How To Keep Your Log Furniture From Splitting?

Even if you keep your log furniture inside, you need to take the proper precautions to protect it so that it does not split over time. If you don't take care of this one simple chore, your log furniture will eventually become brittle and dry before it splits because of the lack of moisture.

Those who are interested in giving their homes a more natural, homey, and genuine appearance should strongly consider investing in wooden log furniture. The fact that log furniture is made of compressed wood makes it dimensionally stable, in contrast to solid wood, which can expand or contract depending on the amount of moisture in the air. In addition to this, it is highly resistant to mould and insects, making it an excellent option for households where there are members of the family who are prone to allergic reactions.

To ensure that your investment in wooden log furniture continues to look wonderful and serves you well for a good many years into the future, there are a few measures you should take before making your purchase. As a result, the topic of this blog post is how to prevent your log furniture from cracking, so that you can take advantage of all the benefits it offers without having to worry about causing any damage.

How Can You Prevent The Splitting Of Logs?

It should come as no surprise that green wood cannot be immediately transformed into boards. Instead, you are going to need to put them away in a location where they will remain for at least a few months due to the fact that there are multiple reasons for this.

During this time, the logs are under attack from a number of potentially dangerous situations. And one of the most significant dangers of this kind is the accumulation of cracks.

If you look around in carpentry and woodworking communities and forums, you will find that many different approaches are discussed as potential solutions. When it comes to preventing logs from splitting, however, the effectiveness of each of these methods varies greatly.

We have taken on the responsibility of researching the most effective ways to prevent logs from splitting, and a comprehensive listing of all of these methods can be found below. Because each section will contain new information that you could find useful, we strongly encourage you to read through all of them thoroughly.

Methods Of How To Keep Logs From Splitting

The First Method Is To Allow The Logs To Dry Into Boards Rather Than Logs.

Process

This is the first and most brilliant idea for preventing the waste of your logs that can occur as a result of cracks and splits in the wood. In addition, this technique instructs you to keep your logs in a broad state rather than merely storing them as logs themselves.

In this technique, the green logs are first cut into boards, and then the boards are left out in the open air to dry. As a direct consequence of this, boards have a lower risk of developing cracks. And even if they do, you can still make them usable multiple times over by adding essential cits to them. It is more commonly referred to as a technique for preventing green wood from splitting.

The Second Method Is To Paint The Open Ends With Sealer Paints.

Process

This method might be exactly what you need if you didn't get along with the first one very well. There are times when you won't be able to convert them back into greenwood and use method one. When this happens, your only option is to turn them into round logs because there is no other way to preserve them. If you don't know how to prevent logs from cracking while they're drying, this is an excellent method to use. It is recommended that you apply any type of sealer material to the two sides of the logs in order to prevent the logs from cracking and splitting on their ends. This will ensure that the open ends of the logs do not come into direct contact with the surrounding air.

Because the open ends of the logs do not come into direct contact with one another, there will be no drying out of the wood. In a nutshell, this means that your logs won't develop any cracks in the future.

Using this method, you will eventually be able to store your log without it cracking for a few months. However, if you want your logs to be more durable and crack-free for a longer period of time, you will need to invest in more expensive sealers. You will discover, however, that it is a high-quality wood sealer, in spite of the high price tag. Therefore, there is no doubt that it will achieve its purpose.

Therefore, if you want the solution to the problem of how to prevent old wood from cracking, you should not skimp on the quality of the wood.

The Third Method Involves Applying Roofing Tar.

Process

It's possible that you'll find the sealer products to be prohibitively expensive. On the other hand, you have a small number of logs that you can use to prevent them from cracking.

Therefore, using roofing tar as a resource to solve the problem would be beneficial. Roofing tar is capable of completing the task at hand, even though it does not perform as well as a sealer would. The use of roofing tar is going to be of great assistance to you if you're looking for a solution to the problem of the timber cracking.

Most of the time, roofing tars are used to provide a coating of protection against environmental hazards such as heat, rain, or other such things. Consequently, applying roofing tar to your logs is a fantastic idea if you want to prevent them from coming into direct contact with the environmental concerns at hand.

