Cypress Valley Log Homes is an authorized, independent dealer for BK Cypress log homes

Why do we grade our logs?

Few prospective customers are timber experts. By using a company who grades their logs you can rest assured that every log, will meet the stringent criteria set forth by the American Society for Testing and Material. They developed "Standard Methods for Establishing Stress Grades for Structural Members Used in Log Building&qout in 1980 to provide uniform product evaluation standards. These standards are used by BK Cypress for grading there logs, timbers and beams under the supervision of the Timber Products Inspection (T. P. I.) an independent inspection agency for wood products. All three building code agencies recognize this grading program.

Benefits of log grading

DESIGN: Being able to determine the structural capacity of each log, timber and beam allows an engineer, architect or draftsperson to properly design the structure based on a national ASTM standard for reliable continuity of strength against typical types of structural failure.

BUILDING PERMITS: The owner is telling the county permitting office that they selected a certified quality log manufacturer that supplies consistent quality and strength in the log, timber and beam products.(NOTE THAT MANY COUNTIES NOW HAVE MANDATORY LAWS THAT REQUIRE GRADE MARKED WOOD FOR LOAD-BEARING PURPOSES)

FINANCING: By selecting graded logs, timbers and beams, the home owner is telling the lender that they have selected a certified quality log manufacture that assures quality and strength in the log home.

GRADING CRITERIA USED:

1. Slope of the grain
2. Knots
3. Shakes and Checks
4. Straightness
5. Scars and Wanes
6. Holes
7. Organic Degradation.