In short, chinking is the material which is placed between the logs of a log home. Chinking is to logs as mortar is to bricks. Chinking is a flexible material used to fill gaps where logs don’t meet completely. Essentially, chinking a log home will ensure logs which don’t fit together perfectly have a nice seal.

Log cabin chinking is the process of filling the gaps between the logs in the home. It requires specific chinking materials and chinking equipment, along with some more familiar tools. The material used for chinking can vary, but it's typically a specialized sealant that can expand and contract with the logs as they shift over time.

Let’s break down what chinking your log cabin means to get started. Chinking is a way to reseal your cabin from the outside. In other words, chinking has the same effect as caulking your home from the outside. This filler is a stronger and more effective sealant.

Today’s log siding cabins don’t need chinking because the logs are milled to tight tolerances. It is an optional process used primarily for appearance sake. Chinking adds a bit of old-fashioned flair that takes us back to simpler times.