Log homes have become a symbol of American tradition. They represent a breed of woodsman, explorers, and pioneers that made a home for themselves in nature. Log homes are unique homes in that they require a unique type of maintenance. The upkeep for logs isn’t hard, but it is different. One of the most practical and aesthetic aspects of log homes is chinking. Chinking provides a wonderful thick insulation while maintaining a brilliant look on the logs. However, many myths about chinking have arisen online, and most of them simply aren’t true. When you are about do chinking on your log home, consider some of myths and facts.
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White-out this Myth
A lot of people will tell you that chinking only comes in white; this isn’t true. Most people picture chinking as an off-white, rather unsightly, glue that doesn’t sit very well between your logs. However, as seen on Mountain Home Building Products, many manufacturers offer tons of different shades and colors of chinking, and more modern chinking can even match your logs. If you are looking for a totally different look then more than likely you can find the color you want.
No Future for this Tale
Another myth that you will hear quite a bit about chinking is that it does not last long. Up until recent times this myth did hold some validity. Chinking was known for being applied and then quickly wearing off, causing the homeowner a lot of money, repair times, and headaches. In the past chinking was cement-based material that had a low bond strength and tended to break down easily. But today’s chinking are so much more elastic, and are able to be stretched more, allowing the chinking to hold together longer. The chinking is less likely to tear as well; this helps keep your house insulated. On average, today’s chinking lasts for about forty to fifty years.
This Fable can be Repaired
Another myth concerning chinking, is that if it pulls apart or tears it is a bear to fix. It is true that you do have to keep an eye out for loose chinking. When your house is first built, some logs are bound to move more than others, and this can cause some of the chinking to move. You will usually know if you need to repair the chinking in the first couple of years. If the chinking does crack or fall off, simply reapply a coat. The logs will have settled much more by that point and the chinking should last much longer.
This Legend isn’t Practical
The final myth you will hear about chinking is that it is only used for visual purposes. This is not true at all. Chinking can greatly improve the energy consumption of your house, by trapping and keep heat in.
Don’t Be Intimidated
You might be hesitant to apply chinking to your home because of how many myths are floating around about it. However, chinking is a great way to keep your house insulated, and logs appealing. Look into it, and you might find it is what your home has been missing for quite some time.
In addition to his love for drumming, Ben enjoys writing, which he does from California as a vocation.
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1 Comment on this Post
Greta
Myths? Myth is not a synonym for ignorance.
First of all, the picture is of a log sided home, not a log home. Secondly, chinking is only used in round log homes. There are also square beam and scribed log buildings, neither of which use chinking.
3rd, and most important, most of what is said here is nonsense. I own numerous round log buildings, and have rechinked all of them. Chinking is lousy insulation. It does however stop the wind from coming through the gaps in a round log building. Modern chinking is indeed more flexible; however, properly made chinking, which historically had NO concrete (think about it folks. Where did you get concrete in the middle of nowhere? That’s where a lot of pioneers lived, right?) could last 50 years. Concrete chinking, a more recent innovation than the original log homes used, can also last 50 years. The big benefit to the new compounds is that they are easier to apply. They come premixed in plastic pails, go on as a mud, and are much lighter in weight than concrete to work with. They also cost about double what the concrete mix does, so they save time and muscles, but cost more money.
So much crap on the internet…