Milled: Logs are machined to the same diameter (if round) or  thickness (if timber). Milled homes are commonly made of pieces (8-16’ lengths) or some may be full length. Average log diameter or thickness is 6-8”. The logs usually have a tongue & groove system for interlocking the pieces, however, there are some flat-on-flat systems out there as well.  Spikes or timber screws are used in milled homes to secure the pieces together. The main advantage of a milled log home is cost. Less labor is needed to machine a house compared to a handcrafted one.

Hand-Crafted Round Log: Logs are kept in their natural form (excluding the bark), retaining their natural taper and appearance. Logs are normally hand-peeled with the help of a drawknife. Full length logs are used & average diameter is 14-16”.

Scandinavian Full Scribe:Round logs are scribed (by hand), together, throughout the entire building (corners and longitudinal grooves). An expandable gasket and wool insulation is normally placed within each corner and groove.  With proper construction tecnique, the logs will rest tightly together with no need to ever chink.

Scribe Fit Chink Style: Round logs are scribed (by hand) together in the corners only. Longitudinal grooves are sealed (on both sides) with an insulative chinking material. The chinking rests on foam gaskets placed between the logs & if properly applied, will be permanently attached to the logs.  This type of home is the least expensive of handcrafted homes since only the corners are scribed & notched, not the grooves.

Hand-Crafted Timber: Round logs are converted into squared timber retaining the natural taper of the tree (large at on end, smaller at the other). Sides of the log may be removed either by bandsaw, chainsaw, or axe… which ever finish or appearance is preferred. Full length logs are used & average thickness is 10”.

Timber Dove-Tail:Logs are squared by bandsaw, chainsaw or axe. Timbers are dove-tail notched in the corners with the longitudinal grooves capped with an insulative chinking material. Behind the chinking should be a foam gasket or backer rod with an additional backer rod in the center. With this procedure, the gap between the logs is well insulated and performs better than a thermal-pane window. The dovetail notch is the most authentic one of all…it has been around for centuries. The dovetail is also believed to be the strongest type of notch in log construction…as the building settles, it actually becomes tighter over time.

The main advantages for handcrafted homes are:

• Size of the logs: large diameter = large thermal mass = greater insulation & less heating costs.
• Aesthetics: more authentic look with tapered logs and no butt joints

With proper building techniques & construction practices,  all types of log homes listed above have the potential to be as efficient as the other and 30% to 50% more efficient than standard conventional construction.