.:: BUILDING AND PRESERVING YOUR OWN LOG HOME THE CANADIAN WAY::.

Basic steps and guidelines

Remember, to ensure a sound investment, proper training and planning on log home construction and the long-term preservation and protection of such a timber structure cannot be overemphasised.

1. Attend the log home construction course (contact Canadian Log Homes)
   


2. Plan your log home and draw up a proper budget of material requirements.
   


3. Build a borate dip diffusion plant if you intend treating your own timber or have your timber treated by a professional borate timber treating plant (contact Timberlife).
   


4. Obtain details regarding timber treatment requirements and a Quality Assurance Manual from Timberlife.
   


5. Ensure that freshly cut timber of the right quality is procured.
   


6. Obtain borate wood preservative (TOPRO 94) and anti-mould treatment product (BLUPRO ADZ) and water repellent (NUWOOD WRN or WR ) from Timberlife.
   


7. Proceed with operation in the basic sequence provided overleaf (Remember to consult with Canadian Log Homes and Timberlife, regarding specific details).

1.	Tree felling & log cutting (bark on)
		5 days, 10 days max.
2.	Log slabbing/grooving & debarking
		3 days, 5 days max.
3.	Borate (TOPRO 94) dip treatment (or pressure impregnation by professional borate timber treater)
		± 60 - 180 minutes immersion (5 kg b.a.e./m3 retention, min.)
4.	Anti-mould (BLUPRO ADZ) spray treatment
		before diffusion storage /18 hours max.
5.	Boron diffusion storage
		3 - 6 weeks under cover (20 mm penetration, min.)
6.	Log home construction
		± 4 weeks
7.	Water repellent (NUWOOD WRN or WR) treatment - 1
		± 6 months
8.	Water repellent (NUWOOD WRN or WR) treatment - 2
		Annually
9.	Water repellent (NUWOOD WRN or WR) treatment - Ongoing

Note: Regarding steps 3, 4 and 5, see Information Leaflet No. 2 for more details or contact Timberlife directly.

Theoretical dip times in minutes
Diameter class (mm)	Solutions mass concentration (g b.a.e./ℓ)
	200	250	300	350	400
25 – 49	17	11	8	6	4
50 – 74	47	30	21	15	12
75 – 99	92	59	41	30	23
100 – 124	152	97	68	50	38
125 – 149	227	145	101	74	57
150 – 174	317	203	141	103	79
175 –199	422	270	188	138	105
200 – 224	542	347	241	177	135
225 – 249	677	433	301	221	169
250 – 274	827	529	368	270	207
275 – 299	992	635	441	324	248
Solution temp	°C	°C	°C	°C	°C
•  Working	± 40	± 45	± 50	± 55	± 60
•  Storage	± 25	± 30	± 35	± 40	± 45

Notes:

1. Freshly felled and debarked poles:

• Allow to surface dry for 24 hours, minimum.
  
• Treat within 5 days, maximum (if not possible, cover poles to prevent further moisture loss).

2. Dip-treated poles:

• Spray with anti mould solution before diffusion storage, if required.
  
• Keep covered until required penetration.
  
• Dip in colouring agent, if required.
  
• Partially dry before dispatch, is required.

3. Dip times:

• Reduce by 15 to 20 precent if overtreatment is experienced.