
Since most manufacturers and experienced builders know of these shrinkage and resulting air leakage problems, many will kiln-dry the logs prior to finish-shaping and installation. These are the best woods to use to avoid this problem, in order of effectiveness: To minimize air leakage, logs should be seasoned (dried in a protected space) for at least six months before construction begins. The contraction and expansion of the logs open gaps between the logs, creating air leaks, which cause drafts and high heating requirements. As the logs dry over the next few years, the logs shrink. Air-dried logs are still about 15% to 20% water when the house is assembled or constructed. Log homes are susceptible to developing air leaks.

Such climates generally exist in the Earth's temperate zones between the 15th and 40th parallels. This generally increases the apparent R-value of a log by 0.1 per inch of thickness in mild, sunny climates that have a substantial temperature swing from day to night. Logs act like "thermal batteries" and can, under the right circumstances, store heat during the day and gradually release it at night. Because of the log's heat-storage capability, its large mass may cause the walls to behave considerably better in some climates than in others. However, to what extent a log building interacts with its surroundings depends greatly on the climate. Based only on this, log walls do not satisfy most building codes' energy standards.

Compared to a conventional wood stud wall (31 D2 inches insulation, sheathing, wallboard, a total of about R-14), the log wall is apparently a vastly inferior insulation system.
