Purchasing a Square Timber Log Homes can be an exciting experience. With a wide selection to choose from, you can find the perfect one for your budget. Right Whether you want a home with a view, an open floor plan, or a rustic feel, you will be able to find the perfect home for you. You will also be able to make the right choice for your and your family’s needs.
Round logs
The style is mainly dependent on your preferences. Whether you choose a log cabin or a full scribe home, your house will have a unique look. In addition, a well-constructed log home can be energy efficient and insulated, making it an attractive choice for a home.
A round timber log home is one of the more common types. This type of construction has a long history, and many of the techniques used to construct it date back thousands of years.
A round timber log home features round logs cut in a circular shape. A chink is applied to the records inside to fill the gaps and help maintain a tight fit between the forms. They are then milled to a smooth finish on all sides.
The shape of the logs also helps to determine the quality of the build. Chinking has become a signature feature of log homes, and some will still apply it. Some may even use commercial chinking, which is recessed between the logs and can increase weatherproofing.
The logs are then stacked and fitted to the structure. The process is similar to a post and beam home, except the interior walls aren’t load-bearing.
The Dovetail design is an Appalachian-style dovetail system. It is round on the outside and flat on the inside. It can be hand-hewn for maximum aesthetic appeal. The 6” x 12” Dovetail D-Log is the most famous log size.
Some log cabin builders offer round timber homes that use full-scribe log construction. This method involves a high level of craftsmanship and requires specific tolerances. This style is considered the gold standard for a log home.
Hewn logs
Whether you’re building a log home or a cabin, using hewn logs makes a great addition to your building project. Unlike the round records of the past, hand-hewn forms are more versatile, allowing them to be used for many different purposes. For example, you can use them for trusses, beams, or log walls and cabin floors. These are also more aesthetically pleasing.
Creating a hewn log is a process that dates back centuries. It originated in Europe in the 1100s. It is still used today to square up beams in timber frame homes.
The best-hewn logs are dovetailed or notched. These have the best balance of strength and flexibility. While not the newest or most elegant, the dovetail notch offers tight, strong corner joints. It is also easy to adjust and will tighten as your structure ages.
Another hewn log notch to check out is the half-dovetail notch. This simple notch offers a traditional appearance and is easier to make. It does not require spiking and requires minor adjustments after it is in place.
The first thing to do is mark the top of the log. You can use a piece of paper or a flexible straightedge. You can also use a framing square with a long leg to draw a perpendicular line across the log’s face.
Next, you’ll want to score the log. The hewing lines should be level and equal on both sides of the centerline. This requires making V-shaped notches at intervals of 12 to 18 inches. Often, you will find that the gap on end is the only one that has to be cut.
Engineered logs
The log home industry has seen many technological advancements in the last century. These innovations have made it possible to build ever-expanding design options. One major innovation is laminated veneer lumber. This technology allows for large, open designs.
Other significant advances have included the use of splines. Modern log builders use splines, or dowels, in place of cement in lateral gaps between logs. They also use arrow splines, or fibre splines, inserted into kerfs on the ends of logs.
In addition to splines, modern log home builders use gaskets and plastic splines inserted into the kerfs of the log ends. This gives a weathertight seal at butt joints. They also use foam gaskets to retain the seal when weather changes occur.
Engineered logs are a great alternative to traditional solid logs. They are much more robust and require less maintenance. They are also environmentally friendly. They are stress-rated wood beams that are bonded together with moisture-resistant adhesives.
There are two main types of Engineered Logs. First, they are made of two kiln-dried slabs of wood. These are then pressed together under a regulated pressure rating. When this process is complete, the 2x slabs are ready to be bonded together as a solid log. The logs then undergo strength testing by SPIB guidelines.
The other type of Engineered Log is a laminated log. This is a stacked log with timber grain running across the top and bottom. It is then bonded with waterproof adhesive. The records are then milled to the desired profile. This makes them a good choice for exterior and interior finishes.
Timber frame homes
The choices are plentiful. Choosing a log system that is right for your needs is essential. Whether you’re building a log or timber frame home, you can choose from engineered logs, traditional solid logs, post and beam logs, or even a SIP (structural insulated panels) envelope. Hingis important.
A solid log home is constructed with stacked logs. Each log adds 8″ or 12″ to the height of the wall. These walls are then cut to shape, creating a smooth profile. The records are sold in linear feet, so you can calculate how many courses you need to reach your wall’s height.
Large, horizontal logs are positioned on top of conventionally framed 2×6 walls in a post and beam log home. They provide a natural log surface on the home’s interior and exterior. A post and beam log home is similar to a solid log home but uses fewer logs.
Timber framing is a centuries-old building technique. It relies heavily on handcraftsmanship and mortise-and-tenon joinery. It also involves decorative carvings.
The timbers are held together in a timber frame home by wooden pegs. In a post-and-beam home, the structural weight of the house is transferred to the foundation, and the seats are the only load-bearing interior walls. This allows for construction of internal barriers that can be moved to form larger rooms.
The most common wood used in log homes is softer woods, like cedar, fir, and spruce. These woods are more accessible to source in your local area. As a result, you’ll pay less for the wood, and you won’t have to deal with the headache of shipping it from across the country.
Maintenance of a log home
Unlike a stick-framed home, a square timber log home requires special care. This is because the wood is prone to decay and insects.
The biggest enemy of a log home is moisture. High rainfall speeds up the rotting process, and mould can grow in shady areas. To prevent this from happening, consider planting trees or shrubs around your logs.
Alternatively, you may have the logs sealed with a chemical treatment. This will protect them from the sun’s UV rays, which are harmful to the wood. It also helps to keep termites and carpenter bees at bay.
You can also add a contrasting chinking, a textured mortar-like material that adheres to the logs. It can be used in gaps up to five inches wide.
You should also clean the exterior of your log home once a year and reseal the wood. It would be best if you also considered refinishing your log home’s south and west sides every two to three years.
Ideally, you should use a quality product. These products will help you maintain your log home’s beauty and integrity and avoid expensive repairs.
It would be best if you also considered a clear coat, which protects your logs from the elements. You should also check for cracks and caulk.
A small hole in your logs can be an indicator of a termite infestation. In the worst cases, you may need to hire an exterminator. If you do, make sure you use a reputable pest control company.
To keep your log home looking its best, clean it thoroughly. This will remove dust and food scents, and it will also help reduce checking.