1. Building regulations and permission to plan
“My backyard and rules” isn’t exactly what it is when it comes to building a summer house or other structure in your garden. If you are required to get the permission to plan or permit is contingent on the height and size of the structure, its methods of its use, the position in the garden, and the other details.There are two distinct issues when you are considering a new garden building : building Regulations and planning Permission. Most of the time, if the building has an interior floor area that is greater than 15m2 and its total size is not more than 2.5m and less than 2.5m, it’s unlikely that you’ll require Building Regulations or Planning Permissions even. Even if your garden structure is within the permitted limits however, it’s still advisable to call your local planning department and receive all information you need to answer your questions. This gives you assurance that you are certain that everything is in design with your new garden office or hobby room. Should the dream of a summer home or garden space exceed the limit, don’t fret and don’t let go of your dreams! If so, make contact with or visit the local planning office to receive the right information on what you must do to ensure that you comply with the regulations and obtain the necessary permissions. Our experience with customers receiving planning permissions for larger gardens, is that it doesn’t take more than four to six weeks.
2. The peculiarities of wooden structures. Proper care.
The wood is naturally occurring substance that grows and changes depending on humidity, temperature and other weather conditions , particularly in the first month following the installation. It is normal to adjust the windows and doors at least a couple of times during the first month following the wooden cabin is built, and after that twice a year to ensure that they are operating in a proper manner. Minor cracks, knots and variations in color tone aren’t errors, they are inherent nature of wood. It is crucial to treat your home by applying a wood stain preservative or other protective coatings after assembly. Wood that is not treated turns grayish and may turn blue, and turn moldy or decay. It is recommended to treat flooring boards with an impregnation agent prior to installation, especially on the lower edges of the boards since after the assembly , there is no access to this side. Once properly treated the lifespan of your log cabin is significantly increased. It is recommended to check your summer residence at least once throughout the year , and to retreat according in accordance with the guidelines given by the wood preservation manufacturer.
3. Dimensions of your garden building
It is crucial to consider the purpose of your garden and then purchase the correct dimension. Summer houses made of wood are something that we hope to keep for a long time and not just for a few days. So we suggest you include all family members or guests of the summer house. get everyone’s input and then take the collective choice.
4. What do I get what’s included in the package , and how the log cabins shipped?
Your garden or log cabin structure will be delivered in waterproof packages to ensure that they will not be damaged or impacted by weather conditions during transport or if the garden office or summer home is kept in a sealed container for a few weeks prior to the installation. The delivery of your order will be on a curb and the driver will not be capable of assisting in the removal of the garden structure. The size of the vehicle and the method of delivery will be determined by the dimensions of the building you’ve placed an order for. It will be delivered using an automobile with the following options including tail lift forklift truck, hiab crane that can lift and unload heavy boxes (700-2500 kilograms). All wood details and panels are prefabricated, cut and are ready for installation (like an enormous Lego sets!). The log cabin kits are made up of foundation beams impregnated with a resin, wall logs untreated panels, as well as other wood details including floor and roof boards, doors and windows roofing felt screws, nails, additional fixings such as storm braces the user’s manual as well as assembly instructions. Each detail is identified so that assembly is as simple as it can be. All you have to bring you with is your tools!
5. Foundations and Bases to build your garden
The foundation type you require is dependent on the dimensions of your garden and the strength of the soil within your garden. The most affordable and simple foundation is concrete slabs that are set on top of sand and gravel. This kind of foundation is simple to build and is attainable by anyone who is DIY-savvy without hiring an expert. This kind of foundation can be used for cabins with smaller dimensions with a minimum of 10 square metres. For this base, it is necessary to excavate 25-30cm of soil, then fill it with gravel, and then lay down a adequate layer of sand is required to make sure it is level. Then, lay down the concrete blocks, slabs or other similar. It is crucial to ensure that your foundation is level because your home will stand as high as the base! The most sought-after, but more costly and long-lasting foundation is an concrete base. Concrete bases are an ideal fit to all kinds of garden structures. In order to build this type of foundation, you’ll require the assistance of an experienced local professional or a small construction company, since concrete foundations require more knowledge and you need to be aware of what you’re doing.These two types of foundations have become the two most sought-after foundations for garden structures However, there are different ways to build them. It is recommended to talk with local experts prior to making a decide, taking into consideration the level of the soil and the size of your building. No matter what you choose you must remember that a solid and level foundation is essential! If you don’t have a solid foundation, you’ll fail your entire garden structure. Walls that are twisted and not functioning windows and doors along with a limited life spans and a void warranty means you will not have the pleasure of your garden! Learn additional information about foundations in our page for assembly.
