FAUX LOGS AND WALLS FITTED WITH FAUX LOGS

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for finishing roughed-in walls with faux logs such that the finished walls have the appearance of being made using actual square logs. In one example, such faux logs are fabricated using conventional 2× (two-by) lumber to produce the square log appearance. These faux logs are then stacked and attached to the face of outside and/or inside walls. Walls fitted with such faux logs appear to be built of square logs. Variations provide for chinking between courses of faux logs. The height of each faux log course can be as little as a few inches to well over a foot or more. With one variation, the height of a faux log course can appear to be several feet or more.

Description

BACKGROUND

Several main methods of wood construction are generally known. Some of these methods use various forms of wood ranging from logs to sawn/shaped timbers to branches and leaves. These wood construction methods also utilize various forms of wall coverings ranging from plant-based coverings to wood materials to earthen materials such as mud or stone. Other wood construction methods include post-and-beam construction, walls made of bamboo/reed mesh and posts (waffle and daub), wooden frames with or without infill, and contemporary stud-framed walls sheathed in plywood, oriented strand board (“OSB”), wafer board, exterior gypsum board, or the like. Another traditional wood construction method is log construction.

The origin of log building construction is uncertain. The first log structures are thought to have been built in Northern Europe about 3500 BC. Early techniques involved stacking tree trunks on top of each other and overlapping the corners so as to produce some of the first log cabins. The strength of log structures was improved with interlocking corners fabricated by notching the logs near the ends and overlapping the logs in the notches. Such interlocking corners brought the logs closer together making it easier to protect the structure against the weather by stuffing the spaces between logs with moss or other materials.

Logs used in construction are often peeled of their bark. When using younger logs with a significant taper over length, such logs may be hewn to reduce the taper. Logs may also be hewn or otherwise cut to make them square or rectangular instead of round. Traditionally, round log buildings were often considered temporary until a more permanent structure could be built. But square log craftsmanship is considered the original permanent home design. Some advantages of square logs over round include the following.

Square logs are generally from the heart of a tree where shrinkage is minimal (typically less than 1 inch) as opposed to round logs with shrinkage of up to 5 inches. Thus, dealing with log shrinkage is much easier when using square logs.

Square logs can be fitted to better avoid water problems and associated rot than round logs. This results in longer building life. For example, square log homes over 500 years old are said to be common in Europe.

Square logs can easily be drilled for wiring and plumbing runs between courses while round logs, due to their shape, require chases or other methods of hiding wiring and plumbing.

Unlike square logs, round logs tend to catch dust due to their shape. Round logs also make interior decorating more difficult due to their shape. Square logs, on the other hand, tend to be much easier for people to live with and keep clean.

For these advantages and more, modern log buildings built with square/rectangular logs tend to enjoy a higher appraised value than round log buildings. In fact, the taller the logs, the higher the value—and the cost. One reason for this is that square/rectangular logs are generally cut from the heart of a tree and the larger trees required for making larger square/rectangular logs tend to be scarce and expensive.

In recent times, log buildings have become increasingly popular for vacation cabins, lodges, and even for homes. Various building methods are combined to make such buildings appealing and attractive. As a result, there is renewed interest in and demand for log buildings and the logs required to construct them. At the same time, the availability of old-growth timber suitable for producing larger logs is increasingly scarce and expensive.

The term “square log” as used herein generally refers to a log or beam or timber or the like composed of natural wood or any other material or combination of materials suitable for building construction, of some length, sections of which are substantially and consistently square or rectangular in shape (the term “square” as used herein may be replaced with the term “rectangular”). Note that a conventional square log is made from natural wood and is typically fabricated as a single piece out of a tree trunk.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention and may not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

Further described below are faux logs along with techniques for fitting roughed-in walls with such faux logs such that the walls have the appearance of being made of actual square logs. In one example, such faux logs are fabricated using conventional 2× (two-by) lumber to produce the square log appearance. These faux logs are then stacked and attached to the face of outside and/or inside walls. Walls fitted with such faux logs appear to be built of square logs. Variations provide for chinking between courses of faux logs. The height of each faux log course can be as little as a few inches to well over a foot or more. With one variation, the height of a faux log course can appear to be several feet or more.

Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1a is a diagram that illustrates an end view of an example faux log 100.

FIG. 1b is a diagram that illustrates a three-dimensional view of the example faux log 100.

FIG. 2 is a diagram that illustrates an example method 200 for fabricating a faux log 100.

FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates an example roughed-in wall 300 fitted with faux logs.

FIG. 4 is a diagram that illustrates an example in which chinking 306 has been employed in space 302.

FIG. 5 is a diagram that illustrates an example method 500 for fitting a roughed-in wall 300 with faux logs.

FIG. 6 is a diagram that illustrates an example compound faux log 600.

Like reference numerals are generally used to designate like parts or elements in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description provided below in connection with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present examples may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth at least some of the functions of the examples and/or the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the examples. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.

Although the present examples are described and illustrated herein as being implemented for building construction, the techniques described are provided as examples and not limitations. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the present examples are suitable for application in a variety of different types of construction or the like.

FIG. 1a is a diagram that illustrates an end view of an example faux log 100 with a 3-dimensional view of the same example faux log 100 illustrated in FIG. 1b. Such a faux log according to this example is typically fabricated with three vertical members (e.g., members M₁, M₂, and M₃) where each member has its own thickness w, height h, and length l (e.g., size characteristics), and where each member has its own front surface f, rear surface r, top surface t, and bottom surface b (e.g., surface characteristics). Enlarged view 120 of second vertical member M₂ illustrates each of these surfaces on second vertical member M₂. Enlarged view 120 similarly illustrates each of these surfaces on each vertical member of faux log 100.

For example, first vertical member M₁ of faux log 100 is of thickness M_1w, height M_1h, and length M_1l, and has front face M_1f, rear face M_1r, top face M_1t, and bottom face M_1b. In one example, first vertical member M₁ of faux log 100 has a length l from one to thirty feet and a height h from three to fifty inches and a thickness w from one-half to six inches.

Further, second vertical member M₂ of faux log 100 is of thickness M_2w, height M_2h, and length M_2l, and has front surface M_2f, rear surface M_2r, top surface M_2t, and bottom surface M_2b. In one example, second vertical member M₂ of faux log 100 has a length l from one to thirty feet and a height h from one to twenty-six inches and a thickness w from one-tenth to four inches.

And finally, third vertical member M₃ of faux log 100 is of thickness M_3w, height M_3h, and length M_3l, and has front surface M_3f, rear surface M_3r, top surface M_3t, and bottom surface M_3b. In one example, third vertical member M₃ of faux log 100 has a length l from one to thirty feet and a height h from one to twenty-six inches and a thickness w from one-tenth to four inches.

In one example, all three members M₁, M₂, and M₃ may be of the same length l. In another example, first and second vertical members M₂ and M₃ may have the same thickness w, height h, and length l. In other examples, the thicknesses w, heights h, and/or lengths l of the various members may vary from one another or be the same or some may vary while some are the same. Further, the shape of each vertical member M₁, M₂, and M₃ may generally be described as cuboid comprising three opposing pairs of rectangular faces (e.g., shape characteristics).

The term “substantially” as used herein typically indicates “according to plan”, “nominally”, “conventionally”, and “customary” with respect to building-scale construction as known to those of average skill in the building-scale construction arts. The phrase “from n to in <units>” as used herein (e.g., from one to thirty feet) typically refers to a specific length measurement based on a particular unit of measure (e.g., feet or inches or the like) that is ≥n and ≤m. For example, eight feet and thirty feet are lengths in feet that fall within one to thirty feet. Thirty-nine feet, on the other hand, does not fall within one to thirty feet.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b, example faux log 100 is comprised of first vertical member M₁ oriented length-wise with second vertical member M₂ also oriented length-wise with a lower portion of its front surface f fastened via fastening means 110 along the top edge of the rear surface r of first vertical member M₁ so as to leave a top reveal q₂ that is substantially equidistant over the length of first vertical member M₁ from the top surface t of first vertical member M₁ to the top surface t of fastened second vertical member M₂. In particular, the substantially equidistant top reveal q₂ is such that the plane of the top surface t of fastened second vertical member M₂ extends above and is substantially parallel to the plane of the top surface t of first vertical member M₁. In one example, the distance of top reveal q₂ is from one-tenth to four inches.

