Sealant for a wooden house or tow, which is better for sealing joints between logs? How to patch up the tow between the logs inside the house. Reliable sealing of seams between logs - a guarantee of living comfort

To build a log house, you need to take into account many issues related to its construction. One of them, no less significant and important - how and how to close the gaps between the logs in order to protect
house from the effects of natural factors. There are many options for caulking the inter-log space. Whichever you choose, the future life in your new home will depend on it.

How to close the gaps between the logs

How to close the gaps between the logs - natural materials

You will receive the most correct and practical advice from an experienced craftsman or a person who
built a house.

• Caulking a log house with moss

So, many
experienced experts come to the conclusion that sphagnum moss is one of the
the most effective and reliable gap filling materials.

They take it from the outskirts of the swamps while still wet and fill the inter-wedding joints. This type of moss is very light and malleable.

The quality of the caulking of the walls is determined by a sharp awl, which is stuck between the caulked logs. If it goes into the gap hard, like into wood, then the caulking is made on
conscience.

• Tow for caulking

Another
an environmentally friendly way to eliminate cracks is to use tow,
filled with cement or gypsum, as well as tight compaction is also acceptable
pure material without any impurities.

Alternative material for
caulk - jute fiber or hemp fiber (hemp), which
differs from tow in that the first is made from flax, and the second is obtained from
hemp.

Our great-grandfathers
used these materials. They are still relevant today. What is better than tow or
moss, it's hard to say. If caulking is done well, any material
good. But only if you want to, change the layout with a chainsaw,
there will be a problem: tow or hemp can pretty much clog and blunt it.

How to close up the cracks between the logs - modern materials

Besides environmentally
pure materials that nature supplies us, there are modern
synthetic materials offered by domestic and foreign industry.
Of course, you can argue about the environment, but the reliability of the manufacturing plant
guaranteed.

Log putty

• Silicone sealant

Sealing seams with silicone One of these
material is silicone sealant. Since wood has the property
absorb moisture and evaporate it, then such a sealing method is questionable, because
evaporation under the sealant layer will not take place, which sooner or later
will lead to the formation of rot.

• Polyurethane sealant

There are many
special sealants based on polyurethane. He is not
susceptible to temperature changes, resistant to ultraviolet rays. Putty
based on it, it is quite suitable for sealing the seams of the crowns of the house.

Cannot be used for
joint putties polyurethane sealants that are sold in cylinders - they are not
designed for direct exposure to sunlight!

As you know, a house from
the tree "breathes". Heating and cooling processes, absorption and evaporation of moisture
set the logs in slight motion. This means that the polyurethane foam will not
will last, after a while it will crack and crumble. Therefore, for
when sealing seams, use more elastic materials.

How to make caulking - competent laying between logs

Before caulking,
think about what material will be under the putty. To cover up the cracks
sealants are impractical and costly, as they can be very deep
and number in the tens.

So, calculate what is more profitable: the filler on what basis, industrial or natural.

We have already discussed natural, and as for synthetic, many
experts come to the conclusion: to use a cord made of foamed polymer, which
comes on sale in different diameters, which is very convenient when adjusting to the slit.

So when the slit
packed as tightly as possible, cover them with sealant. To do this, stick on
the length of the logs with scotch tape to avoid contamination with putty. As a spatula
we use a rubber trowel designed for seams. Close completely
the joints will be helped by the strips. They will even improve the overall style of your log cabin.

Eco-friendly wood has long been considered an excellent material for building a house. Log huts or log cabins made of wood are good because they breathe easily in them. In summer, such buildings do not get very hot, like brick or stone houses, and it is comfortable to be in them even in the heat, and in frosty winters, wooden walls keep heat well, not letting the cold inside the room. For these reasons, many people prefer to build their summer cottages and country houses from wood.

However, along with the above advantages, the tree also has many disadvantages. So, under the influence of natural factors, it is subject to deformation and damage. Moisture contributes to the swelling of wood logs, in dry weather they dry out. All this leads to the fact that gaps begin to appear between the crowns of the log house, through which wind and cold can penetrate into the house, and rain and dampness are the reasons for wood decay and its gradual destruction. But these processes can be prevented if the log house is insulated in time and the joints of the logs are sealed. The salvation of the dwelling is the high-quality sealing of the seams between the crowns. What materials are better to use for sealing walls and how is the sealing of joints performed correctly in a wooden house?

Is it worth caulking a house made of wood?

