Use Spray Foam in between logs in log cabin?

Started by MikeP, July 10, 2006, 12:38:39 AM

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MikeP

I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts or experience with this.

I'm rechinking a small old log cabin using Sashco chinking with trapezoid foam backing strips. I've chinked the exterior and realize that since the logs have mostly pretty wide gaps between them (1-2" on average), the inside space between the exterior and interior backing strips will be substantial.

So I'm thinking of using Great Stuff canned foam to fill the inside gap between the stips.

I read somewhere that one should keep this space empty, but I don't know why that would be important. It seems like overall insulation would be helped tremendously if I used the spray foam.

I'm thinking that if anything, the spray foam (closed cell) would keep any moisture (from the logs) from condensing in the otherwise open space. (Additionaly, the foam is flexible, allowing for any log swelling/contraction.) But maybe I'm missing something.

Any thoughts out there on this one?

Thanks a lot,
Mike

bil2054

Hi, Mike.
I can't figure why a gap should be left in the chinking.  Some designs I have looked at, they mill the top and bottom surfaces flat, with a small rabbet to hold a sealing spline.... no gaps.
I think the foam would be great... beats the heck out of clay and moss!


Amanda_931

#2
Might end up more expensive than some of the alternatives, though. They aren't big cans, maybe don't have a price break for buying cases and cases.  

Glenn's probably got some ideas.

glenn-k

http://www.loghomebuilders.org/
Log homes & log cabins from scratch - don't buy kit log homes

http://aloghomestore.com/
Log home supplies, log home plan books, log home building tools

There is most of my log home resources. :)

Homesick_Gypsy

www.ozarkloghomesupply.com

Learned a lot and they are very helpful and will reply to your questions.  They suggest a closed foam insulation to fill in the gap, then chink.


jwv

This thread jsut reminded me of this-maybe it should be in Reference but I'll put it here for now.  It was an interesting diary of a log building experience.

Logs, Wind and Sun  http://www.pixyjackpress.com/logswindandsunauthors.html

I would be concerned that the spray foam wouldn't "move" with the logs the way the closed cell foam does.

Judy