Depending on the diameter of the logs and the species of wood, most of the settling and cracking will stop after 5 to 8 years.

Some larger cracks must be sealed to prevent water infiltration, some not. We will clearly point this out in our report.

The three main reasons why your Log Home settles -

1. The gaps between the logs close under the weight of the structure

2. Compressing of the wood

3. Natural Shrinkage of the wood

The Log Home Industries uses different species of wood. White, Red, Yellow - Ponderosa Pine, White - Red Cedar, Spruce, Tamarack, Cypress, Oak, Balsam, Redwood etc.

All of them have distinct advantages.

Cedar and Redwood are resistant against rot and insects (up to a certain point)

Northern White Cedar has the best insulation factor, cracks less than pine, but it is very soft.

Tamarack and Yellow Pine are hard to control.

Yellow Pine and Oak are very hard, but they wouldn't be my choice.

All of those species have a different fire resistance factor. If you are planning on building a Log Home, you have to decide what is important to you.

Collect as much information as you can get - google it.