Profiled timber: advantages and disadvantages, correct choice of material

House sets made from profiled timber are made exclusively from coniferous wood. This material creates a special microclimate in residential areas. Air with impurities of pine resins from profiled timber has the following advantages:

• improves human well-being;
• helps strengthen the immune system;
• In general, it has a beneficial effect on the health of residents.

House made of profiled timber Source 2gis.ru

Main advantages and disadvantages of the material

When choosing profile timber for building a house or cottage, the important advantages are undoubtedly:

1. Easy and straightforward assembly, requiring minimal labor.
2. High quality buildings with low financial costs for home insulation.
3. Conscientious sanding of the wood is sufficient to finish the outer surface of the timber.
4. Environmental friendliness of timber.

The disadvantages include:

1. When working with such material, not every design idea is feasible. In addition, once the construction work is completed, it is no longer possible to redesign the rooms.
2. Under the influence of sunlight, light wood can darken; to avoid this effect, it is necessary to periodically impregnate the material with solutions.
3. In frosty zones, where temperatures reach low levels, profiled (dry) timber requires mandatory insulation on the outside of the house.

Often, mineral wool and lining or siding are used as additional wall cladding.

What is profiled lumber

Dear users of EGAIS wood accounting!
EXPLANATIONS on the classification of lumber from the List of types of wood determined in accordance with the All-Russian Classification of Products by Types of Economic Activities, which are subject to the requirements of the Forest Code of the Russian Federation on the transportation of wood and on accounting for transactions with it, approved by order of the Government of the Russian Federation dated June 13, 2014. No. 1047-r

1. The list of types of wood determined in accordance with the All-Russian Classification of Products by Type of Economic Activities, which are subject to the requirements of the Forestry Code of the Russian Federation on the transportation of wood and on recording transactions with it, includes the following types of sawmill products:

The specified types of wood of the corresponding species include sawmill products obtained as a result of longitudinal division of logs and longitudinal and transverse division of the resulting parts, established dimensions (thickness more than 6 mm) and quality, having at least two plane-parallel layers. The specified types of wood in the form of lumber can be dry (with a moisture content of no more than 22%) and damp (with a moisture content of more than 22%). The specified types of wood include such types of lumber as: edged lumber (lumber with edges sawn perpendicular to the layers and wane not exceeding what is permissible according to the relevant regulatory and technical documentation. Edged lumber can have parallel and non-parallel edges along the run); unedged lumber (lumber with unsawed or partially sawn edges, wane more than acceptable in edged lumber); planed lumber (lumber in which at least one face or both edges have been planed); lumber painted, stained, treated with creosote or other preservatives; timber (lumber with a thickness and width of 100 mm or more). The beam can be two-edged, three-edged, four-edged; timber (lumber up to 100 mm thick and no more than twice the width); board (lumber up to 100 mm thick and more than twice the width).

Wooden sleepers for railways are a type of wood of a set shape and size, used as supports for railway rails. This type of wood includes the following sawmill products: edged sleepers (sleepers in the form of a four-edged beam); unedged sleeper (sleeper in the form of a double-edged beam).

Wooden beams are a type of wood of a set shape and size, used as supports for railroad switches. This type of wood includes the following sawmill products: edged beams (beams sawn on four sides); unedged beams (beams sawn on both sides); unimpregnated beams (beams not treated with protective agents).

Wooden sleepers for the subway are a type of wood of a set shape and size, used as supports for subway rails. This type of wood includes the following lumber products: edged sleepers (sleepers in the form of a four-edged beam); unedged sleeper (sleeper in the form of a double-edged beam).

2. In accordance with the list of types of wood determined by the All-Russian Classifier of Products by Type of Economic Activity, the requirements of the Forestry Code of the Russian Federation

on the transportation of wood and on the accounting of transactions with it
do not apply
to types of commercial products of subgroups 16.10.2 and 16.10.3: profiled lumber; glued wood products; joinery; untreated timber (logs), sleepers, beams, painted, pickled, treated with creosote or other preservatives; prefabricated wooden structures; plywood; wood fiber boards; chipboards; wooden container; wood chips, shavings, wool, wood flour.

Sincerely, EGAIS Timber Accounting Support Service.

Profiled timber: more about the pros and cons of use in construction

If, when considering a set of key advantages and disadvantages, doubts about the choice of material have not disappeared, it is worth considering its features in more detail. A number of undeniable advantages definitely arouse constant interest in this raw material.

Profiled timber in construction Source sk-pestovo.ru

Advantages of profiled timber

The property of the timber in question to retain heat in the house is widely known. The thermal insulation rate is significantly higher than that of brick and concrete. In winter, buildings made of profiled timber retain heat perfectly, and in summer they retain coolness.

