Log Home Sealants Overview
There are two types of sealants for log homes: Log Chinking or Log Caulking
Which type you choose depends on what type of look you are going for and how your log home was constructed. Typically caulking is used on log homes that are full scribed and have gaps 1" or smaller. Chinking is used on chinker style log homes that have gaps 1" or larger or on very large diameter full scribe logs. Chinking typically doesn't match very well with a small diameter log and doesn't perform as well as caulking can with a smaller joint size.
Application of Log Home Caulking and Chinking
Log caulking and chinking are usually applied one of two ways: Professional Grade or Contractor Grade
Professional Grade application of
a log home caulking or chinking is the most beneficial as it applies the use of a backer rod in between the log joints, which ensures that the caulking or chinking of choice only touches at 2 points on the log allowing for expansion/contraction without tearing. Professional grade caulking and chinking also consists of at least a 3/8” wall thickness and utilizes proper tooling to ensure 100% adherence to the wood surface.
Contractor Grade application of chinking and caulking uses no backer rod and has an inconsistent wall thickness that is usually smeared on. This method leads to a much faster failure of the chinking and caulking which in turn leaves your log home at risk for air, water, and pest/insect infiltration which can lead to rotting logs. If you have log rot please call us for a free estimate of your log home repair.
Intensified Wood Restoration LLC. has log homes under our log home maintenance program that are 18+ years old. Some of these log homes have had minimal to no maintenance needed on the chinking or caulking that we professionally applied.
Almost all of the buildings under our log home maintenance program that have contractor grade chinking or caulking applied need maintenance annually/semi-annually to keep the caulking/chinking performing. Though there are a few buildings that we’ve seen with the contractor grade application that have held up and performed year in and year out they are few and far between!
Do it right the first time and you will thank yourself down the road with lower overall log home maintenance costs, heating and cooling costs, and water, insect, and pest infiltration!