Example faux log 100 further includes third vertical member M₃ that is also oriented length-wise with an upper portion of its front surface f fastened via the fastening means 110 along the bottom edge of the rear surface r of first vertical member M₁ so as to leave a bottom reveal q₃ that is substantially equidistant over the length of first vertical member M₁ from the bottom surface h of first vertical member M₁ to the bottom surface h of fastened third vertical member M₃. In particular, the substantially equidistant bottom reveal q₃ is such that the plane of the bottom surface b of fastened third vertical member M₃ extends below and is substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom surface b of first vertical member M₁. Further, vertical members M₂ and M₃ are each fastened to the rear surface r of first vertical member M₁ such that the top surface t of fastened second vertical member M₂ is substantially parallel to the bottom surface b of fastened third vertical member M₃. In one example, the distance of bottom reveal q₃ is from one-tenth to four inches.

In general, when first vertical member M₁ is made of wood, the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b generally minimizes vertical shrinkage of first vertical member M₁ and corresponding chinking gap cracking and resultant exposure through the crack(s).

Regarding fastening means 110 by which members M₂ and M₃ are fastened to the rear surface r of first vertical member M₁, such fastening means may include one or more of nails, staples, screws, pins, adhesive, or the like, or any combination thereof. In one example, fastening means 110 comprise staples employed every n inches along the length of the members. The term “every n inches” as used herein refers to a fastener (e.g., a staple) being employed so as to fasten vertical members M₂ and M₃ to vertical member M₁ as illustrated in FIG. 1a, with such a fastener typically employed at least every n inches along the length l of the members. One example of n may be 6.

In particular, fastening means 110 are employed so as to not penetrate and/or be visible anywhere upon the front surface f of first vertical member M₁. By so doing, faux log 100 can be fabricated to advantageously retain the appearance of an actual log, and walls finished with such faux logs can be constructed to advantageously retain the appearance of walls made using actual logs. In one such example, fastening means 110 are employed from the rear surface of vertical members M₂ and M₃, as illustrated in FIG. 1a, so as to not penetrate or otherwise be visible anywhere upon the front surface f of first vertical member M₁.

In another example of faux log 100, vertical members M₂ and M₃ may be a single member with a height that is essentially the height h of vertical member M₁ plus the distances of reveals q₂ and q₃. In other examples of faux log 100, other types or combination of fasteners may be employed at increments along the length l of the members. In further examples, a faux log may be cast, extruded, molded, hewn, carved, cut, milled, or otherwise fabricated as a single piece rather than fabricated of separate members M₁, M₂, and M₃ as shown in the examples of FIGS. 1a and 1b.

The composition of each vertical member of faux log 100 is not limited to being wood, but may be plastic, fiber-cement, metal, laminated materials, composites, or any other material, or any combination of foregoing. For example, conventional 2× lumber has been shown to be an inexpensive and readily available choice of material for vertical member M₁ that is simple to work with and that typically requires only commonly-available skills and tools. The terms “2× lumber” and “two-by lumber” as used herein generally refer to softwood or conifer sized to nominal standardized dimensions as commonly used in construction of wood-framed buildings and the like, where the number ‘2’ in “2×” typically refers to the nominal pre-dried 2-inch thickness of the lumber which typically measures about 1.5 inches once dried, resulting in a thickness w of about 1.5 inches.

Such 2× lumber used in the construction of faux logs is typically kiln dried or the like. When using 2× lumber for vertical member M₁, its height h may be selected from that of conventional 2× lumber, such as conventional 2×4, 2×6, 2×8, 2×10, and 2×12 lumber. The greater the selected height, the larger the appearance of the faux log. For example, a faux log with made from 2×4 lumber will be about 3.5 inches high and will have the appearance of a relatively small log, while a faux log made from 2×12 lumber will be about 11.5 inches high and will have the appearance of a relatively large log. Using such conventional 2× lumber typically results in simple-to-fabricate and low-cost faux logs that have the appearance of actual square or rectangular logs. Alternatively, vertical member M₁ may be cut to any desired height h and may also be cut to any desired thickness w. In various examples, vertical member may have a length l from one to thirty feet, a height h from three to fifty inches, and a thickness w from one to four inches.

