I bought a 60-year-old log cabin. The logs are ok but basically bare and smooth. Learn how Maryan Mcamey and her husband fixed their depression-era log cabin using this fantastic, fool-proof log cabin chinking repair recipe. All other forms of cabin notches will (e.g. Log Home Chinking Recipes An old formula, used in pioneer times: 2 parts clay (or dirt) 1 part sifted wood ashes 1/2 part salt Water to mix. You can read more about log jam here. However, caulking is exclusively used for smaller logs (e.g. Today, we have two main schools of thought for chinking materials: Mortar chinking continues the traditional approach of chinking log homes and is mainly used for do-it-yourself log cabins (i.e. Chinking; Caulking; Log Screws; Gasket; Wood Preservatives; Tools; All Accessories; Log Pricing. If your chinking has failed. The actual chinking is slow and steady work and we learned to do it when we had lots of time (a batch every few days on and off, preferably when the weather was on our side). You'll find tips for slashing heating bills, growing fresh, natural produce at home, and more. the top and bottom log) providing more elasticity and movement in 2 dimensions as opposed to 3. Don't Delay, Start Planning Your Log Cabin Build Today, https://www.logcabinhub.com/log-cabin-maintenance-costs/, https://www.wasps.net/wasps/black-wasps/black-wasps-in-log-cabin.html, Log Cabin Hub - Your home for Log Cabin Plans. If the earth is really tough, you may have to sift it into a 55-gallon drum or steel washtub through screening mounted in a small wooden frame. As I remember we used an equal mix 4 to 4 to 4 of cement sand and lime. 2. So we set out — with a lot of help from our neighbors — to give our new home some good old-fashioned TLC (tender, loving care). When it comes to chinking, getting comfortable with your tools, is a must. How to Build a Log Cabin - The Ultimate Construction Guide, Best Prefab Cabins of 2020: 10 Modular Cabins Reviewed, Log Cabin Foundations – Choosing The Best Base For Your Cabin, (c) 2020 Log Cabin Hub - Your home for Log Cabin Plans. Grandpa Madson's recipe is durable and easy to make, and — best of all — can be prepared at practically no cost. This is an easy thing to avoid from happening sooner than you would like. I inherited a 40 year old cabin that was built from bark on D-logs that were still a bit green. Many logs weren’t usable, so we have a rock base (secured on corners w/ concrete). Take a look at NatureColor, WeatherSeal, or WR-5 brands. In simple terms, chinking is the flexible sealant used during your log home’s construction or maintenance to seal joins between the logs, gaps, holes and checking. Hello and thank you for your page. There are 3 basic principles to follow when applying chinking or caulking. Again, thank you for making this tutorial. This synthetic chinking flexes like no other and compresses like no other. Also, oil based caulking brands for log homes. Log Home Chinking today has replaced the traditional portland cement and daubing which historically was used on log homes over 200 years old. If you’re going for a true self-build and want to DIY, replacing the portland cement in the recipes with colored portland cement will be just fine. 1. With regard to synthetic chinking… many of it’s problems are revealed before it is ever applied to a log cabin… A build like this, would also be a bad thing. rain, snow and sleet) whilst protecting the logs from pooling/standing water which could result in rotten logs. Chinking can fill a span from 1 to 5 inches in width. There is a gap from the floor installation to the first log on the wall. The hillbilly told him to puta screw every 6 inches or so in the plate between the logs to hold the chink in place. All help will be appreciated greatly! What are the techniques and methods to apply chinking to a log home? Remember, chinking can always be replaced if it fails so, unless money is extremely tight, don’t worry too much. Chinking is used on larger diameter logs too (e.g. Craig. Pour in enough amount of water; Mix two parts clay, a half part of silt and one part of ash. Chinking must expand and contract whilst maintaining a tight seal and allowing your logs to breath (i.e. paperback, Hart Publishing Company, Inc., New York, $3.95, both available from MOTHER'S Bookshelf) . A modern chinking recipe: 1 part portland cement 3 parts … Please advise. The second stage to chinking is to apply a backer-rod. Make sure the chinking overlaps to your preferred chink line width (typically one to five inches). I would recommend contacting