The Laminated Beam Advantage

       We have highlighted here why homeowners and builders increasingly prefer a laminated beam custom home over other log homes.

1. No movement – no problems!
   

   "Burkhard does exceptional, very precise work. Our home was built in 1998 and there has been no splitting, cracking or settling whatsoever." Gary and Lynn, Salmon Arm, B.C.

          Our unique milling process virtually eliminates shrinkage, checking and settling. With a round log home, the natural outcome is for the logs to split and shrink as they dry. The builder is then required to make allowances for the inevitable settling of the home. On-going maintenance is necessary to make adjustments for the progressive changes – for up to 10 years! At Fink Custom Log Homes, the wood is kiln-dried to minimize the moisture content ( 8% - 12% ). Then the wood is laminated under pressure into square log beams. This process “locks” the wood into place, virtually eliminating problems associated with movement. No movement – no problems!
          Our tapered tongue and grooves are precision-milled into the beams to form a perfect seal. Nothing else is needed. Most log homes use gaskets and sealers ( to prevent air leaks ) that over time will deteriorate and require repairs. With Fink Custom Log Homes, the tongue and groove seals will stay in the same stable condition as the day of milling. No movement – no problems!
   

   "He builds a very tight structure. You have complete confidence that there will be no insects and no air leaks." Jack Cle Elum, Washington

          Our interlocking dovetail corners are skillfully crafted to create a precise fit. The walls are guaranteed to remain intact and to create a 100% airtight home. Most log homes again require gaskets and sealers that will eventually need repair and replacement . No movement – no problems!
          For our clients, there will be “ no surprises “ – the home you’ve built today will remain structurally sound for decades to come.
   
   
2. Versatility
          The ability to precision-craft to almost any specification combined with the superior strength of the laminated beam gives our clients greater flexibility in their creative design. For larger projects, our ultra-long beam is prized for applications up to 60 feet…with no butt joints for greater strength.
   

   "We had originally planned on a round log home, but the cleaning and mounting of cabinets was a drawback for us. We chose Burkhard's company for the quality of workmanship, flexible finishing and the easy maintenance." Cathie and Brent Armstrong, B.C.

          Our smooth-sided walls are much easier to finish and decorate compared to the challenges presented by round log homes.
          From the grandeur of a timber-framed roofline to more intricate interior stylings to sculpted details on the exterior, the possibilities are endless with the versatile laminated log beam.
   
   
3. Easy Maintenance
          Our smooth-sided walls are easy to clean. Round log homes require on-going cleaning of their curved surfaces to prevent dust traps.
          Also, with the splits and checks common to round log homes, insects can make their way inside. The precision fit of our beams and corner dovetails means that nothing can penetrate the walls. Pests are kept outside where they belong!
          With a Fink Custom Log Home, you can enjoy the beauty of your custom log home without time-consuming upkeep.
   
   
4. Homesite Readiness
          Our skilled craftsman plan ahead and prepare the custom log home package for quick assembly and easy transition to trades and finishing carpenters at the homesite. Windows and doors are pre-cut and wiring pre-drilled at the plant. With the finishing details taken care of in advance, there are no delays at the homesite. By comparison, a round log home must compensate with additional cutting and drilling as the set-up continues.
          When a Fink Custom Log Home arrives at the homesite, it is ready to go!

More Information on the Precision Milling Process

       Fink Custom Log Homes produces a unique machine cut laminated beam log home system that has been used in Europe for over 50 years. With this system the walls will not shrink, check or settle; in fact our walls will not shrink more than ¼" over 9 feet (6mm over 2.8m).

Laminated Beams

       We accomplish this by using high quality Canadian pine lumber. The lumber is kiln-dried to a moisture content of between 8 and 12 percent. The best pieces for interior and exterior walls are hand selected prior to pre-planing. The lumber is pre-planed, graded then laminated under pressure in our custom press into beams. These beams are then finish planed to size with our unique double tongue and groove.

We are able to offer beams up to 60' long with no butt joints!

Tongue & Groove

       The tongue and groove milled into the beams is tapered so that the tongue and groove wedges together forming a perfect seal. The area between the tongues is milled 1mm (approx. 1/16") lower than outside the tongues guaranteeing that the outside edges of the beams seal together. The air trapped inside the tongue and grooves becomes extra insulation.

No gaskets or sealers are required with our system!

Dovetail Log Notch

       The dovetail notching system with inter-lock guarantees a precision fit. The dovetail notch is bevelled in two directions so that, when assembled, the walls will never come apart. Notching is done with a precision machine designed specifically for Fink Custom Log Homes.

Finishing Details

       Window and door frames are reinforced with 2" square steel tubing to keep the walls perfectly straight and to ensure a perfect fit for windows and doors.

       Doors and windows are pre-cut and electrical outlets and wiring holes are pre-drilled at the factory. This means no further cutting or drilling is required at the home site during set-up.

Set-up

       Our team of skilled craftsmen will set up your home on your site.  Set-up is very quick as all the windows, doors, and wiring has been pre-drilled at our factory.  For most homes the walls can be set-up in 2-3 days.  The timber roof structure can be from 2-5 days depending on the complexity.

Insulated Wall Systems

       For extreme climate areas or if you desire a high energy efficiency home, we offer an insulated wall system.  This system uses an outer shell wall with insulation between an inner wall. 

1. Parquet and other flooring available.
   

2. Floors are 4" or 5" thick - depending on span.
   
3. The bottom of the floor is finished and visible.
   
4. Inside walls can be 4" to 6" thick.
   
5. All connections are with accurately machined dovetail notches.
   
6. Electrical outlets and wiring runs are pre-drilled at the factory.
   
7. Dovetail corners are guaranteed air tight and waterproof.
   
8. Inner wall is assembled at the same time as the outer wall.
   
9. Beams can be up to 60' long without butt joints.
   
10. Outside wall assembly:
    

Outside wall:    4-6"

Insulation:         2-3"

Inside wall:           3" 

Total              9 - 12"

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