What are the differences in the corner systems of a log house?
A log home should have a corner system with a tight fit that allows good drainage. The traditional hand-built log home can use a variety of good-draining, strong corner notches such as round, saddle, Scandinavian, or scarf, to name a few. With the use of machine-milled logs or tongue and groove square timbers, a builder has many options for notches. One of the strongest corners is called a dovetail joint. It is frequently used in eastern Canada, where building lots are often small and there is a shortage of long logs.The most energy-efficient corner is insulated and scribed, then sealed with gaskets, foam, or chinking. Some types of notches are not self-draining and need special sealants and gaskets. You may find that your roof system requires larger overhangs than conventional houses to help protect the exterior walls of your home. Make sure that you do some research on the corner systems available for your house design. Check with your builder on proper maintenance of the corners.
