Hey All, Have commenced a re-hab project on a 2 story All log house from 1867. Logs are chestnut & hemlock, hand hewn corner interlocked, two story. Removal of various interior wall coverings is down to interior side of logs. Logs are 6-8"s thick as built. Exterior has original log, fir strips, aluminum siding and rough sawn 1.5" thick trees[all different lengths/widths]over entire exterior. Want to maintain exterior as is. Question is for recommendations of insulation for interior between the original logs and what will be 1" local harwood cut and milled on site. I "Think" with the existing exterior there is probably a 6 R factor. Looking to get 14+. Thanx

What's your climate? (ZIP code, if in USA).

Sorry, was on the fly when I asked the question. Had just looked at some pictures sent, showing the interior of 2nd floor. Was surprised to see that 2nd floor was log, all the way up!!
Western N.C. in Ashe County, 28693 is the zip, Warrensville is closest town of any size. Elevation of this house is 3300'. House is located inside a horeshoe shaped mountain with mountain top being 4000'.
Original homestead is in the "Bowl" of this horseshoe shaped mountain[about 70 acres] in a relatively flat area, cleared of trees and used for pasture and crops for a Long time. More or less protected from high winds, being in a lower elevation than the mountain tops surrounding us on three sides. Almost as if the folks who built it knew what they were doing{ just kidding}.. Property is complete with a cemetary going back to 1700's that has it's own easement/access.
Am using local's as trades types and they can not believe[never seen a 2 story log] the construction revealed with the demo. Especially something this old.
I realize the exterior has been bastardized with different cladings over the years, but the rough cut tree siding that is there now is so unigue and in good shape, I can't touch that! Wish I could figure out how to compress a photo and include it here.
Sorry, I love the place and got carried away>>>>
Now that the inteior walls are exposed, I'm trying to figure an insulation spec, I can put in to get a R-14 + factor over the original logs!.
Thanx for any help! Glenn

Sorry, but if those logs are in good condition, I can not image covering them back up. Probably 6x12 (or larger) dovetail corners. Get with someone such as Permachink out of Knoxville TN (www.permachink.com)
to get the proper materials for the logs and chinking. Spend your money on the logs and forget other interior finishes. In your location, these logs with good chinking for seals and good insulated windows and doors should be easy enough to keep comfortable year round.
Sounds like someone took sawmill slabs, usually used for firewood, and nailed it on the house. If this is the case, you should inspect it carefully for signs of water penetration, insect damage, and rot. This type of wood has a relatively short life expectancy when left to the elements.

Wes,No need to say "sorry". This is new to me! and I'm trying to get up to speed. Deal made on the mountain was for the mountain!!, not necessaryily the house. Now that the previous owner is gone, I'm stumbling through an effort to update it, when I don't know log home or climatic condition ramifications. Crew on site is great, but somewhat limited in their ability. They ain't engineers! Thanx for the Permachink link.. At least now I know filling in the gaps in logs is called "Chinking" thanks to you. I'm into concrete, not logs! The material on the exterior, aside from being 1'5" thick is in some cases is a board 10 maybe 15 feet long that is the profile of a tree! Not rectangular and uniform, it looks like a tree! If that is a Sawmill Slab, OK That's what I've got. Looks neat to me. I'll investigate further for items you mentioned. Being from Florida I have an appreciation for moisture issues and will check that out. Primary focus is to keep the house as close as I can to original, yet make it liveable by todays standards. Don't want to freeze in a log home in a totally unfamiliar climate! Thanx for your input. My new neighbors in NC, told me last week, that they will not refer to me as they do others who come there! They won't call me a " Floridiot " like they do others! Now I feel welcome. Thanx Glenn

I have good luck by using my photo program to resize the photo to 800 x 600 pixels, then saving it in jpg format with the quality level, a save option, set to about 75 (100 scale) or to 7 or 8 (10 scale).

Summers,
I don't want to harp on the subject, but if the logs are as you say, and are in good condition, you may have a diamond in the rough, so to speak.
Check around, and see if you can find a log restoration expert to examine your house. They should be able to give you ideas on whether or not its worth restoration and some ideas on cost of doing so.
As you may have quessed, I'm a big fan of old log homes, and I hate to see one 'go to waste'.
Does your 'tree siding' still have the bark in place?