Kiln-Dried Traditional Logs
Kiln-dried traditional logs are “pre-shrunk” before milling the final profile. This ensures each log used in your home or cabin is stable and uniform. No severe shrinking or warping occurs.
- All Timberhaven kiln-dried traditional logs are graded and stamped with the Log Homes Council Certification for stress Grades. Defective logs are graded out by trained inspectors, resulting in only the best kiln-dried logs for your home or cabin. This minimizes in-service checking, warping and twisting which occur in the kilns prior to milling and final construction.
- The high heat used in the kiln-drying process sanitizes the logs killing mold and fungi (which cause wood decay), as well as insects, their eggs and larvae.
- Pitch in the wood is crystallized during the kiln-drying process, reducing the possibility of the sticky substance seeping to the surface of your kiln-dried log wall.
- Interior and exterior finishes can be applied immediately to the kiln-dried logs following construction, speeding up the construction schedule and providing immediate protection from the elements. Also, applications absorb deeper and last longer.
- More than 10,000 pounds of water are removed from the average kiln-dried log home or log cabin, significantly reducing the weight of the logs. Even the longest kiln-dried traditional logs are easily handled by two people.
- Properly kiln-dried traditional logs provide the higher insulation values, reducing energy costs and increasing the comfort of your home.
The Kiln-Drying Process
Kiln drying is a complex science. The process controls the amount of moisture in the wood products used to build your log home or log cabin. A large stack of timbers/cants is placed in a sealed building and the temperature is slowly raised to 170°F. Large reversible fans circulate the heated air to help maintain a consistent drying rate. The moisture-laden air is removed from the kiln by dehumidifiers. The drying rate is carefully monitored to prevent an imbalance that can cause cracking. When finished the moisture content of Timberhaven kiln-dried logs is less than 19% average per log.
Determining the Final Moisture Content
Timberhaven Log & Timber Homes uses the accurate “oven dry” ratio method to determine the final moisture content of our logs. Samples of the kiln-dried lumber are weighed and then dried completely in an oven and weighed again. The ratio between the two weights represents the average moisture content of the logs, inside and out. This is a much more accurate method of measuring the moisture content than using a “moisture meter” to measure the outside portion of the wood, which tends to be the driest.
GET A FREE COPY OF OUR BROCHURE!
You can now get a copy of our new Log Home Introductory Brochure & 20 Most Popular Designs, which includes an introduction to Timberhaven's log home products, package offerings and services and more. Stunning full-color photography, 20 of our most popular home designs, and a log home planning checklist are also components of the brochure.
To request a copy of the brochure go to this page.
