Comfenergy Case Studies: Spray Foaming a Log Cabin in Harpers Ferry, WV

Challenge

This Harpers Ferry, WV homeowner was constructing a gorgeous log cabin in the woods.  This home will be a place where the customer will be retiring.  It is a large home, and the customer spent a good deal of time to make sure that the property would be energy efficient and easy on his wallet with respect to energy consumption.  Insulating a log cabin is pretty straight forward in terms of work process.  The log package for this cabin was made up of mature logs that were 24" in diameter, and as they were going to be left in the natural condition required no wall insulation.

Solution

Our focus was on insulating the rim joist and the cathedral ceiling.  Closed cell spray foam was the material of choice for this project.  We put it on a little thicker than normal as we wanted to make sure that this beatuy was as tight as possible.

The top three priorities before we started ths job were protection, protection, and protection!  The logs had been cleaned and a sealant applied.  The sealant was an attractant to the small droplets of spray foam that are a by-product of the spraying operation.  We had to be sure that there was no opportunity for the foam to come into contact with the logs.

The height of the work was another issue that we had to overcome. 

The results were awesome and this home will proudly sit ontop of a bluff near Harpers Ferry enhancing the look of the valley below for generations to come.

Project Summary

Engineer: John LeVan