Kiln Drying Facts:

* Kiln- drying stabilizes the wood.

* Kiln- drying, before the milling of the logs, maintains the quality of the logs.

* Most checks occur during drying.

* Logs can be turned during the milling, placing checks in such a way as to maximize the best possible finish.

* Kiln-drying kills wood boring insects (beetles) and decay fungi (dead-standing pre-seasonal logs harbor both of these.)

* Kiln-drying crystallizes the pitch and prevents pitch bleed.

* Kiln-dried logs are lighter, thereby saving in the cost of transportation.

Kiln-Drying Process:

* Minimum of 30 days in the kiln is required

* Temperatures that reach 180 degrees

* Logs are monitored throughout the drying process according to our kiln-drying schedule

* When criteria has been met the logs are checked

* A section of the log is cut and weighed

* A moisture meter (probe) is used to check moisture content

* When the moisture level is achieved, the logs are ready to be milled

* Logs are monitored during the milling process

* Any log not meeting the correct moisture level is dropped out

* To assure quality, logs are checked a final time before being shipped

The kiln drying process, when done correctly, effectively eliminates many of the common problems associated with log homes.  Most green or “air dried“ logs will required special steps in construction or “settling systems“ to accommodate for the movement of the walls.  As the logs dry the walls can shrink enough to cause significant problems and maintenance issues for years to come.  Kiln drying the log solves the maintenance issue for good.  Our homes are as easy to maintain as wood siding- no settling systems, no gaps above the doors and windows and all interior applications can simply be attached to the log walls.  Kiln dried logs are without a doubt the best logs to build with.

Important Questions to Ask Any Log Home Supplier:

* How long is the material kept in the kiln?

* Could I see the kiln-drying schedule?

* Could I see the kiln?

* What is the starting temperature of the kiln?

* What is the ending temperature?

* What are the criteria for determining when the logs come out of the kiln?

* How are kiln-dried logs stored?

* Will the logs require a settling system?

* What will have to be done to maintain the home after it is built?