Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Log Wall Finishing
Lofts and Finishing
Materials checklist
Log walls need no finishing except to wirebrush the
dirt off or change color from weathered gray to the
mellow brown tone of aged wood. A coat of linseed or
tung oil will bring out the color and grain. If you use
grayed old logs, don't oil them or they'll go black.
Don't use anything on the outside.
We often pressure-wash the old logs to get off
whitewash, dirt, and graffiti. This leaves some fuzz,
which can be taken off with steel wool. Age gives the
rich color to wood that stains can't match.
Sometimes we're asked to cover log walls with dry-
wall or paneling, which I refuse to do. If you don't
want to look at log walls, you don't really want a log
house.
These additions to your basic cabin make it the liv-
able house you'll enjoy. They also constitute a lot of the
overall construction time, and expense. Often, we do
these one at a time, as we (or the owners) can afford
them. After all, that's the way the little house-big
house grew.
Go three logs up above the ceiling
to create usable loft space.
Consider dormers to add light to
loft space.
Conceal electric wiring between
logs before chinking.
Hide plumbing pipes in boxed-in
chases.
Design and install more lighting to
overcome dark walls.
Try wide-board paneling as a more
aesthetically pleasing alternative
to drywall.
