|
Energy Efficiency of a Log Home
The National Bureau of Standards and Technology erected test structures and recorded their energy consumption, their findings were amazing. They found that over a 3 week spring heating period, a log structure used 46% less energy than the same sized insulated wood-frame structure; during the 11 week summer period, the log structure used 24% less cooling energy than the insulated wood frame structure; and during the 14 week winter period; the log structure used 15% less than the insulated wood-frame structure.
There is often confusion about the energy efficiency of log homes as compared to traditional stick-built homes.
Two Factors
There are two primary factors that determine the ability of a wall to be an effective barrier to temperature differences. One is "R-Value," which is a numerical measure of a material's resistance to heat flow over a defined thickness of that material. Second is "thermal mass," which is a measure of a material's ability to store heat and thereby delay heat flow.
Traditional Insulated Frame Walls
Conventional framed walls typically use fiberglass insulation and have an R-value of about R-13 to R-19. Fiberglass is a good, lightweight insulating material which traps air within its fibers and is therefore a poor conductor of heat. It, however, has very low mass and does not store heat.
Solid Log Walls
Log walls are dense and heavyweight, making them poorer insulators of heat than air-filled fiberglass walls. In fact, a log wall the same thickness as an insulated wall (about 6-7 inches) would only have an R-value of about R-9. However, the high density of solid wood also creates an important "mass effect." Instead of heat being conducted through a log wall, as the lower R-value might suggest, the heat is actually stored in the logs and significantly delayed in its release. This allows, for example, high outside temperatures to be effectively blocked and stored during the hottest part of the day, and released during the cooler night. In winter, heat from the inside of your home is stored in the logs and released back during the colder night. In effect, thermal mass tends to even out large temperature changes. This interesting phenomenon is often referred to as "thermal capacitance."
What It Means
Because of thermal mass benefits, log homes, can be 2.5% - 15% more energy efficient than comparable stick-built homes, according to the National Association of Home Builders, Log Homes Council. Assuming other parts of the home, such as roof, floors, windows, and doors, are similarly insulated, log homes can cost significantly less to heat and cool. Many log homes in cold climates are heated with nothing other than a single fireplace or stove.
Note: No home, no matter the type of construction is energy efficient if poor construction methods are used.
|
The majority of our logs are produced from LODGE POLE PINE and DOUGLAS FIR. They are cut from dead standing timber, which eliminates the need for kiln drying. This insures less shrinkage and a better fit.
Our logs are milled with the SWEDISH COPE DESIGN.
The style is known for it's beauty, strength, and efficiency. We offer Swedish Cope Logs that range from 7 to 12 inches in diameter and up to 30 feet in length. Milled Round Logs are offered up to 20 inches in diameter.
For your new home or to enhance the appearance of your existing home, we offer HALF-LOG SIDING with full notched corners. ROUNDED BEAMS and POSTS are also available.
|
The Cope: A groove fit when they are stacked. that runs along the
bottom side of each log.
The Cope sits on the rounded side of the next log. This forms a tight fit between logs.
|
|
Inside Corner Fit
|
Outside Corners
|
Caulked Logs
|
The Saddle Notch
Interlocks the corner logs.
|
|
