Log cabins can easily last for several decades or even longer if you take care of them. On the other hand, poor maintenance can ruin a log cabin in a matter of years. A well maintained cabin will stay sturdy and be a nice, cozy place to get out of the elements longer than you or I will be around. It’ll block the wind and rain and keep you warm and dry if you treat it right.

One of the most important parts of log cabin maintenance is finishing or staining the exterior logs. But the question is, how often do you have to do that? The short answer is, you should stain your log home or cabin every 3 to 7 years depending on the kind of stain you use and how much your cabin gets exposed to things like wind, rain, sun, hail, and other harmful elements.