The residential building, made of rounded logs, looks very natural and has a special charm. When choosing this construction option, it is usually assumed that the interior decoration of houses made of rounded logs will be minimal. Noble wood does not require any special decorations, and therefore, when decorating the inside of this type of country house, owners should choose mainly natural, environmentally friendly materials, avoiding modern “synthetics”. Enhancing the attractiveness of wood trim is the most important thing you need to do.
It is best to start finishing no earlier than 12 months from the date of completion of the construction of the log house - during this time the main shrinkage of the house will occur.
Finishing a house from rounded logs is a responsible and multi-stage process. It is extremely important to decide from the very beginning what you want the interiors of your country home to look like in the end. It is hardly worth decorating the premises in a log house using a huge number of non-wooden structures - wooden buildings are erected primarily in order to subsequently enjoy a special microclimate and be closer to nature. This means that our attention should be directed, first of all, to finishing materials made specifically from natural wood.
Activities for arranging the interiors of a log house can be divided into several stages. It is important to follow the specified sequence of actions in order to carry out all the necessary work in the shortest possible time and avoid possible problems.
Features of finishing wooden walls
A rounded log coated with protective agents looks beautiful and noble in itself. In many cases, additional interior decoration is not necessary, but even in cases of excellent protection of the interior of a log building from the cold, its inhabitants want to reduce the heavy atmosphere created by dark walls.
If you want to finish the inner surface of the walls with selected facing materials, you should take into account the difference between work on a wooden surface and similar actions with brick or concrete fences.
Wood has specific qualities that determine the characteristics of its finishing.
Installation of communications
Before starting interior work in a house built from rounded logs, it is very important to think through and install all the communication systems you need. First of all, install sewerage and water supply throughout the building, and also install a heating system. Subsequently, the pipes can be perfectly disguised with wall finishing materials.
Particular emphasis is placed on the installation of electrical networks. It must be technically competent; this condition applies to any house, but in a wooden building, where the risk of fire is extremely high, this is especially important.
Rules for finishing wooden houses
When building a new house, it is advisable to foresee the type of interior and exterior decoration in advance, since some of them may have significant weight, and this can affect the condition of a weak foundation.
When the method of interior finishing is known at the project stage, it becomes possible to correctly calculate the dimensions of the base and supporting structures, especially in attic or 2-story buildings.
If you are going to finish a finished structure, then you need to pay attention to the following parameters:
- Inspect all walls for darkened or pest-infested areas. If they are detected, treat the wood with special preparations to eliminate the cause of the damage.
- Be sure to caulk the recesses between the logs.
- Before starting finishing work, make sure that enough time has passed for active shrinkage of the house after its construction.
- To prevent the appearance of dampness, condensation, and ultimately mold under finishing materials, you should choose the most hygroscopic options.
- If a sealed type of finish is used, then holes for forced ventilation should be installed underneath it to extend the life of the entire house.
Optimal finishing options
Wood products
There are more than enough varieties of this product and its shapes (linear dimensions of the samples). Board (the same lining), slabs, panels, veneer and the like. The main thing is that it is natural wood (and well polished), and not its plastic (metal) imitation. In fact, houses made of rounded timber often do not require additional interior finishing materials at all.
Floor tiles
Here the opinions of experts differ. Some believe that it is indispensable for finishing floors and walls in rooms with excessive humidity. The opponents’ argument is that it is necessary to install a reliable base under it, but it will not be possible to lay it on a “bare” tree. In principle, various technologies are now used, so you can work with tiles in a wooden house. The only drawback is some difficulty in installation and the general increase in cost of such cladding. So it's at the discretion of the homeowner.
The article presents the main types of materials that are advisable to use for finishing the inside of a wooden structure. We have given some useful practical recommendations. After analyzing them, the thoughtful reader himself will understand what is best suited for HIS HOME, taking into account the specifics of the home and the expected amount of financial investment in its interior design.
When to carry out finishing work
The peculiarity of a log house is that it is in the process of shrinkage almost constantly, but several months after the construction of the building it is especially active.
- Under the influence of the weight of logs, roofing and other building materials, the walls of the house become denser, and the voids between the tree trunks become smaller.
- Any finishing work carried out too early may be in vain, since they may become deformed under the weight of the log walls during the period of active shrinkage.
In houses built from laminated veneer lumber, you can begin interior decoration of the walls within 4-5 months after completion of construction, while a structure made from solid logs shrinks within a year.
