Log Species

Wood is a natural choice for home construction. It is beautiful, affordable, warm, versatile and energy-efficient. Barna Log Homes of Pennsylvania offers homebuilders a wide selection of log species proven to be great performers. We select, shape and fit only premium logs to ensure that we maintain the size and conformity of the log. This way, you get a house you'll be proud to call home, and we can take pride in your home wearing the Jim Barna Log and Timber Homes brand name. We recommend the following species:

Southern Yellow Pine is a short-leaf, slow-growing tree that produces a dense log with a strong grain structure. It is remarkable for its high-tensile strength. It is considered one of the most structurally sound wood choices.

White Pine is known for its distinctive light color and medium-coarse texture, and it has a tighter, less prominent grain than Yellow Pine. It is lighter in weight then Yellow Pine and is ideal for lateral applications. Aesthetically, White Pine is chosen for its light color and because it has fewer knots. Jim Barna Log and Timber Homes offers premium White Pine for a variety of applications.

Hemlock is a unique choice with a fairly uneven grain structure that adds a particular aesthetic to the style of the home. This moderately hard wood is also relatively light in weight. Hemlock is available in limited log sizes and profiles.

Western Red Cedar, with its characteristic light cedar scent and warm reddish hue, creates homes of distinction. Naturally resistant to disease and insects, it is relatively soft and light in weight. Western Red Cedar is typically used in lateral applications and cannot be hewn.

Log Profiles

Round Log 6", 8", 9", 10" and 12" Offers the beauty of the round log profile inside as well as outside. All log sizes are offered in Yellow Pine, White Pine and Hemlock except for the 10" and 12" log. The 10" and 12" log is offered in White Pine only. The 8" log is also offered in Cypress. All logs are offered with a smooth or a draw knife finish. In addition, the 9" and 10" logs are offered with hand hewing.
D Log System Round outside/flat inside, offers a more conventional (flat face) interior design. We offer the D log in an 8" or 9" log. These logs are offered in Yellow Pine, White Pine and Hemlock. The 8" log is also offered in Cypress. The logs can be smooth or draw knife finished.
Square Log 6" x 12" or 8" x 12" Appalachian dove-tail system with planed, machine-hewn and hand-hewn options, plus rustic, V-groove or chink-groove finishes. The 6" x 12" logs are offered in Yellow Pine, White Pine, and Western Red Cedar. The 8" x 12" logs are offered in Yellow Pine and White Pine.
Conventional Half Log System The Half Log System is becoming a very popular choice when it comes to a framed home with half log siding. This system is used when our customers would like the log home look with a super insulated home. It is also used to convert a frame home into a log-over-frame system with the profile available in all log systems. This method of log covering is also very popular for dormers, garages, sunrooms and renovations.