What Could Chinking Be?

Chinking. Ever wonder why it’s called such? You can try to look it up on some ordinary dictionary and yet confusion still settles into your mind. Oh well, to clear it all up, it is filling the gaps in between log materials that make up a log cabin. Imagine the piles of log that make up the whole building? They have gaps in between them. To secure that those gaps aren’t infiltrated with insects, moisture, atmosphere, unwanted air, dust and of course water, chinking must be done.

Various chinking materials are available in the market. They can be found in home depots and come in forms of liquid and elastic liquid. They come in containers and if you are a log cabin owner, you should know about that too. The kind of log cabin chinking materials depends on the owner’s choice. If you’re curious enough, you can go ahead and check on many chinking tools at the home depot, or if you want to stay at home, do so online!

It is no doubt that chinking is the way to make the log cabin look very nice and neat. If you want to get yourself one in the future, it’s just as easy. You only have to remember that maintenance is essential and never forget to make sure that the right chinking materials with the right quality are used!

Chinking does Your Home Some Favor

Log cabins render a very relaxed and cozy atmosphere. Wonder why they last for so long a time looking neat and unworn throughout many years from it being built? Chinking does the job. It’s the process wherein the crevices and the lines that are open in between the logs are filled to make sure they’re sealed from unwanted elements. You wouldn’t want insects, moisture and water seep through the wooden material. You can imagine how weather changes and how it affects the organic materials of such type of house.

Why is it necessary to do log cabin chinking? Well. It’s just simple. Because you wouldn’t want to own a log cabin without the proper protection that it needs. Just like a concrete house built with cement, the log cabin cannot stand as it is with the same materials. Chinking has to be done to seal the spots that are in danger of infiltration of natural elements. This causes further damage on the material. It will affect the insulation and the interior of the cabin also. Who would want that to happen? Not only would it mean replacement and maintenance, it would mean more expenses on your part!

Out there in the good view of the woody countryside, you can get a log cabin built. You just have to make sure everything that’s needed to maintain its appearance is done. So never miss out on the chinking part. You wouldn’t want to spend more money on rebuilding your home!

Why is Chinking Important?

Log cabins are very nice to look at. They’re posh and classic. But what makes you think that they last for so long a time given that wooden materials can easily wear out compared to cement? Chinking does the job. It makes sure that the logs covering the house are well in tact. It seals the crevices and gaps between logs to prevent it from cracking and wearing out.

Why is it important to make sure that log cabin chinking is done when constructing your home? Well. Simply because a log cabin wouldn’t look as good as it is without it. Apart from that it won’t even be as close to a clean and posh house once it becomes infested with insects, when dust and moisture enters the openings of the material and what could be worse, when water seeps through. You can imagine what happens when a wooden material becomes wet. Bad weather really is a big threat to that cozy home so you’ve got to make sure it’s well protected.

There are various kinds of chinking tools sold in depots and log home stores. You can choose from a variety of basic fixes like the ones applied in-between logs and through crevices. After the chinking material is applied, a smooth finish has to be brushed through in order to carefully seal the material.


These two have to be compatible to make sure that water, unwanted air, moisture, dust and insect infiltration does not happen soon. Maintenance will be minimal if the finish is good. What must be the best producer of chinking products and finishes? You better check the nearest depot now and make sure that your log cabin stays posh and cozy!

Tips in Picking the Best Chinking for Your Home

Chinking or otherwise known as caulking is a type of sealant used for homes that are primarily made out of logs. This is to give the home a more traditional feel. Nowadays it is commercially prepared but some are still using the traditional ones that are home made.


In the old days, it is composed mostly of lime, clay and sand. But now, the more modernized ones use acrylic compounds that are found to be more elastic, flexible and more durable than the older type which are found to be not that effective. These materials loosen up once the log moves in time. it eventually looses its grip due to lack of elasticity while the modernized ones prove to be more effective because of its flexibility. As the wood moves over time, so does the adhesive compound maintaining its grip.

Chinking these days uses many tools and they are mainly: foam brushes, towels or rags, loading gun of different sizes, utility knife, and water container with water, spray bottle, Mylar tape and metal spatula. Ones you complete all the tools you are now ready for the next step. There is also called a chink paint, it’s used for stains in your chink and like caulking it is also available in a wide variety of colors depending on your preference. It is water and moist resistant and is applicable in any climate conditions.

Chinking is simply a home remedy to fix the problems of your log home and it’s good to know that these days it has evolved to be more reliable and durable. It doesn’t just protect your house through time but also preserves its beauty for years to come .

