All about dry profiled timber

A house made of wood has its advantages, however, in order to fully get them, you need to choose the right lumber. The best option would be a dry profiled beam. Its properties make it possible to build reliable and durable buildings.

A bar is a material that is obtained by sawing a solid log from all sides until the desired shape is given. Usually has a square or rectangular cross-section. Profiling implies additional processing to make joint grooves for easier installation. Also at the factory, the material is dried to a certain percentage of moisture. The production of dry profiled timber is regulated by GOST. In particular, this is the standard under the number 8242-88 (clause 2.2.4).

From there you can find out that materials with moisture can be considered dry:

• 12% - for timber designed for indoor use;
• 15% - for products that will be used in the arrangement of external walls.

In both cases, a deviation of 3% up or down is allowed. It is easier to work with dry material, it lends itself well to various influences, and also gives a slight shrinkage - no more than 5% for the entire life of the building.

There are other advantages that many builders choose timber for.

• A small percentage of cracking. If cracks appear, they are small and do not affect the thermal properties of the material. Also, the wall does not lead, and the inter-crown seam does not bend, it remains the same as during the construction.
• Good thermal insulation. The wood itself is good at withstanding the cold, and the “thorn-groove” joint system with a snug fit of the beams enhances these properties.
• Low weight. The lower the moisture percentage, the lighter the material. This avoids transportation problems, and there is no need to install complex and expensive foundations.

The material also has disadvantages. They are associated with uneven drying, which significantly reduces the quality of the timber. With a large cross-section of products, the likelihood of this problem increases. Also, the uniformity of drying depends on what technology the manufacturer uses.

In Russia, there are two widespread drying methods - natural and with the use of a camera (vacuum or conventional). There is also drying of wood with electric current, but it requires the installation of high-frequency generators and a large amount of electricity. Not every production will cope with such costs, so when buying, you can usually choose one of two types of lumber.

From the name it can be understood that the timber in this case is not subjected to additional influences. After cutting, it is folded under the sheds and left there for about 35-50 days. Since no equipment is required here, the final price is lower than that of the kiln dried timber.

There is also a more technologically advanced method that allows you to process the material faster. In the chambers, the timber is dried under the influence of temperature, pressure and air currents. To avoid the appearance of cracks, special compensation cuts are made on the surface of the wood. Also, for each species and section of lumber, you can choose the optimal mode.

The process is controlled by automation, sensors monitor the indicators inside the chamber, so after 3-4 weeks it only remains to get the completely dried timber. It is sent to a profiling machine.

Dry profiled timber is also distinguished by the type of surface.

• Straightforward. Has a smooth front and back.
• O-shaped. It has a convex profile and is used as an imitation of a log.
• D-shaped. The front side is curved. Outside, a building made of such a bar will also resemble a log house made of logs, but at the same time, there will be walls with a flat surface inside, which allows you to slightly expand the premises.

Several categories can also be distinguished by the type of profiling. The type of products depends on the machines on which the timber is processed.

• With one thorn. This is the easiest option. It has only one crest, there is no depression, so water does not accumulate in the seam. Accordingly, the walls will not lead over time. However, the thermal insulation characteristics of this variety are not the best.
• Double. This timber is distinguished by the presence of a depression between two ridges. This design feature allows you to lay heat-insulating materials in the mezhventsovy seam. Accordingly, the walls withstand the cold better.
• Multiple or ridged. It is also called the German profile. A beam of this type is more difficult to assemble, the work takes more time. But the reliability of the joint is very high, and the thermal insulation will be effective.
• Scandinavian. Also allows the use of a seal to provide additional protection from the cold. There are chamfers to prevent water from entering the seams. Laying is quite simple, while you can not be afraid of freezing of the walls due to the structural properties of lumber.
• With beveled chamfers. Similar in performance to a double profile, but the chamfers provide additional moisture protection by preventing water from trapping between the seams.

The timber is made from different types of trees, coniferous varieties are quite popular, but not only they are used.

This tree is widespread in Russia, therefore, lumber is obtained at an affordable price, it is not a problem to purchase it. At the same time, pine is easy to saw and amenable to processing, retains heat well and is suitable for construction in the northern regions. The wood contains resin, which serves as a natural antiseptic and protects against decay, therefore baths are often erected from such a bar.

Outwardly similar to pine, but different in characteristics. Its thermal insulation qualities are better, while the weight is less. However, the tree needs additional protection from moisture, otherwise it will start to rot. Spruce has less resin than pine, so it needs impregnation.

Very beautiful and textured wood that looks good in the interior without additional finishing. They are built from cedar less often due to its higher cost in comparison with other conifers. The wood is dense, but it lends itself well to processing. It has natural antiseptic properties, and a pleasant forest aroma will remain inside the premises.

This breed withstands moisture well, so the lower part of log cabins is often made from it.The wood is dense and durable, while being reasonably affordable. However, it is difficult to handle due to the nature of the structure. Also, in terms of heat engineering characteristics, it is inferior to pine.

It is famous for its strength and durability, but it belongs to the elite breeds and has a corresponding value. For this reason, it is rarely used in construction. The northern oak will be harder than the southern oak and can last for over 100 years. Wood also has disadvantages - it is difficult to handle and weighs a lot.

It is often used for interior decoration. It "breathes" well, so there will always be a pleasant atmosphere in the premises. Soft, easy to process. The problem of linden is a tendency to rot, since its structure is rather loose.

The timber may differ in its parameters.

• Length. Varies from 1 to 6 meters. Options for 2 and 3 meters are quite popular - it is more convenient to work with them.
• Section. Standard options are 100x100, 140x140, 150x150, 200x200 mm. Non-standard can be from 45 to 275 mm.

The choice of dimensions depends on the characteristics of a particular project, the purpose of the building and climatic conditions.

• Dimensions 100x100 mm are usually used for the construction of small architectural forms - gazebos, summer terraces, outbuildings. They are also suitable for summer cottages only.
• Products with parameters 150x150x6000 mm are chosen for the construction of baths. Houses from them can also be built, but with additional insulation.
• A large beam of 200x200x6000 mm serves as a material for elite cottages. They have thick walls that can withstand hanging furniture and appliances, decorative items.

The timber is in demand in private construction; houses and summer cottages, baths, garages, outbuildings and gazebos are erected from it. The building can be made entirely of this material. The timber is purchased not only by private builders, but also by companies specializing in the construction of wooden buildings.