Why does the log cabin door feel warm, but the brass handle feels cold?

A. Hi Vicky.

I'm scratching my head trying to figure out why the brass door would feel warm, but maybe you and I are making different assumptions about the doors on log cabins? Maybe if you explain where my thinking is wrong we can make some progress? Good luck.

Regards,

A. Ted

You need to get out more. Log cabins have wood doors with brass handles.

Vicky

I suspect it has to do with wood being a poor thermal conductor (or a good insulator) and brass being a good conductor losing heat to the great outdoors.

A. Hi Vicky,

I'm guessing that the door is made from wood and not brass as Ted assumes. Both the wood and brass handle are probably at the same temperature. But, the much higher thermal conductivity of the brass would cause it rapidly to conduct the heat from your hand. Hence the feeling of cold compare with the wood.

A. Yes, a brass handle is a better conductor of heat so it will feel cooler because it takes away the heat from your hand much quicker than the wood door which is more of an insulator.

Having built log buildings in the wilds of northern Canada I must point out that only a very foolish person would put a brass (or any other type of metal) handle on the door of a log cabin in a cold climate. Typically the handles on the doors of log cabins are good sturdy wood ones.

If you have any moisture on a bare hand touching a metal handle in extreme cold, your skin will stick to the handle which can be very painful to remove.

Best wishes, Vic