Handcrafted Log and Timber Home Glossary

Purlin: A roof member that runs parallel to the ridge log, and rests on the top chord of a truss or on rafters.

Ridge Log: Log or timber that supports the peak of the roof system.  Supported on either end by the peak of the gable end (which may in turn be a truss, or rafters and purlins).

Saddle Notch: Joinery formed by two intersecting perpendicular logs.  The top log is scribed to fit the curvature of the log beneath it, resembling a saddle shape.

Scribe: using a tool (called a scribe) to mark a line on the piece to be cut, exactly parallel to the piece onto which it will fit. See photos of a logcrafter’s scribe, and then see it in action in our video of Ken hand scribing a notch.