Log corner styles for a log home...

The following are several of the common log corner styles used on log structures:

• 1. Dovetail Corners: These corners are used mainly with square or rectangular logs. This style of corner has a very distinctive appearance. The end of each log is cut to produce a fan-shaped wedge. As the logs are stacked, the ends of one wall’s logs lock into the perpendicular logs.

• 2. Butt and pass corners or A-V joint: These corners are formed when one log stops where it meets the intersecting log, and the other log extends past the corner. There are dozens of variations, all involving the shape of the area where the logs butt. Usually the passing logs have a cutout, or mortise, into which the butt log fits.

If the end of the butting log is shaped to match the mortise, the projection is called a tenon. The joint is referred to as a mortise and tenon or V joint.

• 3. Saddle-notch corners: These are also known as saddle cope or round notch. They get their name from the saddle-shaped notch cut into the bottom of each round log. This notch on the bottom of the top log straddles the top of the log coming from the perpendicular wall. Both logs then extend past the corner.

The opposing walls of a saddle-notch corner system (both gable walls for example) start with a half log. This ensures that the logs overlap one another at the corners rather than butt into each other. The saddle-notch is one of the most traditional corner intersections and is favored by many handcrafters.

These type of corners are stronger, but they require more construction time. They are also easier to seal and hold corner logs better than butt-and-pass.

• 4. Chinkless corner or joint or Swedish cope joint: This is perhaps the best and the most difficult to make log corner. It is very popular in Canada. Each log is carved out on the bottom, using a scooped adze, to fit the irregularities of the log beneath it.

The advantage of this joint is that rainwater is shed off the round sloped surface of the log below. In addition, the two longitudinal edges that contact this underlying log compress under the weight of the logs above, forming a tight seal.

• 5. Post corner or joint or Maine woods log construction: This type of construction is not as labor intensive. In this case, the log ends are cut off perpendicular to the length of the log and joined at the corners using what amounts to vertical posts.

This style sacrifices a bit more the traditional log cabin or log home look, and it also requires a different engineering treatment from other log corners, because the post does not settle with the logs.

If you do not want to cut your own logs, we recommend you order the logs from a saw mill where they can cut, or mill them into consistent sized logs. This can save you a lot of time and money. Logs of consistent shape are easier to seal together, and the connections between the windows, doors, roof and foundation are easier to make.

Sawmill logs can be cut into several profiles to give you different effects you may want (example: "D" shaped log or round log look). Some builders still use whole round logs, sometimes peeling them. Others hew the logs flat on two, three or even four sides.

Other companies use machines to shape and notch their logs. These machines can create very non-traditional and creative log corner styles. Pay particular attention to the log corner style that your log home or log cabin will have for the style is important - because of how the corners will look and how they will need to be maintained.

Books about log corner styles

Whether nestled in a stand of pines, bordering a mountain lake, or basking in the sun by the sea, a vacation home provides a welcome retreat from the hectic pace of daily life.

These distinctive designs offer flexible plans that are perfect for everything from hideaway cabins and retirement cottages to seaside getaways.

Cottage Style Decorating by Cynthia Overbeck Bix

This book is about the 'new' country style, lighter approach to country colors, fabrics, furnishings, and decorating elements. Contains over 300 color photographs and inspiring text. Country style decorating gives you hundreds of ways to update your entire home with the new country look.

Log Cabin Classics by Robbin Obomsawin

Log Cabin Classics gives construction advice, straightforward and creative design, advice on using local materials and choosing a site, architectural details, and handcrafted artistry.

These principles are applied to a collection of one-of-a-kind plans you can use as springboards for creating your own log cabin classic. Log Cabin Classics features 20 classic cabin designs under 1,500 square feet.

Log Construction Manual: The Ultimate Guide to Building Handcrafted Log Homes (Paperback) by Robert Wood Chambers

An important guide for those who are going to build a log home... read before you do it.

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