Log Drying- kiln vs air or standing dead and preservative

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Permalink Reply by gatorgene on November 15, 2008 at 4:11pm

It is so confusing. I am in the same situation.
Gene

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Permalink Reply by Beatrice on November 15, 2008 at 5:58pm

One of the biggest aesthetic issues is that on kiln dried the log length can only go so far (kiln size) if you want long single log courses it would have to be the other 2 methods. My thinking on the preservation is like the undercoating on a car. It's always better when factory installed. I need more feedback though.

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Permalink Reply by Joe on November 15, 2008 at 7:20pm

We had a detailed discussion on this around August. Look for the heading "boric acid...." in past. There are others in the history files under "building and maintence" I believe. There are different parameters involved in this discussion but suffice to say most major log providers kiln dry to kill the insects and get the moisture down and then soak the log in borate. This will kill most criters trying to eat their way in later. Carpenter bees don't eat the wood so they are not stopped by borate.

Joe

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Permalink Reply by Beatrice on November 15, 2008 at 9:59pm

Joe- Thank you for replying. I looked around, but I'm not sure how to go about accessing the history files. Could you let me know please. At this point I'm trying to narrow down the field of Log Home companies, hopefully getting down to no more than 5 before I start interviewing. A big problem is that I live in NY and will be building in Colorado. This winter I am going to visit some log companies that also build around NY. In the spring those in Colorado and also different types of contractors and systems I would need for the property and home.I would like to have all the decisions done by the end of the fall next year; start building in 2010 and maybe move in the end of that year; or the next. Is my scheduling at least somewhat realistic? But every step is not only a decision but a learning experience. I also have to research every little thing such as wells, solar powered ancillary systems, generators, hot water heaters, and that's not including the log home and companies. I'm hoping I don't tear all my hair out before I'm done with this. Sorry to ramble on.... Right now I would like to hear from anyone on whether they are happy or not and why with their log home company, dealer and/or builder. Wait.......I just found the archive section. Now any help with the rest of everything would be appreciated

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Permalink Reply by Joe on November 15, 2008 at 10:28pm

From the main Home page click on Forum in the center of the "bar". Go down the list and look for the one called Boric acid, read this. Repeat the same process and look for one called "... Wet logs" and read it.

Here is a fairly good place for checking out log home suppliers:
http://www.loghomereports.com/products/directory.asp

Also check the BBB for the area in CO that you are building in. The financial stability of some of the log home companies is probably the biggest danger right now.

I have a friend who is checking out building in CO down towards NM where he has a problem due to distance from towns and trying to find a builder because of this. Others in this blog have recommended CO builders so look for members with log homes in CO as there are several and they can give you good advice.

Here is another web site with excellent detail and will keep you busy reading for a long time.
http://log-homes.thefuntimesguide.com/ She has investigated many things in building decisions.

There are a lot of knowlegable people in this blog that hopefully will jump in. I would advise being careful about getting too carried away with being "green" as it can raise the price considerbly as the technology is not cost effective at the moment. There are great check lists available from Mike's log home magazine when you subscribe.

Keep asking questions to avoid the pitfalls and slowly the "fog" will lift. Plan on a year to get this home built, especially with the weather problems.

Joe

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Permalink Reply by Beatrice on November 15, 2008 at 10:41pm

Thanks- in regard to going green; I am looking at using solar power for ancillary systems only- outside ones, like well pump, irrigation, exterior lighting. With a generator to back everything up. So mainly it will be some type of solar battery system.
As much as I might want to go "greener" it does seem to be cost prohibitive. So just the little things.
Where I will be building is Collbran (1/2 up to Grand Mesa) a solid hour from Grand Junction, going up a mountain so I am hoping that it doesn't become too much of an issue. But I am usually a very organized person; so once I get all "my eggs in a row" it will be easier dealing with decisions. I just never realized how many "eggs" there are. And once again thank you

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Permalink Reply by Dave and Julie Christiansen on November 16, 2008 at 11:47am

Hi: Julie and I went with Standing Dead Trees. Yellowstone Log Homes uses standing dead trees for their logs. The thing I like best, is that there is very little if any shrinkage on our logs. We still left room in our window and door bucs for shrinkage, but from the log homes we've looked at which used these logs, there has been very little shrinkage, and the quality of the log is great. Checking and twisting of the logs is also minumal. Hope this helps. Dave. P.S. Feel free to look at our pics and see what you think.

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