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Article #1: Log home basics

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As we start to research log homes, it outside-and-inside to 2x4 or 2x6
quickly becomes apparent that there is stick-frame walls. This adds the extra
much more variety than one would ever R-value of an insulated wall, along with
think. Not only do log homes come in all the beauty of the log, and also makes it
shapes and sizes, but the logs themselves easier to install electrical wiring.
come in as many variations as you can Ultimately, these systems are a bit more
imagine. Once you decide on the look you expensive than full-log, because of the
want, you can start eliminating additional cost of the lumber. But they
manufacturers that don't provide your do give the added ability to vary the
system. interior of your house, so that some
There are two categories of log homes: interior walls could be sheetrock, stone,
handcrafted and milled log homes. or tongue-and-groove. In any case, many
Initially, you may not realize what you modern manufacturers use the half-log
are looking at, but there are some basic system on their second floor, to
guidelines that will clarify the compensate for the huge windows, which
differences. A handcrafted log home is may displace so many logs that the wall's
just that; the logs are peeled by hand, integrity could be compromised. Also,
notched by hand, and in many cases, each because the large windows settle at a
log is scribed to fit exactly on top of different rate than logs, the
another log. In many handcrafted homes, stick-framed second floor equalizes the
the logs are stacked alternately, so the overall settling. With the best
large end of a log is stacked on top of manufacturers, you won't be able to tell
the tapered end of the log beneath. A on the outside where the full logs end
milled log home will feature logs that and the half logs begin.
are uniform in shape, and the logs will Once you've chosen what kind of log you
be cut to fit together, such as with a want, you will discover that
tongue-and-groove or Swedish cope, so manufacturers each specialize in their
that they stack easily and evenly. There own unique fastening system. Almost all
is a big price difference between a manufacturers use double-sided foam tape
handcrafted and a milled log home. This between log courses. Some companies use
is mostly because of the intense labor lag screws, threaded bolts, or spikes to
required to construct a handcrafted home, add integrity to the walls; others use
and because of the larger diameter logs fancy spring-loaded through bolts that
that are normally used. The vast compress the logs. Once again, the
majority of homes built today are milled choice becomes a personal preference.
log homes. It would save a lot of work for the buyer
If you see a log home with round logs and to get a "turnkey" price on the logs, the
chinking, that is a first indication that lumber, the windows and doors, and the
this is could be a handcrafted log home. roof - what is commonly known as a
Chinking was historically a mortar-like "weathered-in shell". However, this
material that filled the gaps between the complete system only makes sense if you
logs. Modern science has created an are local to the manufacturer; otherwise,
acrylic compound that expands and you'll be spending thousands of dollars
contracts with the wood; it is applied as to ship ordinary lumber across the
a wide white stripe. If a handcrafted country. After all, there is no
log is not scribed, then chinking is a difference between a roof used on an
must because the logs leave gaps along ordinary house and a roof used on a log
their length. Some people do use home. You choose the kind of roof you
chinking as a design feature even when want, but it'll come from the same
it's not necessary, though for the most manufacturer. The same goes for the
part milled log homes are not chinked. floors, the doors, the kitchen, and the
The characteristic corner of your log heating system. Windows can be a little
home will speak volumes to the person who tricky; you'll have to find a
knows how to read it. The profile and manufacturer that is willing to make a
joinery system of the log will usually be extended window-sill (or jamb) to
reflected on the ends. For instance, on accommodate the thickness of the logs.
a handcrafted log home you'll see the Most major window companies are able to
different diameters of the stacked logs. do this.
To stack them, these corners will be Remember that log homes are completely
notched so that each log sits directly on custom. No log home company will offer
the log below it (like a Lincoln Logs you a choice of kitchens or bathrooms
toy). A milled log that is like a development builder. You will
saddle-notched will stack the same way have to shop for these yourself, and the
(of course, every log will look exactly possibilities are limitless. Your
the same). Because saddle-notched logs builder may make some decisions for you,
are staggered, course to course, the log but you will be better served to pick
ends will be visible on the interior your own flooring, light fixtures,
corners of the house as well as the faucets and even door knobs. Most
exterior. This gives a very rustic look. manufacturers do not want to have
A butt-and-pass corner gives you an end anything to do with the foundation; that
where there is a space between every is not their business. You can use any
other log. This is because one log butts kind of foundation you want, but you'll
up against the intersecting log, which need to contact a local contractor to do
runs past it. These logs are all laid on that job, or have your builder do so.
