Tips for Buying a Log Cabin for your Garden
How much you pay for log cabins depends not just on the size of the building but also what types of logs have been used to build it. There are some, which have been built using handcrafted logs, which are quite expensive, and there are those that have been built from milled logs and these types of cabins are a lot less expensive.
It is important therefore before you actually decide on getting such a cabin built you know the difference between milled and handcrafted logs. Generally, those that are milled have been prepared using either a sawmill, a lathe or a planer. This then ensures that each log will be cut to a specific profile or shape. As you will soon discover milled logs have a far more uniformed shape and size to them compared to handcrafted ones.
Logs, which are milled to help extract moisture from them, will either be allowed to dry in the air or be placed in a kiln. The time it takes for the exact amounts of moisture to be removed depends on the size of the log and the method of drying used. But by extracting moisture from the wood helps to prevent too much shrinkage occurring once, the cabin has been constructed.
The actual surface of these kinds of logs will be flat on the top and bottom of each one and they may also have been coped. In some cases, a tongue and groove joint will also have been inserted so that actually assembling the cabin together is a lot easier. Plus it helps to make a much more rigid and strong. These logs can be left with a rougher side to offer a more rustic look but can also be sanded smooth.
In most cases, the trees from which the wood for these types of logs used are pines, spruces, firs as well as cedars. For a cheap but well built milled cabin, buy one made from either pine or spruce. However, if you have a little more money in your budget then consider getting one made using cedar instead.
Above we have explained something about what milled logs are, now we will provide you with some information regarding handcrafted ones. These will be prepared using either a drawknife so the wood will be hand peeled or they will be water peeled. In most cases, the wood will still be green, as the trees from the which the logs are being produced have only been cut for a few days or a week. Where as milled logs can be either air or kiln dried, with handcrafted ones the only way is to extract moisture is through air-drying. There are unfortunately not enough kilns around which are large enough to accommodate these logs.
Just like with milled log cabins those who make handcrafted ones like to use pine and spruce trees. However, there are some log cabin manufacturers who prefer to use either Douglas fir, Oak, Juniper, Cyprus or Alpine Fir (True Firs) instead.
How much your log cabins cost not only depends on the way in which the logs have been prepared, but also the size of the property. Plus the amount of time and effort that it takes to actually construct the cabin. As mentioned handcrafted ones are more expensive than milled ones because the work is, more labour intensive and much larger pieces of wood are used.
Article Source: http://www.search-raven.com
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There are a range of log cabins available to purchase online which can add something special to your garden. You could also consider choosing from the range of summerhouses which are extremely similar to log cabins.
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by: SpencerWilkins
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