The characteristics of the building material given to it by nature allow air to flow perfectly through the rock. For the owners of such a house this means:

1. Well-ventilated housing.
2. No dampness in the room.
3. Warranty against mold.

What are the disadvantages of a house made of timber?

A wooden house also has disadvantages, and the main one is inseparable from the main advantage and is associated with the properties of wood.

Biological instability

Wood is a natural material, and under normal conditions it decomposes, participating in the cycle of substances. The walls of the log house need protection from rotting, fungus, and insects. Perhaps the most unpleasant consequence of a fungal infection is the disappearance of one of the main advantages - environmental friendliness, since the fungus can poison the atmosphere in the house and make it uninhabitable.

To protect wood, walls are impregnated with antiseptics (Environmentally friendly!). It is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the walls and protect them from moisture.

Flammability

The flammability of wood creates a constant risk of fire. However, any structure is at risk of being damaged by fire. Careful adherence to fire safety standards will reduce this drawback to a minimum. To reduce the danger, you can use fire retardant impregnation (Environmentally friendly!).

Heat preservation

The ability to retain heat inside is in no way related to the advantages of a log house, unless it is additionally insulated. But if we have a classic log house, then all heat conservation is provided only by wood. The thermal conductivity of dry pine in the direction across the fibers is 0.9-0.12 W/(m∙oC). This is approximately 4–5 times less than the thermal conductivity of brick. Wood is deservedly called a warm material.

However, with a typical thickness of 200 mm for timber walls, their reduced thermal resistance will be only about 1.6 (m²∙оС)/W, and this is half as much as required by building codes, if we focus on the Moscow region. Such thermal conductivity does not even ensure compliance with sanitary standards for housing!

A timber house of conventional construction without additional insulation is not suitable for permanent residence in a cold climate.

Video description

In this video we will look at the features of construction from profiled timber:

Well-dried profiled timber Source deilo.ru

Disadvantages of profiled timber

The market almost always offers timber for sale immediately after cutting. It is cheaper than dried, but has moisture levels that can have negative consequences 2-3 years after the construction of the house.

Insufficiently dried profiled timber is susceptible to mold and fungi, shrinks, can deform installed doors and roofs and cause cracks in glass.

Natural moisture beam Source remontik.org

To protect it from fungi and mold, profiled timber must be regularly treated with antiseptics, which sometimes creates inconvenience.

See also: Catalog of timber house projects presented at the Low-Rise Country exhibition.

Types and sizes of profiled timber

The types will be discussed in more detail in the article below. Separately, it is worth considering profiled laminated veneer lumber - such a building material is not a solid mass, but a texture assembled from several layers of wood.

A huge advantage of this type of timber is the density of the well-dried material. It is possible to move into a house built from laminated laminated timber immediately after construction and final finishing work.

Glued laminated timber Source nl.decorexpro.com

And now a little about the size chart relevant for this material.

Length

The standard length of the timber is 6 m. But it can vary depending on the location of the building, climate indicators and the purpose of the building. The dimensions of profiled timber can be specially increased: there are units of 12 m and even 18 m. More often, such products are produced to individual order.

Section

Not only the length, but also the cross-section of the timber has different indicators. The choice of wood with such a difference is rich. Profile beams with a section of 220*260 and 150*150 are the most common options in construction. Sections of size 280*280 and 320*320 are used in harsh climatic zones.

Beam with a section of 150*150 Source lessale.ru

General usage practice:

1. When constructing a country or country house, a tree with a large cross-sectional index is not required.
2. For year-round living in a cottage, it is worth taking into account the natural conditions of the region and using timber with the appropriate dimensions.

Key advantages of using the material

Timber logs are used in the construction of summer country houses, permanent cottages for year-round use, as well as for bathhouses, garages, and various outbuildings. We can list the main advantages of profiled timber:

• Affordable price. This material is significantly cheaper than laminated timber or brick, which makes it more affordable for owners of suburban areas.
• Environmental friendliness. Solid wood retains the ability for natural air exchange: it takes excess moisture from the home atmosphere and releases it back as needed. As a result, it is always comfortable to be in the premises, and it will be easy to breathe in such a house.
• Strength and durability. With proper assembly and regular treatment, the walls can last for decades; the house will not require major repairs. However, he will need regular maintenance care and attention from his owner.
• Light weight. Natural wood is one of the lightest building materials; it does not require a deep concrete foundation. This further reduces construction costs, since it is the foundation that requires large investments.
• Speed ​​of construction. The kit for assembling a log house is pre-made at the production site, and then the house is assembled from ready-made elements. All of them are carefully adjusted to each other, which eliminates the formation of cracks in corners and walls.
• Good thermal insulation qualities. Wood retains heat much better than concrete or brick, which allows you to save on insulation and maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
• Effective sound insulation. Wooden walls block street sounds, making the rooms quiet and comfortable.
• Excellent decorative qualities. If the sides of the timber are given a semicircular shape, the log house will resemble a log house. Interior walls can be made perfectly smooth for ease of decorative finishing. They do not require rough work; various design ideas can be brought to life.

