Sill log ground contact and relative moisture content also provide ideal conditions for certain types of insect infestation. Instead of daubing, carefully fitted quarter poles or narrow wood strips were sometimes nailed lengthwise across the log joints. Read More, Contemporary meets rustic design makes a distinguished statement in the Spring Hope log cabin floor plan. Long cracks which run with the wood grain, called "checks," are not signs of rot, but are characteristic features of the seasoning of the logs. 45 Wooden Porches 23 Ornamental Plaster 8, August, 1974. 1 (January/February 1990), pp. Vol. Special Issue: Alberta Culture. This may be a useful technique if it can be accomplished without causing undue damage to the interior finishes in the log building. The basic unit of each of these types is the one room enclosure formed by four log walls joined at their corners, called a single "pen" or "crib." Developers such as William Durant, who used natural materials, including wood shingles, stone, and log—often with its bark retained to emphasize the Rustic style—designed comfortable summer houses and lodges that blended with the natural setting. Briscoe, Frank. These full-service packages include ... Read More, Since 1979, Honest Abe Log Homes has designed, manufactured and built thousands of custom log and timber frame homes for shipment throughout the United States and the world. Full cellars were not generally included in the original construction of most of the earliest log houses, but root cellars were often dug later. Where a more permanent log dwelling was intended, or where a warm, humid climate accelerated wood decay, such as in the South, it was sometimes more common to use stone piers which allowed air to circulate beneath the sill logs. You may also see dead insects on window sills inside the home if the swarm originates inside the home. In the 1870s, wealthy Americans initiated the Great Camp Movement for rustic vacation retreats in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. It takes a 9-inch-thick log to equal the insulation value of a conventional 2 x 4 stud wall with fiberglass insulation. Insect infestation is best treated by a professionally licensed exterminator, as the chemicals used to kill wood-destroying insects and deter reinfestation are generally toxic. Portland cement was a part of the original daubing used in many late 19th and early 20th century log buildings, and is therefore appropriate to include in repairing buildings of this period. Log buildings with cellars are less likely to suffer problems than those built upon the ground or with crawl spaces, as long as the cellar is kept dry and ventilated. But, in the more finished log houses of the 18th and 19th century, they were more commonly covered for most of the same reasons that the exterior of the logs was covered—improved insulation, ease of maintenance, aesthetics, and keeping out vermin. If a pure resin is used, it should be a casting resin to minimize shrinkage, and it is best to fill voids with a resin that contains aggregates such as sand, or micro-balloons. Read More, With 1,288 sq. 42 Cast Stone The foundation of a log building should always be inspected before beginning work because, as in any building, foundation-related problems can transfer structural defects to other components of the building. In our experience, chinking is one of the finishing touches that is often overlooked. and provides certification to help you stand out from the crowd. Merrill, William. 5 Adobe Buildings 1 Cleaning and Water-Repellent Treatments And, many log structures in the Southwest, particularly in New Mexico, show Hispanic influences of its early settlers. This popular resort was tremendously influential in its use of locally-available natural materials, especially log, and gave impetus to Rustic as a true national style. Tweed, William C., Laura E. Soulliere, and Henry G. Law. Vol. Preservatives tend to change the color or appearance of the logs. Reality: Maybe true 40 years ago, but today’s log homes benefit from computer-assisted design and modern engineering. Potential danger to the structure may include creating inadequate temporary bearing points, and crushing chinking and interior finishes which may have settled slowly into non-original positions that cannot withstand jacking. In order to accommodate settling, log homes sometimes use screw jacks, which must be adjusted occasionally. Read More, This open floor plan and spectacular great room beamed cathedral ceiling offer expansive glass to view the scenic pastoral setting.