http://www.about-siding.com/does-anybody-have-any-tips-on-building-a-log-cabin-especially-about-the-dry-of-the-logs/200/ Your Questions, Our Answers Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:46:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 http://www.about-siding.com/does-anybody-have-any-tips-on-building-a-log-cabin-especially-about-the-dry-of-the-logs/200/#comment-287 Derail Thu, 08 May 2008 16:28:26 +0000 http://www.about-siding.com/does-anybody-have-any-tips-on-building-a-log-cabin-especially-about-the-dry-of-the-logs/200/#comment-287 If you air dry, buy a moisture meter. That takes the guess work out of it, and the risk of not getting it right. Moisture content should run about 8 percent over 80 percent of each log. Should you decide to build before the logs are dry, then open cracks will develop between the logs as the wood dries out - especially with pine. And put stresses on interior sheeting as well, such as sheet rock or paneling, also resulting in cracks. I live in northern Minnesota, and many dry kilns are in close proximity. I recommend kiln drying. With air drying, you might end up with 20 percent waste due to cracking. Kiln drying can reduce that to 5 percent. If you air dry, buy a moisture meter. That takes the guess work out of it, and the risk of not getting it right. Moisture content should run about 8 percent over 80 percent of each log. Should you decide to build before the logs are dry, then open cracks will develop between the logs as the wood dries out - especially with pine. And put stresses on interior sheeting as well, such as sheet rock or paneling, also resulting in cracks. I live in northern Minnesota, and many dry kilns are in close proximity. I recommend kiln drying. With air drying, you might end up with 20 percent waste due to cracking. Kiln drying can reduce that to 5 percent.

]]> http://www.about-siding.com/does-anybody-have-any-tips-on-building-a-log-cabin-especially-about-the-dry-of-the-logs/200/#comment-286 jackjacoman Thu, 08 May 2008 06:37:05 +0000 http://www.about-siding.com/does-anybody-have-any-tips-on-building-a-log-cabin-especially-about-the-dry-of-the-logs/200/#comment-286 if you cut the logs last year they are dry enough to build now but they will still settle a bit you have to allow for that at the windows and door frames . the logs should be peeled soon before the bugs get into them if you cut the logs last year they are dry enough to build now but they will still settle a bit you have to allow for that at the windows and door frames . the logs should be peeled soon before the bugs get into them

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