The question now is, what kinds of roofing jobs would be ideal for the preservation of wood logs? In most cases, any standard roofing tar that is sold in a can can be used without any additional preparation. On the other hand, in contrast to sealants, they are not meant to remain in contact with the surface for an extended period of time.

Therefore, you need to begin by applying a thick layer of roofing tar and maintaining a vertical orientation for the log while you wait for the tar to dry completely. In addition to this, you will need to frequently replace the layer, as roofing tars typically dry out within a short period of time.

Method 4: Linseed Oil For Finishing And Securing The Joints

Process

This is another acceptable method for preventing the wood from cracking or splintering in the process of being worked. After you have given it a nice finish, all that is left to do is apply some linseed oil to it. Additionally, it is effective for tree stumps, from which the bark is peeled away. When searching for applications of linseed oil, one of the categories that you will find is woodworking.

In order to use this technique, you will need to sand the wood in the same direction that its fibres run. Sand the wood carefully using some sandpaper that has a reasonable grit rating and do so standing up. Sanding the entire surface of the boards is necessary if they are made of wood. If it is a log that still has its bark on it, you only need to sand down two of the log's ends.

In either case, check to see that it has been sanded with the attention to detail that it deserves. It's an essential first step in the process of treating wood to prevent decay.

When you are finished sanding the surface, apply some boiled linseed oil (also known as wood preservative oil) or a sanding sealer to the area you just finished sanding. Before applying this sealer, you need to make sure that all of the dust and debris that was created by the sanding process has been removed. After you have applied this sealer, you need to give it some time to dry in open air away from direct sunlight. It will become intolerable if you expose it to the sunlight in its purest form.

The Fifth Method Involves Treating The Wood With Teak Oil

Process

Teak oil immersion is yet another tried-and-true method that can successfully be used to maintain the integrity of a wooden piece and prevent cracks from appearing. In certain regions, teak oil is extremely hard to come by. If you are able to get your hands on a few litres of it, however, it will be extremely effective in preventing the surface of the wood and the logwood from splitting.

The use of teak oil as a medium in which to store your logs does, however, come with some drawbacks. It will take some time before it is completely dry. The most significant shortcoming of this approach is that, in contrast to other kinds of protective mediums, it takes a few weeks for it to completely dry out. However, once the moisture has evaporated, it is a great time to learn how to properly preserve the wood and protect the wood fibres.

Prevent The Cracking Of Your Log Furniture By Following These Steps

In order for unfinished log furniture to have a long lifespan, it is necessary to provide it with a robust level of protection. If it is well-built, log furniture can last a lifetime; however, it is important to protect it from the effects of ageing and evaporation as much as possible.

Products made from natural wood respond to changes in temperature and humidity by swelling and shrinking. One of the lifelike qualities that contribute to wood's desirability is the fact that it can breathe. The moisture that was originally present in the wood will eventually be lost as the log furniture ages. After some time has passed, the water content of the furniture completely evaporates. When something like this occurs, the wood will contract, crack, and eventually break apart.

Put A Stop To It!

Sealing log furniture from the outside in is the most effective treatment method for log furniture. There are a variety of products on the market that are created specifically for this purpose, ranging from sanding sealer to polyurethane varnish. The wood sealer that is water-based dries clear, while the oil-based sealer gives the wood a very slight tint after it has dried. During the process of sealing the wood, the entire piece of furniture, including the end grain, needs to be coated in a comprehensive manner.

How Can You Prevent Checking In Wood?

Wood shrinks as it dries, but if it dries unevenly, the parts that dry faster will pull apart from the parts that dry slower, a phenomenon known as "checking." Drying the wood properly while keeping in mind the forces at work within the wood is essential whether you plan on using it for carving, turning, or furniture making. A split along the grain or open cracks at the end grain could ruin your finished product if you don't. Wood that will be used for carving, turning, or furniture construction must be dried with care, taking into account the forces at work within the material.

