Log homes are a powerful country architectural style.
Log homes feature natural logs and wood used for most surfaces inside the home, including the ceiling. The rustic charm of the log home centers with bringing nature and wood inside the house, blurring the line between the outdoors and the interior. This abundant use of wood has to be restrained to prevent the wood from overpowering the interior and making the house feel too dark, which is accomplished by varying the way the wood is finished.
Tongue and Groove
Clerestory windows and paneling boards simplify this ceiling.
Most log homes have ceilings that are at least partially beamed. The ceiling areas between the beams may be drywall, tongue and groove or other materials. In some instances the design of the home will allow a portion of the ceiling to be built like a clerestory with ceiling windows or skylights surrounded by beams, creating a simple design that can be supplemented by tongue and groove painted to echo the windows, making the ceiling feel light and open.
Paneling Effect
Ceiling layout can enhance the dramatic lines of the vaulted roof.
One way to surface a large beamed ceiling is by using boards at 90 degrees to the beams. When a roof is unusual, this can create a lot of visual interest merely through the lines the boards make. If the ceiling is painted or stained to match the beams, the ceiling becomes less visually busy and will tend to look like a whole piece, which can be improved by using lighter stains or washes on the wood to create a weathered look or aged appearance. The softness of aging relaxes the appearance of the wood.
Painted Ceilings
Painted ceilings create a European lodge feeling on a log home ceiling.
To highlight unusual ceiling architecture and beams, you can paint the ceiling between your exposed beams a light color and then detail out the panels using a motif that suits the architecture of your log cabin and the decor of the home. Many lodge-style log homes have Swiss or Swedish roots. The tradition of painting the wood with highly decorative flowers or motifs is well established. Usually the beams are also painted but in a darker color so that they will continue to stand out.
Sealing
Sealed wood finishes are common for log home ceilings.
The most common treatment for a log home ceiling is to simply seal the wood using its natural color. The wood is treated to prevent bug intrusion and moisture problems and to enhance the natural beauty of the wood. Usually the ceiling has to be resealed every 10 years or so. This type of treatment can make the rooms feel smaller and dark. Balancing the wood with light furniture and plenty of light fixtures and lamps is a good idea.
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