One of the positive features of this material is its relatively low shrinkage, not exceeding 3.5-6%. Preliminary natural or chamber drying allows you to remove most of the moisture from the material, thereby eliminating further deformation and the formation of cracks. The house will not need caulking as often as a log house made of logs or planed timber with natural moisture. Considering all the advantages, we can conclude: profiled timber is perfect for implementing a wide variety of construction projects.

How to choose high-quality profiled timber

Before assessing the quality of wood, it is important to understand what the proposed material is made of. Timber manufacturers use different types of wood. So, quality assessment:

1. Spruce and pine have the lowest cost on the market and are very affordable for timber.
2. Larch in house-building technology is often used at the stage of forming the bottom row of a building due to its super-resistance to moisture. The wood of this material does not rot after several years of being under water.
3. Pine is wonderful to use. It cracks least of all during the drying of timber logs and during the period of prolonged natural shrinkage of the house. It is often used for the upper parts of the building.
4. Cedar trunks are an elite material for timber. They are 1.5 times more expensive and have the following qualities:

• “good” density;
• high strength;
• resistant to dampness;
• has healing properties.

Important! If you use something other than larch on the lower level of the building, perhaps in 2-3 years you will need to dismantle the structure and rebuild the box walls. Yes, this is the most expensive of timber, but it is not recommended to save on it.

Profiled larch timber Source lessale.ru

When constructing walls, a similar or almost identical moisture content of the timber is of great importance when using different types of wood. If the combination is incorrect, the entire building may become distorted. Studying the pros and cons of a house made of timber, it is the risk of such a situation that is considered the main disadvantage during construction.

The craftsmen repeat that the outcome of all construction work when building a wooden house depends on the ability to combine the moisture content of wood.

Disadvantages of profile timber

The disadvantages of the material are manifested in:

• High cost of material. However, this quality is inherent in all wooden components.
• The need for treatment with special antiseptics to prevent wood rotting due to disruption of growth rings.
• Possibility of cracking during drying.
• Impossibility of redevelopment or expansion of internal space.

Just like all other wooden elements, profiled timber can be subject to invasion by beetles and other insects, rotting, and mold formation. Special impregnations will help to cope with this problem.

Profiled timber and similar materials

Let's consider the material in comparison with other types of wood. So, houses are built using the following raw materials:

1. Glued laminated timber is the main competitor of profile timber. Technologies for the production of laminated veneer lumber make it possible to obtain high-quality material for the construction of housing. It does not require external sanding or waiting for the building to settle. But this product is more expensive.
2. Raw, untreated timber is much cheaper than profile timber, but there is much more work involved with such building materials.
3. Calibrated - the quality of the material is high, the shape of the logs is more geometric, but they do not have cut elements for convenient connection of units to each other. With a “lock”, the construction of a house from profiled timber will be faster and more convenient.

Calibrated timber Source mega-les.ru
The stages of building a house from all types of timber are similar. The difference is mainly in the methods of insulation, the natural shrinkage of buildings and the choice of finishing.

Profile types

There are two common ones: the so-called German and Finnish.

German profile

Finnish profile

German: Another name for "comb". Look at this photo and agree that the comparison is correct. The profile has many “tubercles and pits” that ensure reliable connection of the timber to each other. In addition, German does not require inter-crown insulation.

Finnish: It consists of a pair of tall teeth and a pair of corresponding pits. It fits tightly during installation, but unlike the German profile, it requires installation of inter-crown insulation.

Preservation of the “operability” of the grooves is achieved under the condition of appropriate storage before the start of installation work. If the PB lies on the street for a long time, exposed to aggressive factors, this will lead to deformation of the fastening comb. And it will be difficult to achieve a tight fit of the crowns, one into the other.

Video description

We continue the theme of construction from profiled timber. We briefly examine the features of construction from profiled timber in the following video:

Assembling a house from profiled timber Source archvestnik.ru

Projects made from ordinary profiled timber are implemented in several stages. A brief algorithm for constructing a house from timber:

1. On the base (foundation) the box of the house is assembled (by analogy with a construction set).
2. The construction is then left to settle for about a year.
3. After shrinking the log house, the floor and roof are installed, and communications are installed.
4. The final stage is interior and exterior finishing.

Profiled timber is a universal building material for the construction of a bathhouse and an additional guest house on the site. The technology for assembling a small building is practically no different from the construction of the main building.