1. If the bark on a tree is loose, it should be removed with a drawknife or a hatchet to stop further harm from insects that dwell under the bark. If the bark is still in good shape and tight, leave it on the wood so that the exterior layer of the wood dries out more slowly.
2. The end grain of the logs or boards can be protected from excessive drying out by applying a thick coat of paint, varnish, or a commercial greenwood sealer. The ends of a piece of wood will lose its moisture content ten to fifteen times faster than its faces will.
3. Get some cover and clear a space large enough to lay out the wood. The wood can be kept in a shed, barn, or garage, exposed to the elements, or a loose tarp can be erected over it and pushed up to allow air circulation underneath. The area should be rainproof to protect the wood from moisture, but it should have some air circulation.
4. meaning you should loosely stack any large logs or wooden blocks you have. A lack of a floor can be mitigated by laying scrap lumber underneath your wood to keep it off the ground.
5. Place the scrap wood lengthwise on the ground every two feet to offer support for the already sawn lumber that you need to dry. Then, stagger one layer of the boards to dry across the scrap timber.
6. Stickers are 1 by 1 inch pieces of scrap wood spaced 2 feet apart across the boards. Stickers should be placed on top of the boards, and then more stickers should be placed in between the boards. This process should be repeated until all of the boards have been stacked. Doing so will permit air to circulate freely among the various layers.
7. If you notice mold on the wood, it's time to increase the ventilation in the space. It takes one year for every inch of thickness to dry in the open air. That's the rule of thumb, normally.
8. Move the wood to a similar environment to its ultimate one so it can acclimate to the air and moisture levels there. Stick the labels back in the spaces between the boards. If you want to use the wood in sunshine, you need bring it outside.

You can save some storage space by cutting or chopping the wood into pieces that are closer to their final size. The wood can be brought inside and stored, where it will eventually become acclimated to the relative humidity of the space. This includes, for instance, wood used for interior furnishings. Depending on the wood's thickness, the entire acclimatization process might take anywhere from a week to several weeks.

Before Splitting Wood, Should It Be Allowed To Dry First?

Have you been holding off on splitting your firewood because you were waiting for the rain to stop? If it has been raining a lot recently, you might be thinking of chopping your wood while it is still wet rather than waiting until it dries out. This raises the question of whether or not it is possible to split wood before it dries completely. Following is the most accurate response that we found after conducting research on the subject.

It is possible to split wood while it is still wet, but it is recommended that you dry the wood first. Because wood gives less resistance when it is dry, splitting it will be easier if the moisture level of the wood is lower. However, wood that has been broken into smaller pieces will dry more quickly than full logs.

There is more information available regarding the chopping and storing of firewood. Please continue reading to learn what the ideal time of year is to split wood, how to store it, and a lot of other useful information.

Should Wood Be Allowed To Dry Out Before Being Split?

When the wood is damp, there are benefits as well as drawbacks to splitting it. You should choose to split dry wood if you require the process to be as rapid and straightforward as is humanly possible. Dry wood splits far more easily than damp wood does. On the other hand, a resistance develops when there is an excessive amount of moisture buildup, which makes it more difficult to cut wet wood. Nevertheless, this is also dependent on the kind.

Green-Wood Vs. Wet Wood

Greenwood and wet wood are not interchangeable terms in this context. Greenwood is the term used to describe freshly cut trees. It has a higher moisture content than wood that has been cut down for a while after the tree has been standing. Cutting up green wood may come more easily to some people. Nevertheless, this will be determined by the kind of wood that you are working with.

Trees Of The Conifer And Deciduous Families

When the wood is dry, it is much simpler to split conifer trees like pines. This is due to the fact that when they are fresh, they have a tendency to be excessively juicy and tender. When they are dry, the wood of deciduous trees, such as oak and maple trees, is more difficult to chop than the wood of coniferous trees. After they have been dried out, they develop a consistency that is both very dense and quite solid.

Preserving Wood That Has Been Split

The seasoning process can be sped up by splitting the wood while it is still green or when it is still damp. Simply said, seasoned wood is wood that has been allowed to dry out over a period of time. Logs, on the other hand, require additional time to dehydrate because the bark prevents moisture evaporation. If you split the log into portions, the moisture inside will be able to escape and evaporate with greater speed.

