There’s nothing better than warming up by a cozy fire in your log cabin. But even your cozy fire will have a hard time taking the chill out of the air if frigid drafts start seeping into your log home.
Air leakage is relatively common in log homes, so knowing what to expect and how to fix the problem can make your winter a lot more bearable.
What causes drafts in log homes?
Logs expand and contract over time naturally as the seasons change, eventually leading to cracking that lets cold air into your cabin. If your log home is in a dry climate, then your log home is even more susceptible to drafts as the moisture evaporates out of the logs and creates tiny cracks that get wider and wider as time goes on.
How do you find where drafts are coming from?
There are a few methods you can use to locate the source of drafts in your log home. You can certainly use the old method of walking around with a candle and finding the draft when the wind blows out the flame. If you’d prefer to move into the 21st century, though, you can hire a company that uses thermal imaging to locate the source of sneaky drafts.
You can also just do a simple visual inspection to locate the source of drafts. Taking a close look at your windows and logs to look for gaps and chinks is the best way to notice spots where drafts can come in. Make sure to also check storm shutters, looking for large gaps where snow, ice, and wind can get in.
When should you inspect for drafts?
Drafts are caused by gaps in your windows or logs, so they won’t go away on their own. As soon as you notice a draft, you should do an inspection to locate the source or sources. It’s good practice to do a visual inspection after every season so you can locate large gaps and fix them before you end up in a situation where you have cold drafts coming in and disrupting your cozy evening (not to mention hiking up your energy bill, or allowing unwanted critters in).
How do you fix drafts in a log home?
You can fix drafts in your log home a few ways. If you find that you have drafts around your windows, you can install energy efficient windows that are sealed to prevent cold air from seeping in. If you have drafts coming from gaps in the logs that make up your home, then a simple caulking job might do the trick to seal up the gaps and prevent air from coming in.
You can take a DIY approach to find and fix drafts in your log home, or you can call in log home professionals to find and fix the problem for you. Make sure to work with a company that specializes in log homes and understands the unique challenges posed by finding and fixing drafts in a log home versus a traditionally built home. Of course you could always upgrade to TruLog Steal siding so you don’t have to worry about drafts in your log home.
