5 Facts you need to know about log cabin heating

Business Insights
30/06/2021


It is important to choose the right heating system for your log cabin for maximum heating efficiency. First choose the construction material for your log cabin carefully, top quality Northern Spruce is the ideal choice. Timber is a material that naturally holds heat, which means you will be spending less on heating bills. It also has thermal mass which means that your log cabin will be able to maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year ensuring better insulation while using less energy.

In cold climatic conditions, log cabins provide a degree of natural insulation from a cold climate outside, but under very cold conditions, it is important to implement measures to heat the cabin from within. There are few tips that you could consider for your heating requirements in your residential log cabin.

Read on to discover five important tips, tricks, and facts to keep your log cabin warm all year round.

1. Design

The design of your log cabin is a critical component when reducing heat loss and improving energy efficiency. The two most important elements are ceilings and windows.

The ceiling plays a particularly vital role. A tongue and groove flat ceiling is the best solution as it retains heat very well. A cathedral ceiling, although prettier, isn’t as energy efficient.

Choosing the right windows is just as important as choosing the design of ceilings. Make sure to fit your log cabin with double-glazed instead of single-glazed windowpanes. Double glazed windows will undoubtedly help to keep your log cabin warm and cosy. Tilt-and-turn laminated glulam timber windows with double glazed glass and quality handles will ensure the prevention of any heat loss.

2. Insulation

Due to logs being great natural insulators, people often tend to neglect the importance of proper insulation when constructing a log cabin. As it turns out, making a log cabin truly warm and inviting can often be just a case of insulating it adequately.

Insulation is especially important in the roof and floor areas, as much as 70% of the heat in your log home can be lost through these parts.

Using a moisture membrane, timber batons and insulation will drastically improve the energy efficiency of your home

3. Heating Options

You can heat a log cabin in the same way as you would heat a brick-built house. Fortunately, these log buildings maintain their heat very well. An electric heater is good enough in most cases. Alternatively, you can use a fireplace, gas stove, boiler, heated floors, etc. For added warmth, don’t forget rugs, curtains and carpets.

4. Foundation

A well-designed foundation also has a great effect on heat loss reduction and energy efficiency. When combined with adequate floor insulation, a properly constructed foundation will prevent the ground beneath the log cabin from absorbing the heat from its interior. Choose a manufacturer whose log cabins come with a standard 19mm floor insulation and whose engineers are able to advise on what type of floor insulation is needed according to the prevailing climate where the log cabin will be situated.

5. Moisture Control

Trees, by their very nature, are very good at absorbing large amounts of water. Unfortunately, for log cabin owners this property of trees isn’t that useful. It can in fact be, quite damaging – it can lead to insect infestation, air infiltration, lumber rot, and other problems caused by water damage. 

To prevent this from happening, the logs that will be used to build a particular log cabin need to be cut, stored, and dried correctly. Once your cabin has been built, it’s then essential to perform biannual maintenance with caulking and staining to prevent moisture from attracting mildew, mould, termites and rot.

At Maestro Cabins we build using the best materials which are specifically designed to last and to withstand often-harsh climate conditions.

Log cabins are wonderful. These beautiful wooden buildings are environmentally friendly and cost-effective, but also very resilient and long-lasting. Hopefully, the facts listed above will help you make your log cabin energy efficient.