Log Wall Characteristics

Looking at all the beautiful full-color glossy photos of log home in magazines gives us an idealized vision of the perfect wooden house. Like a supermodel, we can't imagine wrinkles and imperfections, but like any natural product, log walls are full of traits that are an integral part of their character.

CHECKING: The new visitor to any log home is invariably struck by the cracks in the logs, sometimes stretching for several feet. Initially they might look alarming, but these cracks, or checks, are a natural process that occurs over the first few years when logs are still drying and reaching equilibrium with the environment. In no way do they weaken the integrity of your log wall.

When trees are cut down, there is naturally still some moisture left in the cells, especially when the tree is cut down live. These logs are called "green" and will settle many inches if used right away to build a house. Some manufacturers let their logs dry naturally ? air dried ? while others put the logs in a kiln and bake them for 30-45 days, which removes 80-85% of the moisture. However, they can't go any farther without doing damage to the wood, so the logs dry naturally for the next few years, and this process can create checks in the wood to relieve the pressure. However, the heartwood closest to the center of the tree is so hard that the checks will not go beyond the center of the log. As a result, you will not see the checks go all the way through.

SETTLING: As you may already suspect, there is a relationship between moisture content and settling of your log walls. No, settling does not have to be a "dirty word". As long as your builder knows how to deal with the settling and make provisions for the windows, doors, plumbing, and interior walls, your house can settle many inches and still age comfortably. Any log home will come with about a 2" gap above all the doors and windows, which will need to be filled with insulation. The builder will cut a vertical groove in the frame and affix nails to the windows and doors that will slide down the groove as the building settles, so nothing gets crushed. Most kiln-dried homes will only settle a couple of inches overall, and much of that will occur during the construction phase.

KNOTS: Depending on the species of wood used in your log home, some logs have more knots than others, just as some trees have more limbs than others. The more interesting the knot, the more likely your builder will place it at eye level, since each knot is truly unique. However, don't be surprised if the knots ooze sap on the sunny exterior walls of your house. Even the sealant won't stop the sap from working its way out. This will not happen on the inside of the house, or on the shady side. It only happens when the sun is beating down on the logs and heating them up in the summer time.

HAND-PEELED or MILLED: (or anything in between). Hand-crafted log homes are just that: the logs are cut and peeled by hand with a draw-knife, which creates a uneven surface along the log. For an even more rustic look, some of the bark is left intact. If the log is milled, the machine takes off the layer of bark, leaving a fairly smooth surface to the log. This can be sanded to a fine finish, if you have enough time or money. Sometimes, the manufacturer might take that milled log and run a draw-knife across it to make it look peeled. The type of finish is totally up to the buyer.

CHINKING vs. CAULKING: Chinking is historically done to a hand-crafted log home in order to keep the wind from howling in between the logs. It looks like a broad white band between log courses. When cut by hand, logs can be scribed so that an upper log is shaped to match the contours of the log beneath it. However, not all logs are scribed; some just rest atop the log below, creating large gaps in the uneven surface. Either way, handcrafted log homes tend to be chinked, which was historically a mix of clay, sand, lime, mud, thatch, you name it, but is now an acrylic compound which expands and contracts with the wood. Some homes still require chinking, and others use chinking for aesthetic purposes.

Many milled log homes are actually caulked with an acrylic product designed for log homes. This comes out of a caulking gun, and creates a neat, finished look as well as protecting the seams from infiltration. We tend to caulk milled homes or do nothing at all between log courses, because the joinery system is so tight that this step is not mandatory.

Every log home is unique, and each has its own personality. It's amazing how many different construction systems are available to create homes out of logs, and every style has its own characteristics. But overall, no matter what your log home looks like, the cozy warmth of logs cannot be duplicated in any other kind of house.

Mercedes Hayes is a Hiawatha Log Home dealer and also a Realtor in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. She designed her own log home which was featured in the 2004 Floor Plan Guide of Log Home Living magazine. You can learn more about log homes by visiting http://www.JerseyLogHomes.com

---

How To Choose Decorative, Recessed Locking Mailboxes

Do you need a decorative, quality, recessed locking mailbox for your home? There is a large selection of mailboxes from which to choose, and you may wonder... Read More

Outdoor Decks - Understanding Seven Elements of Good Deck Design

You're all comfortable in your favorite lounge chair, reading your latest novel with a cool beverage nearby...the aroma of your favorite BBQ drifting from the grill teases... Read More

What Are Circuit Breakers?