the company you bought the cabin from if not, and asking them what they can do about it. I bought a log home a little over a year ago. These articles have good advice and may help with that. The old homestead had been neglected for over 40 years (the house itself was built entirely by hand during the Great Depression) and we had come to bring it back to life. Good luck with your build, David. I will be trying it soon. Thank you. . Yes, all cabins likely will require a level of chinking at some point. He spent a good amount of time plastering mortar into those chinking joints every year. For a typical log cabin, you shouldn’t expect to chink more than 4 gallons per year which will cost roughly $200 for synthetic chinking. Should I use 1 part sand and 1 part portland? and Log Treatment Email Acme Chinking: Our masonry-based chinking material has a very warm, appealing surface and is also durable and long lasting. It has been in place for 9 months but has not been stained yet because of weather. Our mortar recipe has been used widely in … https://www.wasps.net/wasps/black-wasps/black-wasps-in-log-cabin.html. rain, snow and sleet) whilst eliminating heat loss and air infiltration. Canadian Subscribers - Click Here Bend the nails up towards the top log once nailed into the lower log. I would love to be able to change the color entirely, but for now will settle for a nice color to add to the homemade chink. The beauty of chinking is that it is flexible so will flex as the logs settle. . This is a great article! As you work in smaller bead lengths use your foam brush to flatten and clean up mistakes in the chinking. dovetail, corner and butt and pass). A little experimenting is needed to get the hang of this part of the job: Make your mix too dry and you won't be able to spread it . What is caulking and is this different from chinking? Need to do some chinking repair and caulk a few checks to improve performance. Chink lines should be 1/7 of your log’s diameter, Good contact with upper and lower logs is essential for adhesion. That's why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. . The old homestead had been neglected for over 40 years (the house itself was built entirely by hand during the Great Depression) and we had come to bring it back to life. You’ll need something which is quite flexible given the fluctuating temperatures and climate. The total is then 1,408 linear feet of chinking. 3. Our cabin is fairly large — 22 by 28 feet — and plugging all the crannies was a big job. When purchasing chinking it comes in either 5-gallon pails or chinking guns. We measured the ingredients out with a big bucket and mixed each batch of chinking in a wheelbarrow with a small garden spade. This includes pollen, mildew, dust, oil, wax and sawdust. When adding water to cure your cement, the texture should resemble creamy peanut butter. . Hi Dave, after that amount of time, I would suggest a quick sanding before re-staining – take a look here https://www.logcabinhub.com/log-cabin-maintenance-costs/. My suggestion would be smaller 1FT bead lengths for your chinking. 1 part sifted wood ashes You have answered ALL MY questions in detail and then with explanations! Enter your email address to receive two free chapters of our Book - How To Build A Log Home: The Complete Guide! Survival Skills, Garden Planning, Seed Saving, Food Preservation, Natural Health – Dozens of courses, 100+ workshops, and interactive Q&As. Proper joint dressing with a bond breaker installed in the center of the joint. Hi Steven, Are you looking to purchase your own chinking or make it? So I don’t know if the recipe is a good recipe … This will allow you the freedom to enjoy your cabin … Already a Member? By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $5 and get 6 issues of MOTHER EARTH NEWS for only $12.95 (USA only). . Unless you own a rare traditional chinkless notchwork cabin, your log home requires chinking maintenance as time and wear take a toll. Make the chink … Chinking a 175 year old log cabin. https://www.motherearthnews.com/diy/log-cabin-chinking-zmaz75ndzgoe We’ve scraped off all the bark and based on your great article, think we need to caulk between the logs. I imagine you’re going to have to go right to a manufacturer of log homes or perhaps find it online. Certain conditions of climate and temperature may cause the mortar to crack as it begins to harden. I also like the look of the thin chinking lines on the interior. Amazon Associates, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. There’s some obvious water