Back when I used to build log homes, katahdin, lidel or lindel were the better ones.. cabin=4 walls, home>4 walls. Most use foam/butyl to seal between logs, and plastic/rubber coated splines & elastomeric caulk between door bucks and log ends and butt/pass. Dovetail you are stuck with elastomeric caulk on both sides of the dove. Done right during assembly is key. Log homes can be sealed well if attention is paid during building.. if it's not, well, you're pretty much screwed... My personal choice is butyl over foam and splined joints. Allows expansion and contraction without losing seal. I imagine the foam would degrade over time and compromise the sealing effect.. I personally prefer the double tongue and groove with dual splines at joints. Strong back and brace the walls as they go up to keep them true. (Slotted holes to permit settling) same on the door/window bucks. I've seen so much go wrong during assembly of them... Then you've got to choose if you're doing a stick framed roof or timber frame.. whatever you pick make sure your crew does it to your satisfaction... Cut corners during assembly will cause tons of grief down the road. Make sure posts get levelers on top if you're doing a loft.. saves aggravation when it settles. Drill logs for wiring as you go up also. Sucks to do it after there's already 4' of wall up.
