How to Choose the Best Colors for Your Log Siding

Choosing colors for the exterior and interior of your home is not always an easy task and the same can be said for log cabin siding. You have a roof, windows, doors, trims, and perhaps a front and back porch to consider. And what about that patio, barbecue set up, or a swimming pool for fun and relaxation?
Alternative Text: Best Colors for a log cabin’s exterior
Of course, the selection of colors is yours, but there are other factors that influence the choice:

  • Coordinating the siding with the house’s interior
  • Blending in with the Neighbors
  • Complete or partial shade
  • A homeowner’s association rules
  • Where you buy the stain

Pre-finished log siding is also available and here are some ideas to guide your selection that should prove helpful.

Do You Want the Colors to Coordinate with Your Home’s Interior?

Most log cabin owners who use log siding outside and inside stain it the same color. They think it reminds them of full logs (without the full log price). Others vary the colors from room to room as well as the exterior walls from the interior walls. You can stain them these ways:

  • A bit Lighter
  • A bit Darker
  • More Contrasting
  • Use a clear finish

You can also think about which takes priority in the selection of colors such as furniture, appliances, walls, floors, or ceilings. When you select #1, match the others with it. These cabin exterior stain ideas are very helpful.

Blending in with the Neighbors’ Cabins and Homes

This may or may not be a consideration for you, but in case it is, here’s why some people do think about it. They want to blend in with the general colors of the surrounding landscape or status quo and don’t want to hear a lot of complaints from neighbors. Rather than contrast with their cabins or homes, they choose a color that fits in with the subdivision or area’s theme.

What if a neighbor repeatedly asks you to paint your house another color? This happens and what if you don’t like their house’s color? Or worse yet, one family went on a two-week vacation and when they came back their house was painted a different color. This may sound silly, but it’s always good to have good relationships with next door neighbors. However, if this is not that important to you, select your favorite stain and go from there.

Will Your Home Be Shaded or Partially-shaded All Day?

Shaded log cabin color options
Most likely you’ve had the experience of selecting a stain or paint color in the store and when you use it, it looks different than what you expected. A similar effect can occur if your log cabin or home is shaded by large trees all day versus being out in the sun. The major difference here is in choosing a lighter hue if you live in total or almost total shade.

The best solution is to purchase small quantities of several stain colors and apply them to scrap pieces of siding before doing the house. This way you can let it dry, stand back and take a long look, and then make the right choice. NOTE: Keep in mind the type of trees on your property and whether they shed their leaves in the fall and winter or retain their pine or spruce needles.

Most log cabin owners who use log siding outside and inside stain it the same color. We’re here to assist you with all your log siding and stain needs and happy staining!

If You Live in a Homeowners Association, Your Colors for Siding May be Restricted

The HOA management office can sometimes have a few very strict rules about colors. There have been homeowners who built a treehouse or shed in the back yard that broke color guidelines. As a result, they had to repaint the structures or face a monetary fine. Yes, an HOA can be a headache, but since you chose to live there you must abide by the rules.

If you plan to build a new cabin or house in one of these areas, read all the rules about styles and colors or homes and landscaping before you build. It’s better to be safe than sorry so you don’t have to repaint the whole house again. The inside colors should not be a problem, just the exterior. You’ll love this question and answer article about staining a log cabin.

Search All Our Colors for the Ideal One for Your Log Siding

bronze hued panelDark Natural hued panel
                                       

                                                           2 Favorite Permachink Exterior Stains

Now we’re down to selecting your log siding color from among our many shades. The following are the 2 most popular by brand name of stain and color:

  • PPG Proluxe Log & Siding Stain: Natural 078 and Cedar 077
  • Permachink Exterior Stain Products: Ultra 2 Bronze #874 and Dark Natural #830
  • Permachink Exterior Stain Products: Ultra 7 Cedar #385 and Caramel #325
  • Continental’s WeatherSeal: Golden Honey and Sunlite
  • Sashco Products Transformation Log & Timber Stain: natural and Honey Timber
  • Capture: Bronze, Chestnut, and a third good choice – Natural

Log Cabin stain options
We’re here to assist you with all your log siding and stain needs and happy staining!