the same course, so that with the Almost all log home manufacturers have an
interior corners of your home, the logs in-house architect who will configure
will come to a squared edge. your plan to fit their own particular
On milled logs, there are many joinery system. Unless you have a lot of money
systems to choose from. Today, the most to burn, don't hire an outside architect
popular joinery is called a "Swedish to design your house, because the
cope". This is where each log is scooped manufacturer will have to rework the
out to fit snugly on the curve of the log plans anyway. If you want a quick start,
beneath. It gives a very smooth and the manufacturer will have a set of stock
natural look. Another joinery system is plans for you to choose from, and alter
the tongue-and-groove, or double to fit your needs. Or you can design
tongue-and-groove depending on the your home from scratch, and give them a
manufacturer. The tongues are cut into rough set of drawings from which they
the top of the log and corresponding will devise a set of building plans.
grooves at the bottom. These create a This service is usually offered at no
tight fit and stack easily. A more extra charge; there may be an up-front
traditional, early American notch is fee that is credited toward the final
called the dove-tail, which is a mortise cost of the package.
and tenon notch usually cut into squared Log homes are not maintenance-free - nor
timbers. There are many other corner are they overwhelmingly laborious.
systems available, but these are the most Although the products on today's market
commonly used. do a fantastic job of protecting the logs
The shape, or profile of your log is from sun, rain and insects, they do need
another feature which will help you to be re-applied ever three to five years
decide what kind of package to purchase. depending on the wall exposure. This
Many people prefer a "D" log, which is "maintenance coat" is much easier to
round on the outside and flat on the apply than the original coats of stain,
inside. This gives you a horizontal and no, you don't have to strip off the
wood-paneling look, and is easy to hang old coat first. So it's not as bad as it
pictures on. Others prefer a round log, sounds! However, you must inspect the
which is a little more rustic and logs at least once a year for excessive
presents many challenges - such as how to cracking (or checking) - especially when
join the logs to the sheetrock. Squared the check opens upward, creating a water
timbers, which give a more Appalachian trap. These need to be caulked on the
look to the home, tend to be tall and exterior walls. Also, do everything in
fairly narrow, and are often grooved for your power to direct rainwater away from
the application of chinking. the house; if you have an overflowing
The average milled log home will use pine gutter, deal with it at once. A damp log
logs in 6" and 8" diameters. You can attracts rot and insects.
also find them in 10" and 12" diameters. Expect your milled log home to take
Anything larger than 15" will probably anywhere from 4 to 8 months to construct,
roll you over to a handcrafted home. depending on your weather, the
Cedar logs are an upgrade, and can be availability of the crew (are they
found in 6", 8" and occasionally 10" sharing your job with others at the same
diameters. Some manufacturers more time?) and your planning. The most
rarely use oak, cypress, fir, hemlock, important thing you have to plan for is
larch, poplar, spruce, and walnut. These protecting the logs and the lumber from
rarer woods will be a price upgrade. the elements. Set aside a large space
Because of the superior log care products (preferably covered with gravel)
on the market today that protect all the exclusively for the logs; you don't want
logs effectively, the wood species them sitting in the mud. Cover your
largely becomes a matter of personal gravel with a tarp, and bring extra tarps
taste. The best rule of thumb when for the logs. The logs are going to get
choosing log species is to stay with a scattered as the crew picks through them,
wood that is native to your area. The and they're going to get stepped on and
logs will adapt to the environment more tossed around. They're going to get
comfortably. rained on, and you'll be amazed how
Newcomers are continually amazed to quickly the logs weather. You'll have to
discover that the logs are their own immediately remove the plastic wrapping
insulation. To compare a stick-frame when the logs are delivered, or they'll
wall to a log wall by using the "R-value" get covered with mildew. The tarps will
is not comparing "apples to apples". Logs do the job. If your windows get
have a lower "R-value" than insulated 2x4 delivered with the log package, you'd be
walls. However, they work on the best served to rent an enclosed trailer
principal of thermal mass. Because of to store them in (FRAGILE is the
the cellular structure of logs, they tend operative word).
to absorb the heat and hold it longer But I'm getting ahead of myself. As you
than traditional walls. The logs will may have gathered, people who build log
actually absorb the heat from the homes tend to be more hands-on than with
interior of the house (or from the sun, other kinds of construction. Log home
if facing south), and when the customers are usually very well informed
temperature drops at night, the walls by the time they break ground - and they
will generate that heat back into the need to be! Cost overruns are often
house until the temperatures equalize. caused by unforeseen difficulties, and
They take longer to warm up, and stay since your house is a one-of-a-kind,
warm much longer. Conversely, they stay you're in for quite a challenge.
cooler in the summertime. Luckily, the industry has matured quite a
Some producers feature a half-log system, bit, and you are no longer completely on
where the logs are attached your own.






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