Handcrafted Log Homes

Handcrafted log homes have a more traditional, rustic look. Each log is hand-peeled with a drawknife, hand scribed, chiseled and cut with chain saws to form a perfect fit to the log below. During the assembly at the manufacturing facility, the expert woodworkers ensure the log walls will remain tight throughout the natural seasoning and settling process. The logs are inspected according to strict quality standards. The logs are marked carefully according to the construction plan, disassembled, and then shipped directly to your location for reassembly. The result is a natural, rustic look that is very appealing to people interested in a traditional log home.

Types of Handcrafted Logs

The most common logs species used in handcrafted construction are Cedar, Douglas Fir, Pine, or Spruce.

Construction of a Handcrafted Log Home

Handcrafted logs are fitted together in one of several ways. Scribe-fit is a style popular in this region. In this style, one log is scribed to precisely fit over the log below it. The scribe-fit style needs no chinking and is usually joined at the corner using a shrink-to-fit saddle notch system. Another way logs are fitted together leaves a space between each round of logs that will be filled with a backer rod material and chinking. This style is called chinked.

Typically handcrafted logs are cut using a scarf, which is a smooth flat cut, curled out at the notch area for better and tighter fit. The logs can be notched either as a saddle notch or diamond notch. A saddle notch only gets one scarf at the upper half of the notch. A diamond notch gets a scarf at the lower half of the notch as well.

Handcrafted log homes are generally more expensive than milled log homes because of the increased labor involved as well as the larger logs typically used. However, a handcrafted log home is truly one of a kind. The handcrafted log home makes the most of the beauty of natural wood. Some of the most stunning log structures are built with handcrafted logs.

Handcrafted Log Home Product Specifics

• Quality air dried, machine-peeled and knife-finished logs.
• Available in your choice of Engelmann Spruce, Douglas Fir or Western Red Cedar.
• Full length logs up to 50’.
• Average wall log diameter of 13"-14" at the midpoint, 12"-18" at the ends.
• Diamond or Saddle corner notching.
• Scribe fit using V joint lateral grooves with a minimum 3” width.
• Notch and Groove insulating.
• Drilling for through bolting.
• Drilling and flattening for electrical wiring.
• Log joists cut flat for decking, roof purlins and ridgepoles cut to the roof pitch.
• Flattening, slotting and ledge cuts for subsequent frame and finish materials.
• Bottom round flattened to rest solidly on floor.
• Window and door openings final cut, sanded and ready for unit installation. Keyway boards included.
• Sanding of all exposed chainsaw cuts, including bevel cuts, log end trim, archways, & flats.
• Handcrafted log stairs and railings available.