Luxury log cabin homes are a goal of many homeowners. From small cabins to large expansive dwellings, the word "cabin" has been applied to them all. One common misconception with log homes is draftiness. So let's take a minute and explore why this stigma was attached to houses of this type and what has been done to overcome it.

When discussing luxury log homes the style that most closely is associated with 'luxury' is the handcrafted log homes. The Handcrafts are each entirely individual. Even when several are built from the exact same floor plan, no two are exactly alike. The logs themselves are the key to the differentiation. Each log is hand peeled, preserving the varied widths, natural rises and falls of the log surface, and features such as a flared bottom. Then each is selected for specific placement in the wall.

Now that handcrafted log homes are defined, let's take a look at the specifics which apply to sealing the home against that naughty West Wind from howling through the home instead of around it. The first key is found in the Scandinavian Full Scribe method of stacking the logs. Full Scribe utilizes hand tools such as micrometers, scribes, and saws are used, in turn, to craft the log to fit into the shell. Each log is cut with a V shaped groove on the underside of the log. Then the logs are stacked up. As the logs dry, then they are drawn closer together through the scribed channel, instead of further apart. The Scandinavian Full Scribe method is the formal name applied to the highest quality of tight scribe work.

Shrinkage is the innate tendency that all logs experience. Over a process of time, the logs loose their moisture content and reduce in overall size. In a handcrafted home it is normal to experience up to six inches of shrinkage over a 10 foot high wall. In a chinked log home the logs are milled flat on the top and bottom and then stacked into place. So instead of hugging more closely together as the logs shrink, instead these logs separate. Then gaps can be seen between each row of logs. This is where the draftiness effects the log home.

Luxury log cabin homes which use the tight scribe found only in the Scandinavian style only get tighter over the years. Chink style does not. So do yourself a favor and invest more in your log home package instead of choosing the least expensive supplier.