 Chinking:
The material that goes between the logs on many log structures. It's more
than just a pretty look - chinking acts as a form of insulation and as
a barrier to the elements outside. It keeps the weather outside and the
comfort of your home inside.
Traditional chinking are a mortar like substance. These
will crack, break and pull away from logs. There are newer elastic chinking
that responds better to the log movements. The choice is up to the owner;
however, elastic chinking maintains the traditional look of mortar, without
'stretching out', so it still looks good after years of log movement.
Our supplier is WeatherAll.
 Caulking
or acrylic rubber sealants: These are used in the stacking
process. Application is dependent upon the log manufacturer's recommendation.
These products can also be used as an exterior sealant between the
log rows for added insulation. We highly recommend that when choosing
a caulking you ensure that the material will remain soft and pliant
for several years such that it yields to log movement without creating
undue stress within the log. Our suppliers are WeatherAll and Continental
Products.
Log and Timber Fasteners: When you are working
with logs, beams or timbers, we feel that screws are a better choice.
They are easier to install than lags and spikes since they are installed
with a one step installation; lowering labor costs. They require
no pre-drilling and are reusable and removable. (Try removing a
spike from a log.....almost impossible!) The low profile heads countersink
themselves during installation thus ensuring no interference on
the next course of logs.
By using screws you are able to draw warped logs down without the
jarring and damaging caused by a sledge hammer. We supply screws
from 8" to 16" in length. The typical thread length of these screws
are 2". The proper drill bit is included with each box of screws!
We sell Olympic OlyLog fasteners. To see their full line of products
visit their web site at www.olyfast.com.
Log Spline Pegs: The Sauders
Brothers (www.SaundersBros.com)
supplies us with solid birch dowels which are used to secure butt
ends and provide an additional weather barrier. These dowels are
1" in diameter and up to 16" long.
 Foam
Gaskets: Gaskets are important products in preventing drafts
and seepage. Most of those available for log home use are foam materials
made of polyurethane or polyvinylchloride (PVC) that come in what are
called closed-cell gaskets, which are composed of bubble-like cells that
contract and expand to seal out drafts and moisture. Open-cell gaskets,
on the other hand, are like sponges saturated with oils or resins that
help form a seal. Six factors should be considered when comparing gasketing
materials:
- Compression--indicates how easy or difficult
it is to compress the foam between log courses. If a foam does
not compress easily, it can cause "log float", which allows the
logs to remain slightly separated even when tightly spiked.
- Compression recovery--indicates how completely
the foam recovers to its original height after extended compression.
The higher the recovery percentage, the better the seal. Extrusions,
such as butyl extrusions, rely on their ability to adhere to log
surfaces, rather than on compression recovery, to maintain a good
seal.
- Durability--indicates an ability to resist
ultraviolet light and ozone exposure that can cause brittleness,
cracking and, ultimately, seal failure.
- Water absorption--The lower the better. You
do not want a foam that retains water from rain or splashing,
but one that repels it.
- Wood preservative compatibility--Some foam
sealants can be applied to treated wood, others only to wood that
has not been treated. The foam sealant should work with preservatives,
whether applied before or after them, to provide a seal.
- Ease of installation--Some foams are self-sticking
with removable separator for easy installation. Others are pre-compressed.
Our tape supplier is the Tape Specialist of GA. Visit their web
site (www.TapeSpecialists.com)
for a look at their extensive product line.
Since we have several log home suppliers and log home products
please call for prices and specifications.
Merrimac Quality Log Homes
1104 Old Concord Road (Plant Location)
550 French Pond Rd (Mailing)
Henniker, NH 03242
Toll Free: 1-866-637-7462
Telephone: 603-746-3944
Fax: 1-603-746-3055
Email: logs@mlhnh.com
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