1905 log home gets new life!
This home was my Grandfather’s homestead, built in 1905 from sawn logs. The home was built on a rock foundation, which we kept intact, but added fiber reinforced concrete pads and porches all around. The original log walls were left in place and we used Permachink products to seal gaps and make the wood weather tight. We constructed conventional frame walls inside but left a 2-1/2″ air-gap between the logs and the interior framed wall. We placed 5/8″ chip board on the air-gap side of the framing and used foam in place insulation, inside the framed walls (only) resulting in R-28 walls. We used 12″ of foam in place in the attic space and 12″ of cellulose insulation in the floors. We have 3 in the wall electric heaters, strategically placed and controled with smart thermostats so that we can zone heat. There is no need for air conditioning because the home has a “shot-gun” floor plan which allows for flow-thru ventilation in the summer. Our total heating / cooling costs for an average year are $1,040.00. The home is located near the Uintah Mountains of Utah and average winter temperatures can stay well below 0 F. Average summer temps are 85 – 95 F. I am curious to know if anyone else has additional data on using “air gap” in log structures or other structures and has seen the same benefits that we have in heating / cooling efficiency?