Further, in other examples, conventional plywood, OSB, or the like, generally exterior grade, has been shown to be an inexpensive and readily available choice of material for vertical members M₂ and M₃ that are simple to work with and that typically require only commonly-available skills and tools. Other types and sizes of wood may also be used in fabricating faux logs, including hardwood, rough-cut wood, laminated lumber and/or timber, fiberboard, finger-jointed wood, etc. In one example, vertical members M₂ and M₃ are about ¼ inch in thickness w and about 1½ inches in height h and are fastened to vertical member M₁ so as to leave about ½ inch reveals q₂ and q₃. In various examples, each of vertical members M₂ and M₃ may have a length l from one to thirty feet, a height h from one to twenty-six inches, and a thickness w from one-tenth to one inch, and be fastened so as to form reveals q₂ and q₃, each with a distance from one-tenth to two inches.

In other examples, vertical member M₂ or M₃ may be multiple relatively short, discontinuous pieces as opposed to a single member of length l, so long as the substantially equidistant reveal and substantially parallel characteristics described above are maintained amongst the pieces as if they were a single piece. For example, a short piece may be fastened every n inches as described above to vertical member M₁.

In various examples, reveals q₂ and q₃ form mounting flanges configured for mounting faux log 100 to a convention roughed-in wall or the like. Reveals q₂ and q₃ also form an area for chinking such as conventional chinking, cement, sand mortar, grout, flexible vinyl chinking, and/or the like. Conventionally, chinking is used to seal gaps between logs. In the case of walls finished in faux logs, chinking is primarily used to obtain a conventional chinked appearance but may also perform the function of sealing the mounting flange area between the first vertical members M₁ of adjacent faux logs.

The term “faux log” as used herein refers to a statutory article of manufacture fabricated according to various methods such as the example method described herein and that is configured to possess various attributes and/or characteristics described herein. The term “faux log” does not refer to any pre-existing or conventional article of manufacture or the like. Nor does it suggest any pre-existing or conventional method of fabrication or the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram that illustrates an example method 200 for fabricating a faux log 100. Such faux logs are statutory articles of manufacture that may be partially or completely fabricated as pre-manufactured faux logs at a factory or the like (“off-site”), or they may be partially or entirely fabricated at a building construction site (“on-site”). In both cases, the method 200 of faux log fabrication is generally the same.

Block 210 typically indicates obtaining first vertical member M₁ of the faux log 100 being fabricated. Note that first vertical member M₁ need not be of the same composition, length l, height h, or thickness w as other members of the faux log being fabricated. Nor need one faux log (or various members thereof) used in a building be of the same composition as another faux log (or various members thereof) used in the building. In one example, a length of 2× lumber may constitute first vertical member M₁. Generally the length l of the faux log being fabricated is the length of its vertical member M₁. A typical faux log may generally be between approximately one and thirty feet in length. Should a wall require greater lengths, two or more such faux logs may be disposed end-to-end to obtain the desired overall length.

Block 220 typically indicates obtaining second vertical member M₂ and fastening, via fastening means, a lower portion of a front surface f of second vertical member M₂ length-wise along the top edge of the rear surface r of first vertical member M₁ so as to leave a top reveal q₂ that is substantially equidistant over the length of first vertical member M₁ from the top surface t of first vertical member M₁ to the top surface t of fastened second vertical member M₂. In particular, the substantially equidistant top reveal q₂ is such that the plane of the top surface t of first vertical member M₁ is substantially parallel to the plane of the top surface t of fastened second vertical member M₂. Further, the fastening means are employed so as to not penetrate and/or be visible anywhere on the front surface f of first vertical member M₁. Note that second vertical member M₂ need not be of the same composition, length l, height h, or thickness w as other members of the faux log being fabricated.

