At Pencil Log Pros, we only recommend products that survive real Colorado weather: high UV at elevation, sudden freeze–thaw cycles, wind-driven snow, and dry summers followed by monsoon moisture. That’s why Sashco is one of our core vendors. They’re Colorado-born, relentlessly focused on high-performance chinking, caulks, and stains for log and timber homes — the exact systems our crews trust from the Front Range to the high country.
Why Sashco Fits Colorado’s Climate
Colorado’s elevation means stronger UV all year. Sunlight breaks down coatings faster, especially on south and west exposures. Add in freeze–thaw, 0%–20% winter humidity, and big daily temperature swings, and your logs are constantly expanding, contracting, and checking. Products have to move with the wood and resist UV without turning brittle.
- Built for movement: Sashco’s elastomeric chinking and sealants stretch and recover as logs shift with moisture and temperature.
- UV-savvy finishes: Their stain systems pair rich color coats with clear protective layers to help block UV and simplify maintenance cycles.
- Cold-friendly application: With the right prep and windows of dry weather, Sashco products handle seasonal work across much of Colorado’s calendar.
Whether your home is lodgepole pine in Evergreen, spruce in Estes Park, or cedar accents in Breckenridge, Sashco systems help us target both beauty and durability at altitude.
Flagship Sashco Products We Use (and When)
We match products to your wood species, exposure, and finish goals. Here’s how we typically specify Sashco on log and timber homes:
Capture® Log Stain (Water-Based Color Coat)
Capture is a flexible, water-based stain designed for log & timber. We use it when homeowners want a warm, natural look with a lower-odor application and easier future maintenance.
- Where it shines: Exterior walls, interior timbers, rails, and trim where even, consistent color is key.
- Why we like it: Flexible film that moves with the wood; excellent clarity that shows off grain; low odor for interior projects.
Cascade® (Exterior Clear Protective Coat)
Cascade is the recommended clear topcoat over Capture for exterior surfaces. It adds an extra UV and moisture shield and simplifies your maintenance pathway.
- Where it shines: Sun-exposed walls, gable peaks, and rail systems.
- Why we like it: Extends the life of the color coat; maintenance often becomes a “refresh the clear” instead of stripping the whole wall.
Transformation® Log & Timber (Oil-Rich Look)
When the aesthetic calls for that deep, classic log sheen, Transformation delivers. It’s our go-to for certain restorations and for owners who love an oil-rich appearance.
- Where it shines: Older logs that benefit from rich tone and depth; homes where an oil look is desired.
- Why we like it: Lush, traditional finish with strong visual punch on pine and spruce; great for dramatic grain.
Log Jam® Chinking (Textured, Elastic Chinking)
Log Jam is a workhorse chinking product with the texture and elasticity to bridge movement between courses and around corners.
- Where it shines: Chinking lines on handcrafted and milled homes; saddle notches; corners and penetrations.
- Why we like it: Excellent adhesion and stretch; authentic chink texture that looks right on Western cabins.
Log Builder® (High-Performance Sealant)
Log Builder is a versatile sealant for checks, gaps, and joints where a smooth profile is preferred instead of textured chink.
- Where it shines: Checks over 1/4″, butt-and-pass joints, window/door perimeters with backer rod.
- Why we like it: Flexible, paintable/stainable; made to move with the logs rather than crack away.
Conceal® (Textured Caulk That Disappears)
Conceal is a color-matched, lightly textured caulk formulated to blend with your stain tone for nearly invisible detail work.
- Where it shines: Small checks, trim transitions, nail holes, and subtle touch-ups.
- Why we like it: Disappears into the finish system; ideal for final detailing before topcoats.
Our Sashco-Based Restoration Process
Great materials only perform when the prep and application are dialed. Here’s how we install Sashco systems to last:
1) Inspection & Planning
- Walk-through to map UV exposure, water shedding, overhangs, gutters, grade, and landscaping.
- Moisture readings and log species identification (pine, spruce, cedar) to fine-tune product selection.
- Test panels for color confirmation against your actual logs — not just a brochure chip.
2) Surface Prep
- Cleaning & strip/blast (as needed): Cob media or sanding to remove failed finishes and mill glaze.
- Wash & neutralize: Rinse and balance pH so stains bond, not just sit on the surface.
- Dry-down verification: We confirm proper moisture content and weather window before coating.
3) Sealing & Movement Joints
- Backer selection: Round backer rod or grip strip sized for the joint to create a proper hourglass profile.
- Primary seals: Log Jam for visible chinking lines; Log Builder for smooth joints and larger checks.
- Detail seals: Conceal to blend small checks and trim joints before stain.
4) Stain System Application
- Capture + Cascade path: Two coats of Capture for color and flexibility, followed by Cascade clear on exteriors.
- Transformation path: Multiple thin coats, back-brushed for uniformity and depth, per exposure and tone.
- Controls: Wet-edge technique, brush-back, and consistent mil thickness for even sheen and color.
5) Final QA & Documentation
- Punch-list for touch-ups, masking removal, and site clean-up.
- Owner walk-through with care guidelines and your personalized maintenance calendar.
- Photo log of products, batch numbers, and areas treated for future reference.
6) Maintenance Plan (Your Long-Term Advantage)
- Annual or biannual wash-downs to remove dust and pollen that abrade finishes.
- Cascade refreshes on sun-blasted walls before the clear coat wears through.
- Seasonal inspection of checks, chinking lines, and splashback areas for quick, low-cost touch-ups.