In average, the seasoning process for complete logs can take anywhere from nine to twelve months, however the process for split wood only takes six months. The conditions to which the wood is subjected will, of course, determine how long this process will take.

When (During Which Season) Is The Ideal Time To Split Firewood?

It is important to take into consideration the seasoning process while determining the optimal time to split firewood. You are free to start chopping your firewood whenever you are ready if you have a sufficient amount of wood that has already been dried out and is prepared for the winter. On the other hand, if you need the wood for the winter, you should ideally cut it in the early spring so that it has time to dry.

It is important to keep in mind that April often delivers more rain than the other months while you are splitting wood during this month. As a result, you will need to ensure that your firewood is stored appropriately.

How Do You Store Firewood That Has Been Split?

The drying process can be sped up significantly by ensuring that split firewood is properly stored. You need to go somewhere that has the least amount of moisture in the air, and the sun is the best option. It is not acceptable to just leave the wood stacked in a heap. Elevate it on a stand or box, and stack it in an orderly fashion instead. After the logs have been stacked, cover them with a tarp and be careful to tuck the edges under so that rain won't get in.

If you have a shed, this might be the perfect spot for you to store your wood. Nevertheless, you should make sure that the shed is neither wet or humid. Mold, rot in wood, and insects are some of the things that are attracted to moisture.

How Long Does It Take For Split Wood To Dry Out?

It takes roughly six months for wood that has been split to dry completely. The following factors will each have an impact on the timing of events:

• Moisture Content
• The state of the weather
• Category of Wood
• Wood Size
• Storage

Wood will eventually dry out if it is left in conditions that include rain or snow. It will dry out much more quickly if there is a lot of breeze and sun. Some types of wood require significantly more time to dry than others. It will take longer for huge chunks of wood to dry than it will for smaller pieces. In a similar vein, pieces of wood that have little to no bark will dry more quickly than those that have an excessive amount of bark.

Does The Act Of Splitting Wood Speed Up The Drying Process?

Even while splitting wet wood can be more challenging than splitting dry wood, doing so actually speeds up the drying process. The bark serves as a barrier, preventing moisture loss and retaining it. After the wood has been split, the moisture in it will be able to evaporate more easily. The sooner the wood will dry out, the less bark it will have on it.

How To Tell If Wood Is Seasoned?

There are a few fundamental techniques to determine whether or not your firewood is seasoned, including the following:

• Smell
• Colour
• Sound
• Moisture

Wet wood will smell slightly different from dry wood. Take a good, deep breath of it; if it still smells new, it needs more time to age and season. The colour of aged wood will be deeper, and it will have a yellowish cast to its appearance. The ends of the wood will also begin to separate once it has seasoned.

Listen carefully to the sound that is produced by bringing together two pieces of wood. If it makes a substantial thud when you tap it with your finger, it is generally not dry enough. On the other hand, if it has a hollow sound, it indicates that the wood has been well seasoned. If you want to be totally confident that your firewood is seasoned, you can use a moisture metre to confirm the wood has a moisture level of 20 per cent or less.

Can Green Firewood Be Split?

Green firewood can be split. However, depending on the type of wood, splitting may be more difficult. Splitting green wood allows it to dry faster. Keep in mind that green wood has a far higher moisture content than dry or even damp wood.

If you're concerned about the difficulties of splitting damp or green wood yet want it to season faster, a wood splitting machine can help. The wood splitter can easily chop it, whether wet, dry, or green.

Conclusion

Preventing log furniture from splitting over time is important for those investing in wooden log furniture, as it is dimensionally stable and resistant to mould and insects, making it an excellent option for households with allergic reactions. The first method is to allow the logs to dry into boards rather than logs, and the second is to paint the open ends with sealer paints to prevent them from cracking and splitting. Roofing tar is a great way to prevent old wood from cracking, but it does not perform as well as sealer products. Linseed oil is another acceptable method for preventing wood from cracking or splintering. Sanding the wood in the same direction as its fibres and applying linseed oil or a sanding sealer to the surface is essential for preventing decay.

