Three major issues must be addressed in building any log home. They are settling, infiltration, and wood preservation. All reputable manufacturers and builders must and will address all three.

A full log on log (stacked log) will settle approximately an inch to an inch and a half over a period of time. Therefore, gaps over the windows and doors must be made to allow the logs to pass the slotted jambs. This will allow you to open your windows and doors if your house settles. Adjuster bolts or jackscrews must be placed on strustural members tied to the roof system and will be readjusted to level the house after settling.

The second issue is infiltration between the logs. Because the wood shrinks unevenly there is always the potential for openings in the log wall. Caulk, gaskets, through-bolts, and tongue and groove joints are generally used to solve this problem.

The third issue is wood preservation. If you are using cedars or cypress then this does not pose a problem. However these woods are expensive. The most popular choice is white pine and if not treated is vulnerable to insects. Most manufacturers either dip or spray the logs with an insecticide and a few will pressure treat which is the most desirable method.

Now with all that said, let's learn about the "better way to build your dream log home." The Wilderness Company developed and Insul-R system. They build a conventional 2x6 frame house, cut the logs in half and attach them to the outside of the perimeter wall maintaining a full log corner. The inside perimeter wall can be whatever you decide, i.e. the other half of the log, v-notched tongue and groove, dry wall, etc. This method of construction offers many advantages. There is no settling concerns and no worry about infiltration between the logs because you have a 2x6 barrier wall. Design flexibility on the interior perimeter wall allows you to pick and choose how each room will look. The plumbing and electrical can be placed in the conventional 2x6 wall. The bonus is that you end up with a very energy efficient R-30 plus wall system.

Now lets talk about the last concern, wood preservation of pine logs. The Wilderness Company is one of the few manufacturers that pressure treats their logs with borate. Borate is a non-toxic product that protects the wood from insects but is environmentally friendly. Now you have the best of both worlds, your dream log home with none of the challenges of a full log on log system. Most of our clients choose this half log Insul-R system over the other log systems we offer, once they learn about all the advantages.

Joe Scerbo from Prestige Log Builders wrote this article.
Contact Prestige Log Builders with your questions about this article:

Prestige Log Builders
We Build and Design Log Homes, From the Small Weekend Cabin, to Large Country Lodges and Commercial Buildings


Phone (706) 379-0606

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