Log home chinking is the material used to fill the space between the logs. Sometimes it is done for aesthetic purposes, but it is also used for practical purposes. Some log homes are chinked during construction. Others end up needing to be chinked over time as logs shrink and gaps develop.
Log home chinking serves four important purposes.
1. It seals the gaps between the logs: Chinking added between the logs seals all potential gaps. This keeps things out as well as keeps temperature-controlled air inside your log home or cabin.
2. Seals around windows, doorframes, and other areas: Chinking applied around the windows, doorframes, roof lines and other areas prevents leaks and drafts.
3. Keeps water out: In order to make log homes impervious to water, they must be properly sealed. Chinking accomplishes this goal and keeps moisture outside, where it belongs.
4. Prevents insects and bats from creeping in: Insects can damage your log home. Bats carry rabies. Neither is welcome inside your home and chinking keeps them out!
You may hear people use the terms chinking and caulking interchangeably, but the two terms actually refer to very different materials. Both chink and caulk rely upon latex polymers to adhere to a surface, but chinking contains fine particles of sand that give it a dull or flat appearance. Sand adds strength to chinking. Chinking is usually used on lines half inch to six inches or more, and caulking on small cracks and lines less than a half inch wide.
If you need help with chinking or caulking, give us a call. Edmunds & Company’s crew and staff know log homes because we love log homes. We’ve been working on nothing but log homes and buildings since the 1970s. Our crews have the knowledge, skills, experience and specialized equipment to restore and maintain your log home or building. Call us at 715-373-5744 for more information.
