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Our saw mills are located near some of the finest timber in the world. Only premium, quality logs are hand selected from trees that grew at high elevations. These trees experience slower growth rates, resulting in a higher structural value due to tighter annual growth rings. In addition to strength, each log is hand selected based on straightness of grain and consistency of size.
ALL of our log packages coming from our partner saw mills will contain logs graded and certified to TPI standards. We are one of only a handful of companies that do this added step to insure you that your home is not being built out of firewood grade logs. U.S. Log & Timber only uses the absolute best.
Timber Products Inspection Inc. (TPI) is an independent, third party wood products inspection, testing and consulting company.
With field representation throughout the United States, TPI provides professional forest inspection services to most of the wood products industry. TPI has grown to provide high quality assurance services to the following facilities: grade stamping; pressure treating; heat treating; panel manufacturing; pallet manufacturing; log/timber frame manufacturing; truss manufacturing; utility product manufacturing, engineered products manufacturing, and green building programs. Whether it’s saw mill drying, component fabrication, treating or gluing, we know wood, and we know it better than anyone else.
Full v. Half Log Siding
FULL LOG CONSTRUCTION
Full log homes are built such that the log on the outside of the house is the same log that’s on the inside. The shell of a full log home can be built at a company’s log yard but then disassembled and transported to the jobsite.
U.S. Log & Timber has skilled, master craftsmen that build these homes. There is a great degree of experience and knowledge needed to craft a full log home airtight and allow for settling.
You need to understand that full log construction requires special accommodations for mechanicals (electrical wiring, plumbing, etc.) that’s why you want a U.S. Log & Timber skilled craftsmen to build your full log home.
HALF LOG CONSTRUCTION
Half log construction is where cut logs are applied with some conventional framing (exterior, interior or both) to replicate the look of full log construction. With many corner option choices, the look can be indistinguishable from a full log and at the same time offering a large variety of interior finishes. Half logs provide complete design flexibility. Your interior walls can include logs, drywall, plaster or any combination.
Once you have decided on the log construction, it’s easier to move forward with the next round of decisions. U.S. Log & Timber provides both options for our customers.
Log Profiles
Log Species
PINE & SPRUCE
Both are very popular species for log walls. Both feature large diameter, light color, and minimal taper. With an exterior sealant, both will provide exceptional long term durability for generations to enjoy. Cabins and homes that were built of pine (without sealant) 200 years ago by pioneers still stand and have structural integrity and beauty.
Douglas Fir
Douglas Fir is often times used by U.S. Log & Timber when building post and beam or any interior roof system. It is praised for being a very strong wood with a rich reddish heartwood. Generally, tight growth rings, straight grain, medium heavy with good resistance to mildew and fungus. Due to its high strength, Fir is a perfect choice for both beams and joists. U.S. Log & Timber does not use Douglas very often for log walls because of its density and weight it substantially raises the cost of shipping and other construction considerations. However, it’s the customer’s choice.
Western Red Cedar
Western Red Cedar has a reddish to dull brown heartwood. It is very resistant to decay, and features generally straight grains with uniform texture. Other advantages are low shrinkage and light weight. However cedar is moderately soft, and provides low strength when used as beams.
Generally, we recommend Douglas Fir for roof and upper floor beams due to its superior structural strength. In practice, the two species complement each other especially when finished similarly.