What log species is best? Making the right choice is as easy as prioritizing your wants and needs for your log home. Let’s look at two log species that are widely used for log home construction. The Eastern White Pine and White Cedar.
You should consider the following: Insulating value, Strength/Durability, Rot and Insect Resistance Cost,Aesthetics
1. Insulating Value as provided by the ASTM or American Society for Testing and Materials. (An international standards organization.) Using the R – Value of the thermal mass and comparing to a conventional framed home of R-19.
- White Cedar 6” log the size used by most Cedar Log Home Companies has an R – 22.68. This is very good.
- Northern White Pine 8” log has an R – 22.08. This is very good.
- Northern White Pine 10” log has an R – 27.60. This is the best.
Some Cedar Log Homes companies offer an additional insulation package. Why?
2. Strength/Durability. This is one of the important factors when determining the type of log to use for your home. If you are living in an area with high snow, wind and seismic loads and you want a home with tall and longer walls you should consider building with Pine. Pine is significantly stronger and denser than Cedar. With these qualities Pine provides a much nicer interior and exterior finish. And if you want large glass walls, Pine can make it happen much better than Cedar. Think about this. Custom framed homes use pine studs for exterior and interior wall framing, flooring, structural roofing, trim and doors. Just about everything used in a custom build home is Pine. Why?
3. Rot and Insect Resistance. There is a major misconception from Cedar log companies that lead one to believe that Cedar is rot and insect proof. THIS IS NOT TRUE. All wood will rot and are subject to insects over time. To stop this natural process all woods must be stained and sealed. Both species of logs will last indefinitely as long as they are maintained property. Think about it again. Custom framed homes use pine studs for exterior and interior walls. Why? Do they protect the Pine studs? Yes. Why don’t they use Cedar studs Do they have Cedar studs? No. Why? If Cedar studs could be used why don’t they used them? What do Cedar log home companies use for interior wall framing, flooring and roof structure? Why don’t they use Cedar? Ask for an explanation.
4. Cost. Is cost important to you? Do you have a budget? Most people do have a certain amount of money to build their Dream Home. Truth be told Pine cost anywhere from 10% to 25% more than Cedar. What does this mean to you if you are on a budget? You can build a larger home with Pine or you will have more money to spend on upgrades, such as granite countertops, a screened porch, another bay for your garage.
5. Aesthetics. You are the only person who knows what they are looking for. Do you like the looks of an 8”, 10” or even 12” full log home? Do you like the primitive look? The smooth log look? The hand hewn look? All the other factors involved in making a decision mean very little. What is appealing to your eyes should not be undermined by misconceptions or mistruths. The facts are here. Do not let anyone sell you a log home. You should buy a log home because it is what you want. It is your Dream Home, it is what you see not what others see for you.
We are a Pine Log Home Manufacture. We do not offer Cedar log but it is interesting that most Cedar companies offer Pine logs as an option. Why? They spend a lot of time and effort preaching that Pine is bad and yet they will sell you a Pine log if you want to save money. Why do this if you are so confident that Cedar is better?
We know Pine. We know how to finance it, design it, manufacture it, shape it, form it, ship it and build it. We know the bold grain of Pine and how best to build your vision for your Dream Home.
1. Insulating Value as provided by the ASTM or American Society for Testing and Materials. (An international standards organization.) Using the R – Value of the thermal mass and comparing to a conventional framed home of R-19.
- White Cedar 6” log the size used by most Cedar Log Home Companies has an R – 22.68. This is very good.
- Northern White Pine 8” log has an R – 22.08. This is very good.
- Northern White Pine 10” log has an R – 27.60. This is the best.
Some Cedar Log Homes companies offer an additional insulation package. Why?
2. Strength/Durability. This is one of the important factors when determining the type of log to use for your home. If you are living in an area with high snow, wind and seismic loads and you want a home with tall and longer walls you should consider building with Pine. Pine is significantly stronger and denser than Cedar. With these qualities Pine provides a much nicer interior and exterior finish. And if you want large glass walls, Pine can make it happen much better than Cedar. Think about this. Custom framed homes use pine studs for exterior and interior wall framing, flooring, structural roofing, trim and doors. Just about everything used in a custom build home is Pine. Why?
3. Rot and Insect Resistance. There is a major misconception from Cedar log companies that lead one to believe that Cedar is rot and insect proof. THIS IS NOT TRUE. All wood will rot and are subject to insects over time. To stop this natural process all woods must be stained and sealed. Both species of logs will last indefinitely as long as they are maintained property. Think about it again. Custom framed homes use pine studs for exterior and interior walls. Why? Do they protect the Pine studs? Yes. Why don’t they use Cedar studs Do they have Cedar studs? No. Why? If Cedar studs could be used why don’t they used them? What do Cedar log home companies use for interior wall framing, flooring and roof structure? Why don’t they use Cedar? Ask for an explanation.
4. Cost. Is cost important to you? Do you have a budget? Most people do have a certain amount of money to build their Dream Home. Truth be told Pine cost anywhere from 10% to 25% more than Cedar. What does this mean to you if you are on a budget? You can build a larger home with Pine or you will have more money to spend on upgrades, such as granite countertops, a screened porch, another bay for your garage.
5. Aesthetics. You are the only person who knows what they are looking for. Do you like the looks of an 8”, 10” or even 12” full log home? Do you like the primitive look? The smooth log look? The hand hewn look? All the other factors involved in making a decision mean very little. What is appealing to your eyes should not be undermined by misconceptions or mistruths. The facts are here. Do not let anyone sell you a log home. You should buy a log home because it is what you want. It is your Dream Home, it is what you see not what others see for you.
We are a Pine Log Home Manufacture. We do not offer Cedar log but it is interesting that most Cedar companies offer Pine logs as an option. Why? They spend a lot of time and effort preaching that Pine is bad and yet they will sell you a Pine log if you want to save money. Why do this if you are so confident that Cedar is better?
We know Pine. We know how to finance it, design it, manufacture it, shape it, form it, ship it and build it. We know the bold grain of Pine and how best to build your vision for your Dream Home.
For more information on your log home needs, call Leonard Magliocca and Melissa Leonard at Log Homes of Today 603-356-0056, or email Leonard@LogHomesofToday.com
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