Seal / stain siding - brand

[MarkAndDebbie]

I am starting to think about sealing / staining my T1-11 for my shed (Practice for my cabin - I'm going to match them unless something goes horribly bad. Then I'll paint the shed red and try again.)

I know that T1-11 is not the best exterior covering. I am sheathing with OSB, covering with 15 felt, putting some sort of vertical sleepers on top of that for increased drainage, and covering both sides of the T1-11 with whatever I come up with from this thread (and some research).

I'd like something sort of clear. I am reading that a a stain with some level of opacity will give me a long lifespan - maybe 10 years instead of 1. I like Hal Nash's look on his cabin - I remember that it was some honey color log cabin stuff (but can't find it in a search).

On the inside I am planing on finishing with tung oil carried in that orange solvent stuff - low toxicity, rustic look.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I saw someone mention Sikkens. Something like Thompsons? Will a slight tan pigment really help?

Second question - what should I use for the sleepers?

BTW - I was going to use non-PT SYP exterior trim treated in the same way as the siding (maybe stained darker).

[glenn kangiser]

http://aloghomestore.com/finish.shtml

This has info on both -- I like DEFY due to the resins they use - it can be used on damp wood with no problem.

[MarkAndDebbie]

Thanks Glen. That gives me a good starting point. I have ordered some samples. I also found a total biased, but interesting, product comparison (by one of the manufactures) here http://www.trilogs.com/CompetitiveReport.pdf.

The log home site said their stuff was better than linseed / tung oil because it wasn't a food for microorganisms. I thought that was a problem with linseed, but not tung. anyone have any insight?

[glenn kangiser]

The Defy is the one that doesn't have a problem such as linseed may in damp areas.  I have seen stuff grow on linseed areas.  I havent used the Defy a lot, but what I did was good and I like their propaganda.