How to Seal Drafty Windows on Your Log Home
With the cold weather creeping in, drafty windows can be a big issue. It’s more important than ever to make sure your home is properly sealed off from the harsh weather outdoors.
Many log cabin owners struggle with drafty windows, but do not understand the full reason behind them. Good insulation can only do so much when your home is a log cabin. The cracks between the logs are the primary reason for the draftiness.
The solution is the combination of the Log Gap Cap and Log Builder Log Home Caulk, or Conceal Textured Caulk for Wood from LogFinish.com. These two products work together to fill any window gaps between your home and window to keep out the cold.
Step 1: Tape off the areas to be sealed around the drafty window
There’s no reason to get any product where it isn’t needed. So with the tape, you’ll protect the areas that don’t need any product. Use painter’s tape (available at any hardware store) to protect the wood surface.
Step 2: Insert Log Gap Cap behind drafty window
The Log Gap Cap is a piece of pre-cut foam created for the purpose of sealing cracks and gaps around windows. These are proven to increase energy efficiency. They are built to be resistant to mold, rot, and bacteria. They will NOT absorb any moisture.
Step 3: Apply Conceal or Log Builder according to directions. Smooth it to ensure a tight seal.
This caulk is designed to absorb any log movement while simultaneously keeping a watertight seal. Log Builder and Conceal will not crack and peel away like other caulks. It is created to keep water, air, bugs, and more out of your home and last the test of time.
Step 4: Remove the tape after smoothing and before the sealant skins over. Finally, step back and enjoy your handiwork.
Now’s the time you can kick back and enjoy your properly sealed log cabin! No more drafty windows!
Get the supplies you need to seal your drafty windows here
Log Gap Caps for Full Log Insulation
Conceal Textured Caulk for Wood
Thank you to our friends at Sashco for sharing this great info!
We have a convenient table for that! Check out the Log Builder coverage chart here.
How do you figure the amount of Log Builder Log caulk that you will need?
Set the Log Gap Cap in behind the trim leaving 3/8” to be covered with Conceal Caulk, or Energy Seal Caulk. This will give the caulk 3/8” of adhesion to the trim and logs, and will allow the caulk to move with the wood.
Do you fill in the area completely in over the gap cap until it’s even with the window wood frame?