Many folks are considering log cabins to buy as their vacation homes or even permanent residences. These wooden structures are charming, rustic, and beautiful. They look perfect when built beside a lake, at the edge of a forest, in the middle of a meadow, and anywhere there is an abundance of nature’s wonders.
Because a log cabin is typically constructed out of wood, it is on the line to sunlight, rain, frost, dust, and wind, all of which could damage the structure. An important part of the structure that you should pay attention to is the hardwood floor, which is vulnerable to the harsh but unseen elements.
Since the surface under the hardwood floor is normally made of concrete, your hardwood floor may encounter problems with moisture and humidity since concrete absorbs water. If your floor is untreated, the material will degrade and rot. Also, left untreated, termites and worms will gnaw and burrow through the wood, utterly destroying your floor.
To prevent this problem, remember to always use strong, treated flooring. You can find out the suitability and toughness of the wood you want to purchase through the Janka Hardness Scale. If you go through the chart, a number is assigned to a certain kind of wood. The higher the number, the harder the wood is. And the harder the wood, the better it can resist wear and tear.
Another thing that you need to think about is the glue that is used to glue down your floor to the concrete base. Choose new glues that also act as a moisture barrier between the wooden floor and the base. Furthermore, these glues are specially formulated to prevent glue sinks, the result of wood warping from the downward pull of the glue.
Lastly, there are issues coming from environmentalists about using hardwood considering that the material is made from trees. If you are such a person, you can use floor boards made of bamboo and cork, which are readily renewable sources. Additionally, you can utilize reclaimed wood that originally came from old barns, logs, and railroad trestles.
For more details about wooden floorings of log cabins to buy, visit UK Log Cabins.
Because a log cabin is typically constructed out of wood, it is on the line to sunlight, rain, frost, dust, and wind, all of which could damage the structure. An important part of the structure that you should pay attention to is the hardwood floor, which is vulnerable to the harsh but unseen elements.
Since the surface under the hardwood floor is normally made of concrete, your hardwood floor may encounter problems with moisture and humidity since concrete absorbs water. If your floor is untreated, the material will degrade and rot. Also, left untreated, termites and worms will gnaw and burrow through the wood, utterly destroying your floor.
To prevent this problem, remember to always use strong, treated flooring. You can find out the suitability and toughness of the wood you want to purchase through the Janka Hardness Scale. If you go through the chart, a number is assigned to a certain kind of wood. The higher the number, the harder the wood is. And the harder the wood, the better it can resist wear and tear.
Another thing that you need to think about is the glue that is used to glue down your floor to the concrete base. Choose new glues that also act as a moisture barrier between the wooden floor and the base. Furthermore, these glues are specially formulated to prevent glue sinks, the result of wood warping from the downward pull of the glue.
Lastly, there are issues coming from environmentalists about using hardwood considering that the material is made from trees. If you are such a person, you can use floor boards made of bamboo and cork, which are readily renewable sources. Additionally, you can utilize reclaimed wood that originally came from old barns, logs, and railroad trestles.
For more details about wooden floorings of log cabins to buy, visit UK Log Cabins.
Filed under News by on Oct 16th, 2011. 