Log house (roubenka)

What it is

A log building (roubená stavba) has walls of beams laid horizontally on top of each other and joined at the corners with carpentry joints. Originally unhewn trunks were used, later squared beams. Typical is the clay chinking (výmaz) in the gaps between the beams, painted with lime – which is why traditional log houses have pale stripes.

A srub is a smaller log house, usually without chinking in the gaps.

The advantages of timber: decent thermal insulation and a pleasant indoor climate. The drawbacks: timber is noisier than masonry and needs more maintenance.

Where to find them

Traditional log houses belong to the mountains and foothills: Krkonoše and its foothills (Podkrkonoší), the Jizera Mountains, the Bohemian Paradise, the Orlické hory, the Beskydy and Moravian Wallachia (Valašsko). Modern log houses and cabins now stand all over the country.

What it is like to stay in one

• Sound: timber ceilings carry footsteps. Be ready for that with a group on several floors.
• Warmth: a stove or wood burner heats up quickly, but it can be chilly in the morning.
• Headroom: traditional log houses often have low doors and beams.
• Damp: in winter it takes a while after arrival for an old log house to warm through.

Questions before renting

1. Is the log house traditional (historic) or a new build?
2. How is it heated, and is firewood included?
3. Are the bedrooms separate, or is it just a loft?
4. How high are the doors and stairs (children, older people)?
5. Is there a sauna? Timber houses often have one.