It is important to protect unfinished log furniture from ageing and evaporation by sealing it from the outside in and coating it with a variety of products, such as sanding sealer and polyurethane varnish, to prevent checking in wood. The bark on a tree should be removed and the end grain of the logs or boards should be protected from excessive drying out by applying a thick coat of paint, varnish, or a commercial greenwood sealer. Before Splitting Wood, Should It Be Allowed To Dry First? Greenwood and wet wood are not interchangeable terms, and the seasoning process can be sped up by splitting the wood while it is still green or when it is still damp. Splitting firewood can speed up the drying process by storing it in the least amount of moisture in the air and in an orderly fashion, and by covering it with a tarp and tucking the edges under. Smell, colour, sound, moisture, and splitting can all be used to determine if firewood is seasoned.

Content Summary

• It is recommended that you apply any type of sealer material to the two sides of the logs in order to prevent the logs from cracking and splitting on their ends.
• This will ensure that the open ends of the logs do not come into direct contact with the surrounding air.
• Therefore, if you want the solution to the problem of how to prevent old wood from cracking, you should not skimp on the quality of the wood.
• The Third Method Involves Applying Roofing Tar.
• Therefore, using roofing tar as a resource to solve the problem would be beneficial.
• Consequently, applying roofing tar to your logs is a fantastic idea if you want to prevent them from coming into direct contact with the environmental concerns at hand.
• Therefore, you need to begin by applying a thick layer of roofing tar and maintaining a vertical orientation for the log while you wait for the tar to dry completely.
• Sanding the entire surface of the boards is necessary if they are made of wood.
• The Fifth Method Involves Treating The Wood With Teak Oil ProcessTeak oil immersion is yet another tried-and-true method that can successfully be used to maintain the integrity of a wooden piece and prevent cracks from appearing.
• The use of teak oil as a medium in which to store your logs does, however, come with some drawbacks.
• However, once the moisture has evaporated, it is a great time to learn how to properly preserve the wood and protect the wood fibres.
• In order for unfinished log furniture to have a long lifespan, it is necessary to provide it with a robust level of protection.
• The moisture that was originally present in the wood will eventually be lost as the log furniture ages.
• Sealing log furniture from the outside in is the most effective treatment method for log furniture.
• During the process of sealing the wood, the entire piece of furniture, including the end grain, needs to be coated in a comprehensive manner.
• Drying the wood properly while keeping in mind the forces at work within the wood is essential whether you plan on using it for carving, turning, or furniture making.
• Get some cover and clear a space large enough to lay out the wood.
• Then, stagger one layer of the boards to dry across the scrap timber.
• If you notice mold on the wood, it's time to increase the ventilation in the space.
• You can save some storage space by cutting or chopping the wood into pieces that are closer to their final size.
• This raises the question of whether or not it is possible to split wood before it dries completely.
• It is possible to split wood while it is still wet, but it is recommended that you dry the wood first.
• Simply said, seasoned wood is wood that has been allowed to dry out over a period of time.
• It is important to take into consideration the seasoning process while determining the optimal time to split firewood.
• On the other hand, if you need the wood for the winter, you should ideally cut it in the early spring so that it has time to dry.
• It is important to keep in mind that April often delivers more rain than the other months while you are splitting wood during this month.
• As a result, you will need to ensure that your firewood is stored appropriately.
• The drying process can be sped up significantly by ensuring that split firewood is properly stored.
• If you have a shed, this might be the perfect spot for you to store your wood.
• It takes roughly six months for wood that has been split to dry completely.
• Some types of wood require significantly more time to dry than others.
• There are a few fundamental techniques to determine whether or not your firewood is seasoned, including the following:Smell Colour Sound MoistureWet wood will smell slightly different from dry wood.
• If you want to be totally confident that your firewood is seasoned, you can use a moisture metre to confirm the wood has a moisture level of 20 per cent or less.
• The wood splitter can easily chop it, whether wet, dry, or green.