Milling and cutting the logs for a Tennessee Log Home is a multi stepped and unique process that requires precision and care.
The Eastern White Pine logs are shipped into our plant having already been sawn into cants (squares). These are stacked for air drying, naturally curing the wood before they are treated with Timbor® Borate Log Treatment.
The cants are then air dried for a 60-90 day period, allowing the Timbor® to penetrate and replace sap moisture.
The kiln-drying process is next, reducing moisture content to about 19%. This also kills any pests that might be present within the wood. After the kiln, the cants are stored in an acclimation shed for 30 days, stabilizing the cants before they are milled.
A computer-controlled, precision molder/planer they shapes the cants into the profile selected by the customer for their home.
Grading the logs to “Log Wall 40” standards is accomplished in the cut-off line assuring that all defects are removed. Each log is marked to designate its position in the log wall per the blueprints and the Log Wall 40 grade stamp is applied.
Special notches called dado’s are made where a log’s end butts against another log to accommodate the dovetailed splines that seal the joints.
Lag bolt holes are drilled in the logs at approximately every 32-inches. Notching the logs with the appropriate corner joinery is accomplished next and the blueprints are marked to show that the log has been manufactured. Notches are sanded and splintering is removed and the end cuts are made perfectly square. The countersinking is checked and finished.
Each home includes extra logs and the cut-sheets are double checked to ensure that the log wall system is complete.
The finished logs are then bundled according to their position in the log wall with special lumber wrap. After labeling, these completed bundles are stored together in the dry until time for shipment. Spacers are attached to the bundles for forklift transport before the loads are tarped and shipped.
Once the logs are assembled and all necessary tasks are performed, the Lifetime Limited Warranty is ready to activate.