Yeah, I know that dance—my cabin’s logs shift every season, too. Ever try those foam backer rods before caulking? I found they help a bit with the bigger gaps, but nothing’s perfect when the whole wall moves. Do you ever worry about critters getting in with all the shifting, or is it just drafts for you? Sometimes I think my place is more wildlife hotel than home...
Yeah, the draft is annoying but honestly it’s the critters that bug me more. Last fall I found a mouse nest right behind my window trim—guess they liked the “rustic” vibe. I tried backer rods too, but they only do so much when the logs decide to move on their own schedule. I’m starting to think the only way to keep things tight is constant maintenance... or just accept the occasional squirrel roommate.
I tried backer rods too, but they only do so much when the logs decide to move on their own schedule.
That’s the tricky part with log construction—nothing stays put for long. I’ve had some luck layering steel wool behind the trim before adding backer rod and caulk. Mice hate chewing through it, and it seems to buy me a few extra seasons before gaps show up again. Have you tried any of those expanding foam products? I’m always a bit wary since logs shift, and I worry about trapping moisture, but maybe there’s a right way to do it...
Expanding foam is kind of a double-edged sword with log homes, in my experience. It fills gaps really well at first, but as soon as the logs shift (and they always do), the foam can either crack or pull away, leaving weird pockets where air gets in. Worst case, it traps moisture and you get mold or rot hiding behind your trim. I’ve had better luck with flexible caulks—those elastomeric ones that can move a bit as the logs settle. Not perfect, but they seem to hold up longer and don’t create a moisture trap. Steel wool’s a smart move for critter control though... had a mouse nest in one of my window frames last winter and that was not fun.
That’s interesting about the expanding foam—I actually just used it for a couple of the windows in our place because I was worried about drafts, but I can already see spots where it’s pulled away a bit. Didn’t even think about the moisture part, just figured if it was sealed up tight, that’d be good enough. Now I’m kind of second guessing if I should have gone with caulk instead, especially since we’re in a pretty damp area and the logs definitely move as the seasons change.
The steel wool idea for critters is smart. We had a squirrel get into the attic last fall and it was a nightmare chasing it out. I stuffed some gaps with steel wool but wasn’t sure if that was enough or if I should add something over the top to hold it in place. Do you just pack it in and leave it, or do you seal over it with something else? I’ve heard some folks use copper mesh instead, but not sure if that’s overkill.
Curious—if you’re using those flexible caulks, how do they hold up in really cold weather? Our winters get pretty brutal, and I’m worried they might crack or shrink. The last thing I want is to redo all these windows after one season. It’s always something with these old log homes... but honestly, even with the headaches, I still love the look and feel. Anyone ever tried those fancy “backer rod” things before caulking? Wondering if that helps with shifting at all.
Expanding foam’s one of those things that sounds perfect on paper, but in practice, especially with log movement and moisture, it can let you down. I’ve had better luck with a good quality flexible caulk—look for one rated for extreme temps and movement (OSI Quad Max has survived two brutal winters here). As for steel wool, I always cap it with a dab of caulk or even a bit of hardware cloth if the gap’s big. Squirrels are relentless…they’ll pull steel wool out if they can. Backer rod’s actually worth it for shifting logs—it keeps the caulk from sinking in too deep and gives it some flex room. Old houses are a pain, but nothing beats the character.
Squirrels are relentless…they’ll pull steel wool out if they can.
That’s the truth. I thought I’d outsmarted them with a double layer of steel wool and caulk, but they still managed to wiggle through one spot behind my woodstove. The backer rod idea makes a lot of sense for shifting logs—wish I’d tried that before the foam. Ever run into issues with condensation around your windows after sealing? I’ve noticed some moisture build-up in the winter, but maybe that’s just my old farmhouse doing its thing.
Ever run into issues with condensation around your windows after sealing? I’ve noticed some moisture build-up in the winter, but maybe that’s just my old farmhouse doing its thing.
Yeah, I’ve had the same thing happen in my place, especially after tightening up the gaps. It’s kind of a trade-off—seal things up to keep critters and drafts out, but then you lose some of that “natural” ventilation these old houses had. In my experience, condensation is usually worse when it gets really cold outside and you’re running a woodstove or propane heater. The warm air holds more moisture, and if there’s not enough airflow, it settles on the cold glass.
I tried cracking a window just a hair behind a curtain (sounds counterintuitive, but it helped), and running a small fan to move air around. Not perfect, but it kept things from getting drippy. I’ve heard some folks swear by those window insulation kits in winter too, though they’re not exactly pretty.
If your farmhouse is anything like mine, you’ll always be chasing one draft or another... or fighting off squirrels with superpowers.
Honestly, I’m not totally sold on the idea of cracking a window, especially in the dead of winter—seems like you’re just letting all your hard-earned heat go right out. I get that airflow’s important, but shouldn’t we be looking at a dehumidifier or maybe even heat recovery ventilation instead? I tried the window kits and yeah, they’re ugly, but at least they kept the drafts down. Just feels weird to spend all that time sealing things up, only to open a window again.
I get where you’re coming from. I spent a small fortune sealing up my 70s ranch, only to have my partner insist we crack a window for “fresh air.” In January. I mean, the furnace is running non-stop as it is. Dehumidifier helped a bit, but honestly, it’s not a perfect fix—just less annoying than freezing drafts. Heat recovery ventilation sounds great, but the quotes I got were nuts for our setup. Sometimes it feels like you can’t win with this stuff...