Log Home Chinking

When one thinks of log homes they tend to think of men. Rugged men, strapping men, men of field and forest, strong and solid. Men take these timbers and toil to construct. Their brawn provides them the leverage and strength to hoist these heavy loads, cut, chop, heave and hoe. Men are good at these things there is little doubt however, when it comes to chinking it takes a woman’s touch.

It is often stated that men are better at those manly things like building and that women are better at refining the thing that the man built into a home. Well guys, I may touch a nerve but I must tell you – women are better at log home chinking than men. And here are five reasons why:

read more Women chink better

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This short video shows some of the chinking work being done here at the lodge. On a humorous note – my bother informed me that he turned the video into a drinking game telling me that for every time I say chinking he and his buds would take a swig. I do better next time.

Bearfort Lodge Signature Black Bear Paw Print

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Log Cabin Mortar Chinking and Recipe

Log Home Chinking

While the snow is falling outside I’m working on repairing chinking inside the lodge. Most of the chinking throughout the lodge is in great shape however there are a few spots here and there that are in need of attention. Some areas are simply cosmetic repairs and other areas are in need of being completely [...]

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Log Home Chinking: A Reader’s Amazing Work

Log Home Chinking

A reader of Bearfort Lodge recently sent me this wonderful email and photos of their beautiful work – Stunning! – Here is their email and photos. Hi there! Using your mortar mix suggestions and simple steps, laid back attitude, and easy tofollow article – we have finally re-chinked the logs under our porch! Thanks to [...]

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Using a Pastry Bag to Fill Gaps in Chinking

Log Home Chinking

Perched atop a 30′ ladder is not my idea of fun when it comes to chinking but you do what you have to do. I’m not afraid of heights its an awkward place to work. A section of chinking was found to be loose way atop the north face. The 100 year old chinking had [...]

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Log Home Chinking Video

Log Home Chinking

I came across this video of a couple of guys chinking a log home using traditional mortar chinking.

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A Reader’s Question on Chinking

Log Home Chinking

Recently a reader asked a question about chinking a hand hewn log home: Am trying to figure out what is best to seal between logs [our log home is 100+ yrs. old.]. Most important consideration is keeping rodents out. .. Am sealing from the inside because clapboards are still outside. How can I apply mortar [...]

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Log Home Chinking: Chinking Recipe Update

Log Home Chinking

I have been flooded with email asking for a recipe for log cabin masonry chinking which tells me that the season is well underway. Here is a quick link to the previous post on log cabin masonry chinking. The recipe shown on that post is the same material that is used here at the lodge. [...]

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Log Home Chinking: The Season Begins

Log Home Chinking

I have been away for a while. Now that the weather is, for the most part, staying consistently warm it is time to continue with re-chinking exterior of the lodge. Over the past several days I have taken an inspection walk around the outside and examined chinking. The original chinking is still intact however there [...]

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Log Cabin Chinking & Insulating

Log Home Chinking

A subscriber/reader asks “The fiberglass strips of insulation that you suggest be placed between the logs… I assume those are about 5″ wide (cut from 15″ rolls) is it only one strip between the logs that we would need to use or two (i.e., back to back with the paper sides glued together)? Thanks for [...]

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Can Log Home Chinking be Colored?

Log Home Chinking

A reader recently asked if the chinking recipe provided on previous posts could be tinted or colored. Yes. Here is an excerpt from his email: I am restoring an old log cabin in WV and have gaps several inches wide (4-5 inches). I am going to use a stainless steel mesh as used for stucco [...]

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Simulating a Chinked Log Wall

Log Home Chinking

I get a lot of emails from readers asking questions about chinking. Recently a reader emailed me with regard to a project that he is planning. Using 1×10 boards with about a 2″ space in between he wants to create a log like wall with chinking between the boards. The wall will be standard insulated [...]

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Hand-Hewn Log Home Chinking

Log Home Chinking

I received an amazing email from someone that had purchased a home and soon discovered upon beginning restoration and remodeling that underneath the clapboard siding was a hand-hewn log home. What an exciting find! Some may grimace at such a find as it does open up a host of unanticipated situations with which they must [...]

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The Log Home Chinking Continues

Log Home Chinking

The chinking continues here at the lodge. I have been replacing chinking damaged by the previous owner who smeared the original chinking with synthetic material. The synthetic chinking trapped moisture within causing the original material to disintegrate. For the initial chinking I make mine light on water — I just want it wet enough that [...]

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Replacing Chinking and Fixing Logs Part 4: Chinking Recipe

Log Home Chinking

Chinking a log home is actually easier than you might think. Granted it is time consuming and more certainly work than kicking back and enjoying an iced tea while relaxing or spending time doing something more enjoyable. Think of it like icing a cake. As you may have read in one of my earlier posts, [...]

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A Note About Log Cabin Chinking

Log Home Chinking

What is log home chinking? Chinking is the material that is commonly visible between the courses of logs on many log structures. Not all log structures use chinking. The purpose of chinking is to (simplified explanation) fill the gaps between logs, seal out the weather, wind etc., provide an insulation barrier, and in some cases [...]

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