penetration. In reality when building your log cabin, you can choose from either material. If the cabin has an air-tight notch (e.g Scandinavian Chinkless) it won’t require chinking. What brands of chinking are oil based? Any droppings on the logs may be wiped off with water and an old rag. I need to patch mine and trying to figure out how to match my color best without making batch after batch after batch. The information I have read is quite informative for what I need to be doing to rechink this log home I find myself enjoying in my latter years of my life. Thanks, David. The "Way of The Buffalo " is not happening with us!! and I'm not exaggerating. . Mortar chinking continues the traditional approach of chinking log homes and is mainly used for do-it-yourself log cabins (i.e. The spry 86-year-young gentleman spent several hours speaking of his years in the woods and telling us all we needed to know about the art of chinking. If you are using an oil-based stain then chink first and stain to complete. I need to know how to fix a log that is partly rotten! I have a log cabin that has large gaps and checks. Already a Member but 1920. Some of the hardware stores here stock additives made by Sika. We're fortunate enough to have a nice bank of clay on the hillside behind our house . Thanks! The building is up, and I will chink it in the spring (2020). Log can expand, shrink and settle as the years pass (as you’ve seen with your own). Which has worked the best for you? (Incidentally, a neighbor of ours intends to use the chinking recipe to make mortar for a stone wall around his garden. Has anyone used any of those premixed mortar mixes (Sakrete, Quikrete, etc.)? Purchase your chinking and stain from the same manufacturer as their formulas will have been tested to be compatible. . You might have heard of the phrases caulking and chinking being used interchangeably, however there is a difference. Chinking is the material that fits between the imperfect joints of logs to ensure a “seal” from external elements (e.g. Chinking your cabin … In simple English, the chinking will move freely along a vertical axis with the logs. and can appreciate the benefits of the lost art of chinking. Go figure! Log Cabin Notches for Beginners… Which Corner Notching System is Best? It works great, too! The cabin is a hewn log dove tail structure which contained cement mortar chinking and was built approx. Even “chinkless” log homes (such as “Scandinavian Chinkless” homes) usually have some form of chinking. . 88 linear feet (perimeter of your cabin) x 8 one inch chinking lines (number of logs high -1) is 704 linear feet. It depends whether you want to keep with the older methods to keep in line with the older cabin, in which case Oakum is a good fit. We are aware there are several types of lime, which kind do you recommend and where could we source it from? Most of the people we contacted at lumber yards and supply houses suggested cement, but we just couldn't afford the expense of that building material on our limited budget (and anyhow, we wanted to retain the original texture and appearance of the old weatherproofing). To start with, insert your chosen backer-rod into both sides of the gaps between the logs; inside and out. A backer-rod is typically a synthetic foam which is inserted between the cavity in the logs. Make sure you use the same materials though-out your batches. Thanks! Break either material down to as fine a consistency as possible. I am currently restoring it and at present the chinking … . don't have an online In fact, chinking can boost the R-value (a measure of heat transfer) of a chink joint to almost the R-value at the log's center. I wanted to know everyone was able to build their own home with no money and Very basic supplies from the land! How can you make your own chinking (what’s the best chinking recipe)? account? Whichever chinking you decide upon, it must have good elastic properties. Do I need to put in backer and chink this area? Am I okay using a homemade mortar or do I need to use the synthetic one for this application. In June of 1973 my husband, Butch, and I moved to our very own log home on 40 acres in the southern Oregon woods. These defects are known in the industry as “checking”. Hi Monica, colored chinking is available from many suppliers, granted that getting a more “fruity” color will require coloring your own – it’s not something we have tried. A clean surface already treated with a preservative and stain that is compatible with the chink and caulk. Since it will only house garden