Logs Ain’t Wood

From winter to summer and everywhere in between, the upper curvature of round logs is hit by the full force of the sun at a 90° angle through much of the day. In the summer months when ambient temperatures are in the low 90’s, that upper curvature can exceed 170°F!

Conventional lumber, on the other hand, is usually hit by the sun at a lesser angle that allows much of the sun’s energy to be reflected away. That surface on the same summer day might only reach 110°F – much cooler than logs.

Wood of any kind undergoes significant movement in response to both moisture and temperature changes. In dimensional lumber like a 2×4, this results in twisting, cupping, warping, and occasionally cracking and splitting. Logs endure these same forces, but because they’re bigger, the effects are bigger, too. Logs aren’t quite strong enough to endure these forces without breaking (something’s gotta give, right), so splits and checks develop to relieve the stress. The bigger the log, the bigger the internal stresses, which means more movement and larger checks and cracks. And speaking of…

The moisture that soaks in through cracks and checks usually finds its way underneath whatever stain or paint is on the logs. Much of this moisture exits back out of the wood through the cracks and checks. However, a good amount also exits (or attempts to exit) through the stain or paint. Thing is, stains and paints are stubborn. They don’t like the moisture trying to come out. Pressure builds up under the paint or stain and, over time, leads to flaking and peeling.