There are two categories of log homes: handcrafted and milled log homes. Initially, you may not realize what you are looking at, but there are some basic guidelines that will clarify differences. A handcrafted log home is just that; logs are peeled by hand, notched by hand, and in many cases, each log is scribed to fit exactly on top of another log. In many handcrafted homes, logs are stacked alternately, so large end of a log is stacked on top of tapered end of log beneath. A milled log home will feature logs that are uniform in shape, and logs will be cut to fit together, such as with a tongue-and-groove or Swedish cope, so that they stack easily and evenly. There is a big price difference between a handcrafted and a milled log home. This is mostly because of intense labor required to construct a handcrafted home, and because of larger diameter logs that are normally used. The vast majority of homes built today are milled log homes. 

If you see a log home with round logs and chinking, that is a first indication that this is could be a handcrafted log home. Chinking was historically a mortar-like material that filled gaps between logs. Modern science has created an acrylic compound that expands and contracts with wood; it is applied as a wide white stripe. If a handcrafted log is not scribed, then chinking is a must because logs leave gaps along their length. Some people do use chinking as a design feature even when it's not necessary, though for most part milled log homes are not chinked.  The characteristic corner of your log home will speak volumes to person who knows how to read it. The profile and joinery system of log will usually be reflected on ends. For instance, on a handcrafted log home you'll see different diameters of stacked logs. To stack them, these corners will be notched so that each log sits directly on log below it (like a Lincoln Logs™ toy). A milled log that is saddle-notched will stack same way (of course, every log will look exactly same). Because saddle-notched logs are staggered, course to course, log ends will be visible on interior corners of house as well as exterior. This gives a very rustic look. A butt-and-pass corner gives you an end where there is a space between every other log. This is because one log butts up against intersecting log, which runs past it. These logs are all laid on same course, so that with interior corners of your home, logs will come to a squared edge.

On milled logs, there are many joinery systems to choose from. Today, most popular joinery is called a "Swedish cope". This is where each log is scooped out to fit snugly on curve of log beneath. It gives a very smooth and natural look. Another joinery system is tongue-and-groove, or double tongue-and-groove depending on manufacturer. The tongues are cut into top of log and corresponding grooves at bottom. These create a tight fit and stack easily. A more traditional, early American notch is called dove-tail, which is a mortise and tenon notch usually cut into squared timbers. There are many other corner systems available, but these are most commonly used. 

The shape, or profile of your log is another feature which will help you decide what kind of package to purchase. Many people prefer a "D" log, which is round on outside and flat on inside. This gives you a horizontal wood-paneling look, and is easy to hang pictures on. Others prefer a round log, which is a little more rustic and presents many challenges - such as how to join logs to sheetrock. Squared timbers, which give a more Appalachian look to home, tend to be tall and fairly narrow, and are often grooved for application of chinking.   The average milled log home will use pine logs in 6" and 8" diameters. You can also find them in 10" and 12" diameters. Anything larger than 15" will probably roll you over to a handcrafted home. Cedar logs are an upgrade, and can be found in 6", 8" and occasionally 10" diameters. Some manufacturers more rarely use oak, cypress, fir, hemlock, larch, poplar, spruce, and walnut. These rarer woods will be a price upgrade. Because of superior log care products on market today that protect all logs effectively, wood species largely becomes a matter of personal taste. The best rule of thumb when choosing log species is to stay with a wood that is native to your area. The logs will adapt to environment more comfortably.