Ok folks, here it is everything I think you need to know to help make a decision on building a log home.
First, lets talk about the two basic types of log construction.
Hand Crafted log construction: The logs of hand crafted logs are left in there natural state after debarking.
The logs are notched at the corners to overlap and the ends can be cut after assembly either left wild or cut even. Chinking is used between the logs to provide a weather seal the length of the logs. There are different notching styles for the corner, but I am not going to talk about that in this blogg. Hand crafted logs are usually
only air dried and not kiln dried and this results in a lot of shrinkage in the first years after construction which must be addressed annually to maintain the weather seal of the log walls.
The second type of log construction as far the purpose of this blogg is Milled Log construction: Milled logs are
usually kiln dried which minimizes shrinkage and the issues that causes. Milled logs are uniform in size and shape
and come in two configurations; Round Round or D shape round on outside and flat on the inside.
Flat inside is much easier to build interior partition walls without having to notch out the logs for interior walls.
Milled logs are either tongue and grove or U channel with weather seal between. No chinking is needed between milled log of either type.Tongue and grove can result in lateral shifting due to shrinkage. U channels logs are lag bolted at 18" intervals and do not suffer from lateral shifting. Milled logs ends are even exposure on the outside. The corners are
bored into the apposing log so a better weather lock results at the corners. Milled log kits come with a stack sheet and the logs are numbered for their placement on the wall so if you can follow the lay out and sack sheet you can build a log home wall.
Ok, so there it is the two basic types of log homes in a nut shell so to speak.
Now more about the specifics of AMERICAN LOG HOMES. American logs are milled logs 8" thick and 6" high with a U channel in which a polyethylene backer rod is placed to provide the weather seal. The logs are southern yellow
pine heart wood. Southern yellow pine is a very dense type of species and when you use only heart wood
from plantation trees that are debarked with in 24 hours of felling you have the best and most durable type of log for construction of your log home. The logs are also pretreated with Zink Naphthalene to resister rot, insects and mildew for up to a year. See the diagram below for details of the corners and the butt ends and lag bolt system.
the first base logs are thinner to allow for a utility channel for wiring etc. The logs are available in round inside or flat inside at no extra cost. American Log Homes provide all hardware needed at no extra cost, other companies charge extra for hardware. On two story homes log ceiling joist are provided. Other company's charge extra for CJ's.
Adding an attached garage is also very economical because your really only adding the cost of two full log walls.
No chinking is needed and very little shrinkage occurs with milled logs. Mostly settling from the weight and that is easily adjusted for above door and window openings.
I have attempted to answer most questions with this blogg. If you should have any that this does not answer, please feel free to contact me. If I don't know the answer I will find it for you.
