Painting - Exterior Paint or Stain

I am in the process of building a gambrel cabin at our farm in Central Texas. I plan on using 5/8" T 1-11 siding and would like some recommendations on the siding finish.

We want a rustic look so I am considering stain on the siding and paint on the trim.

I plan on spending as much time and money as needed to get the best initial finish on it as possible, hoping to lengthen the maintenance time between re-finishes.

Thanks,

MJGTexas

Stain on the siding and paint on the trim is your best bet. Stain tends to soak into the wood better than paint. My house has that combination and still looks great after 20 yrs. Depending on the color, stain will dry out quicker - especially on the sunny side of the house. I restain the sunny side every 3 or 4 years.

You could also check back issues of Consumer Reports magazing for stains that can stand up to Texas heat!

T-1-11 has rough surface, so expect the first coat to soak in quickly. Your next decistion will be solid color stain vs. semi-transparent. That really depends on the look you desire.

Another suggestion would be to use a spray gun rather than a brush. Because of the rough surface, the gun would be easier.

Good luck. :)