Block 230 typically indicates obtaining third vertical member M₃ and fastening, via fastening means, an upper portion of a front surface f of third vertical member M₃ length-wise along the bottom edge of the rear surface r of first vertical member M₁ so as to leave a bottom reveal q₃ that is substantially equidistant over the length of first vertical member M₁ from the bottom surface b of first vertical member M₁ to the bottom surface b of fastened third vertical member M₃. In particular, the substantially equidistant bottom reveal q₃ is such that the plane of the bottom surface b of first vertical member M₁ is substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom surface b of fastened third vertical member M₃. Further, the fastening means are employed so as to not penetrate and/or be visible anywhere on the front surface f of first vertical member M₁. Note that third vertical member M₃ need not be of the same composition, length l, height h, or thickness w as other members of the faux log being fabricated.

In other examples of method 200, the faux log 100 being fabricated may be cast, extruded, molded, hewn, carved, cut, milled, or otherwise fabricated as a single piece rather than fabricated of separate members M₁, M₂, and M₃ so long as the substantially equidistant reveal and substantially parallel characteristics described above are maintained. Further, the composition of the various members of faux log 100 may be flexible so as to enable the faux log to be arched, bent around a corner, wrapped around a radius, and/or the like.

FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates an example roughed-in wall 300 fitted with faux logs 100_i, 100_j, etc. In this example, a conventional stick-framed wall is attached atop foundation 310, the conventional stick-framed wall comprising baseplate 320, stud 330, and sheathing 340. As known by those skilled in the art, such conventional stick-framed walls are typically constructed of 2× lumber or the like and are typically faced in OSB or the like. Such conventional stick-framed walls may also be wrapped in conventional housewraps, such as Tyvek or the like, prior to being fitted with faux logs.

A conventional stick-framed wall is only one example of a roughed-in wall that can be fitted with faux logs. The particular type of wall being fitted with faux logs is not particularly relevant. In general, any kind of wall or divider or the like, roughed-in or otherwise, interior or exterior, may be fitted with faux logs. The conventional stick-framed wall illustrated in FIG. 3 is simply an example for purposes of illustration. The phrase “roughed-in wall” as used herein refers to any wall or divider or the like, interior or exterior, regardless of finish, conventional or not, that may be fitted with faux logs.

In a general example, faux logs are oriented such that they are stacked one atop another so as to cover the face of a wall 300 or a desired portion of the face of the wall 300. In a particular example, faux log 100_j is typically oriented length-wise and horizontally-level at a desired height on a face of wall 300. The horizontally-level faux log 100_j is attached to the face of wall 300 at intervals along its vertical members M₂ and M₃ via attaching means 304 such as one or more of nails, staples, screws, pins, adhesive, or the like, or any combination thereof. In one particular example, attaching means 304 comprises nails every m inches along the length of vertical members M₂ and M₃. One example of m may be 16.

A second faux log 100_i is also typically oriented length-wise and horizontally-level on the face of wall 300 such that the bottom edge of the third vertical member M₃ of faux log 100_i is abutting the second vertical member M₂ of faux log 100_j. The abutting faux log 100_i is also attached to the face of wall 300 at intervals along its vertical members M₂ and M₃ via attaching means 304 in a manner similar to that of faux log 100_j. When oriented length-wise and horizontally-level on the face of wall 300, faux logs are considered “stacked” on atop another.

Additional faux logs may also be similarly oriented and attached to the face of wall 300 in a manner similar to that of faux logs 100_i and 100_j until the entire wall or desired portion of the wall is fitted with faux logs. Such faux logs may be cut to length and/or height as needed, or have cutouts made as needed, such as for vents, outlets, windows, doors, etc. Two or more faux logs may also be fitted end-to-end such as where a total length to be finished with faux logs is longer than any one such log.

In other examples of a wall 300 fitted with faux logs, the faux logs may be oriented length-wise vertically (up-and-down) on the face of the wall as opposed to horizontally-leveled, as described above. Alternatively or additionally, the faux logs may be oriented at any angle on the face of the wall as desired.

