Katahdin Cedar Log Homes
There isn't enough that could be said about the quality of Katahdin's cedar logs. The logs undergo a qualification process to provide the best logs in your home. From the time the log enters the manufacturing plant in Oakfield, Maine, to the time it is shipped to the building site, the logs are graded 5 times throughout the manufacturing process. You would be surprised to know that only 9% of the round wood Katahdin receives qualifies for the #1 stock that is used in our homes.
We use cedar logs for a reason:
Cedar vs. Pine
Pine has 2.5 times as much water as cedar. This can lead to a number of problems like cracking, splitting, shrinkage, setting, air seepage and rot after your home is built. White cedar also has the highest R-value of any wood used in log homes at a rating 1.41 "R"/inch of thickness. The R-value in pine only averages 1.12 "R"/inch of thickness.
Better Insulated Against Soaring Utility Bills
Northern White Cedar protects a log home's interior better than any other typically used wood. With an impressive R-value of 1.41/inch and a Thermal Mass Factor of 3.78^2 it leaves other woods out in the cold.
Natural Longevity Against Rot and Decay
A recent US Forest Service study found that the life expectancy of untreated pine is only 3 to 7 years. Artificial preservative treatments lose effectiveness as pine logs dry and crack making room for insects and decay. Northern white cedar actually creates its own natural preservative. With a serviceable life of 50 years or more in ground-contact conditions, early wood utility poles, fence posts and railroad ties required cedar's performance.
Repellent To Insects
Pine uses a high heat kiln to dry and kill of insects. However, when pine logs dry, crack, and split, insects will invade. What else will kiln drying do? It effects the wood cells in pine and decrease the R value further, again making cedar the best choice. Northern white cedar has special oils that you cannot smell but insects avoid.
Links:
See how a log home is raised and assembled
Katahdin opens a new state of the art mill
Browse through Katahdin's log home plans
Katahdin Extreme Makeover
We use cedar logs for a reason:
Cedar vs. Pine
Pine has 2.5 times as much water as cedar. This can lead to a number of problems like cracking, splitting, shrinkage, setting, air seepage and rot after your home is built. White cedar also has the highest R-value of any wood used in log homes at a rating 1.41 "R"/inch of thickness. The R-value in pine only averages 1.12 "R"/inch of thickness.
Better Insulated Against Soaring Utility Bills
Northern White Cedar protects a log home's interior better than any other typically used wood. With an impressive R-value of 1.41/inch and a Thermal Mass Factor of 3.78^2 it leaves other woods out in the cold.
Natural Longevity Against Rot and Decay
A recent US Forest Service study found that the life expectancy of untreated pine is only 3 to 7 years. Artificial preservative treatments lose effectiveness as pine logs dry and crack making room for insects and decay. Northern white cedar actually creates its own natural preservative. With a serviceable life of 50 years or more in ground-contact conditions, early wood utility poles, fence posts and railroad ties required cedar's performance.
Repellent To Insects
Pine uses a high heat kiln to dry and kill of insects. However, when pine logs dry, crack, and split, insects will invade. What else will kiln drying do? It effects the wood cells in pine and decrease the R value further, again making cedar the best choice. Northern white cedar has special oils that you cannot smell but insects avoid.
Links:
See how a log home is raised and assembled
Katahdin opens a new state of the art mill
Browse through Katahdin's log home plans
Katahdin Extreme Makeover