Log Homes >> Shrinking/Settling

Shrinking and Settling in Log Homes

Shrinking and settlement are terms you will often hear applied to log homes and log cabins. This is because log homes are not built like conventional homes. Logs behave differently than traditional stick-built walls.

What exactly are shrinking and settlement?

Shrinking -- Trees have moisture in them. Once they are logged, the wood begins to lose its moisture. This can take several years as the wood gradually reaches an equilibrium with the surrounding climate. The rate at which this happens is not universal; log homes built in dry climates will end up with a different moisture content than log homes built in wet climates.

As the wood slowly dries, it begins to shrink. This leads to settlement.

Settlement -- In log homes, settlement is what occurs when logs shrink in diameter thus causing the tops of the walls to lower a couple of inches.

Should you be worried?

Shrinking and settlement are typically not problems in log homes, as long as the log manufacturer takes these effects into consideration when designing and building the house. Reputable log home manufacturers recognize the need to build with shrinking and settlement in mind.

Keep in mind, warranties might not include damage caused by settlement, however, so you want to be sure to use a good log home manufacturer. If the manufacturer denies that settlement or shrinking are issues, walk away quickly. Instead, a log home manufacturers should acknowledge these concerns and tell you what sort of engineering and construction methods they use to deal with them.

Source: Log Homes Made Easy