What's the difference between log and timber frame structures?

Log homes are constructed from horizontally stacked logs that have not been milled into conventional lumber. Built for centuries in Scandinavia, Russia, and Eastern Europe, log homes were first brought to North America by Swedish settlers in the early 1700s. In the 1920s, the first milled log homes appeared, using precut rather than hand-hewn logs. While most manufacturers still market similar products, Sloan's Mill developed an engineered log building system that solves the structural and appearance problems of the past.

Timber framing is a series of solid wood posts and beams that have been mortised together using age-old joinery techniques. A centuries-old craft, timber framing at Sloan's Mill has evolved into an advanced technology that produces visually appealing timbers for posts, beams, and other supporting elements, eliminating previous timber problems. Compatible with building systems such as logs, stud systems, or structural insulated panels (SIPs), timber frames may be covered with enclosure systems that include exteriors of wood, stone, brick, or stucco. Interiors often feature exposed structural timbers that frame walls of drywall or wood.

How do engineered logs prevent shrinking, settling, cracking, warping, and/or twisting?

Everyone in the industry agrees that the most common and expensive problems with log homes are the shrinking, settling, cracking, warping, and/or twisting that occur as solid heavy timbers dry out. Most logs that are kiln dried initially average around 20 percent moisture content following the kiln process, then slowly dry out through the years to about 12 percent. As the solid timbers release moisture, they often shrink or change shape, creating large cracks or gaps. These must be caulked to prevent cold air, insects, and moisture from entering, which is an expensive and time-consuming project that requires repetition several times before timbers dry completely. If not corrected, more costly damage can occur due to rot. Some parts of the home settle more than others over time, creating structural problems.

Although manufacturers have tried to minimize shrinkage in a thousand different ways, our extensive research indicates that there is only one surefire way to prevent the problems that arise from shrinking logs: to dry the wood below 12 percent moisture content before construction begins. The only true solution to reducing moisture content on the interior of a solid log is to slice it, dry each piece to the desired moisture content, and reassemble the slices with an industrial-strength glue stronger than the wood itself. The result is an engineered log that will not shrink, warp, twist, or allow large cracking. While checks—small, nonstructural cracks—may still occur, as they do in any kiln drying process, they are barely visible and cause no structural problems.

Even stronger and more stable than the original, the new log looks no different from the inside or outside. The only way to distinguish an engineered log is by examining the ends. However, as the log naturally weathers, even the ends are hard to distinguish from a solid log.

How did Sloan's Mill eliminate weak butt joints?

The weakest links of a log home have historically been the joints where log ends butt together. If not properly joined, gaps can create air and water leaks. Most manufacturers use a wood spline that requires caulking and sealer to prevent leaks. But, while standard joints usually suffice to prevent leaks, they do not provide any structural integrity to the joinery. That’s why we use engineered dovetail butt joints, which not only seal the joint but also provide unsurpassed structural strength.

How did Sloan's Mill solve issues regarding square and plumb timber corners?

While expert installers know the ins and outs of obtaining square and plumb corners, inexperienced installers or DIY homeowners can greatly weaken the structural integrity of a log home with imperfect corners. Imperfect corners may also cause air and water infiltration.

Our engineered heavy timber corner system solves the problem for all installers. Through mortise and tenon joinery, our corners are attached to heavy timber corner posts. The result is a solid, airtight, easy-to-install corner that provides structural integrity to the home.

How long will engineered wood timbers last?

Sloan’s Mill homes are built to last with strength and versatility. The wood fiber in an engineered log would disintegrate from age before adhesives would ever break down, and laminated timber is stronger than steel pound-for-pound, which allows beams to span long distances with minimal need for intermediate supports. The logs engineered for Sloan's Mill homes are built to structural laminated AITC strict industry standards. Free of environmentally harmful formaldehyde binders, the specialized glue creates an irreversible, waterproof bond between layers that actually gets stronger with age. If you were to hammer and chisel along a seam to attempt to separate the layers in one of our logs, you would find it impossible to do so without tearing the wood itself.