Recently a reader asked a question about chinking a hand hewn log home:
Am trying to figure out what is best to seal between logs [our log home is 100+ yrs. old.]. Most important consideration is keeping rodents out. .. Am sealing from the inside because clapboards are still outside. How can I apply mortar without it dripping out? .. Will Permachink keep rodents out?
Sounds like a great project Brian…
I dont know how large your logs are — but lets assume that they are anywhere from 8″ to 10″ tall by about 6″ thick. The gap between the logs may be about 8 ” on average as well.
Traditionally the space would be filled with a mixture of rocks and mud or rocks and mortar.
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A subscriber/reader asks “The fiberglass strips of insulation that you suggest be placed between the logs… I assume those are about 5″ wide (cut from 15″ rolls) is it only one strip between the logs that we would need to use or two (i.e., back to back with the paper sides glued together)?
Thanks for the question….. In a couple of earlier posts we discussed insulating between the logs using rolled insulation that I had cut. You want to make sure that you do not compress the insulation it should remain fluffy.
I simply cut the insulation with scissors (mind you I wear one of those paper masks when working with insulation and gloves when handling) into strips — the strips I cut are about 2 inches wide usually. But it depends on the size of your logs.
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