3 Log Home Chinking Don’ts

Log home chinking is not as easy as 123. Every log home builder must know the basic of this craft, because it will mean the make or break of keeping your log home sturdy and weather-resistant.

As defined, chinking is the art and science of applying chinking compounds to log houses. Old fashioned chinking compounds are composed of a mixture of different compositions of lime, clay, and sand. However, these types of mixtures do not last very long because of it lacks elasticity. Today, chinking mixtures are made up of elastic acrylic compounds that are more resilient and can last for years.

Let us take a deeper view on the don’ts of log chinking.

First, do not apply chinking materials less than ¼ inch thick. Ideally, chinking needs to be applied about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Making it too thin will cause it to adhere loosely to logs. On the other hand, making it too thick would cause the chinking to take longer time to cure.

Secondly, do not apply chinking materials in direct sunlight. Chinking material should be best applied between 40-90 degrees. Temperature should be carefully monitored because it can cause negative effects on the compound.

Finally, refrain from opting for stains that are not compatible with your chinking materials. To make sure that these two are compatible, look for stains and chinking compounds that are manufactured by the same company. If you fail to do so, chances are, chinking materials will not firmly adhere to the logs, wasting all your money, time, and effort.

The success of chinking projects is based on how long it will last. Stick to these three log home chinking don’ts and be assured that you log homes will stand both the tests of time and weather.

The Necessities of Log Chinking

Professional log home builders should know best that log chinking is one of the basic elements in log home building. Chinking is practically filling in the gaps in between the log walls. It also serves as a barrier that keeps the warm air inside and the cold air outside.

Log home chinking comes with many advantages. Aside from the aforementioned, it can also improve the insulation of one's house, particularly when used with a backer rod. It can as well prevent insects like flies and other wood-boring insects from penetrating the house. Good chinks prevent dust, wind, moisture and the like from entering indoors.

Before you start the ball rolling, be wise to the three necessities of log home chinking.
First and foremost, wood preservatives. Wood preservatives can prevent insects like termites and ants from hovering in your logs. This can assure you that the logs will last.
Second, stains. Log stain not only modifies your logs to appear more attractive, but it also serves as base for the chinking materials to stick on. But you should consider buying stains that will match your chinking compound so that both will bond together firmly.
Finally, the backer rods. Backer rods are used as bond breakers. These bond breakers prevent the unnecessary sticking of chinking materials to the logs. It also allows the sealant to contract and expand freely.

Be sure to buy high quality chink materials. Look for latex based ones because these are highly elastic, therefore minimizes the chances of early cracking or peeling. Consider buying Weather all 1010 chinking and Sashco Chinkers Edge Chinking. These are just some of the good chinking compounds that are log home builders’ approved.

See more log home maintenance supplies at Western Log Home Supply. They carry a wide array of chinking and everything else that log home builders will need.

How to Find Log Cabin Kits that’s Right for You

Log cabin kits are getting more popular these days because of the many advantages it offers to those who want to have their dream log houses fast and easy. For the uninformed, the first question, for sure, is where to find these log cabin/home building kits.

The best place to look for is the internet. You can find lots of cabin kit providers and manufacturers on the worldwide web. There is a plethora of it actually and you can certainly find something that will suit your need and design preference. I suggest that you consider 3 – 4 websites that offer nice designs and services.

Remember that you are making a considerable amount of investment here so be sure that you will purchase from a reputable company. Check on each of the companies you have considered if they are duly registered with the Better Business Bureau. See if they do not have pending complaints or if there is no record of charges filed against them. Read also testimonials from clients they have served and if possible you can contact these persons if they are not bogus personalities.

Once you are sure that the companies you have chosen are all of good reputation and in good standing with the authorities, choose the specific kits that interest you. Check what is included in the kit and what is not. You should secure one with chinking and log home stains already available in them to ensure convenience. It would also be good to contact via phone the companies to get more details about the kit you have in mind. This is also a way of checking how they treat their clients. It is highly possible that after calling your prospective manufacturers, your list will be cut down to one or two companies.

Another source is from log home magazines. These mags include advertisements from log cabin kit suppliers and manufacturers which you can also check out. Sometimes these publications also feature log home construction suppliers and manufacturers which could add some helpful data on your company research and background check.

The right log cabin kit is lying somewhere out there waiting for you to come and get it. But you can only find it with the right manufacturers and log home suppliers.