Protecting shingle siding for nearly 20 years
The Headlands
Sausalito
A large townhome complex in the Sausalito hills, we’ve been keeping the stained shingle siding and coated trim at 49 buildings on an ongoing basis for nearly 20 years.
With wood shingle siding, and subject to windy, salt-laden air, regular maintenance is critical to avoid costly re-siding projects. That’s why we perform regular staining projects in phases.
Even though we are fortunate enough to work on these projects on a recurring basis, we reevaluate the safety needs with each mobilization. Maybe the conditions have changed, or maybe the foreman has changed. Plus, this project is accessed almost exclusively with ladders (on steep hillsides).
Project Details
For on-going maintenance, we typically work in phases that consist of a thorough wash of the shingle siding, with staining as needed to even out the color when the final semi-transparent stain finish is applied. Once the substrate is ready, two coats of semi-transparent stain are applied and back brushed into every shingle to ensure proper penetration. Entry doors are included as well as trim; these receive one or two coats of premium acrylic finish coating.
Because the stain is semi-transparent, inconsistencies in the substrate telegraph through to the finished product. We do our best to even that out, wiping off shingles that have too much buildup in some cases to avoid areas becoming too shiny. It takes a trained hand and eye to apply stain evenly.
Staining cedar and other wood shingles is an important part of extending the life of the shingles. Somewhat sacrificial in nature, the stains allow the natural beauty of the wood to show through but take the beating from the UV rays and elements so the wood shingles don’t have to. Once the stain is applied, we prep the wood trim and apply a coat of premium exterior acrylic. While in most cases we recommend two coats because the color is the same and the HOA is diligent about staying on (or ahead of!) paint cycles, one coat is enough to provide protection until the next cycle.
Because the stain is solvent-based, it is important to take care when handling and storing the material and even the drop cloths used for the project. Those become essentially giant rags covered in solvent by days end, and need to be washed down regularly to reduce flammability. At the end of every week, all of the drop cloths used on the stain project are brought back to the shop to be completely rinsed down and dried out, ready for the next week.
Safety is always our first priority
We reevaluate the safety needs for each mobilization. For this project, it is accessed almost exclusively with ladders (on steep hillsides), which account for the vast majority of job-site accidents in the painting industry. With a safety plan in place, the shingle siding is washed, and any special detailing with a conditioner / bleach is applied to even out the color.
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