Did you enjoy playing blocks as a child? Maybe you liked stacking them up and then letting them tumble down. Or maybe you enjoyed creating the most elaborate structures you could dream of. People with this affinity for playing blocks often find that they like working as contractors and construction workers. After all, these jobs are sort of like playing blocks for grownups! You get to build things, albeit these things are much more complex than block towers. Sometimes, you also get to knock things down. If you like this analogy as much as we do, then we invite you to read more about construction and contractors on this website.
Choosing the right log home materials for your project can be overwhelming. You have a lot of options — from cedar, pine, and spruce to treated wood and different grades of plywood. It's important to choose high-quality material because you want your home to last for generations. The following information about log home materials will ensure your home lasts.
Log Materials and Lumber Grading
Logs come in all sizes and shapes. A log can be straight as an arrow or curved; it can be round or flattened. It can be butt-split, heart-split, hand-chopped, or machine-cut. All of these different qualities will affect the final grade of your logs.
The grade of your logs will determine how well the logs will fit together to form a tight wall system and how well the walls will hold up over time.
Logs are graded according to the following criteria:
- Surface quality (i.e., splits and checks)
- Size/length
- Straightness
- Roundness
- Dimensional stability
These are the things that you are going to want to look at when you are shopping for new log home materials.
Choose Cedar for Long-Lasting Quality
Cedar is a great choice for log home siding because it has a high tolerance for moisture, insects, and pests. It also provides a natural look that blends well with the outdoors.
Cedar may not be the first material that comes to mind when deciding which type of material to use on your new log home. However, you should consider cedar if you want long-lasting quality and a natural look.
Using Pine to Keep Costs Down
Pine is a great choice for a log home, especially when your budget is tight. Pine is harvested all over the world. While pine includes many different species of trees, it's typically used to describe Ponderosa pine, Sugar pine, and Lodgepole pine.
Pine is also used in other ways for log home materials. It's commonly used as beams or structural supports for roofs, ceilings, and floors, and flooring for porches and decks. It's a good choice if you're building a cabin or hunting lodge because it's strong enough to handle people but light enough that you can easily work with it without heavy equipment.
Adding Age With Barn Wood and Other Materials
Adding age to a log home is an important part of the design process. The goal of adding age to log homes is to give them character and charm. Adding age to a log home can be done easily with the use of quality barn wood and other materials.
In general, adding age to a log home design can be accomplished by using quality barn wood and other materials, such as reclaimed wood that has been re-purposed for use on a new construction project.
If you are building or restoring a log home, you need quality materials. Contact a log home materials supplier to get everything you need for your project.