Log Home Construction’s Potential Benefit for Cabin Performance
Log home construction may prove more cost-effective in temperate and mild climate areas where heating energy consumption can be significantly less than predicted by standard BLAST computer programs. This is especially evident where log thickness affects performance of cabin.
Log homes designed and constructed properly can take advantage of their thermal mass effect to help regulate indoor temperature swings, reduce ventilation energy usage and deliver cost savings via “time of day” utility rate discounts – whether or not occupied during high peak usage periods.
Log walls pose a unique set of challenges when it comes to complying with an energy code that mandates minimum R-value requirements of insulation products used in their cavity construction. A typical log wall assembly might contain 23-27% wood components which would lower its R-value below that mandated by law.
Log builders and independent building science consultants are making tremendous efforts to address this problem by devising construction methods that are more airtight than conventional light wood frame construction. This has produced several innovative systems which are significantly more airtight than direct butt jointed log courses using large amounts of chinking compound for gap filling; and new designs which incorporate tongue and groove milling and foam compressible gaskets that greatly decrease air infiltration through joints and cracks.