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What do you mean by ‘laminated logs’?
Laminated logs are Glu-Lam-Log’s signature product. They are a type of manufactured log, constructed by gluing (or laminating) together several pieces of wood. These laminated beams are then finely milled into the shape of logs.
What makes laminated logs any better than traditional milled logs?
There are many problems generally associated with log homes, such as warping, cracking, twisting, and settling. Our laminated logs virtually eliminate these problems. They are the strongest, driest, most finely milled logs available. Also, the laminating process allows us to manually select only the most beautiful pieces of wood for the visible interior and exterior surfaces of your logs.
Will the laminations in the logs ever come apart?
No! Our laminated logs are built to structural laminated beam specifications. The glue that we use between the layers of wood creates an irreversible, waterproof bond that actually gets stronger with age. If you were to take a hammer and chisel and attempt to separate one of our logs at a lamination point, you would find it impossible to do so without tearing the wood.
Are your laminated logs examined by a national third-party inspection agency?
Yes. Our operation is evaluated by Timber Products Inspection (TPI), a nationally recognized, third party organization that conducts unannounced inspections to ensure that our laminated logs meet lam beam specifications.
Do your laminated logs come in a standard shape and size, or do I have options?
With the options we have available, we’d be willing to bet you can find a log to fit your vision. We offer our laminated logs in three thicknesses, three stack heights, and more than a dozen profiles. Also, the unique nature of laminated logs allows you to mix wood species. For example, if you like the dark color of cedar but think it would be too bold for the inside of your home, you can order logs with cedar exterior and pine interior.
Do laminated logs cost a lot more than traditional logs?
Cost per linear foot is somewhat more because wood quality is higher and it it's more labor intensive to manufacture laminated logs. However, keep in mind that the materials that make up our laminated logs are hand-selected and hand-graded, which significantly reduces the amount of waste. Combine this with the increased ease of construction, and it will make up most, if not all, of the cost difference.
I really like the idea of laminated logs, but they look too ‘perfect’. Do you make a laminated log that looks more rustic?
Believe it or not, this is a criticism we’ve heard quite a lot. When people envision a log home, the imperfections inherent in handcrafted log homes are often a big part of the charm. Because of this, we now offer Handcrafted, Hand-Peeled laminated logs. These logs are constructed exactly like our laminated logs, but feature an exterior lamination that is hand-peeled after the milling process, giving the log a completely natural, rustic appearance.
The lamination lines on the exposed ends of your doesn't look right. Is there anyway to get rid of these lines?
This is a good point – once stacked, the lamination lines that are visible on exposed ends of our logs are really the only feature will distinguish them from solid milled logs. These lines are very fine and neat, and many customers actually leave them exposed as part of the house’s look. However, if you do want to hide the lamination lines, there are many ways to achieve this goal. Our best tip? Be creative! Sanding and shaping the ends allows you to virtually eliminate lamination lines. Check out our Construction Tips to see an example of one customer’s solution.
Can’t I just use corners made out of solid milled logs in order to have exposed ends without lamination lines?
While this seems like a good solution, the superior quality and stability of our laminated logs will result in an unsightly mismatch. The traditional logs that make up the corners would suffer the problems associated with log homes, such as cracking and twisting, while the laminated logs would remain unchanged.
I’ve seen other companies that offer laminated logs. Why should I go with Glu-Lam-Logs?
It’s true that over the years, other companies have attempted to copy our logs. At Glu-Lam-Log, we put quality first, and take measures to ensure that you end up with the highest quality product your money can buy:
- Experience -- As far as we know, Glu-Lam-Log, Inc. was the first company to market laminated logs on a national basis. Since our first home was sold in 1984, thousands of homes have been built with Glu-Lam-Logs.
- Handcrafted Quality -- Producing logs that retain the performance of laminated beams and the natural look of logs requires just the right blend of art and technology. When you order Glu-Lam-Logs; you don't get mass-produced product pulled from old warehoused inventory. You get fresh stock that is hand-graded, hand-assembled, and carefully milled by our experienced staff specifically for your project.
- Careful Trimming -- We ruthlessly trim our final product, working under the philosophy that visibly defective material should never make it out of our yard. This drastically cuts down on the amount of waste, ensuring that each and every foot of log that makes it to your building site is usable.
- Honest Dimensions -- When we say our logs are the dimensional equivalent of 6x8s or 8x8s they really are. Other laminated log manufacturers often stretch the truth. Nominal 8" stack height logs only stack 6 1/2" instead of the 7 3/8" standard we've set for our logs. This means that it takes more courses to build a wall, which translates into more linear footage and longer stack time.
- No Finger Joints – Our goal is to make the most natural looking laminated logs possible. Finger joints abruptly change the grain in the middle of a log, making them unsightly and unnatural. We’ve made a conscious decision to only use continuous lengths of quality wood in our logs, allowing us to retain a more natural look.
The bottom line is that our company philosophy, based on quality rather than volume, ensures that you receive the highest quality laminated log on the market. We treat every single stick of wood as if it going to be used in our own homes.
Are your laminated logs treated with any sort of stain or sealant?
While the exposed ends of our logs are coated with an emulsified paraffin sealant to prevent end checking, we do not coat our logs with any stain or sealant at the factory. Keep in mind that it is very important to do this on your own.
What lengths do your laminated logs come in?
We manufacture our laminated logs using 2x material ranging from 6’to 16’ long. Due to the careful trimming of our logs to remove any defective material, however, the final product will come in random lengths, generally between 6’ to 16’ long…heavy to the longs. You always get the footage you order because we offset any trimming by adding extra logs.
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