Precut Milled Log Package
Flat-on-Flat Method w/ Butt & Pass Corner
By: Lincoln Logs International, LLC
Kannapolis, NC

Lincoln Log Homes LogoLincoln Logs International uses a 6”x 8” Flat on Flat milled log design that is stacked from the foundation right up to the gable peaks with excellent alignment. The logs are fastened down by nine inch “LogHog” fasteners staggered ever 16 inches. This method of log construction will produce a superior milled log wall that is very stable and energy efficient. Flat on flat log walls provide the best shear and buckling resistance available in a log home.

The logs are harvested from the heart of Southern Yellow Pine Milled Model Home(air-dried to 19%-25%) in North Carolina and Virginia.  The logs can be air-dried longer before milling if requested. Southern Yellow Pine is one of the strongest softwoods available (has higher design values that Red Oak and comparable to White Oak) with a beautiful wood grain pattern. Yellow Pine is widely available, and offers a lower price compared to other species such as Western Redcedar, Oak and Cypress. We offer two log profiles, the Single-D (flat interior wall) and the Double-D (round profiles on both interior and exterior). These logs need to be chinked on the exterior with Perma-Chink energy seal or a similar product.  

Log ProfilesThe corners are a Butt & Pass design that gives the real distinctive log look we’re all familiar with. Lincoln Log’s exclusive “Weather-Lok” corner insures a snug weather tight seal. The logs will have a machined “V” grooved on top and bottom to accommodate a 1” diameter polyethylene backer rod. Two 1” x 6” wooden dowels are placed at the butt joints to prevent any twisting of the logs.Butt Joint

 All logs will be graded to a minimum of a Log Wall 40 by Timber Product Inspection (TPI) to insure the quality and integrity of every log. See question number three below.

 

Butt & Pass Corner, see picture.

 

Log Section w/ Perma-Chink energy seal prior to staining, see picture.

 

Roundwall Flatwall

Frequently Asked Questions about Lincoln Log’s International (LLI) Packages:

1. What are some of the advantages of purchasing a Lincoln Log Int. precut package? The logs are precisely milled at their plant in North Carolina to eliminate any need for “on-site trimming or fitting”. All doorways and windows are cut-out in the factory. Another advantage is the exclusive precut “Weather-Lok” butt/pass corner, which creates its own weather tight seal with Perma-Chink Energy Seal. See pictures above. The precut system is a good choice for the owner builder that wants to stack the logs. This is the area where large cost savings can take place by removing the labor factor from your project. In turn though, you’re adding a huge time commitment toward your project that will include weekends and vacation time. You’ll need two/three other persons assisting you, especially with lifting the logs in place. See question number ten below.

2. Does Lincoln Logs Int. have standard plans available? Can they design a custom home for me? Yes to both questions! We have 45 standard plans that range from 900 to 5000 square feet that can be easily modify to your taste. LLI has a drafting/design staff which can readily adapt any design to a LLI Home package at no custom cutting charge to the customer. Price sheet is available for all standard designs. See design/engineering.

3. Does Lincoln Logs Int. provide engineering services? No, but Spring River Log Homes will have the working drawings reviewed by an independent engineer for compliance with the 2006 International Residential Code (foundation up) and grade requirements establish for all logs and beams, unless its a basic one story cabin. Regardless, all logs will still be graded to a minimum of a Wall Log 40. The logs are hand graded in the log yard of LLI by a Timber Product Inspector, an independent third party. See design/engineering.

4. What type of wood is used in a Lincoln Log Int. home? The box heart ofSouthern Yellow Pine In Missouri Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) is used in our homes. These logs are harvested in North Carolina and Virginia and are air-dried to around 19% -25% before milling. SYP is one of the strongest softwoods available (has higher design values than Eastern White Pine, all the cedars, Red Oak and comparable to White Oak) with a beautiful wood grain pattern. All logs are 8 inches wide by 6 inches high and planed to eliminate bark for termites and other wood borers to hide in.

5. *Is it normal for logs to crack? All logs will crack some, or check as we call it in the log home industry. Checking is defined as “a radial crack in the log that occurs as the wood is seasoning; separation of wood cells along the grain as a result of uneven shrinkage (differential tension and compression stresses in the wood structure); a natural and unpredictable result of the seasoning process that generally does not affect the structural integrity of the log”. LLI does not kiln dry their logs, because of past experiences of excessive checking with SYP as a kiln log. LLI logs are milled between 19% -25% moisture content, then gradually brought down to the service moisture content (13% for Missouri, climate zone of moist) as a log home. This could take 2-3 years. It’s my opinion and observation (at least w/ SYP & Spruce), that the slower drying time allows the heart to dry almost as fast as the outer sapwood; as a result, the log checks which occur naturally in wood are generally not as pronounced. Occasionally though, you’ll get a larger check in an unwanted place.

