A lot of residential cabins have emerged in different parts of the world, owing to the revival of this type of building structure in today’s construction market. The numerous benefits of owning a log house are reason enough for people to seriously consider investing in wooden houses, whether as primary residences or secondary and holiday homes. One of the most important factors to consider when investing in residential cabins is the wood or timber that is the main material for construction. The best residential cabins are well-planned especially in terms of the right wood species to build the structure.
What to Look for in Wood Species for Residential Cabins
The right logs are the heart and core of your wooden house construction. Choosing the right wood is an essential decision and should be made at the very start of the planning phase. Numerous residential cabins have their own characteristics and quality coming mainly from the main ingredient, the wood or timber materials. Logs determine the overall structure and look of the log home as well as the longevity of the structure and its total cost.
There are certain key things to consider helping you distinguish the good and bad wood species for your residential cabins:
Appearance
Different wood species have their distinct and unique appearance that manifest in various residential cabins. Wood, in general, offers a classic and timeless aesthetic which is attractive and exquisite with higher market value. The choice of wood species based on appearance mainly depends on the personal taste of the owner. However, it is important to remember that wood appearances are changeable, depending on the application of preservatives and wood treatments or through weathering. Straight and good lengths are vital factors in wood selection for the construction of residential cabins.
Stability
All logs are organic materials that are prone to shrink and settle, depending on their surroundings and the temperature they are exposed to. The best wood for residential cabins should be stable enough to avoid or lessen the effects or natural tendencies to warp, twist, and check. Appropriate timber with good quality should be at the top of your list during the selection phase.
Decay Resistance
Trees produce toxins that act as a natural decay resistance in logs, helping trees resist natural attacks from fungi or insect infestation. Older trees basically have higher toxin concentration, giving them more resistance to delay. The age of the tree or its heartwood is a good indicator of its decay resistance and strength as well as its ability to withstand the sources of damage. However, it is important to avoid species that are fast-growing as these trees have more sapwood which means that they are typically less resistant to weakening and decaying. Nevertheless, fast-growing wood species could still be good for modern residential cabins because they can be easily maintained and protected through using wood preservatives. Moreover, even with highly resistant wood species such as western red cedar, cypress, and redwood, proper maintenance and treatment are still necessary.
Availability
It is quite practical to choose a log species that is easily accessible and available in your area. No matter how ideal and good a wood may be; if you need to import it from other countries, it is an impractical and unsound choice. Logs that are available and abundant in your local area are the best choice for residential cabins unless you are willing to pay extra for the premium species with costly transportation charges.
A List of Good Wood for Residential Cabins
A few species of logs are more popular in the construction of residential cabins. The log home industry is a booming market, thus making certain wood species highly in-demand on the market as well. Wood species vary in aesthetics, strength, beauty and aroma, and the ability to resist damage such as from insect infestations.
Check out the most popular wood species for residential cabins:
Pine
This wood is strong, inexpensive, and energy efficient with an attractive aesthetic that could easily accept stain. Pine is quite stable with little shrinkage and settling issues of the walls.
Cedar
Most residential cabins are made from cedar, an organic material that is known for its attractive aesthetics and aroma. This durable softwood is easy to work with, making it a hassle-free material for log house construction. It is resistant to warping, insect infestation, decay, and checks or cracks, making it an expensive species.
Fir
Douglas fir, in particular, is quite common for the construction of residential cabins. It is an inexpensive choice of wood with energy efficient properties. The attractive and classic beauty of Douglas fir manifests in its light reddish and brown colour scheme. Strong and decay resistant, fir is also amenable to wood treatment and staining.
Spruce
Spruce is another good wood for residential cabins. Although it is moderately expensive, this wood species is lightweight and primarily used in Canada and the Northern U.S. Light in colour readily accepting stain, this softwood species is quite stable and has a longer lifespan compared to other wood species available today.
Inferior Wood Species
The inorganic materials for residential cabins showcase their own intrinsic qualities and characteristics. One wood species is entirely different from another while each species has its strengths and weaknesses. There could be wood species that are less strong and durable than others but modern log home technologies could easily remedy the problem through wood treatments and preservatives. There are no bad wood species as long as you know how to properly treat them and maximize their features to your advantage.
The most trusted ways to determine between good and bad wood is through closely inspecting the wood in person before buying for residential cabins. It helps to conduct initial research about the different wood species that are quite popular in wooden house construction. The best wood also suits your budget and personal preferences, especially in terms of the aesthetics and the functionality of the organic materials, not to mention its properties with a good return on your investment.
