NEW CONSTRUCTION · SHIELDS VALLEY · BOZEMAN · MONTANA
Protect Your New Log Home From Day One.
A new log home is one of the biggest investments you'll make. The stain and finish applied in the first year set the standard for the next decade of protection. DKS brings the same premium products, hand-application methods, and on-site ownership to new construction as we bring to full restorations.
NEW CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
What DKS Does for New Log Builds
New logs need proper preparation and high-quality finish application before they're exposed to a Montana winter. Skipping steps or using the wrong products on a new home creates problems that cost far more to fix later.
New Log Sanding
New logs often arrive from the mill with rough surfaces, mill glaze, or uneven texture that prevents proper stain penetration. DKS sands all surfaces to open the wood grain and ensure the stain soaks in- not just sits on top.
First Stain Application
The first stain application on a new home is the most important. DKS applies premium Sashco or Perma-Chink stain by hand worked into every check, end grain, and joint. Multiple coats where the wood calls for it.
End Grain Sealing
End grain on log ends absorbs moisture far faster than side grain. DKS seals all end grain with an appropriate end-grain sealer before and during staining-preventing the cracking and checking that starts early in poorly finished new homes.
Chinking & Caulking on New Builds
New logs settle significantly in the first year. DKS coordinates chinking and caulking application for new builds - using flexible Sashco Log Jam that accommodates movement as the structure settles without cracking.
Why the first stain matters so much
A new log home that gets its first coat wrong product, sprayed instead of hand-brushed, applied to unsanded surfaces - will show failure within two to three Montana winters. The UV exposure and freeze-thaw cycles here are severe. Don Williams has re-done first finishes on homes that were only two or three years old because the original application didn't penetrate properly. Doing it right the first time costs less than doing it over.
Work with your builder - or independently
DKS works directly with homeowners, builders, and general contractors. If your builder doesn't include finishing, DKS can step in at the right point in construction to handle all staining and chinking. If your builder does include finishing, we're happy to consult on product selection and process. Call Megan F. to discuss your build timeline.
OUR PROCESS FOR NEW BUILDS
From Raw Logs to Finished Home
Pre-Construction Consult
Don Williams meets with you and/or your builder before logs are up to discuss product selection, application timing. and how finishing integrates with the construction schedule.
Sanding & Prep
Once the shell is up. DKS sands all log surfaces - opening the grain and removing mill glaze. construction dust, and any contamination that would prevent proper stain adhesion
End Grain Sealing
All end grain is sealed before the main stain application. This is the step most builders skip - and the one that prevents early checking and moisture intrusion at log ends.
Stain Application
Sashco or Perma-Chink stain applied by hand - not sprayed. Two to three coats depending on wood porosity, with particular attention to checks, joints, and any areas the wood absorbs more deeply.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
When should the first stain be applied on a new log home?
The first stain application should occur after logs reach appropriate moisture levels and construction phases allow proper preparation. DKS evaluates wood condition carefully, helping homeowners protect new log homes from moisture, sunlight, weather exposure, and premature deterioration effectively.
Can you spray new home stain instead of brush-applying?
DKS primarily prefers brush application because brushing improves stain penetration, absorption, and coverage consistency while reducing overspray. Certain situations may involve spraying techniques, but brushing generally provides stronger protection and longer-lasting performance for new log home finishing projects.
Do you work with builders and general contractors?
Yes, DKS works with builders and general contractors on new log home finishing, staining, preservation, and restoration projects. Professional coordination helps maintain construction timelines, proper preparation, consistent quality standards, and reliable protection for newly completed log structures successfully.
What about new interior log walls?
DKS stains and finishes new interior log walls using professional products and preparation methods designed for long-term protection and appearance. Proper finishing helps preserve natural wood character while supporting durability, moisture resistance, and consistent aesthetics throughout interior living spaces.
What does a new build finishing project typically cost?
New build finishing costs vary depending on home size, wood condition, accessibility, stain systems, interior work, and project complexity. DKS provides detailed evaluations helping homeowners and builders understand finishing requirements, timelines, and realistic investment expectations before work begins.
Protect Your New Log Home the Right Way
Call Megan F. at (406) 333-1832 to discuss your build timeline and schedule a pre-construction consultation with Don Williams. We serve new builds throughout Shields Valley. Paradise Valley. Bozeman, Big Timber, and SW Montana.
