Part 2 - More Things You Should Know Before Getting Started
Checks (cracks that naturally form in the wood)
Cracks will likely appear in logs for the first few years after the house goes up. In the industry these are called checks. They are caused, in part, by the moisture in the wood getting out the ends faster than the sides, resulting in an imbalance of moisture in the wood.
Checks can generally be viewed as part of the charm and character of the home, as long as they do not occur on the upper parts of the logs and log ends on the exterior of the home where water can easily get in. Checks that do show up there should be filled, as the moisture that gets in could cause damage to the wood over time. As well, it will likely remove the wood finish, which is the consequence of water in the cracks mixing with tannin, a natural component of wood which acts as a stain remover. Filling these cracks is easy and looks attractive with a caulk that matches the colour of the stain on the home.
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Photo courtesy of Streamline Design
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Chinking (creating a vapour barrier where the horizontal logs meet)
Log builders usually run a foam gasket between the logs, but this may not be enough of a vapor barrier to help keep the home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. While logs have great R Value, the spaces between the logs generally do not. It is a good idea to create a dead air space to increase the R Value at these junctions to match that of the wood itself.
There are two kinds of chinking, one that is visible and one that is invisible. They both achieve the same result: the formation of this dead air space. The only difference between them is in the look – whether the homeowner wants to see the chink or not.
The chink line for the visible type can be as small as 1/2” or as large as 5”. A key component in choosing a supplier is that they are able to provide the homeowner with the look they want. Some homeowners want their home to look like a two hundred-year-old home, while others prefer a more contemporary style.
The invisible type is termed ‘chinkless’ in the industry. It can be applied in one of two ways. The first way consists of two rows of sealant added to the top of each log, one to the inside and one to the outside, as they are being stacked. As the next log is placed on top of the sealant, it creates a permanent seal, forming a dead air space. The second way is to apply a color-matched sealant to the inside and outside of the home after it has been finished. Both methods will accomplish the same result.
