Timberhaven’s Eastern White Pine Kiln-Dried Engineered Logs and Timbers are made by kiln-drying individual 2x plies of lumber then laminating them together in full lengths with alternating grain patterns for superior strength, stability, and consistency.
The kiln-drying process reduces shrinkage, warping, and twisting while also killing insects and fungi. The lamination process eliminates finger-jointing, ensures beam-grade certification, and results in a structurally stronger, more uniform, and virtually check-free product.
Engineered Logs and Timbers are kiln-dried certified to 9% moisture content or less and provide enhanced performance and long-term dimensional stability. This is the choice for those who prefer the strongest and driest logs and timbers in the industry that are certified with 9% moisture content or less.
After decades of collective experience in the wood products business, we have found compelling evidence that kiln-dried log and timber products provide the most stable, trouble-free building material. Over the years, we have collaborated with leading independent researchers – including Penn State University’s Dept. of Forestry, Montana University’s Wood Science Associates, and PFS Corporation – who agree, and help us continually refine our technologies.
The process begins by placing a large stack of dimensional lumber (cants or 2x laminate plies) in a sealed building and slowly raising the temperature to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Large fans maintain a consistent drying rate, and moist air is removed with dehumidifiers. The drying rate is carefully monitored, as the outside perimeters of lumber tend to dry faster than the centers. Uncorrected, this imbalance may cause severe checking (cracking). The final moisture content is measured in accordance to grading rules set forth by the Log and Timber Homes Council. After the 2x laminate plies (average 9 percent moisture content) or the solid cants (average 19 percent moisture content) are properly dried, they are ready for milling. The moisture content of our log and timber products is guaranteed in writing.
Kiln-Dried Log & Timber products— engineered or traditional solid —provide the best building materials possible, and this approach is backed by independent experts in the wood technology industry.
Laminated building logs and timbers (also known as engineered logs and timber) produced by Timberhaven have demonstrated compliance on a continuous basis with the in-plant quality assurance program described in The Log and Timber Homes Council Log Grading Manual. Bending strength and stiffness were verified by tests of 150 full-size specimens in accordance with ASTM D 198.
~ Larry Beineke, Ph.D., PE Vice President Southeast Region PFS-TECO (retired)
Strength – My laboratory has tested the long-term exposure performance of Timberhaven’s laminated logs and timbers. Our tests for static bending and gross strength found that laminated logs performed at a higher level than solid logs and timbers.
Lamination Integrity – The laminated test logs were stacked outside, fully exposed to the weather, with no exterior finish applied. During the last 9 years the overall integrity of the logs, with particular attention paid to the glue lines in the laminated logs, are performing well, with no failures noted in over 100 test sections. They are still performing as well as when the logs and joists were originally tested. No failures of any kind have been observed during the 9-year evaluation.
Overall Evaluation – I find Timberhaven’s laminated logs to be an exceptional product. Structural strength and dimensional stability during severe weather exposure shows these logs provide a mechanically strong, functionally durable and aesthetically attractive log structure. I look forward to another observation cycle, but I doubt my tenure at UM College of Forestry will be long enough to witness any diminishment in the performance of these examples of excellent manufacturing.
~ Edwin J. Burke, Ph.D. Director, University of Montana College of Forestry and Conservation
But don’t take our word for it. Its best summed up by experienced log home builders . . .
“In my 27 years in the log home industry, I have provided my customers with what I believe is the best product on the market. I recommend everyone look into the engineered log and really see what benefits you receive from this
product.” Greg Parks, Builder, Searsport, Maine
“I’ve been building log homes for more than 30 years and the Timberhaven engineered (laminated) logs and beams are the best I’ve built with. They are straighter, little or no checking, consistent high quality and easy to assemble.” John Comer, DC Quality Construction, Smithton, Pennsylvania
More and more log and timber frame home manufacturers claim to kiln-dry their logs and timbers, but unfortunately there are no industry standards. Some companies’ logs or timbers spend only a few days in the kiln; our controlled process requires more than 30 days. There are huge differences in the logs and timbers that kiln-dried manufacturers supply, so qualify the companies you are considering by asking these questions:
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