Question

Residential Construction

What are the two basic styles of stacked log construction? Discus these styles in terms of there advantages and disadvantages.

Answer 1

According to the principal ways to seal between logs, there are two types of stacked log construction:

1) the chinked style

2) full-scribed style.

The chinked style allows the logs to be stacked on one another to make them fit precisely, without any advance treatment. So, this style is considered to be simpler.  Many varieties of chinking materials are used to fill the space between the logs is later. Mosses, mortar, or other convenient material was used for Early North American chinking.  Nowadays, most log walls are chinked with a flexible synthetic material applied over a split, closed-cell foam backer rod.

Advantages of chinking

1) The electrical wires can be hidden
2) Synthetic chinking has a long performance life since it adheres tightly and flexes with the movement of the logs caused by climate changes.

In full-scribed style, the underside of each log is cut away so that it is contoured to match the irregularities of the log below. Also, it requires that each log is put in place in order to scribe it according to the shape of the log below after which it is removed from the wall to cut the wood away to the scribed line. This process slows the construction considerably. but leads to a clean fit without major gaps between the logs. Expanding foam is injected between the logs from the
end after the logs are in place so as to seal the joints against air infiltration.

Advantage

Produces a superior result

Disadvantage

Can add 35 percent to the cost of the log package for a new house.