Energy Efficiency

There are three key factors affecting energy efficiency. These are the R value of the species of log selected, its thickness and the shape or profile chosen.

The shape affects energy efficiency because the wall is usually it its narrowest where the logs are stacked on top of each other. Machined logs are the most efficient as they generally utilize a tongue and groove system with a gasket in between. Hand hewn logs need to be cut expertly as it is harder to make the logs fit together without energy loss.

A good log home will be quite energy efficient but in a poorly constructed home you can often see daylight through the walls. All Linwood Log log systems are designed and built to be as energy efficient as possible.

Thermal Cycling Patterns

Log homes, if constructed properly, are extremely energy efficient. This is because of thermal mass. In a log home, when you heat the home during the daytime the logs absorb and hold some of that heat and when the house cools down during the night the walls radiate the heat back into the room, maintaining a more comfortable temperature. In the morning, the reheating cost of a log home is not as high as a conventional home, therefore substantially reducing fuel bills.

Thermal Resistance of Western Red Cedar

A concern for many log home customers is the R value of a log wall compared to conventional alternatives.

New studies have been carried out by the Eastern Forest Products Laboratory in Ottawa. They demonstrate that the thermal resistance of wood, or the R factor, actually increases linearly with a decrease in temperature. In other words, the colder it gets outside, the higher the insulating value of your log walls.

Western Red Cedar offers one of the highest R values as depicted on the graph below.