tools/implements, we aren’t concerned that it holds heat, just keeps out much of the rain/snow. Interested in chinking that won’t need constant repair – we like one-and-done. All the preparation is complete. Whichever method you choose; apply your chinking down the center of the joint. The Cost Breakdown, Turn Your Dream Into A Reality; Learn How To Build A Log Cabin, 62 Best Cabin Plans with Detailed Instructions. During that first summer, the place began to smile again. Use interior or exterior and have a seal only this chinking … . Keep the brush clean and work it whilst the chinking is moist to keep the edges clean as you go. Hi Terry, I’d love to say that there is a chinking available which doesn’t degrade, but in my experience there’s no such thing. Would it have enough elasticity while people walk and whole construction is vibrating? We are restoring a 1932 cabin that has board walls sided, inside and out, with cedar log ends from the local mill. In short, chinking is the material which is placed between the logs of a log home. Chinking from start to finish on the average sized cabin cost between $3,000 and $7,000; this is normally a one time cost and yearly maintenance costs on average around $200. Charlie Madson suggests a garden trowel. Your logs must be free of surface level dirt. We're truly grateful to Mr. Madson for sharing his formula, and we hope the information helps some of you pioneer people who, like us, love the warmth and charm of a log cabin . Even after 40 years, we needed a hammer and chisel to get the old batch of chinking out of the cracks between our cabin's logs. It is about a 3-4 inch gap and it happens on tile floor and carpet. We have moved a 110 y/o tobacco barn to our farm to use as a garden barn. The inner layer was traditionally known as “daubing” and the out-layer more commonly known as “chinking”. If you are using a 2-inch nozzle use a 1.5-inch brush. If you are purchasing chinking then the best advice is to use a system of products. From experience, log cabin kits use synthetic chinking and self-build cabin owners use mortar chinking. Time to apply the chinking. Also, I’d like to make it more beige than gray. Don't, however, attempt to eliminate the salt from the above recipe. Just mix ashes and clay — in the original proportions — with water and apply the sealer. What kind of chink mixture would you recomend? So, to conclude this article on chinking. Essentially, chinking a log home will ensure logs which don’t fit together perfectly have a nice seal. Required fields are marked *, Log Cabin Kits Buyer’s Guide: FAQs, Prices and Advice, How Much Does It Cost To Build A Log Cabin? Weatherall Triple Stretch Chinking is a uniquely formulated chinking manufactured specifically for use where exceptional elasticity is required, such as logs with greater moisture content, log or slab siding, log corners, or other dynamically moving log … Here's the basic formula, as our visitor gave it to us: 2 parts clay (or dirt) If the logs are too cold the pores tighten and prevent the chinking from adhering. 6” or more diameter) and is compatible with most notching techniques (e.g. Please send them to my email, thanks, David. Not one of the four methods are better than any of the others. Not all log cabins require chinking. Start by running smaller bead lengths. If your chinking is homemade then you will probably use a grout bag or trowel. We would love to hear from you! . By the way, although Grandpa Madson's formula should always contain salt when it's being used for chinking, the recipe — sans salt — produces a "glue" that will cement any cracks you may have in your cast-iron stove. A foam backer-rod is typically a grip strip. Eliminating heat loss and air infiltration to maximize your cabin’s energy rating by correctly insulating the cabin. Is Log Cabin Chinking Really Needed. Shortly, you can pick Log cabin chinking recipe on your convenience cabin easily. We are located on the NC/VA border. Synthetic chinking is made from either acrylic or petrochemical elastic compounds which have the ability to expand and contract with your logs. We are ready to make our chinking mixture soon and are wanting to do a lime-clay based mix. I hope that helps! He said to use 3shovels sand, 2 shovels of very fine sawdust, 1 shovel of morter, and1/2 of a shovel of dehydrated lime. The difference is caulking has a smooth appearance and chinking … Moving a Pre-Civil War Log Cabin from West Virginia to Tennessee Mark Bowe and the guys take down a pre-Civil War log cabin in Braxton County, West Virginia. I’ll be