What designates a log as a Swedish Cope one is the way it is cut. The half moon shape cut on the underside of the log and the full round top is not mimicked by any other log style. It is very individualized. The cope is the same on every log.

Swedish Cope Log End * Thanks to Wikimedia.org

The Swedish cope logs can come as small as 6 inches and grow as large as 12 inches in diameter. The logs are a consistent diameter from one end to the other. Log lengths are usually 10 to 15 or 18 feet in length for wall logs. Ridge beams vary in length and are at times split over a support post or several support posts, depending on the design.

Swedish Cope Log Samples

Here are a collection of Swedish Cope logs from our mill. The logs are 9, 10, and 12 inches in diameter. The 9 inch logs are stacked to form a corner. The 10 inch log section is coped on the left side, and the 12 inch piece is left full round as it was being used for a ridge beam.

If you examine the log end in the sketch you will see there is an overlap of log to log across a curved surface. This is much superior to when the logs are chainsawed flat and left with no overlap.

Swedish Cope logs do need sealed between the rows of logs. The log wall will leak air if not properly sealed. To accomplish this two rows of foam tape are placed between the rows of logs. Also things like caulking can be applied on the inside and or outside along the seems between the logs.

Logs are a natural product so they need to be allowed to settle for a year after it is built. Most of the shrinkage, compression, and acclimation of the logs will occur during the first 12 months after construction is completed. It is always a good idea to check for leaky areas on a windy day. If a problematic area is located then foam backer rod can be installed and then covered in the surface with log builder caulking. Or spray foam is also useful in the corners and around doors and windows, especially behind the trim.

Some owners resort to chinking their homes. This is a personal choice and not mandatory for log homes (despite what some log home restoration contractors will tell you.) Swedish cope stacked logs are one of the most common and popular log styles in the Western United States.

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