I did some research last year on stains because we have to rebuild our deck and other solid stains I've used have been less than successful. Cabot and Sikkens came up as good brands . On the older/current deck (pressure treated, mind you) I started out with Maxxum solid stain (self-priming). It held 'ok' on vertical surfaces, kept pulling from horizontal. (I know you're not doing horizontal/walk surfaces but I'm about to make a point ;D After touching up every spring, I went to my local independent store who recommended REZ with their primer underneath first. That held up exceptionally well on vertical surfaces (on some lower railings protected from non-stop sun by the primary upper railing the REZ is still in near pristine condition after many years). Problem I encountered again was on the horizontal walk paths. If not for that, REZ performed well. I also used Olympic solid color (white) on a picket fence (cedar). It's held up pretty well (3 years before a touch up was needed where dogs jumped at the gate and areas weed whacker hit.) No yellowing with the Olympic. I will reiterate what the local independent dealer told me. Olympic from him was a better quality than Olympic from a local big box store (Menards). Per the dealer, it was more 'contractor grade' at big box stores. I have not used Behr solid stain, however I have used Behr semi on our cedar privacy fence and on a rental deck (treated). After about 10 years on our fence (recoating every 2nd year, no more than 3 years max without a recoat) we switched to Cabot's two years ago. Still holding well, going into 3rd season and I can see no recoat will be necessary this year (yeah!). Used Behr semi on a rental pressure treated deck. Never again. 6 months later (two tenants, no kids/pets) and it pulled off walk paths and railings where hands touch. A full year later it looks like junk: faded and weathered. So I would be very leery myself of Behr stain on a house. After the problems encountered with the rental deck I did some googling and found that complaints about Behr stain are not uncommon. I'm so disgusted with that rental deck, I'll be trying Cabot's on it this year. Just my .02 ;)

I took a few of the same shingles the house was sided with over to the paint shop to have a few samples done. Sikkens RDC is what they were recommending although again being oil based it made the shingle samples look darker. The natural seemed to be the closest to what I am looking for but not really what I truly want. Other than the fact that water base finishes don't last as long or protect as well, are there other inherent problems with using one of the hybrids as suggested. Another paint shop was pushing Olympic Maximum clear (hybrid) and it appeared to be closer in color when put on as a sample. Faron, I'm not sure what back primed means, but if it means sealed both sides and all edges before installation, the answer is definitely no. And to help answer your question, I"m looking to see as much grain and as much of the original color as possible. I've heard a bit about the Log and Siding but was concerned about it producing a look which was much different to what I have now. Any thoughts? Thanks to both of you for the help. Art

The recessed track lighting you saw was part of the living room. Thier staying. I would do inset LEDs but I live in a condo and have to drill though slot of joist and worry about making contact with the sprinkler lines. I like the idea of a the LEDs sitting in a white panel box in the kitchen to aim more light over the counter. I'm stopping with the cedar. I only added a skirt under the counter and a base board. I can't remember the last time I saw a moth inside. the cedar is treated, sealed and I inspected each pease. I will be replacing the outlet covers. Thanks ci_lantro, moma goose, roccouple and cat_ky. I'm laying on the floor now. My condo only 800sq ft. when I remodeled I extended the counter width an extra 6 inches. So an area got alittle smaller. So I had to downsize my Sectional Sofa. I sold it IOFER in 4hrs. My new leather Sofa and recliner will be here Saturday. it's going to be sweet.

You're not going to to be able to stain those dark shakes a light color, or "wash off the old color." You could paint them, but that will take a lot of prep and priming, and cedar shakes are notorious for bleeding through paint and for causing rusting around any exposed fasteners which will also show through the paint. I think you have the following choices: 1. Learn to love the traditional look you have 2. Paint them, spending a lot of time on prep, and hope that you don't end up with appearance problems later 3. Remove them and start over