Chinking today is made of an acrylic elastic compound with special components that allow it to adhere to the logs and flex with the log movement. This new synthetic chinking is often called Elastomeric chinking and does not chip like cement mortar.

What was original chinking made of?

Traditional chinking was made of clay, mud, sand, and other common resources, with an inner layer sealed by a mortar-based "daubing" on the outside. A finish layer preserved it and kept it adhered to the home.

Can caulk be used for chinking?

Caulking is more elastic than chinking and has no texture or very light texture; while chinking comes in various colors or textures. Due to higher elasticity caulking is a great option for using it in smaller joints (i.e. ¼” to 2” wide).