All about rounded logs

At the moment, the popularity of technologies for the construction of various structures from natural materials is growing. That is why many are trying to learn everything about rounded logs. Of course, the key advantage in this case is environmental friendliness. More and more often, the choice is made in favor of a processed log that has the same diameter. This is due to the fact that it is much easier to work with such material - more often than not, finishing outside and even inside is not required.

This type of modern building material is a machined log. It is carried out using special equipment (milling machines) and using the appropriate technology. At the same time, the main feature and a clear competitive advantage is the same cross-section along the entire length.

At the initial production stage, tree trunks are sorted by size. It is also worth noting that during processing, they can be given any shape. Another important point is the impregnation of wood, which prevents the negative effects of various external factors and increases fire-fighting properties.

Today OCBs are a widespread building material. It will be the best choice if naturalness and aesthetics are at the forefront. We are also talking about the real possibility of realizing the most non-standard and daring architectural ideas.

The key advantages of the material under consideration include the following important parameters:

• aesthetics of natural texture;
• air circulation for a comfortable microclimate;
• heat and sound insulation properties;
• the ability to reduce financial costs for wall decoration;
• maximum ease of assembly of structures, which requires minimal time expenditures;
• a variety of ready-made projects and the possibility of implementing any design solutions;
• environmental friendliness;
• maximum service life (wooden buildings are operated without any problems for 60-80 years).

In addition to everything already stated, it should be noted that such material allows the construction of buildings of any layout. In terms of thermal insulation, logs are second only to SIP panels. However, in this case, it is also necessary to take into account the environmental component, taking into account the properties of foam and OSB boards.

When choosing a wood material, it is important to keep in mind the need to provide adequate protection. Otherwise, some of the obvious advantages will be leveled over time. In the overwhelming majority of cases, logs are impregnated with special compounds in factories.

For objectivity, it is important to highlight the most significant shortcomings, in the list of which:

• natural drying, leading to deformation of the logs, namely, their bending and twisting;
• the risk of round timber cracking after installation;
• the presence of certain restrictions in terms of finishing work due to shrinkage;
• fire hazard (in practice, minimized by appropriate treatment).

Particular attention should be paid to the shrinkage of log buildings. It usually occurs throughout the year.Naturally, during this period, there can be no talk of any finishing work, since it is possible to change the geometry of the main structural elements.

Analyzing what exactly are the differences between these two types of natural building materials, it is necessary to focus on exactly what tasks are set when erecting a structure. For example, hand felling and uncylinded logs will be better if required:

• the most durable (literally for centuries) house, built according to traditional technology;
• reduce future energy costs;
• simplify the maintenance of the building - such logs, as a rule, are less susceptible to damage and deterioration;
• preserve the natural structure of the wood.

Taking into account the difference in the approach to the production of logs, rounded material has a number of clear advantages. It should be noted that in this case the construction time is significantly reduced. Manual log cabins take 8 months to a year to shrink.

In the corresponding segment of the modern market, different categories of the described building material are presented. And we are talking not only about lumber of the first or, for example, the third grade, used as raw materials. All available varieties of sawn timber, taking into account specific parameters, can be classified as follows.

• The type of wood processing. Many people still associate the construction of a wooden house with a chopped log, which is shaped by hand cutting. However, it is precisely the rounded billets processed on special equipment that are now confidently taking the lead. At the same time, it is worth paying attention to a log of natural moisture. It is important that the overwhelming majority of products on the domestic market belong to this category. This is due to problems with ensuring uniform drying.

• Drying type. In this case, two types can be distinguished - this is a thermal log, that is, completely dry and logs with a certain humidity.

• Groove (profile) type. There are two options - Finnish and Lunar.

• Profile location - longitudinal (strictly in the center), transverse (in the form of the so-called landing bowl) and diagonal (necessary to create non-standard shapes).

In addition to all of the above, the classification takes into account two more important points. We are talking about the wood used in the production, which determines the properties of the material, as well as the dimensions of the logs.

The most common material for log cabins is coniferous trees. This is due to the shape of the trunks, which are as long and straight as possible. An equally important factor is the density of the wood with a rich resin content and resistance to decay. However, all these characteristics do not indicate unconditional dominance.

At the moment, most often you can find rounded pine logs. This choice of producers is explained by the wide distribution of these trees, the quality of the wood and the relatively low cost. It is also worth noting that this material looks quite attractive.

We should not forget about such characteristics as low thermal conductivity and increased resistance to environmental factors. Among other things, pine is characterized by minimal cracking. Naturally, everything depends on the observance of the rules of transportation, storage and installation.

