Swedish Cope
Log Home / Cabin Construction Guide

INSTALLING DOORS AND WINDOWS IN A LOG WALL:

• CHAMFER THE OPENING: If you use 2x6 window bucks your log wall will be thicker than the 2x6. In this case it is most popular to chamfer the logs at an approximate 45 degree angle to transition from log to the window trim.

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• ATTACH THE BUCKS: Some customers will use slip joints to fasten their bucks to their log walls. Most of our customers do not use slip joint because the swedish cope wlal logs are so dry. We are not promoting that our customers should not use slip joints, only that most of our cutomers do not use them and do not experience settling complications. If you do not use slip joings use lots of nails and possibly even lag screws to fasten the bucks to the wall logs. Doing this will lockt he buck and the wall log together.

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• CAULK THE BUCKS: It is a wise idea to caulk the bucks before installing the trim in order to protect from wind and water leakage.

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• INSTALLING THE WINDOWS: Most windows come with a nailing flange that is designed to attach to the outside of the 2x window buck. Install the window as per the manufacturers specificaitons. **This is an Elite Package item.**

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• INSULATE THE GAP ABOVE THE HEADER BUCK: Use an insulation that can be compresses in the approximately 1 1/2" settling gap above the header buck. If the logs are to settle the use of an insulation that can easily compress will keep the insulation from being able to apply force to the single header buck.

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• TRIMMING THE WINDOW: Most customers will trim their windows with 1x pine or cedar. Cut the trim material to fit tight around the sides and bottom of the window. Cut the header trim piece slightly short to allow for settling. Then install slip trim over the top of the header trim. The slip trim should not be attached to the buck. It should be attached to the log wall. In the event of the wall settling this slip trim piece will slide with the log wall and shorten the gap on the header trim.

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• CAULK OR CHINK AROUND TRIM: After installing the trim caulk around the trim to eliminate leakage.

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• ROUGH SAWN BUCK OPTION: Some customers will use rough sawn timbers for their bucks. This is a more rustic look and is generally easier to install. Typically the rough sawn timber is slightly wider than the log which eliminates the need to chamfer the log. This style of buck does not allow for settling. Instead it makes a solid frame that should hold up the log wall and keep it from applying pressure on the door or window opening. If you have a wide opening the header on this style of buck could possibly sag over time.

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