Space 302 between abutting faux logs, which is created by reveals q₂ and q₃ of faux logs 100_i and 100_j respectively, may be used to employ attaching means 304. Space 302 further serves as an area for chinking which is primarily used to obtain a conventional chinked appearance but may also perform the function of sealing space 302 between the first vertical members M₁ of adjacent faux logs.

FIG. 4 is a diagram that illustrates an example in which chinking 306 has been employed in space 302 created by reveals q₂ and q₃ of two example faux logs 100_i and 100_j respectively. In various examples, such chinking 306 is typically employed in space 302 substantially evenly along the length of faux logs 100_i and 100_j so as to cover attaching means 304 and reveals q₂ and q₃, and/or to seal space 302 between the first vertical members M₁ of adjacent faux logs 100_i and 100_j.

Chinking 306 may comprise material that is intended to be functional and/or decorative in nature. Conventional chinking materials may be used and/or other non-conventional chinking materials. For example, mortar, stucco, caulk, grout, or the like, or any combination thereof, may be used as chinking 306. Any such chinking materials may be applied using conventional means. In one example, wire mesh may be installed in space 302 and chinking 306 applied over the installed wire mesh. In another example, chinking 306 may be applied directly in space 302. In another example, electrical wiring may be run along the back of space 302, nail guards installed to protect the electrical wiring, and chinking 306 installed over the nail guards and electrical wiring, with or without wire mesh.

In other examples, space 302 may be sealed by functional chinking 306 sufficient to prevent moisture, air, insects, dust, and/or debris from reaching attaching means 304, the mounting flanges of the faux logs, the joints between the mounting flanges and the first vertical members M₁ of the faux logs, anything installed or disposed within space 302 (e.g., electrical wiring, wire mesh, etc.), and/or any part of roughed-in wall 300 located proximately behind space 302.

FIG. 5 is a diagram that illustrates an example method 500 for fitting a roughed-in wall 300 with faux logs. The following written description of method 500 makes reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 in addition to FIG. 5. Block 510 typically indicates orienting a faux log on a face of wall 300. In one example, in the case that the next faux log is the first faux log, the first faux log is typically oriented length-wise and horizontally-level at a desired height on a face of wall 300. The desired height may be along the bottom of the wall, along the top of the wall, or at any other height along the wall. In another example, a non-first faux log of the wall is typically stacked upon (or below) a previously attached faux log. That is, when stacking upward, the non-first faux log is also typically oriented length-wise and horizontally-level on the face of wall 300 such that the bottom edge of the third vertical member M₃ of non-first faux log is abutting the second vertical member M₂ of the previously attached faux log. Note that faux logs may alternatively or additionally be stacked downward. Once the next faux log has been oriented on the face of wall 300, method 500 typically continues at block 520.

Block 520 typically indicates attaching the oriented faux log to the face of wall 300 via attaching means 304. In one example, the oriented faux log is attached to the face of wall 300 at intervals along its vertical members M₂ and M₃ via attaching means 304 such as one or more of nails, staples, screws, pins, adhesive, or the like, or any combination thereof. In one particular example, attaching means 304 comprises nails every in inches along the length of vertical members M₂ and M₃. Examples of in may be 16 or 24.

Further, attaching means 304 are employed in the attaching of block 520 so as to not penetrate and/or be visible anywhere on the front surface f of first vertical member M₁ of the oriented faux log. By so doing, the oriented faux log advantageously retains the appearance of an actual log, and wall 300 fitted with such faux logs advantageously retains the appearance of a wall made using actual logs. Once the oriented faux log has been attached to the face of wall 300, method 500 typically continues at block 530.

Block 530 typically indicates determining if there is at least one additional faux log to be added to wall 300. If so, method 500 continues again at block 510. Otherwise method 500 continues at block 540.

Block 540 typically indicates optionally dressing at least the front surface of attached logs on wall 300. The term “dressing” (“dress”, “dressed”, and the like) as used herein typically indicates treating at least the front surfaces of individual or stacked faux logs to have a desired appearance. For example, it may be desirable for the front surfaces of faux logs to have the appearance of a square log, a peeled log, and/or a rough-hewn log, or the like. In one example of dressing, at least the front surfaces of faux logs may be distressed using a chainsaw or the like to produce an appearance and/or texture of rough-hewn logs. In other examples of dressing, at least the front surfaces of faux logs may be stained, tinted, painted, or otherwise colored, finished, sealed, and/or treated. Dressing, or at least one or more types of dressing, may alternatively or additionally be performed prior to one or more of the faux logs being fitted to a wall, such as during fabrication of the faux logs (see FIG. 2). Once the attached faux logs have optionally been dressed, method 500 typically continues at block 550.

