Wiring A Log Home

Wiring in a log home requires more foresight than in a conventional home.  Once decisions are made  about where to cut an outlet or switch there is a permanent hole in the wall. Review the plans with an eye toward future furniture placement and outlet needs.  We typically meet with the homeowners and the electrician as soon as the subfloor plywood is down and painted with protectant. Walking around the perimeter of the floor we mark the log openings for windows and doors. Then walls are snapped on the floor.  Finally we walk the floor marking outlets and switches. The size of the box is noted on the floor ( 1 switch, 2 sw...) and whether the holes need to be drilled all the way to the top of the wall or just from the box down through the floor. This is then walked over again to check. Also the electrician is asked to bring a sample of each box style he will be using to this meeting.

Place the first row of logs drilling holes down through logs and floor into crawlspace or basement.  We normally put outlets in the center of the second row of logs. Simply center the appropriate box on the face of the log and trace it. Drill a series of holes to the appropriate depth, removing as much material as possible this way. Chop out and clean up the remainder with a sharp chisel. If working on a curved face create a flat spot with flaring sides large enough to mount the switchplate.  Place this log and drill through it connecting to the hole in the log below.  Clean the hole out by ramming with a length of threaded rod.

Switches are handled much the same way.  Holes are bored and rammed as each row is set. When the switch level is reached a box of the appropriate size is cut and the stacking proceeds. Often holes continue to the top of the wall out of switch boxes to power overhead lights. Normally if 2 or more switches occupy a box we drill 2- 1" holes.  Finally we feed scrap lumber strapping through the finished holes for  the electrician to tape his wiring to and pull through the log wall.

Oftentimes a groove must be cut in the topside of a beam to act as a wiring "chase". In this case the wire was routed up the left hand rafter across the "light block" which has been chiselled out to recieve an octagon shaped light box. The wire was laid in its groove as the roof boards were applied.