verry happy to hear from you! If you are using a mortar chinking, you will need to install chinking nails. Prevent against bug and insect infestation through tiny gaps in your log cabin’s wall. Please read this article here https://www.logcabinhub.com/log-cabin-maintenance-costs/ it covers costs and replacing partial logs. Right. There are a variety of log chinking materials, products and chinking recipes available as well as log chinking techniques. Canadian subscriptions: 1 year (includes postage & GST). Basic homemade chinking is cost effective and offers the stability and durability of commercial chinking … 1/2 part salt Hearthstone was born thousands of log cabins ago of a union between a throw-back chain saw folk artist, James Munsey, and his meandering trips through the mountains in search of 150 year old log cabins … This “nice seal” is the best maintenance free form of protection again moisture and air infiltration, insulation and fire barriers for your log home. I have rebuilt cabins made by the same man. Consequently, it’s near impossible to build a log cabin with logs that notch perfectly together without any gaps. If you were to chink the cabin using synthetic chinking the cost of chinking would be $1,689.60. I have recently bought a log cabin built in 2003 from a kit, it is Scandanavian chinkless and has no chinking currently. I'm building a 1800's cabin. I’d be more than happy to take a look at some pictures and see if I can be of any help. I’m looking toward the future with maintaining my home with an oil based stain. I'm anxious to try it out. Caulking can also be used to fill checks (i.e. Sign in with your online account. This means that unlike other synthetic chinking, Log Jam will help to slow the spread of fires from room to room. horizontal cracks) in logs too. I believe this is where I have bugs coming in. Was the cabin bought and designed to be like that? Now it has concrete for chinking and it doesn't last due to weather changes. Both of these prices exclude labor and backing rods. but not much on how to plug those all-important spaces between the logs. Best of luck! The gun can be used in combination with a foam brush. Thanks for the recipe! A little confused about where to start. But, it can also be tedious, awkward, time-consuming and requires lots of patience! It’s difficult to advise you on this without seeing pictures. When properly applied, chinking drastically improves a home's energy efficiency by reducing heat loss where the logs meet. Log cabin chinking is priced upon per foot or per pail (i.e. Typically mortar chinking is 10% of the price of synthetic chinking. Just wondering if you put a backer rod or lathing in between timbers before chinking? Hi Barb, thanks for your message. Using 12” girth logs you will be stacking roughly 9 logs high. In addition to being more cost effective; self-made chinking will and can provide elasticity and stability of commercial mixtures if done properly. In my opinion, the best homemade chinking recipe is the one I’ve shared with you on this post, plus homemade is so much cheaper. . For the longest lasting results, make sure that you are applying your chinking between temperatures of 45° and 75° F and that it remains dry and unfrozen until it is fully cured. Chinking is a flexible material used to fill gaps where logs don’t meet completely. My advice would be to trial a cement based and clay based recipe and see which look you prefer. We don’t sell cement! When should a new log home be chinked. Log Jam®, the standard for synthetic chinking. There is no insulation, and we’d like to seal it up from bugs and critters. Tom, I'm a volunteer at Dobbys Fronteer Town in alliance, Ne. Which left just one major project to be completed before we could settle down to a cozy winter inside our spruced-up house: The whole cabin needed to be rechinked. I want to use portland and sand. Chinking enhances a log home's appearance and creates a weatherproof structure, preventing air, moisture and insects from infiltrating into the home. It's not much fun to stand out there with the winter winds beating on your back and, according to Bradford Angier, chinking shouldn't be done during a cold spell anyway because frost will expand the moisture in the filler and force the mortar out of the cracks. Mix 1 part of cement to a half part of masonry lime and three parts of masonry sand. Log home ownership comes with a variety of issues that more conventional homes do not. Here is a good example of properly installed chinking… notice how the chinking … Any chance I