Resources and References:

How to Choose the Best Colors for Your Log Siding

Choosing colors for the exterior and interior of your home is not always an easy task and the same can be said for log cabin siding. You have a roof, windows, doors, trims, and perhaps a front and back porch to consider. And what about that patio, barbecue set up, or a swimming pool for fun and relaxation?
Alternative Text: Best Colors for a log cabin’s exterior
Of course, the selection of colors is yours, but there are other factors that influence the choice:

  • Coordinating the siding with the house’s interior
  • Blending in with the Neighbors
  • Complete or partial shade
  • A homeowner’s association rules
  • Where you buy the stain

Pre-finished log siding is also available and here are some ideas to guide your selection that should prove helpful.

Do You Want the Colors to Coordinate with Your Home’s Interior?

Most log cabin owners who use log siding outside and inside stain it the same color. They think it reminds them of full logs (without the full log price). Others vary the colors from room to room as well as the exterior walls from the interior walls. You can stain them these ways:

  • A bit Lighter
  • A bit Darker
  • More Contrasting
  • Use a clear finish

You can also think about which takes priority in the selection of colors such as furniture, appliances, walls, floors, or ceilings. When you select #1, match the others with it. These cabin exterior stain ideas are very helpful.

Blending in with the Neighbors’ Cabins and Homes

This may or may not be a consideration for you, but in case it is, here’s why some people do think about it. They want to blend in with the general colors of the surrounding landscape or status quo and don’t want to hear a lot of complaints from neighbors. Rather than contrast with their cabins or homes, they choose a color that fits in with the subdivision or area’s theme.

What if a neighbor repeatedly asks you to paint your house another color? This happens and what if you don’t like their house’s color? Or worse yet, one family went on a two-week vacation and when they came back their house was painted a different color. This may sound silly, but it’s always good to have good relationships with next door neighbors. However, if this is not that important to you, select your favorite stain and go from there.

Will Your Home Be Shaded or Partially-shaded All Day?

Shaded log cabin color options
Most likely you’ve had the experience of selecting a stain or paint color in the store and when you use it, it looks different than what you expected. A similar effect can occur if your log cabin or home is shaded by large trees all day versus being out in the sun. The major difference here is in choosing a lighter hue if you live in total or almost total shade.

The best solution is to purchase small quantities of several stain colors and apply them to scrap pieces of siding before doing the house. This way you can let it dry, stand back and take a long look, and then make the right choice. NOTE: Keep in mind the type of trees on your property and whether they shed their leaves in the fall and winter or retain their pine or spruce needles.

Most log cabin owners who use log siding outside and inside stain it the same color. We’re here to assist you with all your log siding and stain needs and happy staining!

If You Live in a Homeowners Association, Your Colors for Siding May be Restricted

The HOA management office can sometimes have a few very strict rules about colors. There have been homeowners who built a treehouse or shed in the back yard that broke color guidelines. As a result, they had to repaint the structures or face a monetary fine. Yes, an HOA can be a headache, but since you chose to live there you must abide by the rules.

If you plan to build a new cabin or house in one of these areas, read all the rules about styles and colors or homes and landscaping before you build. It’s better to be safe than sorry so you don’t have to repaint the whole house again. The inside colors should not be a problem, just the exterior. You’ll love this question and answer article about staining a log cabin.

Search All Our Colors for the Ideal One for Your Log Siding

bronze hued panelDark Natural hued panel
                                       

                                                           2 Favorite Permachink Exterior Stains

Now we’re down to selecting your log siding color from among our many shades. The following are the 2 most popular by brand name of stain and color:

  • PPG Proluxe Log & Siding Stain: Natural 078 and Cedar 077
  • Permachink Exterior Stain Products: Ultra 2 Bronze #874 and Dark Natural #830
  • Permachink Exterior Stain Products: Ultra 7 Cedar #385 and Caramel #325
  • Continental’s WeatherSeal: Golden Honey and Sunlite
  • Sashco Products Transformation Log & Timber Stain: natural and Honey Timber
  • Capture: Bronze, Chestnut, and a third good choice – Natural

Log Cabin stain options
We’re here to assist you with all your log siding and stain needs and happy staining!

Resources and References: