When you are building a new log home, one of the most important decisions is which type of wood to use. This is not a simple choice. The best wood can often be an expensive decision. If you are only looking at the short-term costs. Now, if you look at the lifespan cost, that is a different answer.
There are several factors besides just the wood characteristics that come into play.
Age
This may be one of the most important factors. No matter what type of wood you choose, if the trees are old-growth they have better qualities. When trees grow in tree farms, the wood is pithy and more prone to shrinkage. This will require them to need kiln curing or seasoned for at least 6 months.
Cedars
We know cedars for their natural ability to resist water. It’s resistant to the elements while keeping its integrity. Ideal for outdoor use because of its inherent rot and insect resistance.
Southern White Cedar (Juniper)
Northern White Cedar
Western Red Cedar
Baldcyprus
Pines
Properly maintained pine logs are an excellent choice because of its strength and economy. Red pine is stronger than white pines. White pines are more resistant to decay and insects.
Lodgepole Pine
Ponderosa Pine
Red Pine
Southern Yellow Pine
Western White Pine
Redwood
Douglas Fir
Western True Fir
Eastern Hemlock
Western Hemlock
Hardwoods
Hardwood is popular for its strength and durability. Walnut, oak,, and poplars are the main choices. The logs are attractive and easy to assemble. The biggest drawback is they can very pricey.
Red Oak
White Oak
Insect and fungus resistance
When choosing the logs for your home, it is important to pick one resistant to insects and fungus. That is why chemical treatments of the logs are common. While Insects are a problem, it usually attracts them to rotting wood. Fungus will have caused damage before the insects set up housekeeping.
Heartwood
Sapwood is the new growth in the logs, whose responsibility is transporting water throughout the tree. As new rings grow, it transforms the inner rings into heartwood. This central, strong pillar is the heartwood of the tree. Though heartwood is dead, it does not decay. For as long as the outer layer, the bark and sapwood are intact, the heartwood stays strong.
When the sapwood matures into heartwood, it fills the pores with organic matter. The chemicals (extractives) cause the heartwood to change color. This creates the rich color and characteristics of heartwood.
This heartwood is less susceptible to fungus. Heartwood also contains far less moisture and will have less shrinkage when dried. It increases the strength of the fibers.
Seasoned or kiln-dried
Seasoned logs are left out to dry for 6 month or longer this will reduce the water content from an average of 50% for green wood to <25%. This drying will cause some shrinkage. While left out to dry the wood can be exposed to both fungus and insects.
Kiln-dried logs are heated in huge ovens for about 1 week. This will reduce the water content to less than 20%. There is also a consistency between the logs. They are not exposed to fungus and insects.
Soft or hardwood
Hard wood and softwood have some very strong differences. First soft woods have a better R-Value. This makes it easier to meet the insulation requirements most states have. Hardwoods have more strength and a wonderful finish. They have worse insulation properties, so must be of higher diameters to meet the requirements.
The other factors is that of cost, hardwoods are very expensive and difficult to get in quantities need for log homes.
Availability, different woods are available only in certain regions
Eastern and Northeastern
South Eastern
Central
Western and Northwestern
Supply and demand apply to log home builders. They must purchase the raw logs and factor transportation into their costs. So most log homes are made of pine.
Log Home Restoration of California
Log Home Restoration of California, Inc. has decades of experience in handling almost all choices for logs. We can help guide you into finding just the right wood for your job.
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