🪵 How Much Does It Cost to Refinish the Exterior of Your Log Home?
Log homes are beautiful, rustic, and full of charm — but they also require a bit more upkeep than your average house. One of the most essential maintenance tasks is refinishing the exterior. Whether your stain is faded, the wood looks dry, or you're starting to see graying and surface cracks, it's probably time for a full refinish.
But how much does that cost? Let’s break it down step by step.
🔨 Step 1: Media Blasting — $3.00 to $5.00 per sq. ft.
Media blasting is the process of stripping off the old stain and sun-damaged wood fibers. This preps the logs for a fresh start.
Typical Cost for a 2,000 sq. ft. home: $6,000 – $10,000
Pro Tip: Media blasting is often more effective and less damaging than chemical strippers.
🧽 Step 2: Polishing/Buffing — $3.00 to $4.00 per sq. ft.
After blasting, the log surface will be rough. Polishing or buffing smooths the wood and creates an even surface for stain absorption and a clean, professional finish.
Typical Cost: $6,000 – $8,000
💦 Step 3: Washing & Prep — $0.75 to $1.25 per sq. ft.
The home must be washed to remove blasting dust, media residue, and dirt. A clean surface ensures proper adhesion for treatments and finishes.
Typical Cost: $1,500 – $2,500
🛡️ Step 4: Borate Treatment — $0.50 to $1.00 per sq. ft.
Borate is a clear, non-toxic preservative that penetrates the logs and protects against insects like termites, carpenter ants, and powder post beetles.
Typical Cost: $1,000 – $2,000
🎨 Step 5: Staining — $3.50 to $5.00 per sq. ft.
We apply typically use a 3 coat system, 2 coats of a premium stain formulated for log homes. It offers superior UV protection, weather resistance, and long-term durability.
Typical Cost: $7,000 – $10,000
✨ Step 6: Clear Coat Sealer — $1.00 to $2.00 per sq. ft.
We finish with the 3rd coat which is a clear coat for enhanced water repellency, added UV protection, and a beautiful satin sheen. The clear coat is also require for the manufacturing warranty to be approved.
Typical Cost: $2,000 – $4,000
🧯 Optional Repairs or Extras
While not included in every job, you might also encounter costs for:
Log rot repair: $300 – $1,000+ per section
Chinking repair/replacement: $5 – $12 per linear foot
Deck refinishing or staining: Priced separately
💰 Total Estimated Cost to Refinish a Log Home
For a full exterior refinish on a typical 2,000 sq. ft. log home, you can expect:
✅ $23,500 to $40,500+, depending on condition, access, height, and level of detail.
Larger or more remote homes, multi-story properties, and heavily weathered logs can increase total costs.
🤝 Why It’s Worth It
Your log home isn’t just a house — it’s a long-term investment and a lifestyle. Refinishing not only revives its natural beauty, but also protects it from rot, pests, UV damage, and costly repairs down the line.
With all of our projects we also take care of the warranty documentation and submitting your job to the manufacturer for warranty coverage.
A well-maintained log home can last a very long time!
📅 Thinking About a Refinish?
We’d be happy to provide a consultation and walk you through your options based on your home’s size, condition, and budget. Reach out today — your log home deserves it.