Insulating a Timber Log Home: A Look Back at a Unique Project

Every home tells a story, and some projects stay with you long after the work is done. This timber log home we insulated back in November 2023 is one of those projects.

Log homes behave very differently from conventional stick-framed houses, which means the insulation strategy needs to be adjusted accordingly. You can’t simply apply the same approach and expect good long-term performance.

How Log Homes Differ Thermally

One of the biggest differences with log homes is that the logs themselves provide thermal resistance and thermal mass. Because of this, the exterior log walls are typically not insulated in the same way as standard framed walls.

In this project, the exterior log walls were left as designed. The only wall assemblies that required insulation were:

• The separation walls between the living space and the garage

This approach respects how the building was intended to function while still improving comfort and energy performance where it matters most.

Attics and Ceilings: A More Familiar Approach

While the walls are unique, the attic and ceiling assemblies in log homes often follow a process that’s much closer to traditional construction—once the details are handled correctly.

The key step is properly tying the vapour barrier into the top plate along the exterior log walls. From there, the process becomes familiar:

• Sealing the perimeter

• Installing 6 mil poly

• Taping and sealing all seams carefully

• Ensuring continuity of the air and vapour barrier

These details are critical. In homes like this, performance is won or lost at transitions—not in the insulation itself.

Why Projects Like This Matter

Every now and then, I find myself driving through Gower and passing this house. It’s no longer a job site—it’s someone’s home.

That’s one of the best parts of what we do. Leaving behind work you’re proud of. Knowing the effort, care, and attention to detail will quietly support a family’s comfort for decades to come.

High-performance work isn’t always flashy, but its impact is lasting.