New Glu-Lam Products and
Product Modifications Announced
by Phil Alman and Bob Smith

An interesting sidelight of producing a publication like Glu-Lam-Log Notes and distributing it to thousands of log home enthusiasts is the inevitable response it generates. The publication is specifically designed to open the lines of communication and that's exactly what it did. Current clients, people we've never met before, and even our own employees suddenly had something to say, and suggestions of all kinds came rolling in. While input covered the gamut of topics, one of the most prevalent areas of conversation centered around what's right about our products and things that could be done to make them better.

One of the principal rules of marketing is to listen to your customers because, with few exceptions, they know what's best. And, listening to suggestions concerning new products and product updates is a logical source of product line expansion ideas. Nevertheless, it's been our experience that many companies who hear what customers are saying seldom really listen to what's being said. Although no-one specifically accused us of falling into the category of non-listeners, it sure made us re-evaluate just how well we were performing.

So, we jotted down some of the new input we received as a result of the inaugural issue of Notes. We dusted off some of the old files that contained previously submitted ideas. We even asked each other for thoughts about new and improved products. In no time at all we had a pretty extensive list of things that folks had suggested. None of them were particularly earth shattering in scope, but many of them were doggone good ideas that deserved attention.

Double T&G Lam Logs Now Available

Probably the most significant of our product modifications is the introduction of a new double tongue and groove version of our laminated logs. We've been hearing requests for this log, off and on, for years. The only reason that we hadn't put a lot of emphasis on making this configuration part of our product line is that the standard Single T&G configuration already provided an airtight seal. In fact, using foam tape in the slotted portion of the tongue along with caulk on the beveled edge of the tongue provided a double seal.

Enter Evan Balaszi, owner of Quality Home Builders in Kenly, North Carolina and a Glu-Lam-Log dealer. Evan has never been shy about telling us what's on his mind and, in no uncertain terms, he made us understand that in his area of the country the lack of a double tongue and groove pattern was sometimes a barrier to sales. He admitted that our current lam log profile sealed just fine, but he wouldn't let us off the hook. "Double T&G is what people are used to here," he argued "and anything else is unacceptable. Besides, I like to fasten logs with lag bolts and, in the single tongue and groove four lam logs, I've got to drill through the sealing surface in order to put in my lag." This is not the first time someone criticized us for this but, admittedly, it was one of those things we heard but had not yet listened to.

So, we made Evan a deal. "Get us a couple of orders and make them contingent upon the availability of a Double T&G Pattern. If you do that, we'll not only fund the design and tooling of the log but we'll let you do the final sign off. " A week later Evan had met his part of the bargain by putting two large orders into the system. A week after that we had drawings in Evan's hands for review and approval. Thirty days more and Evan's first load of logs was being produced and on the way to him.

We've delayed formally announcing the availability of these logs until we had a couple of runs under our belt to debug the milling process and a few houses built to make sure that the new configuration worked well in the field. The plant crew has the milling process down pat and Evan reports that the logs were beautiful and that they stacked quickly and perfectly. He also reports that the logs seemed to seat even better than before. He attributes this to the small, non-bearing open space between the logs. As a lag is screwed through the open space and tightened, it presses down on the middle of the log, flaring it out slightly towards the bearing surfaces.

With pilot runs and field testing accomplished, we're happy to announce general availability of the new profiles. If you prefer the new patterns make sure to specify Double T&G when you order. The Single T&G pattern will continue to be available for those who prefer it, but we've got a feeling that the new pattern will soon become the preferred standard.

As is the case with all of our products, samples of the new pattern are available for the asking. Either fill out the information request form located elsewhere in this publication or call direct. Your request will be given prompt and courteous attention.

Three Lam Log Introduced

When it comes to log homes, bigger is often better. But that's not always the case. There seem to be many situations where clients want a smaller log. In fact, if you stop to think about it, many of the most popular cedar homes are constructed from a variation of laminated decking that has been glued together using 3/4" thick stock. The finished thickness of these logs is a nominal four inches. The results are often striking, but the use of thin laminating stock limits the number of profiles that are practical. In fact, traditional "D Log" patterns are not even possible because the exterior lamination is not thick enough to accommodate a curved profile. Yet, according to manufacturers of these homes, a wider variety of profiles would likely result in an expansion of this market. Other potential applications for "skinny" logs are recreational cabins and buildings, such as garages, guest houses, and shops, that are adjacent to existing log homes.

With these applications in mind, Glu-Lam-Log introduces a new, more economical, three lam log that combines the structural integrity and strength of laminated construction, the option of mixing species, and a D-Log profile that looks just like larger logs. If you prefer, we can also mill these logs out of solid pine or cedar cants.

Log Cabin Trim

This next product addition comes to us courtesy of a local manufacturer of fully engineered and kitted homes. They needed 2x6 material that could be used to trim out window and door openings and would complement their logs. Being a Bitterroot Valley neighbor, they knew that we do custom planing and that we have countless sets of knives to mill virtually any shape. It didn't take us long to come to agreement on a pattern. Now almost every package they ship includes a quantity of this log cabin trim. In fact, we've been making this stuff for several years but it's been a pretty well kept secret. From now on, when people order, we'll make a point of reminding them that it's available and that there will undoubtedly be enough room on their outbound truck to fit all that's necessary for their project.

Fencing

Karl Francis, our dealer in Big Bear City, California , was working on a remodeling job, giving the old exterior of a home and adjoining buildings a brand new log cabin look with our western red cedar log cabin siding and "false corners". This was one of those jobs that every builder has had at one time or another -- one that starts simple and just seems to grow as the home owner sees the potential. The client, realizing that he had found a conscientious builder who was willing to take a personal interest in the job, just wouldn't let go. Once the buildings were done, Karl's customer was determined to have a matching fence and wouldn't settle for anything less than cedar, profiled to complement the logs. So, Karl called to see if such an animal existed. It was one of those calls that went something like this: "I know you probably don't have anything like this, but I thought I'd call anyway." It took just a moment to realize that we probably did have an answer -- and it was located right in our own backyard.

Four years ago, when common sense and insurance requirements dictated that we finally put a fence around the plant yard, Bob gathered up a pile of 2x8's that weren't good enough for lam stock and profiled them with a curvature that looks like a log. We ended up lagging these boards to posts and ended up with a pretty nice fence.

A couple of quick photos and a trace of the knives we used were enough to convince Karl's client that he wanted the same look around his property. Just like that, another product was born -- one that can add a distinctive look to property boundaries or to any landscaping job.

Outside Deck

This has got to be one of the least dramatic bits of milling that we have ever done. In fact, if you look quickly at the sketch of the outside deck profile, you'd probably say, "What's the big deal? It looks like a piece of regular lumber to me."

That's exactly the point! The profile really is very inconspicuous but, if you look carefully, you'll see that we've milled a slight crown onto the wood. The crown is only a sixteenth of an inch, or so, higher than the edges -- not enough to see when you look at it and not enough to feel when you walk on it, but enough to do a really good job of shedding water.

The two worst enemies of the decks that so often are part of log home construction are the sun's ultraviolet rays and standing water. Credit Kevin Robinson, our planing supervisor, with this great idea for getting water off your deck. We'll leave it to protective finishes to handle the UV.

Samples

As is the case with all of Glu-Lam-Log's products, samples of these product line modifications and additions are yours for the asking. Just fill out the Product Sample Request Form , located on the back page of this issue of Notes, and mail it to us. We'll process your request as soon as it arrives. If you'd like to speed up the process, just give us a call. If you phone in the morning we'll probably be able to get your samples out to you the same day.