Log railings from Mountain Laurel Handrails® are the pinnacle of rustic style!
All projects are custom built to your measurements and, of course, log handrails require more design attention from the beginning of the project.
Log railing sections are typically built about 6″ longer than your actual post to post measurements. If joining to log posts, typically you will cope to match the curve of the log. Mortise and tenon joinery is not advised for exterior woodwork due to a tendency to accumulate moisture in the mortises.
Log rails have to start at one end and terminate at the other. You cannot set the posts all in one shot and set the railings next like you would with lumber rails. You have to start at one end by setting the first post. Then you have to float the section while you scribe and cope out the top and bottom logs. Once you get it fastened to the post, you still have to have it temporaried in the air while you cope the other two ends and fit and install the post. Sections are typically 3″ long on either end to give room to work.
How to Install Log Railing
Log railing sections are typically built about 6″ longer than your actual post to post measurements. If joining to log posts, typically you will cope to match the curve of the log.
Log rails have to start at one end and terminate at the other. You cannot set the posts all in one shot and set the railings next like you would with lumber rails. You have to start at one end by setting the first post. Then you have to float the section while you scribe and cope out the top and bottom logs. Once you get it fastened to the post, you still have to have it temporaried in the air while you cope the other two ends and fit and install the post. Sections are typically 3″ long on either end to give room to work.
Mortise and tenon joinery is not advised for exterior woodwork due to a tendency to accumulate moisture in the mortises. This joinery detail involves drilling a hole, or mortise, in the post. The end of the log railing is shaped into a tenon, which then fits tightly into this hole. Specialized log tenon cutters are required to complete this process, or it can be done by hand with other shaping tools. Fasteners are sometimes used to secure the joints.
Log Railing Systems
We have built many different styles and types of log railing using many different wood species. The mountain laurel branches used for log railings are typically larger diameter from about 1.5″ to 3″.
Locust Log Railing
Locust is a great lumber choice for a log railing. It is a hard, durable wood that is commonly used where durability is a primary concern like split rail fences, posts for decks, and mud sills for buildings. It also makes a great looking railing!
Peeled Locust Log Railing
Our premium product is Peeled Locust Log Railing. The logs are approximate 4" diameter with the bark removed. They are sanded and we recommend that they have some stain applied to retain the original coloring shown here. Left unfinished they will quickly weather but are extremely durable.
The mountain laurel branches are carefully cut to fit the curve of the log; these railings require master carpentry skills.
The bark is removed by a process called hand-hewing. Hewing is where a carpenter uses a tool to manually correct the surface of a piece of lumber. In this case, the carpenter uses a drawknife to remove bark from the logs.
Bark On Locust Log Railing
Locust with the bark on is more organic and has more rustic character.
The details and specifications are similar to the peeled locust railings with 4" approximate diameter logs and larger mountain laurel sticks. For both types of locust log railing, we typically provide the posts to match which are approximate 6" diameter.
We also build stairs railing sections for log railings for a complete look to the project
The bark of locust ranges from silver to gray to brown. Smaller diameters will be smoother while larger diameters will often be deeply grooved and striated.
Mountain Laurel Log Railing
For the full look of mountain laurel, we can source large diameter branches to use for the top and bottom rails. These logs are rustic with organic movement.
Mountain Laurel Newel Posts complete the look for something exceptionally unique!
White Pine Log Railing
White pine log and branch railings from Mountain Laurel Handrails are an excellent choice for the interior of a home, especially a home with a white pine timber frame or one that uses white pine tongue in groove boards on the ceilings.
The preassembled sections in these log railing kits arrive at the job site ready to install. We can also provide the white pine newel posts that were installed by the on-site finish carpenters. NOT recommended for exterior.
We can paint the logs for a different look. White pine is NOT recommended for exterior use.
Cedar Log Railing
Turned cedar rounds are another option for log railing. These can be stained to match your existing color scheme.
In this example, the contractor provided specially fabricated metal brackets that were used to hang the railing sections from the posts.