6. Do you prefer self assembly, or do you hire a construction company?
The construction of the majority of summer house for sale, garden structures, and log cabins is attainable with the help of a skilled DIY enthusiast. Particularly small and mid-sized sheds and homes with a maximum of 8-12 square metres. We always suggest that two people are involved in the construction and take care in lifting, as certain panels are quite heavy. The statistics show that over 85% of our customers do the assembly themselves or employ an expert local to assist to ensure that everything is done correctly. To put together your garden structure you will require at minimum two adults with tools (hammer and saw, pliers and drills, as well as screwdrivers measuring tape, ladder knife, and spirit-level) and, of course, three to four days of your precious time, based on your capabilities and the size of the log cabin. If you or your friend has experience fixing items at home, or performing small DIY projects in the garden, assembly using specific details for the construction, as well as proper instructions for installation and a user’s manual can be accomplished by you. If, however, you’re not confident with your DIY skills or do not like the idea of assembly, we recommend hiring an expert local to help you.
7. Wall thickness
The most common wall thicknesses used for garden structures are 28mm, 40mm 44mm, 58mm , and 70 to 92mm. There are 19mm walls available however, they are usually very small tool sheds , or very poor garden houses that have the shortest life span. We wouldn’t advise you to choose walls less than 28mm in thickness. Walls of 28mm are typically only single-tongue and groove lumber, and are can be used for storage sheds or smaller garden homes with a maximum of 8-9 square meters. If you’re looking for an enviable garden structure that is smaller and at the lowest cost gardens and storage sheds that have a 28mm wall thickness is a good option. The 44-58mm wall logs come with double tongue and groove and using these walls, you can easily build 20 square meters of garden structures and larger. In comparison to 28mm walls, they aren’t just more durable but also offer more insulation and have a solid feeling. For a conclusion the 28mm walls are sufficient to build storage sheds as well as 4-9m2 garden summer houses however if you’re seeking a bigger structure that is more insulated, ensure that you select walls of at least 44mm thick or even thicker.
8. Double or single glazed windows?
If you plan to make use of your wooden cabin most of the time during summer, then you don’t need the cost of double-glazed windows. Single-glazed windows usually comprise three millimetre glass and do not come with sealing. They are usually used in smaller gardens with a wall thickness of 28-40 millimeters. Particularly, walls with a thickness of 28mm are not very well insulated and double glazing on the walls doesn’t create any difference.If you want to be able to use your garden structure all year long it is suggested that you think about insulation of the floor and roof. We also suggest using double-glazed windows. Double-glazed windows are sealed by the manufacturer and offer excellent insulation properties. In general gardens that have less than 40mm of wall thickness are equipped with single-glazed windows. All garden log cabins with 44mm walls thickness or more have double-glazed windows.
9. Multifunctional log cabins for use in the outdoors
A garden structure that has multiple purposes can help you reduce the cost and size of your garden. A summer home with a terraces is significantly less price than purchasing an outdoor space, a pavilion or a summer home with a shed, compared to the cost when you purchase them separately. Therefore, prior to buying the house, gather your family and think about the requirements and purposes that you can use it to enhance your garden’s life and more flexible with one clever multi-purpose garden structure.
10. Can I make use of my garden log cabin throughout the year?
Yes , you can. However, If you are planning to use your garden structure throughout the year (garden office or table tennis, hobby room or billiards, among others) We suggest an area with 40mm or over wall thickness. Be sure windows are equipped with double glazing. Also, cover the roof and floor with insulation. There are four areas that need to be protected from heat loss: floor walls, walls, roof, and windows. The choice of materials you can utilize to insulate your home’s garden is broad, based on your local climate as well as your budget and methods of using. It is essential to select the appropriate foundation material and to insulate your floor first. A layer of insulation underneath the floor boards will help in keeping the inside of the house warm. Roof insulation is essential due to how warm air moves up, and around 35-40% of the warmth goes through the roof without insulation. Then there are windows, walls and heating , if needed. Installing a stove inside your garden structure is an excellent option to ensure all year long use. It is possible to purchase a device which you cook on! It is essential to ensure that any appliance that burns fuel is installed by an experienced installer, and that the all ventilation requirements are met, and that working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are fitted within your garden structure.