In these log samples, note:
1. Our Triple Tongue-in-Groove weather-seal.
2. The logs are usually at least as
wide as they are high, to provide more stability to the log wall.
3. Lags (screws) are staggered between
tongues, to add to wall stability.
4. The heart of the tree is contained
within the log.
5. Look closely at
the interface between the top and bottom logs. Where one log rests on
another, there is a space on top of each tongue. (and below the groove
in the log above it.) This is extremely important, and this is
why......
Please pay attention here......
You have read this far, and the
next paragraph describes how any weather-seal acts in log homes.........
This is where the weather seals
are located, and there must
be permanent spaces here after the wall is constructed. This space is
allowed for a purpose- to keep the gaskets from becoming part of
the load-bearing surface. If there were no room allowed here for
gaskets, they would be crushed flat during construction. Then, when
the logs are subject to their first heating season (winter), they will
dry more and shrink somewhat. The gasket that was crushed during
construction will not rebound to maintain the seal, and the logs will
develop air leaks.
With our weather seal,
this potential problem is solved by allowing room for the gasket in
the first place. Our log gasket is a canned, pressurized foam
that expands when it is exposed to air. It fills in all spaces in the
wall, and sets to a flexible semi-solid state that "follows" the logs
as they move with the seasons. This ability to follow is crucial to
preventing air leaks.
|