My wife wants a more formal look to our dining room in our log home. Although I would prefer to maintain the exterior log wall look, she wants me to cover it with drywall so it can be painted or wallpapers. Since it’s an exterior wall and I’m concerned about moisture, I was planning on placing a vapor barrier (6 mill plastic or felt paper) on the interior wall and then slapping up greenboard. Is this a sensible approach? Are there other options?
Thanks for any feedback.
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Replies
In a normal house that would be the way to go, but there may be some special considerations for a log structure. I suspect, at the very least, you should leave some air space (ie, furring strips) between the logs and the vapor barrier. Of course, you'll probably need furring or framing of some sort to produce a flat wall anyway.
Why do you feel this need to add a VB?
How old is your log home and what type of log construction do you have?
Gabe
It's only a few years old, and was constructed of laminated logs. The builder did a relatively poor job of using glue or caulk in the tongue and groove, and the logs are not as wind proof as we would like. In fact, we're having all seams caulked in May or June. The VB seemed prudent.
You have to appreciate that a solid log home does not "breathe" the same way as a conventional home. The entire log should be allowed to breathe.
The logs will absorb moisture and must be allowed to expel moisture as well.
Yes, do ensure that the logs are properly chinked.
Once you're satisfied that the gaps between the logs are properly sealed you can turn your attention to building your wall against the logs.
Your laminated logs home would have a nice flat surface to attach a drywall wall to so construction is easy, however your logs have not finished settling yet and you would want to have the drywall on studs to keep the wall independant of the logs c/w a gap at the top for settlement.
The vb would not serve any purpose and quiet possibly be a negative, I would leave it out.
Gabe
Is it just the dining room to be finished with DW? It would not make sense just to put VB there.
I would go with Gabe to skip the VB altogether.
Thanks for the insight, no VB it is.