Siberian larch wood differs from pine primarily in its hardness, while being slightly inferior to those of oak and beech. It is important to take into account that this characteristic only improves over time, which ensures a long service life of the log house and increased structural strength. Due to the high hardness and resin content, the risk of wood fire is greatly reduced.

For many, the decisive criterion for the choice is also the aesthetics of OTSB log cabins from larch. This wood differs from its closest competitors in its pronounced and contrasting texture. This in itself eliminates the need for paint and, more often, for finishing in general.

A log house made of this breed is the ultimate dream of many connoisseurs of natural materials. This popularity is due to the unique properties of this coniferous tree. First of all, it is worth focusing on the internal structure of the cedar, which resembles a sponge. By the way, each square centimeter of the trunk contains up to 60,000 microscopic tubes (channels) filled with air.

The key characteristics of cedar are hardness, resistance to decay and high thermal insulation properties. Also, scientists have proven the uniqueness of the properties of the aroma of this tree, which has a positive effect on human health.

Most often, OCB from this type of wood is used for the construction of baths and saunas. Due to its characteristics, this material is the optimal solution for the construction of such structures.

The average growth time of aspen is up to 90 years. However, long-livers are often found, reaching the mark of 1.5 centuries. For the production of building material, specimens of 45-50 years old are used. This takes into account that often the core can be rotten, since trees prefer wetlands.

During the drying process, part of the trunk undergoes deformation. Taking into account all the nuances, the length of the aspen OCB, as a rule, is 4.5 meters. Longer logs in the vast majority of cases twist or bend. Based on this, harvesting this type of wood may turn out to be unprofitable.

As of today, there are no clear norms enshrined in the relevant documents. In other words, theoretically, a log can have almost any length, weight and diameter (for example, 150, 200, 260 mm and other parameters). As a rule, the manufacturers themselves try to set the standards. However, some points are still regulated by GOST.

The standard parameters of rounded logs can be represented as follows.

• Diameter - an indicator of key importance, since it determines the strength and thermal conductivity of future walls. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the cross section varies from 160 to 320 mm. In private housing construction, OCBs are most often used, the diameter of which is 240 mm.
• Working height, on which the number of crowns to be laid will depend. This refers to the height of the walls and partitions being erected. The value is the distance between the vertices of the section and the groove. So, with a diameter of 240 mm for the lunar and Finnish profiles, the working height will be 208 and 190 mm, respectively.
• Log length. The standard in this case is considered to be 6 lm (in any case, a multiple of 1 meter). Naturally, almost any materials, up to 12 meters, are made on individual orders.
• Groove (profile) width. With the same diameter, the Finnish groove (140 mm) will be wider than the lunar groove (110 mm). By the way, in some cases there is a lunar profile extended by 20 mm.
• Drank compensation, the presence of which contributes to a significant reduction in the so-called internal tension. As a result, the likelihood of the formation of a large number of cracks is minimized. The depth of such a cut depends on the section of the log and most often ranges from 15 to 20 mm.

In addition to all of the above, it is worth paying attention to such a parameter as cubic capacity. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the log is sold in cubic meters (cubes). In this case, the volume of each specific type, taking into account the groove and the compensating cut, can be calculated independently or specified in the appropriate tables.

At its core, OCB is a part of a tree trunk, the bark of which and partly the top layer of wood are cleaned off in factories using specialized milling equipment. This cylindering ensures that the same diameter (maximum thickness) is maintained over the entire length. Depending on the type and purpose, thin, even logs with a cross section of even 100 mm can be produced. To obtain the required parameters, it is necessary to process the material in several stages.

These are the next stages of production.

1. Sorting source material.
2. Milling workpieces on machines.
3. Re-sort based on sizes.
4. Natural or chamber drying.
5. If necessary, create a compensating cut.
6. Sawing logs.
7. Formation of a house kit.

Another important point is to prevent the risks of wood decay. It's not about applying paint. This means impregnation with antiseptic solutions, as well as fire retardants.

Today, rounded logs have found more than widespread use. Naturally, first of all, we are talking about the modern construction of wooden buildings for various purposes. Now in many areas you can find similar buildings, most of which stand out against the general background with their original appearance. These can be both residential buildings and baths, utility rooms and verandas.

However, during the construction of the listed facilities, the methods of using the described type of building material do not end there. So, for example, a well looks very impressive, the upper part of which is made of rounded logs. In parallel, they are widely used to create a whole list of products that become elements of the original interior design.

Taking into account the unique characteristics of this natural material, including its aesthetics, furniture made from logs of the minimum cross-section is found inside many houses. Beds and other interior items with imitation of logs are also made, including the use of glued materials. You should also not forget about design solutions, during the implementation of which they try to decorate the room from the inside as much as possible.