Log rails and accents

Many companies are marketing log railing systems, log stairways, log furniture and other log accents. These products typically have common features not found in any Mintlake Technology log style carpentry. Most of these product components are peeled, either on a lathe or by hand using a draw knife. This process tends to reduce the stock to consistent dimensions and surface textures resulting in material more closely resembling lumber rather than “tree parts”.  One company for example, Rocky Top Log Furniture and Railing, offers three finish textures: sanded smooth, coarse and hand hewn. (click on link to view)  These finish processes all involve cutting away the natural surface of the material completely removing the contour and textures that result from the growth of the tree and the forces of nature.

The alternative is to use a natural peel to remove the bark. The natural peel process can only be accomplished when the wood has been subjected to certain conditions.  When these conditions are successfully applied the natural peel process leaves all of the markings in place as clues to the full story the material has to tell. Subtle surface textures,  spalting and insect engraving are characteristics that can best be revealed with the natural peel process.


These characteristics result in a finished look distinguishably unique from most other commercially available log carpentry.

This peeling process works the best when the tree is cut, killed or dies in the spring or summer when the sap is saturating the cambium layer (between the surface of the sapwood and the bark). During dormancy, there is very little moisture in the cambium layer which causes the bark to remain firmly attached to the sapwood. If the tree is cut in the spring or early summer and left to age naturally for a season or two, micro-organisms and insects move in and attack the nutrient rich cambium layer. Eventually the bark will peel effortlessly and the exposed surface frequently has ornamentation imprinted by the forces of nature. This fascinating display of insect art and spalting is the inspiration of Mintlake Technology. It would be tragic to peel it off with a lathe or draw knife.

Another advantage of the natural peel process is that the contours of the log where limbs grew are preserved. This is especially significant as this makes the lower grade logs more interesting than the higher grade logs when processed in this fashion.

Rail assembly detail: Each natural peel cedar limb baluster is slightly tapered at the top to snug-fit in a hole bored into the underside of the top rail. This makes a weather resistant connection with no fastener. The bottom rail is scalloped on the face to fit the contour of each baluster. A single screw through the baluster and into the bottom rail holds the baluster in place. Rail ends are coped to fit the contour of the posts. The top rail is blind-fastened to the post with a large lag screw angling up through the first baluster hole and into the post. This also makes a very weather resistant connection and looks so much nicer than the “pencil sharpener” tenon joinery commonly used in many log railing systems.