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Re: Bricking a Log Home

From: Sevierhd@aol.com
Category: Other/Misc
Remote Name: 172.130.171.227
Date: 21 Feb 2006
Time: 11:11 PM

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Question: I have a 6X8 d-log home and would like to cover the logs with a brick facade over the whole house. The inside exterior walls will be furred out with 2X2's, insulated, then drywalled from floor to ceiling. Is there anything I need to consider or do to prepare the logs for this (vapor barrier)? Do I need to worry about the logs rotting? There is currently not a moisture issue with the house.

Builders Websource® Answer: Before you install a brick facade over your existing log home, you need to consider how the bricks will be supported by the foundation. Typically, homes with full brick facades have a foundation ledge that supports the weight of the bricks, carrying the load to the foundation. If your home has a questionable or unsuitable foundation, we urge you to consult with a structural engineer first to determine how best to transfer the load to the foundation.

An alternative suggestion is to use "brick tiles", half-bricks, or better yet, a thin "brick veneer" especially designed for this kind of situation. ROBINSON BRICK COMPANY is just one of several companies that supplies a range of attractive brick veneer products. This will cut your weight at least in half , but still give you the look of brick you're seeking. Brick veneer can be mortared onto a suitable cementitious substrate, just as if you were installing tile. As to prepping your existing exterior walls, you'll need determine whether the existing logs are uniform on the outside. If the logs vary slightly in diameter, any variation may telegraph through to the finished surface. You're best off to fix any variations first by planing down any high spots (check it by snapping a string vertically). If the logs are highly uniform, then you have a few choices. First, we recommend that you pressure wash the exterior and remove all dirt, cob webs, and other debris accumulation. Remove any portions that appear to be rotted and fill with an epoxy-type wood filler. After the exterior is thoroughly clean and dry, install 1/2" exterior-rated plywood over the entire structure. For superior holding power, consider using stainless steel screws rather than nails to secure the sheathing. This will give you a level substrate from which to build out your wall. Then, install a weather barrier over the plywood and use a bitumen flashing around the windows to ensure  that moisture doesn't permeate the exterior structure. Then, cover the weather barrier with heavy-duty metal lath to provide a suitable substrate for mounting the bricks. You now have a strong substrate to accept a brick veneer facade that you mortar in place in strict accordance with manufacturer directions. Since there are many code-related factors that you must obey relating to the flashing details, installation of weather barrier and lath, and choice of mortar (may vary based on area seismicity), always check with your building department and the manufacturer for applicable installation instructions. A good start is this INSTALLATION GUIDE in PDF format.

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