How Logs for Log Cabins are Dried and Made

As the phrase implies, all log cabins for sale are constructed out of wooden logs. But there are different kinds of logs being used, depending on the desired quality and results. All logs have a certain degree of moisture which will naturally evaporate from the timber as the wood dries and stabilizes.

1. Green logs
Green logs come from trees that are cut from the forest, brought to a mill, have their barked removed, and are cut to size or immediately delivered to the manufacturer or client. Because they are freshly cut, they still have a lot of moisture content. After a couple of years, depending on local conditions, the moisture will have dried and the wood will reach equilibrium. The moisture content of green wood varies from species to species.

2. Air-dried logs
After the trees are cut and transported, the mill then leaves the logs outside in open air to dry naturally. They are normally kept under a shed to shelter them from rain. Stacks of timbers can be dried this way by putting spacers between them. The process normally takes at least 1 year per inch of thickness, and during that time, the spaces between the logs are increased to allow more air circulation. Therefore, it may take a few years before the logs can be dried to equilibrium with the local climate.

3. Kiln-dried logs
Mills can also opt to artificially hasten the drying process through the utilization of kilns. Green logs are placed inside an oven and carefully heated. The heat then removes the moisture from the wood. Needless to say, the advantage is that this methodology decreases drying time from years to just several weeks.

Kiln operators need to be careful; if heated improperly, the logs can suffer severe cracking.

4. Glue-laminated logs
Logs are brought into a mill. The barks are removed, and the wood is cut into thin boards that are no more than 2 inches thick. The boards heated in the kiln where they are dried. Once dried, the boards are then glued together.

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