Real-World Examples from Our Crews
High-UV Gable Peaks, Evergreen
South-facing peaks were chalking and dry. We stripped failed stain, sealed checks with Log Builder, applied Capture for color warmth, then locked it in with Cascade. Follow-up clear-coat refreshes every few years have kept the color rich despite relentless sun.
Freeze–Thaw Corner Notches, Estes Park
Notch joints had hairline openings each winter, then widened in spring melt. We installed correctly sized backer and applied Log Jam for a flexible chinking bead that rides out movement without tearing. Interior drafts stopped; exterior lines look authentic to the home’s style.
Historic Pine Cabin, Breckenridge
The owners wanted a classic, oil-rich tone. We prepped by blasting, then used Transformation to restore depth and glow to weathered pine. With proper snow-shedding and maintenance, the finish still turns heads after heavy winters.
Tips for Homeowners Considering Sashco Systems
- Choose the look you love first: If you prefer a modern, natural look with easier maintenance, Capture + Cascade is a great fit. If you want deep, traditional richness, Transformation delivers.
- Sample on your logs: Color shifts with species and age. We always brush test areas on the actual wall where you’ll see it.
- Don’t skip clear on Capture exteriors: Cascade is the UV workhorse that protects the color coat; refreshing it on schedule saves money long term.
- Seal before you stain: Handle checks, joints, and penetrations with Log Jam, Log Builder, and Conceal so your finish isn’t compromised later.
- Plan for sun & splash: South/west walls and areas near decks and ground need closer attention — it’s normal in Colorado’s climate.
Why Pencil Log Pros Specifies Sashco
- Performance at elevation: Elasticity and adhesion that handle daily temp swings from alpine mornings to afternoon sun.
- Complete systems: Stains, chinks, and sealants engineered to work together — fewer surprises and better long-term results.
- Pro support: Clear technical guidance, color resources, and reliable supply so your project stays on schedule.
- Cleaner maintenance cycles: With the right system, future work often means refreshing a clear coat or touching small areas — not starting over.
Bottom line: Sashco helps us deliver the two things Colorado log homeowners want most — lasting protection and a finish you’re proud to look at every day.
Our Log Home Services (Using Sashco Where It Makes Sense)
- Full Log Home Restoration: Strip/blast, repairs, sealing, and re-finishing to bring tired logs back to life.
- Log Staining & Clear Coats: Capture + Cascade or Transformation systems, matched to exposure and wood species.
- Chinking & Caulking: Log Jam, Log Builder, and Conceal for movement joints, checks, and detail sealing.
- Rot Repair & Structural Fixes: From isolated log ends to full-section replacements.
- Deck Refinishing: Stripping, sanding, and finishing rails and flooring to complement the home’s stain system.
Service Areas Near You
We serve log and timber homeowners throughout Colorado. Explore our local pages here:
Not seeing your town? Start at our Locations hub — we regularly work across the Front Range, foothills, and mountain communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Sashco stain should I choose — Capture or Transformation?
Choose the look and maintenance plan you prefer. Capture + Cascade delivers a natural, modern aesthetic with a protective clear coat that’s easy to refresh. Transformation creates a deeper, oil-rich look that many historic and mountain homes love. We’ll show you both on your actual logs so you can pick with confidence.
Do I need a clear coat with Sashco stains?
For exterior projects using Capture, yes — Cascade is the UV shield that protects the color and keeps maintenance simple. Not every Transformation project needs a separate clear, but we’ll advise based on exposure and your goals.
How often will I need maintenance?
Plan for quick visual inspections every season, light wash-downs, and timely touch-ups. South and west walls at elevation usually need attention first. For Capture systems, keeping the Cascade clear refreshed before it wears through is the most cost-effective approach.
Can Sashco products be used inside?
Yes. We regularly use Capture indoors for beams and interior paneling because it’s low-odor and shows off the wood grain. We also use Conceal for seamless, color-matched detail work inside.
What if my home already has a different brand on it?
No problem. We test for compatibility and adhesion. Sometimes we’ll keep a legacy system for budget or timing reasons; other times, the best long-term move is to strip and convert to a complete Sashco system. We’ll lay out clear options and costs either way.
How We Build Your Sashco-Based Plan
- Site evaluation: We identify UV, moisture, and movement risks unique to your home and elevation.
- System selection: We specify stain, chink, and sealants tailored to species (pine, cedar, spruce) and exposure.
- Transparent pricing: You get a detailed scope with prep steps, product list, and maintenance roadmap.
- Skilled installation: Certified crews follow manufacturer best practices for bonding and film build.
- Maintenance scheduling: We set reminders for clear-coat refreshes and quick seasonal checkups.
When We Might Not Use Sashco
We’re brand-agnostic when it serves you best. If your home has a well-performing legacy coating that must be matched, or if site conditions point to a different chemistry, we’ll explain the trade-offs. Our standard is simple: pick the system that delivers the best long-term result for your logs and your budget.
Ready for a Vendor-Backed, Colorado-Smart Finish?
If you want a finish that looks incredible and holds up in Colorado’s UV, wind, snow, and daily temperature swings, Sashco is a vendor we trust — and a system we know how to install the right way. Let’s build a plan around your home’s wood species, elevation, and exposure, then keep it protected with straightforward maintenance.
Get your free log home inspection and Sashco-based finish plan from Pencil Log Pros. We’ll provide on-site testing, side-by-side samples, and a clear estimate so you can move forward with confidence.