An example of a log cabin.
Walls are an integral part of a home's décor, as they frame spaces and constantly surround you and your guests. Outside, walls typically make up the largest surfaces of your home's exterior and serve as barriers between you and the elements. When it comes to treating the walls of a log cabin, there are several different options to choose from, all of which will create varying styles and have their own distinctive advantages.
Preservatives
Coating logs with a preservative is a common treatment option for external and internal log cabin walls. Preservatives are chemical compounds that seep into wood and help protect it from rot and decay. According to Keops Interlock, when treating exterior cabin walls, make sure the preservative product you use has waterproofing capabilities (it should indicate this feature somewhere on the packaging). In addition, you will likely want to use a product that has at least a small amount of pigment in it. This will not hide the natural colors of the logs, but help accentuate them and protect them from sun-induced fading. When treating interior log cabin walls, you can use a transparent, all-purpose preservative, as these walls will not be exposed to the elements.
Whitewashing
Another exterior and interior treatment option for log cabin walls is whitewashing, or coating all of the surfaces---and the nooks between them---with a white paint. According to the U.S. National Park Service, this treatment style was most popular during the 18th and 19th centuries. It serves decorative and functional purposes. The white paint seals small cracks in the logs and the spaces between them. It also discourages bug infestations. The downside is that the natural color of the logs is hidden, and when it comes to exterior treatments, you must reapply paint regularly.
Insulated Walls
If you want to give the interior walls of a cabin a more modern and less-rustic look, insulated wall treatments are a good option. In addition, they help trap heat in your cabin, which can be extremely important if it is located in a cold climate. To put up the walls, you must first secure supports to the existing logs so you can create a cavity where the insulation will sit. You can then put on a skin, or second wall, such as sheetrock or drywall. According to Keops Interlock, make sure to use sliding brackets, as opposed to fixed studding, when you secure supports into the logs. That is because the logs in a cabin naturally swell and shift and your insulated walls will suffer damage if they cannot move along with them.