6. *What is the thermal performance of SWP? SYP has an insulation value of R-7.97 (with an average width of 7”). Since SYP has a mass rating greater to or equal to 20lb/ft, the overall R-value is now increased to 12 because of the thermal mass with the higher dense SYP. Higher dense woods, i.e. SYP and Oak are able to absorb and store heat/cool and release it back into the living area. With the same width log, the SYP outperforms Eastern White Pine, Western Red Cedar and Northern White Cedar, because they do not qualify for the thermal mass rating.

7. *Do your log homes settle? Most log homes will settle (green and dry); what matters if the home was designed to accommodate this shrinkage. The only exception to this is: the log wall systems where total settling (slumping, compaction & radial shrinkage) is less than or equal to 0.5 percent of the involved settling height to a maximum of 1/2 inch. Some companies say their logs will not shrink, get this in writing. There’s no slumping with continuous contact logs, and very little compaction in SYP (high density wood) with a wide bearing width profile. Yes, the SYP logs from LLI will dry down 1-2% of their total height. The nine foot wall logs in my LLI addition had a total shrinkage of 1 inch over a three year period, or about 1%. Settlement spaces are allowed between the header logs and the windows/doors. See items #11 for additional accommodations for shrinkage.

8. How are the logs joined together in a Lincoln Log Int. home? A 1” polyurethane backer rod fits into a pre-cut V-groove on the top and bottom between the logs. On the butt end joints, two strips of polyurethane gasket material and two 1 inch diameter hardwood dowels (keeps the ends from moving) are incorporated to insure a complete seal against air, light and water. Nine inch engineered “LogHog” fasteners are used every 16” on center to screw the logs together.

9. What is included in a precut Lincoln Log Home Int. package? All graded SYP wall logs (treated with a temp. mildew/preservative), SYP log ceiling joists if applicable, log fasteners, wooden dowel pins, 1” backer rod and weather-stripping. Three sets of working drawings, stack sheets and a Lincoln Log construction manual is included. We ship only the materials not available locally. Your doors, windows, lumber, roofing and etc. are purchased from your local building supplier. This approach saves you shipping charges, broken windows, wrong colors and storage area that you might not have.

10. Is it difficult to build a Lincoln Log Int. home? No, but the homeowner /contractor must review the construction manual, blueprints and stack sheets carefully before you start erecting the logs. The logs are precision cut to allow ease in erecting them; there should be no need for any custom fitting. The SYP logs are still drying, and should be erected within a month. If left out to long, the logs can twist. To protect against milling and construction errors, extra logs are sent for any situation that may occur.

11. How are the interior walls built in a Lincoln Log Int. home? Any type of interior wall is acceptable, from sheetrock to wood paneling. On the Double-D log (curved on the interior), a vertical straight cut will need to be made on the logs by a chainsaw, so the sheetrock can be slipped into this groove. This will hide the end of the sheetrock and no moulding will be necessary, see drawing. The top of any interior walls will need to have a minimum of a 1 1/2 inch space between the top plat and the bottom of the floor joist/truss, see drawing. This allows for the settling of the exterior log walls.

12. How is the electrical wiring run in the exterior logs wall? Our bottom course of logs is sawed flat on the interior to allow for wiring conduit to be formed using furring strips and a wide baseboard trim. In locations where a wall switch is needed on the log wall, the wiring is run through the door jamb, see picture. In our LLI addition, we drilled (1” ship arbor drill) through the first two logs and sub-flooring and ran the wiring through these chases, see picture.

13. How are the logs delivered to the building site? Log homes are shipped from the LLI plant in Kannapolis, NC and delivered to your construction site on a flatbed trailer. The customer is responsible for making arrangements to have the materials unloaded upon arrival. Our logs are loaded onto the trailer in bundles that can be safely unloaded by an experienced forklift operator.
Any shortages must be told to the truck driver and written on the Bill of Lading. After this, call Spring River Log Homes. Any claims for damage incurred during shipment must be reported to Spring River Log Homes within six (6) days of the date of delivery.

* Excerpts taken from the Standard on the Design and Construction of Log Structures, ICC 400-2007.