home
How often does a log home need to be restained?
It depends on sun, rain and the stain used. South and west walls fade first and may need attention sooner than shaded walls. A good sign is when water stops beading on the logs or the color looks dry and light. Checking each side of the home once a year helps you plan.
Do logs need to be cleaned before restaining?
Yes. Dirt, pollen, mildew and loose old stain keep new stain from soaking in. Logs are usually washed, sometimes with a wood cleaner, and allowed to dry fully. Staining over a dirty or damp surface can lead to blotchy color and a finish that fails early.
Can I change the color of my log stain?
You can usually go darker without stripping, since a deeper stain covers a lighter one well. Going much lighter is harder and often means removing the old stain first. Testing a small area on a less visible wall shows how the new color will look on your logs.
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