Circuit Breakers are devices that stop the electrical current of a circuit in the event of excess or very high voltage. Circuit breakers are handy, not only... Read More

Rising Damp

It doesn't sound like a particularly interesting topic, however a quick search on the worlds favourite internet search engine will show that in some circles rising damp... Read More

Choosing a Home Builder

So you've decided to build a new home. Like many home buyers you realize that buying a new home offers a wide range of advantages over buying... Read More

Painting and Decorating Tile

Ceramic tile can be beautiful and elegant. But it can also be bland and uninspired. If you want to add a little color or creativity to your... Read More

Fixer-Uppers: What To Fix

You've bought a house, a fixer-upper you can make some money on. What improvements and repairs should you make? First of all, you need to know this... Read More

Home Floor Plan Designing For Your Future Home

Designing Your Own Dream Home for the New Home Builder: What is your dream home? Do you have an idea of what it will look like? Defining... Read More

Create a Luxurious Laundry Room

Give your home a luxurious feel with a beautiful laundry room. Even if you hate doing the laundry, you cannot deny that there IS a certain amount... Read More

Kitchen Design ? No Need to Do It Alone

You can't opt out of the process altogether, though, because you need to decide what equipment you want in the kitchen, the type of units, fitted or... Read More

Why Laminate Flooring is the Perfect Choice for Families

If you've ever had carpets or vinyl flooring you've probably had your share of stains, spills, and rips that no matter what you do, you can't quite... Read More

Which Lamp Should I Choose?

With all the lighting choices out there, you may want to reconsider just purchasing a lamp for your lighting needs. Whether you are looking for interior lighting... Read More

Mistakes?

MISTAKES.Don't worry about making mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Why should you be different.The person who never made a mistake, never made anything. Mistakes can be costly. They... Read More

Where Did We Get Clocks From Anyway?

A clock is simply a device that measures time. Typical clocks have faces and hands. The long hand measures time in minutes while the short hand in... Read More

Repairing Your Faulty uPVC Double Glazed Windows And Doors

It is an amazing fact that uPVC double glazing was sold by the industry as a maintenance free product. While it is true the uPVC frame will... Read More

Planning For a New Deck

Part of the fun of a new deck is the planning! When you plan your deck, you can let your imagination run wild and add all kinds... Read More

Hot Tub Heaven

What will your next home improvement project be? Will it be an inground pool or how about a new deck? Why not consider a hot tub for... Read More

How To Choose The Right Home Water Filters and Water Purifiers For Your Needs

When it comes to home water filters and water purifiers, consumers have many choices. You can choose from leading name brands such as Brita, Culligan, PUR, and... Read More

Reduce Noise to Reduce Stress: Sound Advice From the Rug Doctor

Maybe getting the silent treatment at home isn't a bad thing after all.With the constant barrage of leaf blowers, lawn mowers and loud appliances swirling around us,... Read More

CCTV for the Home

Securing your property is one of the growing domestic issues in the UK today. Some research suggests that at least one home is broken into every minute.... Read More

Refrigerators Electric Consumption - Lower It In 15 Minutes

I recently had a customer ask for my advise about cleaning her refrigerator.I started to describe the pros and cons of different cleaners that can be used... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Rights of Light to Adjoining Neighbours Windows - What You Should Know

Rights of light - What a minefield this topic is when developing or extending a property. This is potentially one of the most subjective Planning issues their... Read More

Removing Your Old Sliding Glass Door

Last week I explained how to measure your existing sliding glass door so you can order the vinyl replacement door. This week I am going to go... Read More

Building Your Dream Home ? Part 2

Razing the CottageWith new house plans and permits in hand, subcontractors hired and a Septic Design in process, it was now time to raze the existing cottage.... Read More

What Are The Benefits of Radiant Heating: How Do They Compare With Other Heating Applications

Some of the benefits of radiant heatComfort: Let your bare feet soak up the warmth of soothing heat without the dust and noise associated with other heating... Read More

What to Know Before Signing a Home Improvement Contract

It is important to be a very careful consumer when it comes to home improvement contractors. For instance, I had a case where my client, an elderly... Read More