We compare rounded and chopped logs - pros and cons. What is better for building a house or a bathhouse?

Environmentally friendly and comfortable log houses are reliable buildings that will last for years. Wood creates that unique coziness that cannot be obtained from any other material. In addition, wood does not emit toxins, no matter what the temperature is outside or in the house.

It’s easier to breathe in a log house, even if it’s a very small one, and it’s more pleasant to be in than in an ordinary brick house. Such houses are chosen by fans of original interiors that will also be healthy. Each log house can be considered unique and one of a kind, since each log has its own pattern.

Another undoubted advantage of wooden houses is good heat and sound insulation. Silence and comfort are guaranteed to you. Thanks to special wood processing and some secrets in construction, the log house will serve you for decades.

Features of manual cutting

The technology for constructing log houses came to us from our ancestors. The main material here, of course, is tree trunks cut down and processed by hand. This approach can preserve all the beneficial qualities of wood. The result is an ideal material for construction, which has no analogues.

The peculiarity of chopped logs is the different diameter of the trunks and the uneven surface of the finished material. Of course, in this way it is impossible to create a perfectly even frame, as when using rounded wood. But you will get a house that will be different from other buildings of the same plan.

The technology of constructing a log house itself is laying logs on top of each other using logs or transverse logs. To ensure they fit tightly and with a minimum of cracks, a groove is cut in the bottom log, ideally oval. Sometimes a triangular one is used, but it does not provide such a reliable connection.

After installing the frame, the walls are caulked, since the grooves are not always smooth. This will ensure complete tightness, protection from cold and wind, and also prevent the appearance of cracks on the logs themselves. It is also possible to carry out other work on the surface. Among them are insulation, sanding, coated with protective or decorative agents. Thus, the result is to enhance the insulating properties of the log house and improve its appearance. The tree is completely protected from the influence of climate change, insects and fungus.

Preparation of necessary documents

If you plan to cooperate with government agencies, large woodworking companies or foreign companies, then it is better to issue LLC documents. In addition, a legal entity is the only option if several founders are involved in the business or you are afraid that the company will go bankrupt (the founders of an LLC do not risk their personal property in such situations).

Entrepreneurs who plan to sell products to individuals or small firms can save on registration by completing individual entrepreneur documents. But, regardless of the organizational and legal form of your business, you must choose OKVED codes that correspond to your activity. In this case, the following are suitable:

OKVED 20.30
(production of wooden carpentry and building structures).
OKVED 20.10.1
(production of lumber whose thickness is more than 6 mm).

In addition, you need to fill out paperwork with Rospotrebnadzor and the fire inspectorate, and also receive a quality certificate confirming that your product meets established standards. No more permits or licenses are required.

Difference between rounded and chopped logs

First of all, the method of processing materials differs. Chopped logs are always processed by hand. They turn out to be different in diameter, with irregularities. At the same time, during construction it is necessary to demonstrate a high level of skill in order to correctly execute the longitudinal groove. This type of work is trusted to professionals with extensive experience.

Rounding of logs is carried out using machines that give the wood the desired shape. As a result, the output is smooth logs of the same diameter. This characteristic makes it easier to lay the logs.

But rounding involves cutting off a fairly thick top layer. This significantly reduces the wood's environmental protection. At the same time, manual processing is carried out in a gentle way, so that the top layer remains practically untouched.

But despite the processing method, both materials require protective treatment with antiseptics, fire retardants and other special agents. Over time, any wood can rot, crack and lose its positive qualities. Antiseptic agents and impregnations help avoid this. Paints and varnishes are also used. In addition, fire retardants are used in the construction of log houses, which reliably protect against fire.

It must be borne in mind that no matter how the logs are processed, they in any case experience significant shrinkage. Already in the first year it will be about 10%. Therefore, it is worth postponing finishing and carrying out all kinds of communications for at least six months. Otherwise, you risk damaging the fresh frame, the tree will spread and the house will be warped.

From an aesthetic point of view, log houses can be considered more interesting and attractive. Naturalness and texture allow such a building to harmoniously fit into any landscape. This type of wood will appeal to those who appreciate the spirit of antiquity and want to bring it into their home. Rounded logs give a more laconic and aesthetic appearance. The neatness and perfect similarity of the material allows it to be used in any interior.

Installation

For work, an old sawmill is used, on which the body is replaced with a stop and tailstocks for clamping an unbarked trunk. A tapered or other roller bearing is installed as a holder. In order for the log to easily rotate along its own axis, you will need an additional motor; manually the process will take a long time.

To move the cutter, the simplest solution is to lay a rail track. There is no need to drag heavy whips by hand. The distance between the transverse sleepers, which reinforce the structure and on which the rail is attached, is no more than 1 m; for installation, timber impregnated with special compounds or ready-made sleepers are used.

Installation of a homemade machine for rounding begins with assembling the frame. Using a welding machine, its sections are prepared separately. And during assembly, they check with a level so that the structure is in the same plane. An error of 0.5 mm per meter is allowed, since perfect evenness will still not be achieved, and a heavy log will smooth out the discrepancy in the future.