Block 540 typically indicates chinking attached logs on wall 300. In various examples described further in connection with FIG. 4, such chinking 306 is typically employed in space 302 substantially evenly along the length of faux logs 100_iand 100_j so as to cover attaching means 304, reveals q₂ and q₃, and/or to seal space 302 between the first vertical members M₁ of adjacent faux logs 100_i and 100_j. Chinking may optionally be performed prior to the dressing, or at least one or more types of dressing, described in connection with block 540. Once the attached faux logs have been chinked, method 500 is typically complete.

FIG. 6 is a diagram that illustrates an example compound faux log 600. Such a compound faux log is essentially equivalent to a regular faux log 100 except that it has the potential to be tall due to its compound first vertical member comprising two or more sections such as sections M_1a and M_1b illustrated in FIG. 6.

Actual tall logs, particular tall square logs, tend to be very expensive because old growth trees of sufficient size are scarce. Therefore., tall logs tend to be desirable. FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example tall faux log that has the appearance of an actual expensive tall square log. Such a tall faux log may be fabricated for use as a regular faux log 100. FIG. 6 illustrates a tall faux log comprising two sections, though any number of sections may be included. In one example, section M_1a and section M_1b are tall faux log sections. Section M_1a is illustrated stacked upon and joined to section M_1b using vertical member M_x and fastening means such as means 110 illustrated in FIG. 1. One or more fastening means 110 may also be employed continuously and/or at intervals along adjoining faces of sections M_1a and M_1b and any other sections employed in compound faux log 600.

Vertical members M_x, M₂, and M₃ and sections M_1a and M_1b of compound faux log 600, like vertical members M₁, M₂, and M₃ of regular faux log 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1, each has its own thickness w, height h, and length l, and its own front surface f, rear surface r, top surface t, and bottom surface b. Further, all aspects of compound faux log 600 are identical to those of regular faux log 100 excepting the plurality of compound sections stacked and joined using vertical member M_x and fastening means 110 which are employed so as to not penetrate and/or be visible anywhere upon the front surfaces f of first vertical member M₁ sections of compound faux log 600. Finally, vertical member M_x typically has the same characteristics as vertical members M₂ and M₃, and sections M_1a and M_1b and any other sections typically have the same characteristics as vertical member M₁.

Claims

1. A faux log comprising:

a first vertical member of a length from one to thirty feet and a height from three to fifty inches and a thickness from one-half to six inches;

a second vertical member of a length from one to thirty feet and a height from one to twenty-six inches and a thickness from one-tenth to four inches, a front surface of the second vertical member fastened, via fastening means, length-wise to a rear surface of the first vertical member along the length of the first vertical member with a top surface of the second vertical member substantially parallel to a top surface of the first vertical member and with the top surface of the second vertical member extending a top reveal distance above the top surface of the first vertical member, where the top reveal distance is from one-tenth to four inches; and

a third vertical member of a length from one to thirty feet and a height from one to twenty-six inches and a thickness from one-tenth to four inches, a front surface of the third vertical member fastened, via the fastening means, length-wise to the rear surface of the first vertical member along the length of the first vertical member with a bottom surface of the third vertical member substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the first vertical member and with the bottom surface of the second vertical member extending a bottom reveal distance below the bottom surface of the first vertical member, where the bottom reveal distance is from one-tenth to four inches, and where the fastening means do not penetrate or are not visible anywhere upon a front surface of the first vertical member.

2. The faux log of claim 1 where the first vertical member is composed of 2× lumber.

3. The faux log of claim 1 where both the second vertical member and the third vertical member are each composed of plywood.

