How to calculate log home stain?

-Let's start with the difference between rough and smooth wood, old wood and new wood.

Rough Surface:  In Lumber terms, a rough surface is understood to mean a rough sawn wood plank, such as rough cut cedar which is usually applied in gable ends and for trim on log homes. Rough surface means wood boards that are not ran through a surface planer to make them smooth. Some logs can have a rough, worn texture which will absorb more stain than a smooth log.

Smooth Surface:  Wood, usually in planks or boards, that are put through a surface planer to create a smooth surface, such as tongue and groove, which is usually found in the soffits or eaves of log homes, and also 5/4" deck boards used for decking applications.  Logs can have a sanded, smooth texture but may still absorb more finish than a plank or board that is smooth.

The absorption of the wood will also be determined by the age of the wood, whether it is brand new wood or older, weathered wood. The following chart is only a guideline, and is not always going to be exact for every project, but it's a good place to start.

Measuring Your Log Home

Imagine laying out all the sides (surfaces) of your log home into flat squares, go around your home using the following formula to determine the square footage of wood surfaces you will be treating. 

(length of log wall) x (height of log wall) = _________  x 1.25 Curvature of logs (average)  Note: log walls are not flat and curvature has to be calculated into the square footage, the bigger the logs the higher the curvature number, we have 1.25 listed here for an 8" log size.

(soffit & eaves length) x (soffit & eaves width) = _________

Be sure to measure dormers, trim, and fascia boards _________

Total wood surface_________

Next, take the total square foot number and divide it by the application rate that best describes the wood you are applying to.  (See Chart on Top)

(always order a little extra in case your wood absorbs more than what the chart says, old dry wood will absorb much more than new hard wood.)

Measuring Your Decking System:

For decks, you have 3 measurements to take - the decking, the railing, the rim joist and posts, and any skirting around the bottom. 

Flatten out the wood surfaces:   (length) x (width) for the deck boards, (length) x (height) for the railings, and the trim around the rim.

For example, your deck is 12 feet wide and 30 feet long:

           Decking-                        12' x 30' = 360 sf to be stained. 

           Railing-                          60' x 3' = 180 sf to be stained.

           Rim -                   1' x 54' = 54 sf to be stained   

           4 Stairs                    4 x  4' x 6'' =  96 sf

            Add together these totals to get your overall total: 360 + 180 + 54 +96 = 690 SF 

We'll consider this is an older, restored deck and the wood is smooth so it should use stain at the 150 SF per gallon ratio. 690 sf  Divided by 150 = 4.6 gallons

A 5 gallon pail of stain would do this project!  Measure your deck the same way to get your material usage number.

Measuring Your Fence:

Multiply the (Length) x (Height) of the fence. This gives you the total square ft. for 1 side.  Now multiply this by 2 to get square footage for both sides.  

This is expressed as L x H = T,  then T x 2 = Total SF 

 For example, your fence is 6' tall and 254' long:

            6 x 200 = 1,200  square feet for one side      /      1,200 x 2 = 2,400  for the total square feet of both sides.

If you are having trouble measuring your home, please call our office and we can help you determine the amounts you need :)  (844) Log-Stains