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

I am installing treated pine deck boards on our covered porch, columns (for railings) wrapped in cedar. and tongue and groove (I assume non-treated) as my porch ceiling. I know they won't look exact, but any suggestions on a semi-transparent stain that will tie them all together? Research tells me Penofin, Readyseal and TWP are good options. Any real world experience?

I had new oak stairs installed and our carpenter matched the stain of our stairs to our Italian porcelain wood look tile flooring. I am sure you could do the same with matching your stairs to the LVP

@Dave Thanks for pic & added info. I see outlet in space so seems won’t be too hard to add outlet lower for wine frig. I also see radiator along base & not sure how one deals easily with that since it can’t be blocked with cabs. A thought here….you have a budget for this add & rightly so especially since plan is to sell within next 5 years. What about finding a beautiful old side board with storage in it and with open space underneath it so that heat from radiator isn’t blocked? There are beautiful pieces out there - vintage - and they’re very solid & many have great storage in shelves & drawers. Check Antique stores etc in your area. If finish on sideboard is ok, leave it, otherwise paint or refinish. When you have new counters installed, have a piece cut to fit the top of this sideboard & you have a nice tie in to the kitchen. Wine frig can sit right next to this on frig side. I thought of this as when we had our new quartz counters installed, there was material left over. I had them fabricate a top for the small base cabinet that was from my older dining set & was in dining area in the kitchen. It turned out great. Mine was cut to fit exactly but yours would be a larger piece & could have a slight overhang like a kitchen counter would - an inch or so along front and sides. Just an idea but seems easier way to deal with radiator & wouldn’t damage flooring. Definitely would give you the extra storage & counter you want and would fill that space nicely with something interesting.