There are so many options available on Frontier Log Homes for making a log cabin that it becomes difficult which one to choose. The trees which are freshly cut are loaded with moisture and can be helpful in making a log cabin immediately, they can easily be warped, shrunk and twisted and makes the log cabin less structurally sound. Hence, many people choose to dry their logs before they make a log cabin which gives them time to stabilize. There are many ways to do that: kiln drying and air drying.
- Green logs
Green logs are trees that are cut off while they are alive. Freshly harvested trees look and feel wet. They are loaded with moisture so you may need to dry them out before you use them. Some people choose to build a cabin with the green log by the butt and pass method that uses huge rebar pieces to put the logs in place. But, many people choose to dry their logs. When building a traditional log home with methods like dovetail, saddle notch or corner post, you may need to dry your logs. When building green logs, they can twist and shrink as the time passes which may cause issues with door, windows and structural integrity of the log cabin.
- Dead standing logs
These trees have either aged because of aging, forest fires, infestation or fungal diseases. The beauty of using such trees is that they are already dead so they are more ecofriendly to be used and not harvesting off trees. The reason why the logs were dead will determine if they can be used to make a log home. Using such trees help in saving a lot of money and time when it comes to drying them out. This also never creates issues with windows or doors when opening or closing them.
- Air dried logs
Most logs have high moisture content when they are harvested. You can get a balanced moisture level to the point where they neither get more nor lose more moisture and the wood can easily adjust in the environment. Air drying the logs let them dry out naturally in the long run. Logs are stacked with spaces to let the air flow between them and dry out. The time it takes for drying out the logs is determined on the species and age. Harder and older thick logs take a lot of time to dry out. Letting them dry also fades the chances of cracking or checking.