The most famous mezhventsovy heaters are moss, hemp and tow. The advantages of these natural materials are resistance to temperature fluctuations, bactericidal and mold fungi, low thermal conductivity, and good moisture absorption. But fewer and fewer people building log cabins are using these materials to seal the seams in a wooden house. Why has the demand for moss, tow and hemp decreased so much?

The process of caulking the cracks and gaps between the crowns is quite laborious and time-consuming, because it is required to carefully and evenly plug them with natural materials using a chisel. The walls cannot be caulked immediately after the construction of the log house, since it will take at least a year to shrink it, and during this time the moisture can already start its destructive business. The disadvantage of caulking tow and moss is the fact that this process will need to be repeated more than once. The thing is that birds love to "steal" materials from people to build nests. Pulling moss and tow from cracks and joints, they violate the integrity of the seal and give the wooden frame a sloppy disheveled look. Winds also degrade the appearance of the walls. As for a material such as hemp, it is susceptible to attacks by moths, which, by its activity, harm the embedment.

Knowing these disadvantages of natural insulation, manufacturers of building materials produce more advanced sealants to improve the quality of insulation of all cracks and seams of a wooden house. What are the advantages of modern wall insulation?

Back to the table of contents

How to insulate walls with tape tow and linen rope?

One of the improved sealants is natural tow in rolls. It is made from flax, which is first well combed on carding machines, then the fibers are polarized and turned into a 15 cm wide ribbon. Next, the fibers are cleaned of various impurities. The result is an excellent sound and heat insulation material with good water resistance properties.

Unlike ordinary tow, tape is easier and tighter to fit between the joints, with its softness it is not so brittle.

Due to the naturalness of the material, the walls of the log house breathe well and do not rot. The seam seal made of tape tow is more durable, and it is not easy for birds to pull it out of crevices. Roll material is laid, as usual, along the crowns and along their edges using a chisel or a special caulking spatula, carefully tucking the edges of the tape inside each seam and gap. The result is a reliable seal between the logs, and the appearance of the log house is quite attractive.

A house insulated with a linen rope looks even more beautiful. Such sealing of seams is called rope. A three-strand flax rope is used as insulation, which is fixed to the seam with staples or nails. To work on the software you need the following materials and tools:

• tape measure or ruler;
• scissors;
• linen rope;
• hammer;
• short nails;
• metal staples;
• brush;
• wood impregnation.

The purchased linen rope is placed along the line of the inter-girder seam and every 15 cm, pulling it well, hammer a bracket or a nail with a small head into the bar. At the corners of a wooden house, the distance between fasteners may be less. To make the rope seams look aesthetically pleasing, when driving in nails or staples, they perform the following action: first, they open a strand of rope a little, then hammer in the fasteners, tuck the rope itself against the wall of the log house and pull it. The strand is closed, and the bracket or nail head is hidden under it from prying eyes.

When the sealing of the seams with a natural linen rope is completed, you should take care of its safety for a long time. To do this, you need to take a protective impregnation for wood and carefully process all rope edges with it. You can perform this procedure while impregnating the log walls themselves at the same time. Despite the fact that the process of sealing all the seams of a wooden house is quite long, it is simple and can be done without the help of other people. Rope insulation of seams in a wooden house is highly reliable, perfectly protects the frame from moisture and gives the structure an unusual but attractive look.

All photos from the article

The appeal of rounded logs is still relevant. An important criterion that, like a magnet, attracts more and more new customers, is the price of the product and smooth walls made from natural raw materials. But for some reason, no attention is paid to the problems that arise after the construction of buildings from this material.

Or they are mentioned in passing, as insignificant, and they are very important, and these are gaps. Talk about them.

Caution - danger!

Practice confidently declares and proves that the problem is terrible with the consequences, which lead either to excessive savings, or hope at random. Don't hope it won't blow.

Over time, two problems appear in log structures, worthy of comprehensive coverage:

• Slots directly in the material. The reason for this is often underdried beams, which, given the different speed of moisture movement in the longitudinal and radial directions, splits into fibers to speed up the process. The result is cracks of varying length and depth. Another reason is age-related changes in the material.

Danger condition!
These slots provide one hundred percent stagnation of moisture, followed by rotting and destruction of the entire log.

• Slots between the cylinders. This problem is much more serious, the cracks are direct gates for the exit of heat, the entrance of cold air, this condition occurs when the cracks are improperly, often deliberately incorrect, sealing.

Danger!
In this regard, the impossibility of living in the building appears, especially in winter, when the heat simply flies through the cracks in transit, without lingering.

