Choosing a Log Cabin

It is important to think carefully when choosing a log cabin, so you choose the one that suits your needs perfectly, remember to include Internal size/space needed, what you need it for, how much natural light do you want, how many rooms do you need, how warm will it be during the winter months, what is your budget, will you need planning permission, remember the cabins quality should be as important to you as the style.

Question 1:   What do you need your Log cabin for?

• Garden storage - If you are going to use your Log Cabin for garden storage think about what you are going to store in it. Make sure there will be enough space to get everything in and be able to gain access to your things easily.
• A garden room to sit and enjoy your garden - Again make sure the cabin will have the correct space for you. Will you table and chairs fit in comfortably with enough space to move around them.
• A games room- If so you would need a cabin which is large enough to give you enough room eg. for a pool table you will need to be able to use your cue with ease.
• A Granny annex – Warmth, enough space, how many rooms and when will it be used should all be taken into account. Be sure to check your local planning laws on any buildings that are to be used as accomodation.
• Log cabins for commercial use – interlocking timber buildings are a great replacement for your old porta-cabins or caravans, remember wood with insulation has great thermal values
• Home & garden office – Think about what you need in your Garden Office. A desk, chairs, filing cabinets will probably need to fit in. Natural light and the times of year it will be used could be considerations.
• To house a hot tub or a sauna – Check the measurements of your hot tubs and saunas and remember a hot tub weighs a lot when its full of water and people so make sure your base is good.

Question 2  Style of Building.

• What type of style- Do you want a normal looking cabin or somthing a little different, maybe contempory or unusual. Will it suit your garden and where it will be sited.
• Will it be seen- If your cabin is going to be seen you will probably want a pretty style but if you are going to place it behind screening for example then a plainer building may be a better or cheaper option.

Question 3:   Where your Log Cabin will be placed.

• Planning Laws- Be sure to check the planning regulations before you decide on where your building will be sited.
• Do you need natural light- If so check how the sun and the surroundings effect the light in your garden throughout the day.
• Direct sunlight- Remember direct sunlight on a summers day can make your building extremly hot inside.

Question 4  Log Cabin Quality.

Log Cabin quality can vary so be sure to check what you are getting and what quality you require.

What you should always ask log cabin companies before you buy to check their quality?

• Do they use finger joints in their interlocking walls or inner T&G floors/ceilings? The reason why you should ask this question is simple- finger jointed wood (if not done properly) can weaken the cabin and make it hard to get an even protective finish when staining so it ends up looking like a patch work quilt.
• What windows and doors do they use? This is very important as most cabins still stock inferior windows and doors that suffer from drafts & leaks. ( Do not settle for anything less than windows with weatherproof seals however if you want real joinery quality you can get windows which have Weatherproof seals, double glazing and tilt and turn  5 point locking systems)

• Do they use filler? Filler in wood suggests that the quality of timber being used is possibly inferior not forgetting that filler doesn’t stain to the same colour as wood. If you are not too bothered about this and want a cheap log cabin ( but be careful as some companies still charge high prices for these cabins) then they may be the ones for you.