LogHomeology
Terms for log and timber frame homes...... 'S'
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Saddlebag House
A double pen log cabin with a central chimney. The saddlebag term refers to how the rooms straddle the chimney much like saddlebags straddle a horse.
Saddlenotch Corner
Saddlenotch
corner (a.k.a. saddle cope or round notch) is a traditional
joinery method that is frequently used by handcrafters.
It gets get the name form the saddle shaped notch cut into the bottom of each
round log. The bottom of the log (or rectangular timber) is cut to fit the log coming
from the adjacent wall with an overhang extended on both logs. This is a popular
choice when working with the full round profile, however, this joinery method
can be used with many other log profiles.
Scarf joint
(Scarph) a joint for splicing two timbers, end to end. It is usually cut on an angle and can be stepped to interlock the members.
Screw Jacks
Threaded rods where one end is mounted on a metal plate and the other end passes through an opposite plate. Large nuts adjust the height for use at the top or bottom of posts to accommodate settling.
Scribing
Shaping
of a wood member to provide for fitting one of its surfaces to irregular surface
of another. Scribing logs for homes was invented in Norway over two
thousand years ago. Scribing transfers the contours of one log onto the unique
contours of the log above. When the timber between the scribe lines is carefully
removed, then the logs fit each other perfectly! Even logs with heaps of natural
character and unique shapes are fitted tightly to each other. For you DIYers, we
highly recommend the best-selling log home construction textbook, the
Log Construction Manual.
Scriber
A a tool used to mark parallel lines to match log-on-log stacking.
Settling (in Log Homes)
Refers to the shrinkage that logs will experience as each log experiences moisture loss, and compresses due to the weight of the wall. Settling can be minimized if logs are air dried or kiln dried, and construction techniques are used to compensate for such settling. In addition, some companies utilize other techniques to combat this problem.
Shakes
Wooden shingles, usually hand-cut and most often from cedar because of its weatherproofing qualities.
Sheathing
Sub-floor material such as plywood, particle-board, O.S.B., which is applied to floor support members.
Shoulder
The area of the member produced when the waste around a tenon has been cut away.
Sill
The bottom board (plank, timber or stone) of a window or door opening.
Sill Timbers
Horizontal timbers that sit atop the foundation to which vertical members are attached, or logs stacked on top.
Skip Peel
Refers to removing the bark from a log (usually with a drawknife) where various trails of the inner bark remain exposed providing for a more rustic appearance. See peeling
Soffit
The boards nailed to the underside of a roof's overhang and abutting the fascia.
Southern Yellow Pine
(SYO) is a species group, composed primarily of Loblolly, Longleaf, Shortleaf, and Slash Pines.
SPF
Acronym for Spruce-Pine-Fir. Woods of similar character that are grouped as one lumber type for production and marketing purposes. Kiln-dried SPF lumber is used as a structural framing material in all types of residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural building applications.
Splines
Helps to align edge joints.
Standing dead
No, not a rock music group, but a term applied to dead trees that are still standing. Many log home companies harvest standing dead timber to build their homes. Standing dead trees will have lost much of their moisture naturally and will shrink less even without kiln drying.
Stick-built
A 'stick-built' home is the type of home we see in most communities. These structures are constructed on the building site, stick by stick (studs, joists, etc.). Modular homes are not considered stick-built because they are manufactured in a factory and then shipped to the site.
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)
SIPs are high performance building panels used in floors, walls, and roofs for residential and light commercial buildings.
SIPs are manufactured by inserting a core of foam insulation between two structural skins of oriented strand board (OSB). Other skin material can be used for specific purposes. SIPs can be custom designed for each home resulting is a building component that is extremely strong, energy efficient and cost effective saving time, money and labor.
Summer
A large horizontal beam or timber placed on columns, piers or
posts serving as support for a lintel
of a door or window or a cross vault. A central floor timber, as a girder, or a
timber reaching from a wall to a girder. Also called a summertree.
Swedish Cope
Swedish
Cope profile are very weather tight in that the overlapping design keeps
moisture from entering at the seam since the moisture would have to travel
uphill to get inside. Typically a foam gasket is placed between each log and as
they are stacked, the foam is compressed creating tight weather and insect proof
seal.
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