Choosing a garden building is an investment, so it's important to buy from a company you can rely on. At 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, we've been helping customers find the right garden sheds, summerhouses, log cabins, garden offices and workshops
since 1979 when
Robin Antill opened the doors. As a
family-run business, we believe in offering honest advice rather than a hard sell. We take the time to understand what you need and help you choose a building that suits your garden, your budget and the way you plan to use it.
Our approach is reflected in our
4.9 Trustpilot rating, where customers regularly mention our friendly, helpful service. We only work with manufacturers we trust, selecting buildings that offer good quality, durability and value for money. Most are made from
FSC®-certified timber and built to cope with the British weather. If you'd rather see a building before you buy, you're welcome to visit one of the
UK's largest garden building display sites. Being able to compare different models and talk things through with our experienced team helps many customers make the right decision. With more than 47 years' experience and over 50,000 buildings supplied across the UK, we've built our reputation on quality products, straightforward advice and customer service you can depend on. We are always available to meet your needs or requirements so
contact us NOW if you would like help or advice.
A wooden cabin is often used mainly in warmer months, but it’s unfortunate to abandon it when the weather cools. The solution is a log cabin with enhanced insulation to maintain warmth year-round. It requires some investment, but the benefits are substantial: lower energy bills, more usable space year-round, and even an increase in property value. This makes an insulated log cabin a practical and rewarding choice for homeowners.
Consider the possibilities of an insulated log cabin. Your children could enjoy it as a den, providing you with valuable space. You could retreat there for personal time, escaping daily demands. Your spouse could use it as a hobby room. Best of all, you can gather the entire family to create lasting memories in a truly adaptable space.
Additionally, an insulated garden cabin can serve as an office or even a small workshop. In this scenario, it could be tax-deductible, making it more appealing. Insulation reduces your heating costs, and the cabin could count as a business expense, potentially lowering your tax liability.
With reasonable DIY skills, such as using power tools, measuring accurately, and cutting materials, you can manage your investment and insulate your garden cabin post-delivery. All you need is polystyrene or fibreglass insulation, sheets of plywood, hardboard, or a similar material, and 2×2 timbers. This cost-effective option ensures year-round comfort and the satisfaction of completing the project yourself.
For the floor, nail 2×2 timbers onto it, fit insulation between them, and cover with plywood (at least ½” thick, ideally ¾”). This method raises the floor by 2″. Ideally, place insulation between the floor joists without touching the base so air can circulate underneath.
The walls are usually at least 44 mm thick and sometimes 70mm thick, which provides good insulation values. These thicker walls help keep the cabin warm in winter and cool in summer, making it a comfortable space year-round. Unlike many cheap garden cabins, all the Trentan and Humber log cabins have double-glazed doors and windows.
All our log cabins offer an optional lining and insulation kit for the roof and floor (available within a 50-mile radius of Guildford). Choosing our construction service means floor and roof insulation is included in the price, installed by our team. This option places floor insulation beneath the boards, so your cabin’s height remains unchanged. It’s well worth considering if we handle installation for you.
The cabins come standard with thick timber walls (excellent U-values) and double glazing, ensuring year-round comfort with our upgraded insulated floor and roof.
Optional insulation for the building is provided unless the cabin is assembled for you, and includes a reinforced thermo-reflective vapor control layer (special quilted membrane), thermo-reflective aluminum tape (for sealing joints in the roof insulation and over floor joists), 25mm thick Celotex foilboard (2400 x 1200mm), 11mm solid OSB boarding (up to 2440 x 1220mm), and all necessary screws and fixings. We use 25mm PIR Celotex or Kingspan on the floor. Installing insulation will not affect internal headroom, and installation is included in the price when our teams assemble your cabin.
Effective roof and floor insulation transforms a log cabin into a comfortable retreat year-round, keeping it warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Standard 44mm logs provide decent insulation, while 70mm logs excel further; cabins insulated this way rarely require additional measures.
You’ll need to add heat in winter. Use a dry source, such as an electric radiator. Never use a Calor Gas heater; it is flammable and adds moisture, making your cabin damp. Avoid it entirely.
Most people overlook how important it is to keep a log cabin cool in summer. Insulation makes a big difference; I found that an insulated display cabin was much cooler on a hot day. Insulation works—it’s worth considering.
If you want a garden log cabin, you may wonder how much you’ll use it. Many believe a UK log cabin is only cosy in spring and summer, but cold and empty in winter. This idea often stops people from investing.
But is this really true? Are log cabins destined to be frosty and unwelcoming in winter? To find out, read our guide and discover the real story behind log cabin warmth, so you can decide if these charming spaces can be your cosy haven all year round.