Technology for sealing defects in logs

By the exterior of the log, you cannot determine the degree of its dryness, and even before the age of the tree, we are powerless, nothing can be done. The cracks that appear just need to be caulked.

The technology for this process is very simple:

• You buy a sealant, even if the cheapest one, the instructions for use of which says - for wood. Then, using the assembly gun, evenly fill all the cracks in the material.

Advice!
In some sources, you will find rather not wise, but tricky advice - to use tow, and even soaked in oil, usually linseed or drying oil, to seal deep cracks.
From above, it is recommended to apply no more than one cm thick layer of sealant.
Don't do that!
Wood is a unique material, different from others.
The processes of moisture movement take place in the tree, for which natural plant fiber will be an excellent retention material.
As a result, you provide stagnation of moisture and accelerated deterioration of the tree.

• Sealing of seams in a log house formed in the body of a log is done with a sealant and only by it.

Information for thought! Do not blow out the inner cracks with polyurethane foam! You have a problem area that has been "opened up" by the movement of moisture. Blowing foam there, which tends to expand 4.5-5 times, you actually make an effort to expand the defect even more.

General definitions

This small subsection was introduced for the correct vision of the entire problem as a whole, since everything is interconnected: familiarity with one section gives an understanding of another. The purpose of this material is not just to answer the question of how and how to seal the seams between logs, but also how to perform work without subsequent emergency alteration.

• Materials for caulking;
• Laying technology;

• Emergency work.

Materials from ancient history to our everyday life

Every material that has been or is used today has features that appeal to its customers. Let's try to compare them, and choose something consonant and optimal from the available materials.

Material	Advantages	Peculiarities
Moss or sphagnum moss	A huge amount of material especially in swampy areas; The material is laid immediately;	Loved by birds for building nests, also used as insulation;
Tow and tape derivative	The tape made of this material is more durable than ordinary tow;	Natural materials, however, require constant impregnation, and are very popular with moths;
Felt	Comparatively cheap	Dry the material before laying.
Linen and ropes from it	Not expensive, the seams look impressive	Linen ropes require constant impregnation from pests and decay
Jute	Long lasting; Does not crumble; Does not require additional processing.	Pricing policy, of course, less acceptable than other materials
Flax	According to the declared characteristics, it is close to jute.	The price of the material is close to the price of jute; The quality does not correspond to the declared one, short flax fibers begin to crumble over time.

Note!
The best material for the caulking process today is jute.
Therefore, deciding the question of how to close up the cracks between the logs of a log house, you will not find a better one.
For a bathhouse, garage, barn, barn, you can choose a cheaper material.

The choice is made, we have started

The process of laying the material is not difficult, driving it into the cracks is done methodically with your own hands with knowledge of all the nuances.

1. Let's start with general questions.
   According to all the canons of filling gaps, this process occurs at least three times:

1. The hammering technique is simple... The primary material that goes beyond the boundaries of the joint is tucked in, a roller is formed, and with the help of a chisel and an ordinary hammer, it is driven into the gap. When re-forming, the fabric is folded in half, first the central part is driven in, then the lower and upper parts are rammed, according to the described technology with rollers.

1. The nuances of styling. The whole process takes place along the perimeter from the bottom up, each log is laid first from the outside, then from the inside.

Advice!
When driving in insulation, one log is displaced relative to another, sometimes up to 5 cm or more (depending on the diameter of the logs).
By collecting insulation only from the outside of the building, you run the risk of displacing the entire wall inward.
Changing the technology from the perimeter to alternate actions - from the outside, from the inside, the walls will skew relative to each other.

In this section, I would like to separately highlight the issue of how to seal the gaps between a log and a brickwork. It will not be possible to caulk them, since this is the space between the crowns.

Maybe then the decay process will not keep itself waiting long.

There are two options:

• Blow out the space with mounting foam. Naturally, the excess material is then removed and covered with a putty that protects against ultraviolet rays.

Reminder!
Polyurethane foam does not like direct rays of the sun, it quickly turns yellow and can collapse.
I think the consequences are clear.

• Close the joint with foam sheets with umbrella fasteners. In this way, you will not only remove the cold bridge, but also insulate the protruding foundation.

Emergency work

Sometimes it becomes necessary to cover up the cracks in the literal sense of the word, it's still cold ...

In case of urgent need:

• The slots are blown out with polyurethane foam;
• After drying, the excess material is remarkably removed with an assembly knife;
• And now, to the question of how to cover the seams between the logs, we answer with a putty from ultraviolet radiation.

Finally

If you are purchasing an inexpensive cylinder structure, do not rush to rejoice in the purchase, invite the master, let him look at the existing defects and estimate the volume and cost of the work. And the video in this article prepared an overview of the works that this material is devoted to.

When building a bath, each owner thinks about the question of how to cover up the seams in an already built bath, which are very visible. After all, no matter how tightly the timber is laid during construction, the seams still remain. And through them precious heat will go away, which will create uncomfortable conditions for the visitors of the bath.

Consequently, in the winter period, heat in a log bath can be retained only if all joints, cracks and seams between the crowns are sealed. Moreover, the sealing of the joints in the bath should be carried out with great care.

By itself, wood, due to its natural characteristics, can change its volume and size. And in the bathhouse, due to constant temperature changes, this is especially noticeable, since cracks appear on the logs themselves, and gaps can form between the blocks. This leads to the fact that the bath building becomes unprotected from wind and cold. But this problem is completely solvable, and the insulation does not require large material costs. But the insulation begins even during the construction of the bath, when the initial sealing and sealing of the joints of the bath is carried out.

And then a completely natural question arises: "How can you cover the seams in the bath and ensure its thermal insulation?" As sealants, you can use traditional materials that are usually used when laying crowns: tow, moss. As well as sealing joints in the bath, modern materials are suitable, which provide thermal insulation in wooden structures.

Modern hermetic materials

Modern heat-insulating materials are resilient and elastic, therefore they are used quite widely, solving the question: how to seal the seams in the bath.

Their feature is that it is easy to work with such sealants, they dry quickly, it is possible to apply several layers if necessary. And it is convenient and profitable.

In addition, modern hermetic materials have high adhesiveness, which significantly increases the thermal insulation properties, they are not afraid of lowering and fluctuating temperatures in the air and humid environment. But, perhaps, the most important thing is that they do not interfere with the ventilation of the room and are safe for health. Sealants are used not only to seal the joints of the bath, but also to any splits and cracks that form on the wood over time.

Among the latest materials for keeping warm in the bath, special sealing tapes should be noted. They need to be distributed in the space between the timber. They are almost non-caking, which means that you do not need to use other sealed materials, which creates additional savings. In addition, such a sealant can change its shape when the logs begin to move during the natural shrinkage of the bath.

Old traditional hermetic materials won't let you down

If, when deciding how to close up the seams in a bath, you settled on original Russian materials: moss, tow, jute, then the process itself will be more laborious, and special skills will be required. Natural sealants have a lot of advantages over artificial ones:

• They include 100% natural materials, to which ecologists cannot make any claims.
• Moss and jute keep warm air out of the room and keep cold out.
• They have excellent absorbent qualities, which is very important in constantly damp bath rooms. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the walls starting to rot.

But there is one inconvenience in the use of such materials: it will be necessary to monitor the tightness of the seams during the entire operation of the structure, and not only after the end of shrinkage.

The final stage in the construction of a log house should be caulking. It is needed to insulate the seams and prevent moisture penetration between structural elements. Wood is a natural biological material and needs special protection from external damaging natural factors, as well as damage by pests, fungi and bacteria. When caulking a log private house, various insulation materials and methods of sealing joints are used. Familiarization with them will allow you to easily carry out the entire process yourself.

Material selection

Before proceeding with caulking a log house, you should decide on the choice of a suitable material. Previously, natural insulation materials were used for this purpose - tow and moss. They are still relevant among lovers of eco-style. The old materials were replaced by modern ones - jute and linen. When choosing a material, the main thing is that it is not harmful to health and fulfills its function of insulating the house.

The choice of material should be given special attention.

Qualities inherent in a good joint compound:

• not to promote the growth of bacterial and fungal associations;
• be unattractive to birds and insects;
• have low thermal conductivity;
• do not contain toxic substances;
• have a neutral odor;
• be resistant to temperature extremes and high humidity;
• maintain their working properties for many years.

Types of materials

There are several types of insulation designed to work with log houses. The most common ones are:

• tow;
• red moss;
• jute;
• flax

Let's consider each type in more detail.

It is a natural material, a product of processing bast crops (flax, hemp). It is used for thermal insulation and moisture insulation of wooden structures (caulking cracks, laying crowns, packing seams). Has a slight antibacterial effect. Due to its not as dense structure as that of jute tape, it can be used in log cabins of any type.

