The History of Chinking - WeatherallWhat is chinking made of?

When you see log cabins, you will be able to recognizechinking a log cabin if you have ever heard of it.

What is chinking a log cabin?Chinking is a substance used to seal the gap between logs in a log cabin.It is important for any log home.Chinking protects the cabin from gaps where cold air can get in and ruin the wood.

Chinking is a new concept for me.Turns out chinking has been going on for a long time.Try the 1800s.The invention of synthetic chinking has been made over time.This is your one-stop shop for chinking knowledge.

Chinking is a good, elastic, stylish way to seal a log cabin.It looks like Portland cement-based mortar and is used to seal the joints between logs.The most effective way to seal long strips of gaps between logs is with this stuff.It looks like they used to do that.

Chinking a cabin protects the cabin from the outside elements.

Logs are susceptible to the elements.Logs will crack over time.The logs will expand and contract as the environment changes.

Chinking will seal the logs from the rain or snow because they are flexible.It protects the logs from water that could rot the wood.

Logs are not going to meet exactly.chinking is important because of this.Any gaps in the logs are covered by a nice seal.This is the best way to have a good seal and little to no maintenance.rot is the last thing you want to happen to your cabin.That is not enjoyable.

There are two types of chinking.There is more information about chinking here.There is also content on this page.

Chinking used to be made from a mixture of clay, sand, lime, silt, ash, and dirt.It worked because a lot of stuff was thrown together.Make sure you get something that is fixible.

There is a more traditional look to mortar chinking.The old fashion way of chinking homes is this.Do it yourself.It looks nice.

The do it yourself style is cheaper to buy than a synthetic chinking.It would cost 10% of the price for synthetic.I am not joking.

You should use logs that were cut in the area if you are using mortar.It is better to use local logs since they are adapted to the environment.

The price for a mortar chinking is $0.15 per inch high and 1 inch deep.It is cheap and you will see it in a minute.

For log cabin kits, the synthetic chinking is used more.They are water based with a few oil based.The synthetic kind works in the same way as the mortar does.

The synthetic chinking is needed because the logs won't be used in the climate.The synthetic chinking holds up well.

The price for synthetic chinking is $1.20 per inch high and 1 inch deep.I would make a cabin of my own.It would add up quickly.The synthetic price is 10th of the mortar price.

Chinking can be done on your own.It is very time consuming and awkward.You can hire some labor if you have the money.

It's a must that the logs are clean.It is a lot of work.They have to be clean and dry.There was no dust, wax, oil or anything else.I would only recommend doing this in the summer if they are clean.

The temperature for the logs should be pleasant.Nothing too hot or cold.The logs need to be warm.It will be harder for the chinking to hold onto the logs if they are too cold.

When you start chinking, you need a backer rod to set in the cracks between the joints.Synthetic foam is used to fit in between the large and deep joints in the logs.

Most of the space should be filled with the backer rod.Trust me, you don't want to spend more money than you need for chinking.

This will allow the chinking to settle in for the most seal potential it can have.This is something all log houses do and I would highly recommend it.

There are a lot of reasons why you would want to use a backer rod instead of a chinking rod.It is easier for the chinking to use the logs this way.

I don't like homemade backer rods.If you're looking for a place to buy backer rods that won't cost you a lot, this is the place for you.

The backer rods will be used to fill the cavities inside and outside.If you want to use chinking mortar instead of the synthetic kind, you will need to put chink nails in.

You will want to angle the nails downward.They should be placed every few inches apart.You are ready to chink now that your preparations are complete.

There are different ways of chinking.They are not necessarily better than another.They are not the same.

Chinking can come in either chinking guns or pails.If you wanted, you could make your own.I will leave that to you.

Put your chinking in the middle of the gap.Don't cross the entire side of the house in one go.Take your time and cover smaller portions.You should cover 10 feet in an hour but you need to take your time and do it right.

You should use a foam brush to smooth out the chinking.I am sorry if your hand is not straight.You have to do your best.You will want to make sure that the chinking has a good connection with the log.I can't stress that enough.

Before touching it again, give the chinking time to settle.You will be good if you just spend the rest of the summer doing this.You will need to put a lot of effort into this.

The chinking should last for about 30 years if you do the things I have said.Enough time for your kids to grow up.The checking is done for older mortar chinking.Synthetic is newer than that.

The only things you want to check out are hot temperatures and lots of rain.The duration time of the chinking can be brought down by these two things.

It's important to repair small cracks of 2 inches or less.If your chinking has failed and it is falling apart, it's probably best to try again instead of repairing it.

Chinking is the material on the outside of the log cabin that protects the inside from air drafts.It is in both mortar and synthetic forms.I am going to explain caulking a bit more after talking a lot about it.

A similar material is cauliflower.It is elastic as well.Smaller portions that need touch-ups should be caulked.It's great for creating a waterproof barrier.

It works great for horizontal cracks which are called checks, so keep one around.

Chinking mortar used to be made from clay, sand, lime, silt, ash, and dirt.The holes and joints between the logs were sealed with this.The old style was not as strong as it could have been.

The modern version of the mortar did not exist back in the 1800's.

I never thought about the fact that logs don't fit perfectly in a log cabin, until I wrote about cabins in general.They are not cut in a factory.They are both raw and natural.I think the appeal is there.

The logs won't line up to cover the holes.The temperature is a problem.The logs will respond regardless of whether it is hot or cold.This can cause problems.

chinking was invented because of this.The stuff felt like it came from above.The gaps would create a draft and pests would get in.It sounds terrible.

Log cabin builders realized that something had to be fixed.They found a way to do it with sand and dirt.They had a lot of things to help, but only so much could work.

We have the modern mortar and synthetic chinking now.These work better.Modern technology makes it easier to create chinking.

Some people want to create their own, despite the fact that we have modern conveniences.You can find different recipes on the internet.If you like doing things yourself, then go for it.

A big part of the log cabin building experience is chinking.It is interesting to see what people did before us.I am happy that I was able to give you all of this information.

What is chinking in a log cabin?One uses modern chinking on a log cabin to seal the joints between the logs.It is supposed to look like old Portland cement, which used to seal log cabins.A mortar compound and a synthetic one are used.Sand, silt, ash, and dirt were used in the past.

How long does chinking last?Some say 30 years and others say 50 years.Somewhere in between.The duration of the chinking can be affected by the weather.

What is the cost to seal a log cabin?It would cost between $3,000 and $7,500 to build a 1,500 square foot house.The cost of repairs would be less because they are more of a touch-up.If your chinking doesn't work then you may need to redo the whole house.