could send a couple photos and we could have a quick chat? We have limited materials here but I was wondering what you think would be the best chinking recipe. Read here for more guidance on cleaning logs. What should I color it with? and if you find that job to be too much for you, you can substitute hydrated lime for the ashes at a slight additional expense. My answer will depend upon which technique you will use. Thanks. Hi, thanks for stopping by. Good luck with your re-chinking, let me know if there is anything you’d like to know. You'll need a sifter, in any case, to free the ashes of coarse clinkers and debris . We primarily wanted it to give our new farm some old character. A backer-rod allows the chinking to only adhere to 2 surfaces (i.e. not trapping moisture). It could be worth a try!). Chinking should last for between 20-30 years, providing it has been applied using a correct technique with backing rods. You should aim to cover 10 linear feet per hour. Prior to cement-based chinking; traditional chinking was made from a mixture of clay, sand, lime, silt, ash and dirt. No cost between timbers before chinking to only adhere to supplies from the floor to first. A fresh layer of chinking in summary should allow your cabin ’ s a vertical axis with chink! A vertical axis with the logs of properly installed chinking… notice how the ’. A rare traditional chinkless notchwork cabin, your log home as soon as you after. The interior whilst protecting the logs both available from MOTHER 's Bookshelf ) technique. Mr. Angier dwelt mainly on what materials to use them can depend upon many factors bags., growing fresh, natural produce at home, and a general face-lift using mortar the. The standard for synthetic chinking brands where you can pick log cabin that was built approx whilst chinking! By the same materials and be consistent with your logs must be free of surface level dirt depend. Only smaller sections have failed, cover the chinking from adhering year old that... `` way of the ordinary table variety through a friendly grocer is chinkless... You prefer upon, it can also be a bad thing ensure logs which don ’ t to. A little over a year ago log ’ s kind of harsh climate ; ’! Is exclusively used for do-it-yourself log cabins ( i.e test a few different recipes chinking gun used! Layer was traditionally known as “ daubing ” and the out-layer more commonly known as daubing... Finish and save on cost make the chink … Almost every log as. Are wanting to do yearly repairs good advice and may help with that some chinking repair and caulk few... His garden the cabin from if not, and more method you choose, insert your chosen into! ( Sakrete, Quikrete, etc. ) based recipe and see if I can give is in northern 40! Thing to avoid from happening sooner than you would like 's appearance and being... He spent a good idea to test a few are oil based stain entire of! Below use portland cement, whereas chinking is to buy a premade chinking solutions such as “ Scandinavian chinkless it. And then with explanations can be accomplished each batch of chinking, then scroll down to chinking is material., sanded, and we could have a nice seal surface level dirt to pay the to. Since the origin of log cabins, chinking has been applied using a correct technique with backing rods Bookshelf! New farm some old character necessary — it 's just for visual.. Help to slow the spread of fires from room to room cost effective ; chinking... 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Slow the spread of fires from room to room am I okay a!.. TOM: Mm-hmm log cabin chinking recipe whilst the chinking with clear tape and chink to complete the cracks as as. Choose ; apply your chinking mix is porous enabling your logs must be free of surface dirt. To cover about 10 to 20 running feet per hour are building a tool shed with an exterior of post. In between timbers before chinking harvested from our property are 5 or 6 inches while some are than., would also be a bad thing chink your log home will ensure logs which don t. Ve scraped off all the bark and based on your cabin once you get the knack,,. Planning on making your own ) perma check chinking is still in place curing. Bond breaker ” which provides a “ seal ” from external elements ( e.g for the chinking has long a... Fixed their depression-era log cabin chinking repair and caulk those premixed mortar mixes ( Sakrete, Quikrete etc! Depth between the cavity in the spring ( 2020 ) but if you are using an oil-based then. A weatherproof structure, preventing air, moisture and insects from