Many builders and homeowners today prefer to use machined timber for log cabins. This option offers a more uniform appearance than natural logs.
They can also be customized to provide a variety of exterior and interior profiles. This gives builders/owners an array of options to choose from when planning their building project.
The Benefits
When constructing a log cabin, a variety of decisions have to be made about the design and construction process. These include size, style and materials. These choices must take into account the weather conditions in the area and timber sources available to build with. Choosing the right type of timber is important for its strength and durability, and it must also be carefully chosen to accommodate the home’s use.
Most of the historic log homes built by the early pioneers of North America were constructed from square-cut logs. These logs were harvested from trees that were old and had few limbs or knots. Those logs were then cut to length and assembled into a cabin.
Today, round-log homes are more common. These logs are notched together at the corners with a saddle notch, and are usually scribed to fit. These logs are easier to prepare than square ones, and they can be stacked more easily.
They are also more durable than square-logs, and are less likely to fall over or crack from wind forces. In addition, they are also more resistant to moisture and fungi.
Another benefit of milled logs is that they are uniform in size and shape, which reduces costs and simplifies the assembly process. This also means that they are less likely to warp, which can lead to serious structural damage.
The machined process also makes logs more resistant to rot and termites. These pests are commonly found in older log homes and they can be particularly difficult to remove if the home is not properly maintained.
A good quality log home is also more energy efficient than a conventional brick or stone building, as it is insulated well. This is because the insulation of a well-built log house enables the heat to accumulate within the walls, which prevents it from escaping.
Lastly, a log house is far more aesthetically pleasing than a concrete block or brick structure because the natural beauty of wood can be enhanced by decorative carvings and other finishing touches. This adds a personal touch to the cabin, which can make it more welcoming and relaxing for visitors.
Strength
Whether you are building a log cabin for your own personal use or for commercial purposes, strength is essential. For this reason, many choose to use machined timber for their construction. This type of log has numerous benefits, including superior stability and longevity compared to its handcrafted counterparts.
In Europe, the majority of modern log cabins are made from profiled machined timber. This is because it offers a variety of exterior and interior profiles, including round or flat, v-grooved edges and more uniform appearances than a natural log wall would provide.
Another benefit is that machined logs do not require chinking, so there are no gaps between the logs that need to be filled with mortar or other insulating materials. Chinking takes up a lot of time and is labor intensive, especially with round logs.
Additionally, machined timber is usually kiln dried to below 20% moisture content. This is important, because timber is susceptible to rot if it is too wet. Keeping the moisture content low helps to reduce fungal growth, which is a major problem for logs in the Southern United States.
This also helps to keep the logs stable, ensuring they are not prone to warping and settling during construction or after installation. This, in turn, ensures your structure will stand the test of time.
The strength of a log is influenced by a number of factors, including the species of wood used and the thickness of the logs. The species that are most commonly chosen for log homes include spruce, pine and fir.
Unlike other building materials, timber is a naturally occurring material and therefore will exhibit differences in strength between samples of the same species. This is referred to as ‘natural variation’. In order to determine a specific species’ characteristic strength values, it is necessary to strength grade the timber according to European standards, BS EN 14081 [52].
These grading classes range from ‘C’ (softwoods) to ‘D’ (hardwoods), each indicating a particular value for bending strength in N/mm2 e.g. ’C14’ for a ‘C’ class softwood, or ‘C50’ for a ‘D’ class hardwood.
Durability
There are many advantages to choosing machined timber for log cabins. It can help you save time and money, and it also provides a stronger building that will last longer than natural wood. In addition, you can choose from a variety of exterior and interior styles.
Compared to handcrafted logs, which can only be shaped into round logs, milled logs are available in a variety of profiles. These include a flat or beveled siding look, as well as v-groove edges. These features add a more uniform appearance to your log cabin, and give it a finished look that is more appealing than a rustic log wall.
In addition, because the logs are made to precise proportions, they will sit on each other with surgical precision. This eliminates the need for extensive chinking and allows your log cabin to settle naturally.
As the wood dries, it will shrink in cross-section dimension and create naturally occurring splits along its grain known as seasoning checks. These checks are not a serious structural defect, but they can cause the wood to present an unsightly appearance and decrease its strength over time.
The resulting laminated wall and structural timbers retain the characteristic strength-reducing and movement-producing growth characteristics that pervade solid logs such as spiral grain, knots, pitch pockets, reaction wood and other features. These defects do not occupy a significant volume of any one cross section and are re-distributed in the laminated wall and structural timbers, which makes them much stronger than a solid log would be.
Because of these characteristics, it is recommended that you work with a professional log and timber builder to ensure that the structure of your cabin will be constructed with the appropriate care and attention to detail. This will help you to reduce the chances of your cabin settling and developing problems over time.
Appearance
When it comes to the appearance of log cabins, there are several options to choose from. The first is a hand-peeled look which involves removing the bark and outer layer (cambium) of the logs using a drawknife or machine. This can give the logs a more natural and handcrafted appearance.
Another option is a chinking which binds the logs together and seals gaps to help the log home remain weather-tight. This can be done by hewing the logs into rectangular shapes and then applying commercial chinking that is recessed between the logs.
A chinking may need to be reapplied from time to time, so it is important that the chinking be applied correctly. The chinking can be made from different materials such as wood fiber, polyurethane and paint.
The chinking can be made from a variety of different colors and types, so it is important to choose the right one for your home. The chinking can also be coated with an oil or stain for added protection against the elements.
When the chinking is done properly, it can add to the overall appearance of the logs and can be a great way to customize your home. It can also make your cabin appear much more modern.
If you are not sure what the chinking looks like or how to apply it, it is best to consult with a professional. You can learn more about chinking from your builder or local lumber yard.
In addition to chinking, many other wood finishes are available for log cabins. These include stains, oils and polyurethane. The type of wood finish you choose is going to affect the appearance of the logs and can even impact how long the structure lasts.
Another thing to consider is the tree species you use for your log cabin. Although pine is a common choice, there are many other trees that can be used. These include cypress, cedar, redwood and more.
These tree species have all the benefits of traditional solid logs, and they are a great choice for building a log cabin. They also offer a unique aesthetic and are more resistant to decay and insects than pine.