Log Home Terms

Log homeowners have wanted to take over the customizations of their homes during the building process in leaps and bounds in recent years.  This includes the incorporation of different wood treatments, as well as architecture.  With this kind of control, log homeowners have been able to bring a new life to the log home building industry through use of options previously unconsidered.

How does a hybrid log home design fit into this planning mix? PercisionCraft.com offers a great definition for those of you who are unfamiliar with this term:

“When you employ a combination of materials into a single home design, that design is said to be "hybrid." We define any combination of log and timber structure as a PrecisionCraft log & timber hybrid design. Although the majority of the structure is log or timber, conventional framing is sometimes included in hybrid log and timber home designs.”

Should a hybrid log home design be part of your dream to be a log homeowner?  Do some research, learn the various options, and explore the various floor plans.  You not only will be surprised at what you find, but you will be pleased at how customized you can make your log home.

There are three different kind of domestic wood species: hardwood, softwood and exotic wood.  Here are some basic terms to help understand more about different kinds of woods:

• Hardwood tree: this tree is deciduous and has flat, broad leaves.
• Softwood tree: these trees are coniferous and has either scales or needles, rather than leaves.
• Coniferous tree: these evergreen trees feature needles, rather than leaves, and have cones.
• Deciduous trees: when these trees are dormant, they shed all of their leaves.
• Sapwood: the wood found in these trees is less durable than hardwood.
• Heartwood: this is the nonliving part of a tree that is darker and stronger than sapwood.
• Grain: the patterns found in wood giving it its final surface appearance after cutting.
• Straight grain: grain running parallel to the vertical line of the tree.
• Irregular grain: an irregular grain pattern usually caused by knots.
• Wavy grain: has the same appearance as regular grain, only it contains short waves.
• Curly grain: when wavy grain becomes irregular grain, it’s referred to as this.
• Interlocked grain: the grain appears in successive patters, with the angles periodically changing.

Once the terms are understood, it’s easier to figure out what kind of wood you’d like to use for the interior architecture of your log home.  This is not an exhaustive list of all wood terms used, but it will get you started.