By purchasing a ready-made house project made from profiled timber, the owner will significantly reduce construction costs. The housing package is delivered to the customer in disassembled condition. Includes part numbers and step-by-step assembly instructions.

Important! When wood is properly dried in a warm chamber, products with the required moisture content enter the market. If such logs are purchased, the construction of a turnkey house is completed in one season.

Advantages

• The complex profile and its high-precision design ensure a tight fit of the beams and an almost monolithic structure;
• Assembly of walls is easier and faster than from non-profiled timber;
• The air and vapor permeability of a house made of solid timber is better than a house made of laminated veneer lumber;
• Although the glue, which is necessarily used in the production of laminated veneer lumber, meets sanitary standards, it is still an artificial material, and natural solid wood looks preferable from the point of view of environmental friendliness;
• Due to the low thermal conductivity of wood, heating costs are reduced, and its low weight reduces the load on the foundation;
• A characteristic feature of profiled timber (especially dry) is its exceptional smoothness, achieved by clean processing using high-tech equipment, so you can do without additional wall finishing;
• Profiled dry timber is approximately 2-2.5 times cheaper than laminated timber, but at the same time it is very close to it in its technical characteristics: thermal insulation, shrinkage, speed and technology of building a house, aesthetics, etc.

Manufacturing and characteristics

At the beginning of the timber manufacturing process, future wood parts must have the same length with a “margin”, i.e. their dimensional parameters must be greater than the calculated ones. When drying, the parts become several millimeters smaller.

Example: to produce profiled timber 200*200, a log must be taken with a cross-section of 210*210 mm.

Workpiece processing Source pro-brus.ru

Profiled timber is produced using the following technology:

1. The bark and branches are removed from the tree trunk (a solid piece).
2. The log is processed on each side and acquires 4 sides of the correct geometric shape.
3. Each of the four resulting sides acquires spikes (elements of the castle).

The usual and most often used length of the timber is 6 m, the cross-sectional shape is trapezoidal. There are full length groove joints on both sides. When assembling elements and installing one on top of another, such tenons and grooves create a stationary structure, and, as a result, strong walls of the house.

Thanks to such connection elements, a kind of “lock,” even a non-builder can build a house from profiled timber. This kind of construction is also called “construction”.

What is profiling?

To find out what profiled products are, you need to pay attention to their cross-section. The workpiece will have a special configuration. If you pay attention to elongated products, you will notice that the resulting cross-sectional profile is repeated along the entire length. At the same time, there are unequal profiles of lumber along the entire length.

Profiled lumber is a part or blank that is made from a beam, block or board and is distinguished by four sides that have been processed using milling equipment. Such products include:

• floor tongue and groove board;
• profiled timber;
• imitation timber;
• lining;
• block house;
• stair handrails;
• window details;
• door parts;
• layout;
• platbands;
• skirting boards;
• corners.

As can be understood from all of the above, in comparison with edged building materials, the existing surfaces are not simply sawed. In this case, all sides or only part of them receive a shape that differs from the usual plane. For example, the back side and edges of an imitation timber or floorboard are complexly milled, while the façade remains only slightly planed. But the block house does not have a single smooth surface.

Profiled products are conventionally divided into several varieties (for example, by area of ​​application):

1. Materials for covering surfaces (profiled boards, imitation of various materials, as well as floor tongue and groove).
2. Structural lumber (profiled timber used to build solid walls).
3. Molded products (plinths, corners, platbands).

Profiled planed boards, profiled timber and other lumber in this category are made mainly from aspen and coniferous wood. Products are produced on multi-spindle milling machines, which process two or four sides simultaneously. Additionally, machines with a fifth spindle are used, which cuts any element at an angle. There are many processing options. Modern equipment makes it possible to use completely edged material as a workpiece, double-edged timber or log. Some types of equipment can not only trim, but also profile the end, as well as gluing, removing knots, installing plugs instead, grinding, creating a rough surface for further painting, marking parts for future processing, packaging, and so on.

Summary of the material

Having studied profiled timber, as well as its pros and cons, we can conclude the following: construction from this material should only be carried out in accordance with the technology; it is important to regularly follow the rules of care (impregnation) of wood. And then, by choosing a timber made from a certain type of wood that is suitable for the purpose and environmental conditions, you can enjoy environmentally friendly and reliable housing.

Interior of a house made of profiled timber Source krsk.au.ru

Environmental friendliness

If we compare materials according to environmental parameters, the materials are almost as good as each other:

1. They are made from natural raw materials (wood).
2. The timber is clean, without additional impurities.
3. The buildings will breathe and create a healthy climate inside.

But both types can be susceptible to fungus; manufacturers recommend additional impregnation to improve the protective properties. In addition, the edged version may be exposed to high humidity, which will result in deformation and shrinkage.