This page last modified on Thursday, March 23, 2006
Viking Log Builders Inc. has been involved in building log homes for 30 years under the guidance of Jan Setre. All log work is done the traditional Norwegian way, by hand, paying very close attention to detail and following the strict standards set hundreds of years ago. To become a Master Log Builder , takes years of study and hands on experience. Jan's close attention to detail and his expertise, make the homes built by Viking Log Builders among the finest in Canada.
BUILDING METHODS
Viking's 24,000 sq. ft. indoor constuction facility is located in central Alberta in Alix. Being able to built indoors gives Jan total control of the environment in which they build and can therefore control production and quality of the log work being done.
The main floor of the facility has room for approximately 8 homes at any given time, depending on the size of the project. The second floor houses the siding and trim drying rooms and staining racks.
LOG PREPARATION
Seasoned pine logs are manually "de-barked" using a peeling spud, then whatever bark is left is taken off with a power hand-planer. After most of the bark is removed, the log retains an inner skin which appears quite brown in color. Many log builders prefer to stop the "de-barking" process at this stage but experience has shown that this skin will eventually dry and flake off. All the rough spots and cut marks from the power-planer are taken off with an ordinary ten-inch hand-planer that gives a smooth finish. The log at this point can then be treated, stained, or left to weather naturally, depending on the owners preference.
Each corner is completely hand crafted using many Norwegian hand tools. To fit one log on top of another a scriber is used to transfer the exact configuration of the lower log to the one above. To make this goove a special grooving knife is used. This tool splits the scribing line in half and gives an incredibly tight fit, thus the need for caulking is eliminated and you have a watertight structure.
WATERTIGHT CORNER JOINTS
LOG GROOVING
Using a scriber method, the configeration of the lower log is transferred to the log above it. This makes for unusually tight fitting walls, and grooves between the logs are rough-cut with a chainsaw and are finished to the scribing lines with special Norwegian hand tools. Every log is cut lengthwise on top approximately 2 inches deep with a special saw. Wooden wedges are hammered into the cut. This controls the checking so all large cracks occur on the top of the logs and remain hidden by the log above.
Since all log buildings will settle as the logs dry out, special techniques must be employed to allow this to happen without putting undue strain on any part of the building. Space is left over all windows and doors to allow for settling. Interior frame walls are notched right into the log walls so that mouldings are not needed and settling can take place freely. The finished log product is a home that will last forever.
