should I insulate a logsided cabin with wood heat?

Question

I am building a 280 sqft cabin which will have a wood stove that heats 1000 sqft, It has a 2x6 vaulted ceiling with a ridge vent and rafter vents, the walls are 2x4 construction with 1 sheet of 7/16" osb on the outside and inside and tyvek and 1.5" inch thick log siding. and 1/4" wainscot pine on the inside. I am asking this because I dont want it to get too dry in there to crack the wood wainscott, I live in iowa where winters can get below zero. thanks

its all open inside still, its basically going to be used all year long for small get togethers. thanks

it will also be stained on the outside and inside

should i insulate the walls and leave it a cold ceiling for venting?

it has a 6inch concrete slab floor

Answer 1

Insulation will not affect the humidity enough to cause any noticeable difference in your structural or decorative components.

You should always insulate. In Iowa, you would be talking the difference of a cord of wood if you use the cabin daily. Plus, if you have individual rooms in the cabin, you will get a more even heating if the exterior walls are insulated.

God Bless

Answer 2

I would insulate the whole structure. As Frank stated the insulation is not going to affect the humidity level in the camp.
The thin wainscott is going to be effected more by the drastict temperature changes when you are there and when your are not there. Insulation will not have any influence on the wainscott, it is just going to cut down on the consumption of fire wood.

Leaving the venting at the eave and ridge open is not wise either, if you dont completely insulate (or even if you don't insulate at all).As you heat the camp you are going to lose more heat through the ridge vent because there is nothing restricting the heat flow. And leaving the eave vent open will draw in outside air, which is full of moisture in the winter, causing condensation inside the camp. This condesation will eventually lead to mold, mildew and eventually rot.

Answer 3

You'd have done better to have used 2x6 for the walls and 2x10 for the rafters.
The int. OSB does little other than add mass and/or backing for the WC.
Which could be better accomplished with a 4mil vapor barrier over unfaced batt ins. covered with 5/8 drywall.

Answer 4

With all due respect and not strictly knowing the purpose for the cabin, is it a place you plan to spend a lot of Winter time?

What you've described so far has little to no insulation value by itself. Sounds like a nice, well built cabin however.

It also sounds like the interior walls are finished already, creating some difficulty with insulating between them and the exterior sheathing.

I'll also assume the cabin; when not occupied will not be heated, especially by an untended wood stove. Are you leaving everything natural? Or have you treated and/or sealed any of the structure?

Steven Wolf

Answer 5

I would insulate. You'll regret not having it one day if you don't install it. However, you'll never regret having installed it. Get a humidifier if dryness is a factor. Did you insulate the floor?