The heart of a modern log house: Laminated log, solid log or non-sag log?

Comparison of log types: Laminated log, solid log or non-sinked? A guide to choosing

Log corner

What is the best type of log for your house? This comprehensive guide compares the differences, benefits, and costs of laminated logs, traditional solid logs, and non-sag logs.

Once you have decided to build a log house, you will have to make another important choice: what kind of log will you use? Modern log construction is no longer just about one and the same log, but there are several industrially developed log types on the market, each with its own distinct advantages and characteristics. The choice between laminated logs, traditional solid logs and non-sag logs affects everything – from the stability and appearance of the structure to the ease and cost of construction. This guide will explain the differences between the different log types and help you choose the most suitable option for your project.

Once you have decided to build a log house, you are faced with the next important choice: what kind of log will you use to build your dream home? Modern log construction offers several industrially developed log types, each with its own distinct advantages and characteristics. Choosing the right log type affects everything – from the stability and appearance of the structure to the ease and cost of construction.

The most common options are:

Laminated log: A log made from several pieces of wood glued together is the most popular choice. It is very dimensionally accurate, warp-resistant, and crack-resistant.

Solid log: A traditional log made from a single tree, representing the original log construction. It is a living material that requires consideration of settlement in structures.

Non-sag log: An advanced type of log (often a laminated log with a vertical wood lamella in the middle) that minimizes the natural settlement of the structure. This makes it easier to design and build, especially at the joints of large windows and other structures.

The choice between these is a compromise between traditional appearance, modern technology and budget, and it is worth making it together with a professional designer.

The most important points

  • Solid logs are the most traditional and authentic, but they live and shrink the most.
  • Glued timber is the standard in modern construction: it is a stable, dimensionally accurate and reliable choice.
  • Non-sag logs are the most technically advanced and easiest to build, but they are also the most expensive option.
  • The choice depends on budget, architecture, and whether you value traditional aesthetics or technical ease.
  • All modern log types offer the most important advantage of solid wood: healthy and breathable indoor air.


A modern and straightforward laminated log house that represents contemporary log construction.

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