Most often used in combination with tow

White moss (sphagnum) grows everywhere, found in any swamp. In terms of its qualities, it is inferior to red moss, but since it is easier to prepare sphagnum in any quantities, they usually prefer it.

Moss is an excellent material with the ability to absorb moisture in large quantities due to its high hygroscopicity. Can pass air well even when wet. In addition, sphagnum moss is endowed with antifungal, antibacterial and disinfectant properties. Able to create a favorable microclimate in the room, thanks to vapor and gas permeability. Moss is a worthy option for laying seams, since it allows you to smooth out drops in humidity and thereby provide insulation, as well as the durability of the log structure. In the process, moss is often combined with tow because of the difficulties in laying.

Red moss (cuckoo flax)

The material is difficult to procure

Possesses a number of useful properties:

• durable;
• provides insulation;
• prevents the formation of mold and decay.
• durable, resilient;
• less hygroscopic than moss;
• lightweight and long.

But it does not grow everywhere and it is difficult to stock up in the required quantities.

This material is popular and over time displaces moss more and more. It is obtained by processing the stem of the plant of the same name.

More expensive option

Material advantages:

• environmentally friendly;
• durable;
• has good heat-saving properties;
• easy and quick to fit;
• contains a substance that prevents material decay;
• has a beautiful color.

Its disadvantage is its higher cost, as well as caking and limited use in conventional log cabins. It is suitable for buildings made of timber and round logs.

Previously, flax was used along with moss. Now flax is produced on its basis. "Eurolen" is a ribbon of woven fibers of this plant.

Material advantages:

Affordable and durable material

• durability;
• environmental friendliness;
• slight hygroscopicity;
• healthy microclimate in the house;
• availability, low price;
• good insulation;
• softness and elasticity.

Other heaters

In addition to the above heaters, they occasionally use others:

1. Mineral insulation.
2. Wool fiber.
3. Batting, padding polyester, sealant.
4. Thermal insulating tapes.

This is fraught with the accumulation of excess moisture inside the insulation with further freezing of the seams. And some of them contribute to the release of condensation at the joints of wood and insulation, which can contribute to the destruction of a wooden structure.

Caulking methods

Caulking a wooden house is carried out in two ways:

• "Stretching";
• "In the set".

With the "stretching" method, strands are twisted from the insulation, which are then wound into a ball for convenience. Loops are made from these threads, which are used to seal the seams. Their number depends on the depth of the gap. First, the material is hammered into the upper, and then into the lower edges. Then the insulation is trimmed with the flattened end of the tool. The corners should be given close attention. It is not very convenient to work with them. When sealing the walls, it will be correct to release about 15 cm of material at the corners.

Important! If caulking is done in a finished house, then the log house can increase its height by 10-15 cm. Therefore, in order to avoid damage to the pipe, it is freed from putty during work. Caulking at home must be done correctly, going around the entire perimeter of the log house. You should start from the bottom of the house, then climb consistently up in a circle.

When caulking again, a set-up method is used to seal the joints. This method is good for filling large gaps and gaps. For such work, a pre-prepared fiber roll is used. The thickness of the roller should be the same throughout. Sealing large gaps occurs by folding the cord to form a kind of loop. The insulation is clogged with caulk and mallet.

Regardless of whether insulation was carried out during the construction of the log house, the seams are done after a year. During this time, the structure shrinks and the logs fall into place. After another year, complete shrinkage occurs, and new cracks form, which must be properly repaired. Regardless of the material from which the house is built, caulking is carried out in the same way. Insulation should be tightly packed between the crowns, and in places with large gaps, insulation with jute and hemp ropes should be done.

Periodic, correctly performed caulking is designed to solve several problems:

• provide sufficient thermal insulation;
• protect the tree from destruction;
• avoid condensation;
• reduce blowing at home.

Periodic caulking at home

The house should be inspected annually for the appearance of cracks, which must immediately be properly repaired.

Caulking of log buildings is not much different from working with other log cabins. The only thing that should be paid attention to is the threat to re-fill the space between the crowns with insulation. The fact is that in log cabins, the gaps are not as large as in the rest. When working with jute, watch out for the joints between the logs, as this is the weakest point.

Corner locks processing

To avoid alterations and unnecessary waste of funds, caulking a log house should be carried out correctly and efficiently, tightly closing the gaps. Seams should be done inside and outside the house. In the case of poor-quality work, even the smallest seemingly cracks can significantly affect the temperature in the room.

It is advisable to insulate a log house using the "set" method. The material roller has the necessary rigidity, which increases the efficiency of the sealing method.