Houses from the rounded bar: we get acquainted with material
The topic of this article is the construction of houses from rounded timber. We will get acquainted with the material itself, its production technology and features of the construction of buildings from it.
So go.

A little about terminology
Let's start with exposing and tearing covers.
There is no rounded timber in nature. There is a square, rectangular or more complex beam; there is a rounded log. Turning a tree trunk into a bar, cutting off all the excess, and then otsilindrovyvat it would be at least wasteful.
However, in addition to the correct names, there is an established terminology, even if it is not quite accurate in the definitions. Therefore, we will accept the inevitable and will continue to use not only precise, but also familiar words.
What it is
Definition
A rounded log is a tree trunk that has been machined into a cylindrical shape. Untreated log with cut knots has the shape of a cone: butt is thicker than the top. It is clear that in this case it is much more difficult to select logs for a solid wall; surface irregularities make the process even more difficult.
It should be clarified: the section of the rounded log is not quite a circle. A gutter is selected along it and a longitudinal gash is made. The first is necessary for reliable, without displacement, laying the log into the frame; the second is to relieve internal stresses and prevent cracking.

The typical diameter of a rounded log is from 160 to 240 millimeters.
Production
It consists of the following main steps:
- A sawed tree loses its boughs and bark.
- Logs are sorted by diameter and shape. Barrels with curvature are rejected; For processing, usually logs are selected, the minimum diameter of which is about 20 millimeters greater than the target diameter of the product.
- The log is fixed in a turning-milling machine, after which it is passed successively with a rough cutter, removing the main layer of chips, and finishing, making the surface of the log more smooth. According to the applicable standards, the diameter differential after processing does not exceed 4 millimeters.
- The next stage is the milling of the longitudinal groove (the so-called lunar groove). Then compensative cut is selected.

- The log is screwed on the necessary sizes.
- The cups are cut, serving as a kind of locks when assembling corners. This operation is necessary only in the manufacture of domokomplektta: bowls can be selected during the construction process, manually. Usually the bowls are chosen for docking at a right angle, however, the houses from a cylindrical bar may well have angles other than 90 degrees.
- The material is almost ready. However, he will have to be treated with an antiseptic, which will prevent rotting of the walls and their damage by wood borers.
Useful: usually used compounds that at the same time increase the fire resistance of wood. Of course, a wooden house cannot be made completely fireproof; however, the walls will be able to resist the flames longer in case of fire.
- When it comes to the construction kit, the final step is product labeling. Drawings and projects of houses from a cylindrical bar usually include numbering of parts of the walls: marking will allow not to look for the right log with a tape measure.
Advantages and disadvantages
pros
What are the advantages of a house from a cylindrical bar?
We begin the study of their positive qualities with what is good wooden houses in general.
- Environmentally friendly in this case is beyond praise. Wood does not emit any harmful substances; Moreover, the so-called phytoncides help to cure many diseases of the respiratory tract.
- The heat-insulating qualities of wood make it possible to do without additional warming in temperate climates. With an equal thickness, the resistance to heat transfer in a tree is 2–4 times greater than brick.
- Wooden walls are lightweight: the density of dry pine is only 500 kg / m3. Moderate mass makes it easy to get by with a light tape or screw foundation.

- The seismic resistance of wooden walls significantly exceeds the resistance to earthquakes of any brick and monolithic structures. Wood has a certain elasticity; in addition, the log connections in the corners are able to withstand quite significant vibrations and vertical displacements. After a push of 8 points, the owner of a brick building will have to, at best, eliminate deep cracks, at worst - build anew; in a wooden house, it may only be necessary to re-dig a portion of the walls.
- The tree has excellent vapor permeability. Excess moisture will leave the room directly through the walls; as a result, the absence of mold and dampness is guaranteed. An additional bonus is constant air renewal.
- Wood is a great absorber. Smells, smoke, formaldehydes will be absorbed by the walls.
- When building there is no need to attract heavy equipment. All walling operations are performed manually by two to four builders.
Well, what about the rounded bar?
What is he good?
- High-quality surface treatment allows you to do without additional interior decoration. Of course, wall cladding with plasterboard and other finishing materials is practiced; however, the smooth surface of the logs covered with varnish looks at least as good.
- Thanks to the gutters selected in the logs, the walls are not blown through.
- Walling is done very fast: the finished house does not need additional adjustment of the dimensions. In fact, after the first crown has been laid, the further assembly is very similar to the children's designer.
Minuses
Alas, wood is not an ideal material.
And wood in general, and rounded logs in particular, have a number of disadvantages.
- Fire hazard Yes, refractory impregnation reduces the risk of fire, but does not completely eliminate it. The tree is burning, and nothing can be done about it.

- Limited lifetime. If brick houses stand for centuries, wooden houses without serious reconstruction rarely fall to 70-80 years.
- The relative high cost. The price of a square meter of a wall made of vulture panels or aerated concrete with the same thermal insulation characteristics is often one and a half to two times lower.
Note: we are talking about spruce or pine. The use of much more expensive cedar or larch will increase the difference by another 2-3 times.
What is better - a house made of rounded timber or glued? Alas, the material we are discussing is, on average, somewhat cheaper, but it has a number of drawbacks against the background of the alternative.
- Shrinkage and, as a consequence, the need to preserve construction for at least six months. The linear dimensions of the house during this time will change by 3-7%. Glued beam shrinkage practically does not. In addition, after shrinking, you have to re-caulk the gaps (primarily in the cuts).
- Cracks are the result of natural wood drying. And this problem is not typical for laminated veneer lumber. (See also the article What are the advantages of cedar glued laminated timber)
- Length limitation (usually no more than 5.4 meters). Laminated from the slats with offset transverse ends, glued laminated timber can be longer. However, the projects of houses from rounded timber usually take into account this feature of the material.
Строительство
How does the construction of houses from a cylindrical bar with his own hands?
What is the correct procedure for building walls?
- The foundation or reinforced concrete grillage is waterproofed with two layers of roofing material.

An important point: the height of the foundation from the ground level is not less than 50 cm. In this case, the walls will not rot during the rainy seasons. The subfloor must be ventilated: airways will rid it of the high humidity that is dangerous to the tree.
- We put the bottom trim - a bar of larch or aspen, thoroughly impregnated with antiseptic. Having aligned the diagonals, mark up the points of attachment and fasten the strapping with pins entering the concrete for at least 15 centimeters.
- Then - the turn of the first crown of semi-logs, tightly adjacent the bottom (flat) surface to the harness. The semi-ancient trees, like the rest of the crowns, sit on oak pins; Moss, tow, hemp or jute is used for compaction. Half-balers are often additionally fastened with steel straps. Overflows are installed on top of these to drain rainwater.
- Subsequent cylindrical logs are stacked in the same way - with compaction and fixing the dowels for the bar. The length of the dowels is chosen so as to hold three logs together (approximately 0.8 of the total height of the three crowns); diameter - 25 - 30 mm. Step naked in the walls - 1-1,5 meters; every 3 logs they move in a checkerboard pattern.

Conclusion
As you can see, the round timber simplifies construction significantly; However, the ideal material can not be called. In the presented video in this article you will find additional information on this topic. Successes in construction!