| As we start to research log homes, it quickly | | | | handcrafted and a milled log home. This is mostly |
| becomes apparent that there is much more variety | | | | because of the intense labor required to construct a |
| than one would ever think. Not only do log homes | | | | handcrafted home, and because of the larger |
| come in all shapes and sizes, but the logs themselves | | | | diameter logs that are normally used. The vast |
| come in as many variations as you can imagine. Once | | | | majority of homes built today are milled log homes.If |
| you decide on the look you want, you can start | | | | you see a log home with round logs and chinking, |
| eliminating manufacturers that don't provide your | | | | that is a first indication that this is could be a |
| system.There are two categories of log homes: | | | | handcrafted log home. Chinking was historically a |
| handcrafted and milled log homes. Initially, you may | | | | mortar-like material that filled the gaps between the |
| not realize what you are looking at, but there are | | | | logs. Modern science has created an acrylic compound |
| some basic guidelines that will clarify the differences. | | | | that expands and contracts with the wood; it is |
| A handcrafted log home is just that; the logs are | | | | applied as a wide white stripe. If a handcrafted log is |
| peeled by hand, notched by hand, and in many cases, | | | | not scribed, then chinking is a must because the logs |
| each log is scribed to fit exactly on top of another | | | | leave gaps along their length. Some people do use |
| log. In many handcrafted homes, the logs are | | | | chinking as a design feature even when it's not |
| stacked alternately, so the large end of a log is | | | | necessary, though for the most part milled log homes |
| stacked on top of the tapered end of the log | | | | are not chinked.The characteristic corner of your log |
| beneath. A milled log home will feature logs that are | | | | home will speak volumes to the person who knows |
| uniform in shape, and the logs will be cut to fit | | | | how to read it. The profile and joinery system of the |
| together, such as with a tongue-and-groove or | | | | log will usually be reflected on the ends. For instance, |
| Swedish cope, so that they stack easily and evenly. | | | | on a handcrafted log home you'll see the different |
| There is a big price difference between a | | | | diameters of the stacked logs. |