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  There are many different cornering styles available in today's log home industry.
Arguably the best for reasons of strength and resistance to air infiltration is the
interlocking corner. The interlocking corner, unlike other cornering styles, holds
the log tightly in place in all four directions--creating a stronger and more stable fit.
Notching the top of one log and partnering that log with another that is notched on the bottom produces an interlocking corner. Every row has its notches reversed so that the rippled joinery stays tight the full length of the log. RippleCraft's interlocking corner, when coupled with our rippled splining system, gives RippleCraft what we believe to be the strongest and most air infiltration resistant in the industry today. All corners are completely sealed by injecting expanding foam into hidden channels that are notched in each log. Interlocking corners can only be achieved through precision milling equipment perhaps explaining why so few manufacturers produce them. The RippleCraft interlocking corner was issued patent number 4,787,185 on November 29, 1988. Some other popular cornering systems are highlighted below.  The saddle-notch corner, most similar in appearance to
the interlocking one, only has notches taken from the bottom of each log. Each log rests atop
the one beneath it with its saddle shape notch form fitted to the round surface of the log underneath.
Every second wall begins with a log with its bottom half removed so that the log above it can lie flat
on the sub-floor. Many handcrafters use this method. The butt and pass corner, along with the corner post,
are the easiest corners to manufacture. In effect, no notching at all needs to be done. The butt
and pass corner is most easily identified by the stair step appearance they have as only every
other log extends past the corner. Bird lovers will note that a butt and pass corner provides an
excellent location for nesting birds to use as home sweet home. The corner post is most often used with a half or quarter log
siding but can also be used with a full log. The posts are typically channeled on the inside walls
for the logs to butt against. A corner post home is similar in appearance to one built with post and
beam construction. Since no notching is done, the logs for many homes built with corner posts are
sold by the linear foot. RippleCraft also produces a dovetail corner system.
A RippleCraft log home with dovetail corners is produced with 6"x12" size timbers. Many people
prefer this style for it's rustic appearance. Our dovetail logs may be milled with a small channel
to be filled with chinking if desired. The chinking is purely cosmetic and adds no additional
protection.
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