Straining on toward the goal...

With the siding/window project finished I've been busy staining.  I find my self reflecting on the fact that I just stained our entire house in NC in the spring of 2021.  Fortunately this one doesn't involve 25 foot ladder work.  

We used a T1-11 Reverse Board and Batten rough sawn product (on 8" centers) with ripped 1x3 battens from treated lumber.  I'm very pleased with the outcome.

For the windows, we kept it simple and affordable with the Pella 250 series vinyl clad product line. And again we're very pleased with the results.  Mega kudos go out to Ben and Bob Chesko at RCI Renovation and Repair Services, LLC in nearby Wellsboro, PA for the hard work, diligent effort, and timely completion.

I searched long and hard, reading review after review after review, talking with local painters and others looking for recommendations on stains and went with a product I had never heard (nor was it mentioned by any with whom I spoke). And I am exceptionally pleased with the product.  I anticipated needing about 7-8 gallons, bought 10 gallons and just ordered 5 more anticipating total usage of 12 gallons (but planning to use the rest on another project).  I can't say enough good about the spreadability, coverage, or clean up of this oil based stain.  We went with a Dark Walnut which isn't quite as dark as some of the samples shown (which is right in line with the many comments on this color, so we were not surprised).

I started by staining the battens, cross members, and hard to reach places, like corners, with a 3" brush. The end result was a lot of funny comments like "I love the striped look" or "hey we live in a fudge striped cookie house." (My family has a wonderful sense of humor.) I'll let the reader decide how accurate that description was...

And then the fun.  I've never used a roller for the application of stain before so I thought I'd give it a try.  Again in the spirit of "simple and affordable" I had a bunch of "contractor grade" 9" roller covers on the paint shelf.  I cut them down and using my 4" roller frame set to work rolling out that stain.   And here's where the stain really shined.  It coated evenly, was absorbed well, and gave a wonderful uniform appearance.

I still have the back side to finish staining and then some window caulking to do.  We'll likely power wash and paint the foundation and chimney a light gray later this summer, and then look at applying some
faux stonework next year to finish off the look. I'll be building some window boxes and mounting them and trying to finish up some landscaping yet this summer, so it'll be a busy one.

But when I look back at what we bought I feel a certain level of accomplishment, thanks be to God!