Bedroom interior in a log house
The bedroom should be intimate and cozy. Everything in it should be conducive to relaxation. And most often, bedrooms are made in calm, light colors, adding only a few color accents.
The design of a bedroom in log houses is no different: light, calm colors and several color accents
Whitewashed logs and dark finishes, furniture in the same colors. The nonlinear ceiling made of lining creates an interesting visual effect, and the highlight is the rounded shape of the log
The design techniques are the same: contrasts and playing with the texture of wood. There are a lot of contrasts in the interior in the photo above: in addition to the two colors, the uneven relief of the walls and the geometrically clear shapes of the furniture are also contrasted. And the nonlinear structure above the window is contrasted with the smooth surface of the floor.
Inside the wooden house the atmosphere is completely different. An interior that plays well with wooden walls, complemented by textiles in the bedroom, is the basis of this variation. And linear and rounded shapes are also played out
Another bedroom design option that plays with contrasts: rounded and sharp lines, a matte light surface of the walls and shiny dark brown silk bedspreads. Textiles can highlight a lot. A light green accent softens everything - pillows and candles, plants in pots.
You can read about the design of a country house here.
Preparing the wall surface
To successfully carry out finishing work in a log house, it is necessary to carry out a number of preparatory activities. You need to start by sealing the gaps between logs or laminated veneer lumber, which is known as caulking.
- The modern method of insulating a house at the seams is also called a “warm seam”.
- The joints between the logs are caulked using insulation materials rolled into thin rolls, driving them into the cracks using a tool.
- Fans of modern technological innovations use various sealants for this purpose, which are made from rubber or acrylic.
The natural material of the walls of a log house is of particular interest to various pests and biological contamination.
To extend the life of the building and protect its structures from damage, wooden parts are impregnated with special compounds that increase their resistance to fire and moisture.
In addition, walls are sanded and treated with wood primers to strengthen their structure, especially when lightweight wood such as spruce or pine was used to build the house.
Flooring
After laying communications, it is time to work on the floor of your log house. The floor is equipped with thorough thermal insulation and waterproofing.
In a building made of rounded logs, the floors are usually installed on joists. This work is quite difficult and labor-intensive. Even at the stage of building a residential log house to install such a floor, before laying the crowns, you should worry about installing the beams. Along the crown of the house in the logs, in the places where the beams will be installed, grooves are made using a chainsaw. Next, the beams are treated with an antiseptic to prevent the appearance of rot and firmly installed in place. Next, the subfloor is laid along the beams: it can be made of boards or plywood. After this, you can continue building the walls of the house.
As for decorative materials for decorating the floor surface, in log buildings it is worth using natural materials - preference is given to wooden parquet, but laminate can be chosen as a budget option. In wet rooms, a screed is made on the subfloor, on which special ceramic floor tiles are subsequently laid.
The best finishing materials
To insulate walls under clapboard or plasterboard, felt or mineral wool is used. Slats are attached to the logs, along which wooden planks, plasterboard slabs or finished wall panels are installed.
Wall protrusions can be covered with real stone, brick or artistically executed plaster that imitates any natural materials. Natural stone finishing is rarely used, as it is heavy, but artificial stone is more suitable for these purposes.
- The ceiling can be finished with interlocking panels, special lightweight tiles or tension structures. Laminate, cork slabs, parquet, treated boards or carpet are laid on the floor. Linoleum and tiles are rarely used in the living quarters of log houses.
- To prevent deformation of finishing coatings in a wooden house that is constantly changing its structure, they are often laid on a frame with a small gap from the wall.
- As a result of this protective action, empty spaces are formed that are inhabited by rodents or insects. To protect against their attacks, the walls are insulated with glass wool, and for fire protection purposes, internal electrical wiring is placed in protective metal pipes.
To diversify the interiors of a log house and get rid of the impression of a monotonous wooden box, you can install wall panels in the kitchen and hallway.
When creating an interior space in the same style, the walls in the rooms can be covered with plasterboard, on which wallpaper or bamboo tiles will fit well. Interiors in a strict Scandinavian or country style are most suitable for log houses.
Popular interior design styles in a wooden cottage
Each housewife prefers to decorate, guided by her own idea of the comfort of the hearth, taste, and point of view. Look at the results of the projects implemented by our company; you can sort the selection by style, cost, size of the living space, if you use the search. We are confident that even a cramped room can be turned into a masterpiece of style with bright colors, grace, and a center of attraction for all family members.
