One of the biggest questions/concerns we hear from customers is, “Are log homes well insulated?” If so, how well insulated are log homes?
Log homes have long been a popular home aesthetic for achieving that perfect rustic charm. But if not built correctly using the right wood, insulation becomes a problem. As we move into the colder months, it’s important to know how insulated log homes are, what you can do to get the most out of insulated logs, and an alternative to never worrying about insulation in your log home.
Are Log Homes Well Insulated?
Log homes can be well insulated, whether in cold or warm climates, if built well. Log homes are standard in colder climates like Canada and Alaska, where no insulation is added – just the logs. Energy.gov explains, “A material’s temperature or resistance to heat flow is measured by its R-value. In a solid log wall, the logs provide both structure and insulation. The R-value for wood ranges between 1.41 per inch for most softwoods and 0.71 for most hardwoods. Ignoring the benefits of the thermal mass, a 6-inch softwood log wall has a clear wall (a wall without windows or doors) R-value of just over 8.”
Another big problem homeowners see is the shifting, cracking, and shrinking of logs over time as the home ages. Logs are usually still 15-20% water when used to construct a home, so as they dry, they move, causing gaps between the logs where air can escape. This can cause a big problem for homeowners looking to heat or cool their homes.
Compared to a conventional wood stud wall or wood-like alternatives, a log home is far inferior in terms of its insulation system. Log walls do not satisfy most building codes’ energy codes, so many who build a log home must add extra insulation to ensure it is well insulated.
What can you do to keep your log home well insulated?
First, it is essential to pick the best quality logs possible to ensure the thickness and longevity of your home. This can become expensive quickly as a lot goes into constructing the house, including cutting the logs, sealing them, caulking, and yearly maintenance to ensure your logs hold up to outside elements. It is also essential to ensure your roof and floor are well insulated and made with the best materials so that no heat can escape through either.
If you don’t mind forgoing the full log cabin effect (not having your walls entirely made of logs), you can attach half logs outside a built-out home with wood stud walls. But again, the logs will still shrink and expand throughout the year with consistent maintenance.
How can you get a well-insulated log home without worry and maintenance?
Luckily, with today’s technology, there are many wood-like options for your log home that don’t use actual logs yet give you all the benefits of the log home aesthetic and insulation of a solid home.
Everlogs log siding and logs are the perfect alternatives for log homes. They give you an ideal rustic cabin feel with superior insulation. Everlogs are concrete logs cast to look like real logs and treated to last for generations, giving you the ease of living knowing your home will withstand harsh elements.
Insulated EverLogs substantially reduce heating and cooling costs. Concrete retains internal temperature more efficiently than wood. We compound this natural advantage by casting an additional 1-1/2″ of insulation into our concrete logs. Our patented assembly method provides an exact fit, further improving the integrity of our concrete log homes. On average, our customers will save 30-40% on their annual heating and cooling costs compared to a wood log home.
When it comes to insulation, EverLogs will perform around an R-19 value. However, more critical than R-values and what matters to homeowners is “Air Tightness.” Air tightness (infiltration heat loss) is how the structure performs in the real world (i.e., after it has been built and is being lived in).
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has conducted a Blower Door Test, which measures a structure’s air tightness (infiltration heat loss). Tests have concluded that our structures are six times as airtight as framed structures and seven times as airtight as comparable wood log homes. Properly insulated homes are critical, and they translate to unparalleled and substantial energy efficiency and savings.
Look at our “NCAT Blower Door” test.
Learn More About How EverLog Products Can Keep Your Log Home Well Insulated In Our Free Catalog
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