“Your Log Cabin Interior Finishes will make a big impact inside. As well as looks though, You Must Consider how Practical it is!”

Your log cabin interior finishes will be a very important choice. Unlike conventional homes, where internal finishes can be changed fairly easily, in a log cabin this is not the case. Log walls can be painted over, but most people will not want to cover up the beauty of real wood, by using an opaque finish. The balance of the materials inside your log cabin is therefore something you need to get right first time. There is no right or wrong answer to what you should use, as it largely comes down to personal preference. Your choice will mainly be influenced by the aesthetic appeal, practicality and cost of the specific log cabin interior finishes.

Which Log Cabin Interior Finishes?







Timber

Most people who build a log cabins love timber. Wood will naturally be at the top of their list for log cabin interior finishes. This is very traditional and a part of a log cabin appeal. However do not feel that you have to go for a rustic look or timber is your only choice! Think about the overall feel you want your log cabin to have. If you want to make it a little more modern and or mix it up a bit, why not! After all you pay the bills, so you make the choices.

So what about timber, what are its’ pros and cons? Well timber is a very natural product and the individual grain of each piece of wood gives your interior and uniquely organic appeal. Timber also provides a very relaxing and calming environment and timber at night time under the lights, provides a radiant and warming glow. Timber is a very durable material and a few knocks are barely going to be noticed. Also timber is a very environmentally friendly material to use, using little energy to manufacture. While not as cheap as plasterboard, timber used internally is not too expensive, unless huge sizes are used.

On the down side timber is normally finished with a transparent varnish, so unless you want to paint all over your lovely wood in a solid paint, the changes to colour you can do are minimal. Timber in some countries will require fire treatment. In the UK for example this is a very expensive process! Timber will probably create a slighter darker ambiance than say plasterboard with light coloured paint. Timber is also not the best product to use, in close proximity to regular water usage.

Plasterboard

Plasterboard is not one of the log cabin interior finishes which first springs into your mind! Don’t rule it out completely though, without considering it first. We have done quite a few log cabins over the years, where either some walls or ceilings where finished in plasterboard. Its’ plain finish just seeks to emphasize the adjacent logs or timber boarding even more and this can be used to great effect! Also in dark, poorly light room, or in utility areas which will not be seen much, plasterboard can be a good choice.

On the plus side plasterboard is very cheap and also quick to install, so overall it can save a lot of money. It is a fire resistant material, so in countries where fire regulations are stringent, this can reduce costs dramatically. You can also paint plasterboard quickly and easily, allowing you to change the colour or overall ambience inside. However plasterboard will take away from the rustic feel of a log cabin. For a handcrafted log cabin, like those often round in North American, this material might be a step too far and take away from the overall handcrafted look too much. It is not as durable material as timber either. Some people think it cheapens the feel of a proper log cabin.



Stone

Stone and timber being natural products, provide a lovely contrast but at the same time compliment each other. For this reason many people use some stone as one of their log cabin interior finishes. This is particularly true in North America, where more rustic log cabins tend to be found. Fireplaces tend to be a popular location for stone in a log cabin.

Stone is an extremely durable material and it can look great. It is also good to use where heat (such as a fire) can be a problem. Stone is also more resistant to moisture and so bathrooms can also be a good place for some stone. On the downside it is very heavy and may therefore need special support or foundations to sit on. Stone can tend to be very hard and sometimes quite sharp, so safety with children can be an issue. Also it tends to be very expensive, so you may want to use it sparingly.

Ceramics

Ceramic materials can be great log cabin interior finishes, especially in wet areas. Ceramic tiles for walls or flooring are a good choice for bathrooms, toilets, kitchens and utility areas. This is because they are waterproof and also hard wearing. Again the ceramic look will contrast but compliment the timber internally, (with the right use of colour).

Ceramics are good because of their properties with water, which can cause problems with timber (if moisture is in prolonged contact with it). It is also normally easy to clean, so good for areas which need regular cleaning. Normally they are very durable and they also look good. On the downside they can be quite pricey, cold and hard to touch, and small tiles may mean a lot of grouting to keep clean.


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