North Country Log Homes uses a very advanced and scientific form of joinery that we feel each of our clients should understand. Knowing the science behind how and why wood reacts to the drying process (fibre saturation and the release of water from cell walls) will help you to realize why we do what we do. The ONLY way to make sure the logs used in the building of your home stay tight and do not warp or twist is to use green logs (freshly cut). By using green logs we have no uncontrolled checks (pre-existing cracks that result when drying) and by cutting them in a certain way we can actually program the logs to check internally (much like cutting a stress crack in concrete to relieve expansion and contraction) which helps us in 2 ways. The first is that by forcing the log to check internally you do not get the large unwanted checks on the outsides of the logs that can collect rain water or insects if not filled. The second is that by making the log check inside the relief cut in the top it will actually create a tighter seal against the log above as it dries. Once you understand the properties of wood you can easliy come to the conclusion that if you kiln dry or rapidly dry wood you cannot control the checking and you cannot control the warping and twisting that can occur during acclimation. I like to compare manufactured kit log homes to a pile of kiln dried 2 X 4's "You just never know what you'll get when you clip the bands on that new bundle".

Please feel free to click on any picture for a brief summary of what is taking place. If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact us by phone or email.

Sincerely,

The North Country Family