Shrinkage & Settlement

Settlement occurs in all types of houses, but the nature of log construction can make them susceptible to greater settlement than other systems.

How settlement is handled by manufacturers, carpenters, and homeowners can all affect the quality of a log home. Shrinkage (the dimensional change) of logs occurs as they acclimate to the inside environment of the home. The amount of shrinkage per log (and ultimately the whole wall system) may differ due to a variety of factors.

Settlement results primarily from the shrinkage and/or compaction of logs after construction of a home. Shrinkage affects logs differently, depending on the average moisture content of the logs and the construction system used. Usually, logs settle as they shrink, slightly reducing the overall height of a log wall.

Because log systems vary widely, there is no standard for treatment of shrinkage/settlement that applies to all. The Log Homes Council of the National Association of Home Builders specifies that its members must either utilize a non-settling log system or have some method for accommodating settlement, but leaves the engineering details to the individual manufacturers.

Each Log Home Council Member manufacture has defined specifics on how they address
the settlement issue with their “settling” or “non-settling log system.”