Building the Traditional Hewn-Log Home

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But still, some folks prefer to avoid doing any maintenance. If you're of that preference, you might consider chinking with one of the relatively new synthetics, such as Perma-Chink.

This incredible material (an acrylic latex co-polymer-based sealant) has admirable credentials. It looks like mortar when dry, comes in mortarlike colors, goes on over a core of insulating polyethylene foam "backer rod" (plastic rope), binds tightly to wood, won't crack, chip, or crumble, and is flexible enough to allow for the normal expansion and contraction of logs without separating. It's also resistant to ultraviolet rays, chemicals, mildew, ozone, and atmospheric salts—and has a low thermal conductivity rating. You can apply it yourself . . . and then forget about it for lots of years.

Of course, you'll pay for all that wonderful technology; it costs several hundred dollars to Perma-Chink the average log home. But Peter recommends Perma-Chink highly—to those who can afford it.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Overall, building with logs is one of the easiest, most satisfying, aesthetic, and least expensive ways for owner—builders to put a roof over their (home)stead. The information presented in this mini-manual should get the serious log-home dreamer pointed in the right direction. To learn more, consult the following Access section for a review of a few of the best how—to books and tool catalogs, and for information on upcoming Gott-taught log-building workshops (and more).

ACCESS TO SELF-HELP RESOURCES

Log-Building Reference Books

A Logbuilder's Handbook. This is a comprehensive how—to manual for beginning logsmiths. Author Drew Langsner is one of Peter Gott's former students, and he's done an excellent job of describing Peter's techniques, as well as presenting his own experience with log construction. In fact, since Peter has kept himself too busy thus far (building cabins and making music) to sit down and pen his own book, A Logbuilder's Handbook is the best presentation of Gott-style logsmithing around. The book runs to 236 pages and is available for $15.95 hardbound or $9.95 in trade paperback from your favorite bookseller—or order direct from Rodale Press, 33 E. Minor St., Em mans, PA 18049. (If payment accompanies your order, there are no additional charges for handling.)

Barnacle Parp's New Chain Saw Guide, by Walter Hall, is far and away the finest source of chain saw savvy in print. In addition to revising and updating the original Barnacle Parp's, the author has fattened the text of this revised edition with two entirely new chapters. This excellent book contains 288 pages of invaluable chain saw information and sells for $12.95 in large—format trade paperback. You might be able to find Barnacle Parp's New Chain Saw Guide at your local bookshop or chain saw dealership (it's a very recent release)or you can get it right now from Mother's Bookshelf (see page 104 for ordering information).

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