Welcome to the July 2011 issue of The Oak Leaf! For new readers, this is a monthly newsletter that is sent by e-mail to those that have expressed an interest in Gastineau Log Homes. We use this as a way of communicating technical, design and industry information. For more information, check out our web site at www.oakloghome.com.
Trivia Question: This “Great” flood occurred in 1993 and caused a very well known river to flood and cause massive damage in the Midwest. What is the name of this river?
Sashco features before and after photos of a GLH home on their website. Go to Sashco to see photos of an Oak home in southern FL that had no exterior stain for over 20 years. The home was then cob blasted and restained and looks fantastic. This really demonstrates the abuse that an Oak log home can withstand without causing any structural damage!
Gastineau Log Homes is your Custom Home Solution! Since we started business in 1977, we have been known for being the world’s largest (and best!) supplier of Oak log homes and siding. As we move into a new era of home construction, we are broadening our product line and services. Although most people think only of Oak when they think of GLH, we are just as confident and proud of our engineered building systems, the innovative building products that we have developed, our engineered 3D blueprints and the service that we offer our customers. We want to bring this level of professional service to anyone who wants to build a custom home. So now, in addition to our traditional full log, we can provide a log sided modular, modular with conventional siding, stick frame with log siding, panelized with log siding or even what is called a “hybrid” home. We are broadening our log species to include Eastern White Pine, Southern Yellow Pine, Cypress and Hem Fir. We continue to offer our solid Oak log park models plus we now offer a park model built of conventionally framed walls with any type of interior or exterior siding. In addition, we are expanding our services to include construction management for the construction of your home. And if you don’t know what type of home suits you best, call to speak with one of our sales assistants. Discuss with them what you need, your wishes, your time frame, and how much you want to invest in your new home. They can advise you on the best path for you individually.
Why didn’t I think of that? That is what a lot of cabinet manufacturers are probably saying! The new under sink cabinet design from Merillat Cabinets is so simple yet so smart. You know what can happen under your kitchen sink. Damage caused by leaks, drips and spills can be a real mess. The CoreGuard Sink Base bottom is made of engineered polymers that will prevent damage from those things. Go to Merillat for more info.
What is the difference between chinking and caulking? In last months Oak Leaf I had the photo to the right to illustrate a dovetailed corner system. I am using the same photo this month to illustrate chinking. Chinking is an elastic sealing material that looks like the old-fashioned Portland cement-based mortar in color and/or texture, used to seal the joints between logs. Chink lines can be fairly narrow or pretty wide. Backer rod or bond-breaking tape should always be used in back of the chink line in order to provide 2-point adhesion and allow the chinking to expand and contract to the maximum possible degree.
Caulking is a similar material but usually has not texture or a very light texture. Caulking also generally has more elasticity than chinking products. Because of this, caulking works better in smaller joints. Caulking can be used to fill the horizontal cracks (called checks) but more commonly is used to create a continuous caulking seal at the external horizontal joints of the log rows.
Construction Seminar Schedule for 2011:
July 9, 2011 (Note: this is a change. Previously it was July 16th) We have a few more seats available for this seminar. Give us a call if you want to register!
September 10, 2011
October 22, 2011
Answer to the Trivia Question:The Mississippi River. This flood is one of the worst of all time. The Mississippi River broke through many dikes and walls after months of rain. The flood waters stayed in some streets for 2 months or more.
Quote of the Month: “Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t.” – Erica Jong