Handcrafted Log Homes

Handcrafted homes are defined by the fact that they use naturally-shaped wall logs. Logs are typically peeled of bark, since leaving the bark on can promote insect attack and make logs difficult to scribe accurately.

Handcrafted homes are divided into two types; Scribed and Chinked.

SCRIBED WALL LOGS

Scribed walls use logs which are each skillfully notched to fit over the log in the wall below. This notch is called the long groove. Typically, a gasket material will be installed in the long groove to help prevent air leakage, moisture intrusion and insect infiltration. Common gasket materials are fiberglass and rubber, although a number of types are sold. The presence of gaskets often cannot be confirmed although they're sometimes visible at exterior corners.

Scribed red cedar logs with a fiberglass internal gasket material. Slots in the picture at left accept a spline to keep logs aligned at the opening. Door and window openings should all be splined.

Courtesy of Robert Chambers

Robert Chambers cuts a long groove

Courtesy of Robert Chambers

A gasket material helps prevent air leakage, moisture intrusion and insect infiltration

CHINKED WALL LOGS

Chinked handcrafted homes use naturally-shaped wall logs, but instead of notching each log to fit over the log in the round below, logs are sealed from air leakage, moisture intrusion and insect infiltration by the use of a sealant called chinking, which is basically a type of caulk. 

CHINKING VS SCRIBING

CHINKED LOGS

Although newer, caulk-like chinking materials probably have a longer lifespan than older, mortar-based types, the major disadvantage to chinking in general is that it eventually will need maintenance, which is time consuming or expensive depending on whether a contractor is hired.

Once installed, modern chinking is flexible enough to tolerate movement in the logs caused by the reaction of wood to changing moisture content (MC) levels, temperatures and the opening of checks from log shrinkage.

SCRIBED LOGS

Scribed logs can be expected to move as they lose moisture, shrink and sometimes twist. How much they move depends on such things as...

• wood species
• original moisture content
• average annual humidity at the homesite
• construction methods

If logs in a home can be kept stable over the long-term, the advantage would be in using scribed logs. If they cannot be kept stable, chinking would result in a tighter, more comfortable home.

Which is the better design will generally depend on the homesite.

The International Log Builder's Association (ILBA) is the primary builder's association for handcrafted log homes.

All photos not cited are courtesy of  Kenton Shepard