4. The faux log of claim 1 where both the second vertical member and the third vertical member have the same width.

5. The faux log of claim 1 where the first vertical member comprises a plurality of sections.

6. The faux log of claim 5 where all sections of the plurality of sections have the same thickness.

7. The faux log of claim 1 where the faux log is flexible, or where the front surface of the first vertical member is dressed.

8. A method of constructing a faux log, the method comprising:

fastening, via fastening means to a first vertical member of a length from one to thirty feet and a height from three to fifty inches and a thickness from one-half to six inches, a front surface of a second vertical member length-wise to a rear surface of the first vertical member along the length of the first vertical member with a top surface of the second vertical member substantially parallel to a top surface of the first vertical member and with the top surface of the second vertical member extending a top reveal distance above the top surface of the first vertical member, where the top reveal distance is from one-tenth to four inches, and where the second vertical member is of a length from one to thirty feet and a height from one to twenty-six inches and a thickness from one-tenth to four inches; and

fastening, via the fastening means to the first vertical member, a front surface of a third vertical member length-wise to the rear surface of the first vertical member along the length of the first vertical member with a bottom surface of the third vertical member substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the first vertical member and with the bottom surface of the second vertical member extending a bottom reveal distance below the bottom surface of the first vertical member, where the bottom reveal distance is from one-tenth to four inches, where the third vertical member is of a length from one to thirty feet and a height from one to twenty-six inches and a thickness from one-tenth to four inches, and where the fastening means do not penetrate or are not visible anywhere upon a front surface of the first vertical member.

9. The method of claim 8 where the first vertical member is composed of 2× lumber.

10. The method of claim 8 where both the second vertical member and the third vertical member are each composed of plywood.

11. The method of claim 8 where both the second vertical member and the third vertical member have the same width.

12. The method of claim 8 where the first vertical member comprises a plurality of sections.

13. The method of claim 12 where all sections of the plurality of sections have the same thickness.

14. The method of claim 8 where the faux log is flexible, or where the front surface of the first vertical member is dressed.

15. A roughed-in wall fitted with a plurality of faux logs, the roughed-in wall comprising:

the plurality of faux logs stacked length-wise one atop another with each faux log attached to the roughed-in wall at a second vertical member of the each faux log and a third vertical member of the each faux log via attaching means that do not penetrate or are not visible anywhere upon a front surface of a first vertical member of the each faux log, where the each faux log comprises: the first vertical member of a length from one to thirty feet and of a height from three to fifty inches and of a thickness from one-half to six; the second vertical member of a length from one to thirty feet and of a height from one to twenty-six inches and of a thickness from one-tenth to four inches, where a front surface of the second vertical member is fastened, via fastening means, length-wise to a rear surface of the first vertical member along the length of the first vertical member with a top surface of the second vertical member substantially parallel to a top surface of the first vertical member and with the top surface of the second vertical member extending a top reveal distance above the top surface of the first vertical member, where the top reveal distance is from one-tenth to four inches; and the third vertical member of a length from one to thirty feet and of a height from one to twenty-six inches and of the a thickness from one-tenth to four inches, where a front surface of the third vertical member is fastened, via the fastening means, length-wise to the rear surface of the first vertical member along the length of the first vertical member with a bottom surface of the third vertical member substantially parallel to a bottom surface of the first vertical member and with the bottom surface of the third vertical member extending a bottom reveal distance below the bottom surface of the first vertical member, where the bottom reveal distance is from one-tenth to four inches, and where the fastening means do not penetrate or are riot visible anywhere upon the front surface of the first vertical member.

16. The roughed-in wall fitted with a plurality of faux logs of claim 15 where the first vertical member is composed of 2× lumber.

17. The roughed-in wall fitted with a plurality of faux logs of claim 15 where both the second vertical member and the third vertical member are each composed of plywood.

18. The roughed-in wall fitted with a plurality of faux logs of claim 15 where both the second vertical member and the third vertical member have the same width.

19. The roughed-in wall fitted with a plurality of faux logs of claim 15 where the first vertical member comprises a plurality of sections.

20. The roughed-in wall fitted with a plurality of faux logs of claim 15 where a space between the first vertical members of two abutting faux logs of the plurality of faux logs is filled at least in part with chinking.