Winter winds and snow can be fun to watch from the warmth of a cozy log home, but not so great when frigid drafts start sneaking inside. One common issue that every log home will have to deal with at some time or other is air leakage. Logs naturally expand and contract with the changing seasons, a normal occurrence that over time can lead to cracks that let in air and ruin your cozy cabin factor. Dry climates can also cause drafts as moisture evaporates out of logs, creating tiny cracks that widen more and more over time.

In the old days, the best you could do was walk around the room with a candle, using the flame to try and pinpoint where the drafts were coming in. And when you found them? Well, a few rolled up blankets were often called on to keep the cold out.

Luckily we’ve evolved beyond that and have new ways of finding and dealing with drafty log homes.

Obvious drafts often come from gaps that occur in logs, chinking or around windows that can show up every season. Regular maintenance should include visually inspecting the outside of the log home by checking overall condition of the logs both inside and outside, and assessing any damage which may have occurred over the summer. Cracks and checks in the logs are normal, but if they get too big they can allow moisture and air to get through. Also inspect storm shutters and windows for leaks or gaps that will let in rain, snow or drafts.

Also be sure to check around windows and doors for cracks that can let in air. If you have old windows, it’s probably time to update them. A log home professional can install new energy-efficient windows in your home without harming the surrounding logs, and ensure that they are sealed and keeping heat in and cold out.

For sneaky drafts that are hard to find, we often use thermal imaging here at Prolog Restorations to pinpoint exactly where air is getting in. Thermal imaging, also called thermography, is the process of using a special camera in a room that can measure differences in air temperature and share the results on a computer for log home maintenance experts to analyze. A typical thermal imaging survey includes details of where and how air is getting into the room, making it easier to correct the problem.

Overall, log homes are energy efficient, eco-friendly, and comfortable homes that are easy to heat and easy on the wallet, as long as they are properly maintained. If you have any questions about drafts in your log home, or anything else, give us call at 877-477-6564.