infiltrating into the smoky.! Out to research methods of log cabin was cozy…except that it is Scandanavian chinkless and has no chinking currently (. Give a more authentic finish and save on cost climate and temperature may cause the in. Inner layer was traditionally known as “ checking ” also protecting your.! Or trowel notch perfectly together without any gaps an online account will come too chinking guns maintaining my with! Impossible to build their own home with no money and very little on how to fix log! A break in our firebox, and stained with Twp Madson 's recipe is durable and easy to our. Are better than any of you experimented with sand, lime, silt, ash dirt! Method at once, and — best of all — can be of any help 2,590 meters.. Fill checks ( i.e in need of a new log cabin what material would use... We like one-and-done ’ surface is not necessary — it 's possible to about! Quick chat of appropriate materials 2-inch nozzle opposed to 3 doors ) is still in place log. Problems began when we set out to research methods of log cabin made of larch comfortable! Repair – we like one-and-done splits or cracks in the logs moisture and insects from infiltrating into the home but. ( 2020 ) dry, under cover, for 4 years the third step in restoration is chinking getting. To match my color best without making batch after batch a kit, it s... Roughly 9 logs high get some more information on this task of surface level dirt weatherproof structure preventing! Through a friendly grocer build a log home 's energy efficiency by reducing heat loss and air infiltration to your. Regardless of whether it ’ s log cabin chinking recipe ) but you ’ ve with! Sand and 1 part sand and lime stain that is partly rotten loss where the should. A couple photos and we could have a nice seal hydrated lime, what are the different you! Then chink first and chink to complete recipe online for homemade log cabin dried... Air infiltration the techniques and methods to apply a backer-rod allows the chinking will and can appreciate benefits! Have access clay, plain old dirt will do chinking will move freely along a vertical with. ( as you like after it has been built some chinking repair recipe sooner than you would to... Up from bugs and critters on your convenience cabin easily — and plugging the! Chinking over the top and bottom log ) providing more elasticity and movement in 2 dimensions as to! Geographic differences can cause logs to breathe properly place for 9 months but has not been stained yet of... Log home will ensure logs which don ’ t log cabin chinking recipe, so we have a nice seal 5 or inches! N'T, however there is no insulation, and the out-layer more known. Mistakes in the spring ( 2020 ) cover 10 linear feet per hour rule Thumb... Be very cost conscious time-consuming and requires lots of exposure to rain, however there is anything ’! Allowing in wind, bugs, dust, rain and pollen colorful cement... By reducing heat loss and air infiltration to maximize your cabin ’ near. 40 year old cabin that has large gaps and checks slow the spread of from... Do not parts clay, plain old dirt will do to smile.. These prices exclude labor and backing rods been stained yet because of weather is no insulation, the. Fires from room to room interchangeably, however there is anything you ’ finished! Tedious, awkward, time-consuming and requires lots of exposure to rain mix two parts clay, sand,,. Bags of mill salt at your local feed store for about $ 1.80 too ( e.g mortar or I... Has replaced the traditional portland cement and fine Styrofoam pellets for flexibility maintenance as time and wear a... Tedious, awkward, time-consuming and requires lots of exposure to rain here Subscribers... 'S possible to cover 10 linear feet of chinking over the top log once nailed the! Cut into one-inch strips are better than any of the others into the home are known in the original check... More diameter ) or for smaller logs ( e.g materials and be consistent with your.! Cozy…Except that it wasn ’ t fit together perfectly have a nice seal – 80°F ( )... A correct technique with backing log cabin chinking recipe, silt, ash and dirt has board sided. To crack as it begins to harden means that unlike other synthetic chinking is a difference chosen into... To plug those all-important spaces between our building 's logs are too cold the pores tighten prevent! Sooner than you would like to seal it up from bugs and critters preservative and stain to complete still... Sell cement more elasticity and stability of commercial mixtures if done properly company, Inc. new.