The milling unit is strengthened and assembled from lathe parts. After all, in addition to rounding, you need to cut out a cup on the barrel. This requires a special vertical cutter, which is made independently or ordered from the manufacturer’s catalog.

Now connect the motor for rotation. Immediately provide a power supply with the recommended voltage in the room intended to be a home sawmill; the power cable must go separately and be connected to an independent panel, otherwise constant knocking out of household appliances in the house cannot be avoided, which cannot affect their operation. The engine is strengthened with anchor bolts. The correct connection is indicated on the case; the movement of the power head must coincide with it. If there is a discrepancy, swap the phases.

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Connection cables for various components are installed over the entire length of the finished machine with a margin. Safety of use lies in strengthening them above the machine with flexible holders. Do not let the cable sag, much less touch the work surface - cutting it is fraught with consequences.

Before putting into operation, the machine for rounded logs is checked for parallelism of the axes of the headstocks, front and rear. The moving cutter must run exactly horizontally. If this is not done, the least trouble that occurs during operation is the curvature of the barrel. Large – failure of the entire system. In addition, the error of parallel lines leads to the play of the log, especially with poor fixation.

ADVANTAGES OF CHOPPED LOG

A completely safe and interesting material that can create a unique microclimate in the house;
Significantly less cracking and practically does not absorb moisture;
Preservation of the natural protective layer preserves such qualities of wood as resistance to ultraviolet radiation and insects;
A massive log house is much more reliable due to the greater thickness of the log;
Longer service life;
When laying chopped wood, wind protection and anti-shrinkage technologies are used, which cannot be applied to rounded logs;
Many types of corner placement are available. Among them are Finnish, Russian, paw, triple cutting and others;
Natural material is quite aesthetic, therefore it practically does not require additional finishing.

Construction technologies

The construction of wooden houses from round logs is, as a rule, one of the most labor-intensive, time-consuming and high-cost due to the fact that the construction of any such building requires the filigree work of specialists at every stage, from project development and procurement of high-quality wood to the installation of a log house and wiring of communications. The main advantages of a log house - its durability, ability to retain heat, resistance to temperature and humidity changes, natural ventilation and the absence of drafts - depend on how carefully the building design is thought out and how well it is implemented. This includes, among other things, the correct selection of logs, their timely grinding and treatment with antiseptics and fire retardants, correct assembly of the log house and alignment of vertical angles, proper use of insulation and scrupulous monitoring of house shrinkage.

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To achieve the best results in the construction of modern log houses, Canadian cup cutting using Robert Chambers technology is widely used, which allows minimizing the occurrence of gaps during the shrinkage of the log house, thereby reducing the need for additional insulation and guaranteeing the strength of the connections. Depending on the technical requirements and aesthetic preferences, the log house is assembled from logs of both standard (28-34 cm) and non-standard diameter (over 36 cm); The most popular types of wood are pine and spruce, and to a lesser extent cedar and larch.

DISADVANTAGES OF CHOPPED LOG

Installation and installation of a log house are more complex, since they require precision and understanding of the principles of working with logs of different diameters;
Manual work and labor-intensive processing mean a higher price;
Different diameters result in a larger number of cracks that must be carefully caulked and sealed;
The professionalism of the construction team directly affects the quality of the finished log house;
The final shrinkage lasts about a year, the final result is 7-12%.

ADVANTAGES OF CYLINDED LOG

Like any wood, it is an environmentally friendly material that allows you to create ideal housing;
Better fit of logs, which is due to the same diameter, increases thermal protection and sound insulation;
The assembly and installation of a log house is significantly accelerated, since the technology does not require special skills and knowledge;
The perfectly flat surface of the walls and floor allows any finishing to be done both inside and outside the premises;
Light weight allows you to build log houses without massive foundations, which significantly speeds up the process of building a house;
Natural material is quite aesthetic, therefore it practically does not require additional finishing.

DISADVANTAGES OF CYLINDERED LOGS

Removing the top protective layer of wood significantly weakens the protection of the material. As a result, additional treatment with various antiseptics is required;
Moisture absorption is higher; such wood may turn black or rot more actively without proper treatment;
Wood that has been machined cracks much more;
The log house needs proper processing and regular professional care in order to last much longer;
Some laying technologies cannot be applied to rounded logs;
The final shrinkage lasts about a year, the final result is 7-12%.

Positive aspects of log material

Mechanized wood processing gives rounded timber a number of positive qualities that are not inherent in other materials used in construction. Namely:

Ecological cleanliness. In the process of preparing logs, no harmful substances are used, which allows the material to remain absolutely safe for humans. In addition, the resins released by wood during operation have powerful antiviral and antiseptic properties, which have a beneficial effect on the human body.
Appearance. Rounded logs (beams) are considered the most attractive type of building materials made from natural wood. Buildings made of round timber fascinate with their beauty both outside and inside, and no additional treatments are required.
Easy to assemble. The presence of markings and grooves for joining logs can significantly reduce time and labor costs during the construction of a building. The structural elements fit as evenly and tightly as possible to each other.
Availability. Great competition between round timber manufacturers forces them to strictly control the quality of their products and keep the cost of materials at a minimum level.

COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS

Characteristic	Rounded	Chopped
Appearance	The surface is flat and smooth, the shape and width of each log is the same.	The width and shape differs in each log, the surface is rough and uneven.
Diameter	The entire length of the log is the same, not exceeding 320 mm.	Different. The choice of sizes is quite wide, up to 520 mm.
Assembly	Due to the identical diameters and smooth surface, it is quite fast and simple.	Complicating the process due to different-sized logs. Requires additional skills and professionalism
Thermal insulation	The tight fit ensures high insulating properties and minimal heat loss.	A large number of gaps reduces the insulation characteristics. To live in a log house on a permanent basis, additional insulation is required.
Production	Mechanical. High production speed at the expense of loss of some protective properties.	Manual. The protective layer remains intact, but the production time increases.
Protective layer	Gets lost. Treatment with additional protective agents is necessary.	Saved. A basic impregnation against moisture and insects is sufficient.
Shrinkage	From 0.5 to 1.5 years. The result is 7-12%.	From 0.5 to 1.5 years. The result is 7-12%.

Myth No. 3: Blue stains destroy wood.

Blue stain is the most common type of sapwood fungal stains, which are formed as a result of the activity of wood-staining fungi of the Ceratostomaceae family, which do not cause the formation of rot. Blue stain affects both dead and freshly cut wood of absolutely all species, but conifers are especially susceptible to it.

Data from numerous studies of the influence of this defect on the physical and mechanical characteristics of pine wood clearly indicate that no significant changes in properties occur under static loads. The maximum recorded strength reduction value is about 5%.

Still, rumors about the danger of blue-spot infection have some basis. The sapwood color itself does not harm the wood, but if there are other, more dangerous types of fungi in it, the blue stain will serve as a catalyst for the spread of the disease.

Some species of sapwood blue fungi can stimulate the growth of wood-decaying fungi, but without mycological analysis it is impossible to determine the specific species that caused the blue spots to form on the log. Therefore, there is no reason to panic at the first appearance of mushroom coloring, but you shouldn’t let everything take its course either.

Ink stains appear on logs as a result of the combined influence of three factors:

High humidity
Temperatures above zero
Poor ventilation.

To avoid the appearance of blue, it is enough to exclude at least one of the factors from the list. The easiest way is to ensure good ventilation in the log house.

If the wood does turn blue, the problem can be easily solved with the help of special disinfectants. Paradoxically, in most cases, coloring fungi facilitate deep impregnation of wood with antiseptics, and therefore the fight against wood-destroying types of fungi.

Selection of quality logs

The quality of the finished log depends on the choice of truly high-quality material. You need to select the right material in advance, even before ordering construction. It is worth giving preference to winter forest, as it is considered stronger and more reliable. Before buying a tree, be sure to find out where and how the wood was harvested.

You are required to provide quality certificates; also check the storage conditions of the wood in advance. The ideal option is a company that independently procures materials and builds log cabins. The lack of in-house production means inflated prices for finished products. Also in this case it is impossible to check the quality of the wood.

For residential buildings it is worth choosing logs at least 240 mm thick; for northern regions it is better to choose at least 260 mm. Otherwise, in winter the room will be quite cold, which is not suitable for permanent residence. Country houses can also be erected from thinner logs.

controls the quality of materials that are manufactured in accordance with GOST standards. Timber storage, transportation and loading/unloading takes place in accordance with the rules for transporting timber and long cargo. This provides protection against damage and contamination of materials.

Thanks to its own production, the company controls every stage of timber harvesting. As a result, the quality of the products is confirmed by quality certificates and our storage conditions. Professionals from “SrubimBanyu” will quickly and efficiently install the log house. We also carry out a full range of finishing and communications work.

Approximate prices

The price of a wall kit depends on the diameter of the logs. Since manufacturers, as a rule, offer houses with installation, the final amount includes the cost of work (installation on a finished foundation).

The approximate price of an assembly kit for a house made of rounded logs with a diameter of 22 cm with installation of a rafter system and temporary roofing felt is 10,000 rubles per 1 m2 (area measured by floor).

For the construction of the same log house, but from logs with a diameter of 28 cm, you will have to pay at least 11,000 rubles/m2. It is easy to calculate that a one-story log house measuring 6x6 meters will cost from 400,000 rubles. It is also worth noting that the cost of construction is affected by the area of the building - the larger, the lower the cost per square meter.

The term “turnkey” construction in this case implies not only all the listed works and materials. The final price also includes: installation of electrical, plumbing, heating and sewerage, installation of carpentry, insulation and flooring (rough and finished from boards), filing of ceilings, installation of plumbing, gutters and sills. The price tag for this set of works starts at 20,000 rubles per 1 m2 of building area.