Featured Log Builder: Bear's Den Log Homes

Introduction to Bear's Den Log Homes

Log home builders Bear's Den Log Homes are located in North Carolina and specialize in log homes, timber frame log homes and craftsman style log homes. Over the last several years of cabin building in several states and unique locations, they have learned that it doesn't matter whether your log house dreams take you to a quiet setting beside a lake, a cozy cabin building nestled in the woods, or beside the mountain they can help make your dreams of a log house a reality.

Quality Materials for Superior Log Homes

It is the quality of log house building materials that make Bear's Den Log Homes the top of their league. One of the main reasons for their quality log homes is in their kiln dried logs. When it comes time to turn your log house plans into reality, they believe in using only the finest kiln-dried logs for their luxury log homes. Their craftsmen have spent several years learning how to select the most suitable species of wood for log house construction. From cutting and planning to notch and measuring the logs, each step of the log house building process is vital to producing the perfect log house construction package, but perhaps none more so than the properly kiln dried logs. They start by selecting only the highest quality of Eastern White Pine. To minimize any movement, shrinkage, and settling in the logs over time, they combine natural air drying and kiln drying in the log house manufacturing of every single Honest Abe log. The drying process of the logs produces a more stable log and tighter joints for the log house construction.

The Kiln-Drying Process Explained

By kiln-drying their logs, they remove any moisture trapped inside the logs, as well as any insects or larvae that may be present. They use large, variable temperature kilns to help dry hundreds of logs at a time. Once the logs are stacked inside the kiln, they remain there for about three to five weeks. During this time, the temperature inside of the kiln is slowly raised to around 170 degrees as the computer-controlled fans and moisture meters dry out and monitor the logs. The goal of this drying process is to reach a moisture-content level that is best for the majority of their building sites. The dried logs are also better prepared to receive any stains and preservatives that the customer may choose to apply.

Benefits of Kiln-Dried Logs

Some of the benefits associated with kiln-drying logs include the logs are pre-shrunk before they are milled into a final profile. This drying process provides a uniform and stable log wall system with less settling of the logs and tighter joints. Careful drying of the logs in a controlled environment helps to minimize any checking or cracking, which occurs in the kilns, before the logs are milled and final construction. After kiln-drying the logs, the logs are then graded by trained inspectors to find defective logs. Logs that are used in the log home package are stamped with a TPI standard of LogWall-40. Heat from kiln-drying will help to destroy any mold or fungi which can cause wood decay, as well as any insects, eggs or larvae. Most pitch in the logs is crystallized during the kiln drying, which prevents any sap from seeping to the surface after the log home is constructed.