LogHomeology
Terms for log and timber frame homes...... 'C'
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Loghomeology definition
Chamfer
A rounded or angled edging or relief at a timber's corner. Also referred to as a 'stop'.
Cants
Wood stock produced by a machine (canter) that requires further processing
(i.e. logs cut square, or rectangular). Cants are produced from green logs that
are delivered to mills by local loggers. These cants are then used to make
dimensional lumber, beams, logs or siding, etc.
Cap Log
The top log on a log home which the rafters rest upon, used to set joist or rafters into a log wall without notching the log joist. Also called plate log.
Cat face
A malformed section of a tree trunk often caused by fire, disease or rot. Such abnormalities once discarded are now sought-after to add character to log posts, railings and accents. Meow!
Checking
Checking
is a natural occurrence in wood components that contain the pith, or center of a
tree. Lateral splits in a log resulting from internal stresses
caused by drying. Wood shrinks as it
loses moisture and the shrinkage is
twice as much in width as it does in length. Since the circumference shrinks at
twice the rate as the diameter, something has to give and that is the wood
fibers that pull away from each other. The cracks are called "checks" and will
occur in all large timbers. Very rarely do they cause structural weakness if the
proper grade of timbers has been chosen for each application. Many people view
them as adding character to the log, especially since checks are a feature of
antique structures.
Chinking (chink)
Chinking
is a flexible sealant or synthetic mortar and is used to seal the joints between
logs. Most often used in log systems where
rows of logs do not rest directly on the row below, but are separated by a
space. Traditional chinking is mortar-based. Modern synthetic chinking,
manufactured to look like traditional chinking, is similar to caulk but with
greater density and durability.
Clean Peel
Removing the bark from a log exposing clean wood with none of the inner bark exposed as you would do for a 'skip peeled' effect.
Collar Tie (Beam)
A horizontal connector between a pair of
rafters used to reduce sagging or spreading of the rafters. A collar beam
is a horizontal timber which ties rafters together at a height above the wall
plate, i.e. above the level of a tie beam.
Composites
Bonded products consisting wholly of natural wood, or in combination with other materials. Composites such as decking and railing products offers the beauty of wood without the drawbacks of corroding, splintering, termite damage, or fungal decay. Other composite products used in the building trade include particle boards, MDF, etc. Be sure to see this article, Composites or Real Wood Decks.
Corners
One of the most distinctive characteristics of a log home are the types of
corners incorporated into the design, which include
dovetail,
butt & pass,
saddlenotch,
tongue and groove
vertical post corner,
and contemporary styles.
Corner Board (or Post)
A corner system where the logs butt into a corner board or post. No logs extend past the corner.
Course Log
Logs located at any particular height within the log wall, i.e. 1st course, 2nd course, 3rd course, etc.
Crown Post
A vertical post standing centrally on a tie-beam to give direct support to a collar and collar purlin, and additionally to the collar purlin through two-way braces.
Cunit ('c' unit)
A term more common in Canada, a cunit is 100 cubic feet of solid wood as opposed to stacked volume.
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