Do You Caulk Your Log Home Before or After Stain?

Dawn SmithLog Homeowner Education6 Comments

Invisible caulk lines on the zipper/corner
New Smooth Caulk Lines

The above picture is the perfect example of a clean log home “zipper”/corner. Caulking, or energy seal or log sealant, is a high-performance stretchable sealant. Chinking is similar but different. Click chinking to learn more. Log home caulking is an essential step in sealing your log home joinery. For DIYers, when to apply caulk can be confusing. Do you use it before or after you stain? In general, caulk should be applied before staining and allowed to dry for at least an hour before staining.

You can learn more about interior and exterior stain differences by clicking here.

Caulking on a log home

You will find caulking comes in varying textures and colors. To prevent all types of intrusions, the elastic sealant creates a flexible barrier between log joints. This flexibility allows the caulking to stay attached as your logs expand and contract throughout the year with the changing seasons. So, no worries regarding:

  • insects,
  • water,
  • dust,
  • drafts.

Not only does caulk seal the butt joints, it can also be used on log checks and other areas of the home. You can find it around the house with windows, eaves, soffits, doors, vents, bathtubs, etc.

Colored Caulking for Your Log Home Desires

Energy Seal is one of the most popular members of our sealant family, and is sometimes referred to as a textured log caulk. Sited on 3/7/2023 from Perma-Chink Systems Website at https://www.permachink.com/products/log-sealants/energy-seal

If you would like a color of caulk that is different from your stain, please feel free to apply it after you stain. Just make sure the surface is dust-free before applying.

You can also purchase textured caulk for an old fashion look. Visit our caulking service page for process steps. Or watch the video below.

Video on how to Caulk an interior Log Joinery

6 Comments on “Do You Caulk Your Log Home Before or After Stain?”

  1. Hey! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!

    1. Thank you so much for the encouraging words. If there are any subjects you would like to know more about as it pertains to log homeowners, leave us the suggestion in the comments.

  2. Aw, it was a really good post. In idea I would like to devote writing such as this additionally – taking time and actual effort to generate a great article… but exactly what do I say… I procrastinate alot and by no means appear to get something done.

    1. Thank you. It’s a subject of confusion for some people as to when you apply caulking and does it matter. Appreciate your reading. Good luck on your procrastination…I know it is a challenge for me too.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.