Charming Finnish houses, where it is light and spacious, or a stylish villa in the Alps - finishing the house with logs inside allows you to make any dreams come true. A mix of modernity and retro - in combination with wooden frames, the stained glass partition and table look organic. Texture contrasts will create a complete, complete picture of the design.
Soft sofa covers, a linen tablecloth with embroidered geometric patterns, and fragile porcelain will help smooth out the strict contours of a rectangular room. Decoration with bay window, artistic carving, semicircular arch, table folding round or polygonal decor.
Accent details - original modern sconces, appliances for the fireplace and dining area - will help diversify the palette of beige shades. Emphasized luxury of natural forging, original stained glass, a combination of contrasting dark and light design.
The simplicity and brevity, the restraint of the Swedish style, which came from Finland, is complemented by the brown, beige, light gray color of the wood, finished with wicker baskets, old chests, the installation of rough benches, chairs with an original armchair. The design of the wooden house is complemented by clay details, patchwork textiles, woolen carpets, with images of historical scenes, stylized in antique style.
Stylization in the Russian style - the design will be complemented by bright paintings, decorations with carved elements at the head of the bed, cast iron cabinet doors, original decorations on the stair railings based on fairy tales, decor with ancient elements of the rural outback, shutters and gates. Linen and natural textiles, fabrics, decoration with skins on the floor are a priority.
Here are some interior design tips:
- Decorate the discreet design of walls, floors and ceilings made of wood, giving peace of mind simply and easily without a boring highlight. The elements are limited only by your imagination. Fabulous antique paintings, luxurious ornaments, similar embroidered bedspreads, sets of sofa cushions with elegant decorative details are suitable;
- A solid log house is decorated with modern devices for comfort and coziness - thick and light curtains, original sliding blinds on the sunny side, folding tabletops built into the walls, tinted glass, stained glass;
- Shades of pink, milky, terracotta, an abundance of plants contrasting with the landscape outside the window, which are so popular with children, especially girls, radically replace the old-fashioned interior inside with an ultra-modern one - these details are not difficult to add to the decoration;
- Observe the measure, the sense of harmony of the overall composition, the decor should correspond to the concept, the prevailing range of colors and shades. If in a large room everything is filled with furniture, then the decoration is lost; the time of ostentatious luxury is over. The house should be pleasant to be in; complex ornaments are no longer popular. People are more likely to order mixed styles that combine a selection of the most striking design elements;
- It is important that accent details, furniture and textile decorations must be designed in one chosen key that corresponds to the interior style plan of a wooden house.
The wooden finishing of a log house has wonderful energy, looks impeccable, uniting the spirit of antiquity and modernity, promotes comfortable work, relaxing rest and sleep. It is pleasant to live in such a house, filled with the aroma of pine needles and linden.
Write to us, leave a request on the website, easy navigation is provided for this. The approximate price is indicated immediately, the final cost of the work depends on your requirements and wishes. Experienced craftsmen will offer solutions focused on the design features of a particular log house.
Photo of the interior decoration of a log house
Protective means for interior work
If you do not take care of timely protection, the logs of the log house will very soon begin to darken, which will not have the best effect on the beauty of the interior. In addition, wood is threatened by rot, mold, mildew, bark beetles and other biological threats.
To protect your home from them, you will have to look for the most effective and reliable remedy. The building materials market offers a wide range, but not all products meet customer expectations.
How to cover the inside of a log house? When choosing a protective agent, it is advisable to choose a material that will not interfere with natural air exchange.
Because of this, walls are rarely coated with ordinary varnish: it creates an airtight film on the surface of the wood, so the atmosphere in the house will be like in a glass cup. The market today offers several products that have proven themselves in interior work:
- The Finnish company offers a product that is part of the Paneeli-Assa line. This is not a varnish, but a special protective agent that is deeply absorbed into the wood, giving the surface a pleasant shine.
Moreover, it is transparent, so you can admire the natural beauty of log or timber walls. The Finnish product allows you to provide good protection against mold, rot and other threats.
- A well-known one offers wood impregnations made on an alkyd basis. The leader among them is Top Lasur, which provides an even and beautiful coating. This company also offers a wide selection of paints for interior work: a variety of colors will help create an interesting design in the interior.
- "Senezh Frost" is a Russian product with reliable protective properties. The coated surface has a light snowy tint, and you can clearly see the structure of the wood. From the outside, such a coating will be almost invisible, and sanded wood will retain a pleasant white color.
