How To Buy A Log Cabin
How To Buy A Log Cabin
Our range of Trentan and Humber log cabins for you to enjoy in your garden covers over 50 different models and sizes. From apex and pent styles as well as clock houses, multi-room cabins, corner buildings and even ‘L’ shaped garden rooms. Solidly constructed in slow-growing, interlocking Nordic timber from sustainable sources, they provide great protection from the weather.
With many models under 2.5m tall, you can select one of our luxury log cabins to suit your needs. Also included are properly made double-glazed doors and windows. We are also able to arrange cabin assembly as well as base building if required.
Many of our wooden cabins do not require planning permission. They will fit snugly in your garden. As long as they are built within the required distance from an adjoining property you will not have a problem. See our guides available.
Before committing yourself, view our high-quality log buildings at one of our show sites. Come and see our log cabins at our showrooms in Surrey. You will then be able to see for yourself that they are some of the best timber cabins available in the UK. Don’t have regrets. You will be very welcome.
Choosing Wisely: Tips for Making the Right Decision
It appears to be easy to purchase a log cabin – just look on the internet to see a model you like and then try to find the best price – simple! Well – NO. Because there is such a large range of wooden log buildings available, the quality (or lack of it) varies considerably.
You need to tread carefully to ensure you are not disappointed.
You need to consider so many different things before you ‘sign on the dotted line’ so ask as many questions as you want and ensure you are happy with the answers. You can then be reasonably sure you won’t be disappointed.
Established Business: Your Trusted Source for Quality Products
By buying from an established business you can be reasonably sure that they have a great deal of expertise in the market. More importantly, they listen to their customers. This doesn’t mean avoiding younger companies but just be a little more aware of their trading record.
Most established businesses have brick-and-mortar premises where their website is simply a tool to introduce their products to the public. These businesses tend to have staff available to talk to about the range of buildings on offer.
The Importance of Personally Inspecting Log Cabins for Sale
With the internet, it’s often difficult to see what your new log outbuilding will be like. This is why it’s important to view your wood cabin before delivery. This way you can see how well it’s been made, whether there is sufficient head height, whether the doors and windows are solidly made and how good the timber is
Whilst some cabin internet-only companies may claim it’s best to buy online, it is not always possible to be sure what you are getting. If they are not prepared to let you see their log buildings beforehand then be very wary. The cheapest price is not always the best value.
Thick Timber Versus Thin: Why Size Matters
The thinnest timber you should use for log cabins is 40 – 44mm. This thickness provides adequate strength to the building which makes it suitable for most uses. Thicker 70mm timber can be better as it is naturally insulating but is normally only used on very large buildings.
I have seen cases where 19mm ‘logs’ (how they call them logs I don’t know!) are used which makes for a very cheap, lightweight building. I wouldn’t want to lean on one! 28mm logs may be suitable (at a push), provided the right quality of timber is used. But certainly not any fast-growing timber which tends to be weaker.
Insist on Double Glazing in Your Garden Log Cabins
The better timber cabins have double glazing as standard, but cheaper models only have single-glazed windows. This does reduce the cost of the building marginally but it makes it harder to keep the building warm in Winter. Conversely, it is also and harder (and not many people think of this) to keep the cabin cooler in Summer.
You will also find that double-glazed windows are substantially stronger than single panes due to the two panes of glass with its vacuum inside it. So warmth and strength as standard.
Are All Sections Pre-Cut to Shape?
Ensure that all gable and shaped ends are supplied and cut to size & shape. Many cheap cabin kit manufacturers supply shaped timbers which need to be cut by you. This may save money but means more work for you and the possibility of mistakes.
It makes good sense to have the least amount of work as possible. The best option is to have the cabin built for you. True – it is more expensive but you can be sure that your new log building will be built correctly and all you need to do is to enjoy it with your family in your garden.
Should I Consider Insulating My Cabin
During the cold winter months, it makes you wonder how we can sit outdoors in shorts and tee shirts or ladies with their short dresses. The heavy snow over most parts of the country during the winter makes us think of the Swiss Alps maybe with its insulated log cabins which would be good use as a cabin in the UK.
The snow can be welcome for a short while and children enjoy playing about in it, I know my grandson Daniel, does. When the snow arrived my wife went to the local hardware shop and bought 2 sledges. One made of unsympathetic plastic and one made from wood. Guess which one I prefer?
When I started my factory back in 1979 the snow didn’t last too long and the sledges stayed in the cabin!
This time of the year can be spent planning for the winter with decisions to be made about whether the garden furniture should stay outside or be removed for the safety of our cabin.
The barbecue often is showing signs of rusting so maybe I’ll pull that inside as well. Having said that I don’t use it very often and remains in my garden for most of the year.
