We use an authentic and traditional Scandinavian technique. With this method, the subsidence occurrence related to the accumulation of logs on top of one another is nearly unexistant. This method also provides unbeatable longevity and firmness to our sturdy log houses. M. Victor Nymark (the largest log house builder in the world), used this technique in the construction of the Château Montebello, the Mount Gabriel Club, the St. Francis of the Birds Church in St. Sauveur as well as for many others. This method, while reducing the subsidence by nearly 90%, enables the addition of a second floor made entirely of logs, which brings an authentic and rustic charm particular to each our log houses.


Log subsidence

Following the cut, during the drying stage, the resinous fibres undergo a normal shrinking and splitting phenomena particular to each essence. The sun, the wind, the humidity and the extraction of the sap are factors which warp the fibres. While drying, they contract and split proportionally to the diameter of the log.

Following many years of methodical observations and of construction in different parts of Quebec, we have noticed that, contrary to popular belief, a log kept in its original form is subject to very little shrinking of its diameter, after two years of natural drying (see below).


A tree is divided in 5 parts, from the inside to the outside. (FIG.1 )

1. The heartwood, core and pillar of the tree, is composed of fibres which are inactive, but not dead.
2. The sapwood ensures the circulation of the sap in its gross form.
3. The phloem is also composed of very active fibres.
4. The cambium, generally composed of only one coat, contributes to the growth of the tree by getting thicker.
5. The protecting coat, the bark, will eventually detach itself from the log during the drying process. It needs to be peeled off with a very sharp double handled knife.

The heartwood, because of its inactive nature, does not split. The pressure of the shrinking is concentrated in the sapwood and the phloem. These being conductor fibres for the sap, they suffer enormous stress leading to an incoherent checking and splitting of the fibrous rings from the start of the phloem to the heart of the tree without however reaching it. This natural phenomenon only applies to a hole piece of wood.

Trees cut during spring or summer, being saturated with sap, suffer considerable shock. The sudden termination of growth introduces the splitting of fibres and a necessary adjustment of the logs.

All soft resinous essences do not present the same reactions when drying naturally. Pine and fir being more fragile than spruce or hemlock, will readily split. The use of hard wood logs (leafy) is to be proscribed since it is more likely to rot, more susceptible to bad weather and also too warped. It is practically impossible to find a 30 to 40 feet long piece that is straight.

The old log houses, like lumberjack camps or Russian Isbas of the XIXth century, leave us with a feeling of uncomfortable cold and poor construction due to subsidence problems. That is because our fathers would keep the bark and use any available essence on the spot. They would also neglect the fastening of the logs with appropriate nails of various lengths. They would build these houses as temporary homes, and their spirit would unfortunately fade.

For all these reasons, we recommend a log construction, without longitude grooves, adjusted very tightly to each other (taking out the unevenness with a chainsaw when necessary), and held with nails or metallic shafts at every 3 to 5 feet distance.


The use of vertical posts, perpendicular to the walls, on each side of openings like doors or windows, prevents any subsidence. They will longitudinally receive the end of the horizontal logs (of same diameter as the posts). The height of each post must extend at least one inch past the opening of the door or window to be. These may not be inserted in the sliding jamb, as when using other methods where the mortised corners (not nailed) can lower during the drying process.


The post technique readily permits the support of a second floor or log gable, without having to use imitation wood or half-timber. An anti-subsidence post, inserted at the centre of each gable, rests at the base on the bottom joist (last horizontal piece supporting other pieces or the frame of the roof) and receives the centre top joist (centre post of the roof) at the other end. This system greatly contributes to the strength of the building. By using the secondary top joists, this system replaces the traditional construction of a roof truss.