- A more expensive option is the German Zowosan varnish produced by Zobel. The advantage of the product is its durability: re-treatment will only have to be done after 7 years (conventional products are renewed at least once every 5 years).
- “Penotex” is a product familiar to Russian buyers, which has managed to prove itself from the best side. However, there is a risk of running into a fake: you can only purchase it from specialized companies or construction stores.
This is just a short list of answers to the question of how to cover a new log house. All of the listed products comply with environmental standards, and specialized forums confirm that these manufacturers can be trusted.
When to start processing
The first question that arises for a home owner is: how to cover the log house after assembly?
When a building made of timber or logs is just built, it takes at least six months for the wood to dry and the process of natural shrinkage to complete. At this time, the house is left with windows and doors completely open, and the wood definitely needs antiseptic protection.
The first treatment with antiseptics will preserve the wood while it dries, and then you can proceed to finishing.
For it, you can choose glaze, that is, translucent or dull paints: the first option looks much more beautiful, allowing you to admire the natural beauty of the tree.
However, “dull” paints provide more reliable and durable protection for wood, and they cannot be changed soon.
Decorative plaster
This general term refers to a layer of construction and decorative mixture applied to the surface of the walls. It levels the walls, insulates them, insulates them, and is also, of course, one of the most ancient methods of beautifying a home inside and out.
Plaster mixtures can be divided according to two criteria - according to the composition of the mixture and according to artistic qualities.
Mineral plaster
Mineral plaster is the most economical type of plaster.
This is due to the base of the mixture - cement, which is “seasoned” with chemical additives that provide increased moisture resistance. To this we can add environmental safety, vapor permeability, resistance to fungi and mold, temperature changes, as well as fire safety. Among the disadvantages are the not very diverse color palette and the complexity of application. But the average period of operation of a mineral coating does not exceed 15 years.
In addition to mineral, there is also: silicate, based on liquid glass; silicone, which is based on silicone resins; polymer - with acrylic resin in the composition. Silicone and mineral plasters have the longest service life.
Textured plaster
Textured (structural) decorative plaster is a way of decorating walls that can be called an unfading classic. Due to the fact that the plaster mixture contains various additives (pebbles, fibers, marble chips or ground bricks), this finish can look like rock, valuable wood, cork bark, sand patterns, cracked clay, dug velvet.K textured types of plaster include the famous “fur coat”, as well as bark beetle plaster, a method of finishing halls and hallways that has been popular for many decades.
Textured plaster is an excellent solution for those who want to get a unique interior. It will definitely provide picturesqueness and sophistication. And at the same time, strength, durability, and fire resistance. Plaster will help hide small defects on the walls, and its price is not bad at all. Textured plaster will not put to shame any of the palace, classical interior styles; it will be a good find for the hall, living room, and dining room.
Judging by the reviews, this design has one drawback - it is difficult to remove when the need for new repairs arises. The time during which textured plaster will not lose its attractiveness is 15-20 years.
Venetian plaster
It's hard to believe that this type of coating is over 500 years old. “Venetian” creates the impression of a noble stone - marble, granite, onyx, jasper, opal, malachite, amber. Such a sophisticated type of decoration literally asks for the walls of spacious living rooms, where there are fireplaces, hanging canvases in lush frames and the spirit of the Renaissance is in the air. Venetian plaster is unique: there are no two identical copies of it in the world! It is precisely this that can be seen inside the palaces of the Venetian doges and the villas of Italian aristocrats. “Venetian” is not only enchantingly beautiful, but also safe, moisture-resistant, durable and capable of pleasing the eye not for years, but for centuries! But the price also matches it.
Interior design tips
There are no clear recommendations when interpreting the characteristics of an interior style for a wooden house. Many people prefer a mixture of “neighboring” or even different design directions. Moreover, this equally applies to finishing materials, color schemes, furniture, textiles and decorative accessories. For such a mixture they even came up with their own name “fusion”. And many professional designers and their clients, using this technique, develop their own “individual” style.
MDF panels
MDF panels are a modern modification of particle boards, known as chipboards. In the production of MDF, however, harmful phenol is not used, which makes this product environmentally friendly. The advantages of MDF include a wide range of products: manufacturers offer multi-colored, ornamented panels, smooth and with a relief surface. They are easy enough to mount on walls, they are durable, have a high thermal conductivity coefficient, are insensitive to fungus and mold, and since they are covered with a laminated film, they are also insensitive to moisture. The service life of MDF panels is 15 years.
