Log Cabins Buyers Guide

Make your garden the ideal space, whether it be for work or play. A log cabin can create a focal point and provide the ideal outdoor garden room for almost any garden.

Log cabins carry a wide range of benefits making them the perfect addition to your garden or outdoor space.

Start by making sure a log cabin is manufactured from high-quality Scandinavian timber, supplied with double-glazed windows and importantly, make sure the glass is toughened for safety but not only that, some cheap competitor cabins may be supplied with cheap and nasty styrene. There are so many other things to be aware of and our guide aims to highlight some of the key log cabin features to look out for. In addition to what has been mentioned, also ensure your log cabin is provided with a "manufacturer guarantee" on pressure treated timbers. Make sure the bearers are pressure treated too, as cheaper dip-treatment methods are far less effective a preventing rot and insect infestation.

You may find that some companies do not manufacture their products. Be aware of this as it may have an impact on the quality of the final product you receive. In addition, you may find their products to be more expensive with additional costs passed on the customer. Buy direct and cut out the middle man!

You want to ensure your investment has longevity. Any business offering a long guarantee is confident in their product. Garden buildings should provide an attractive, spacious and long-lasting structure. Read on for lots more useful guidance.

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WHEN CHOOSING A LOG CABIN LOOK OUT FOR:

WALL THICKNESS

When you've outlined what you are using your log cabin for you should be able to determine what wall thickness you will need. Keeping in mind that generally speaking, the thicker the wall the better for insulation, however this does not mean you need to have the thickest walls. It may be a luxury you don't need. Thicker walls can come with some know construction issues which our Warmalogs® get around. See our Warmalogs® range. Also, be wary of company's using mixed timbers which aren't as strong and will lessen the overall quality of your garden building.

Insulated 62mm Wall, Equivalent to 140mm U-Value

ROOF

When selecting a roofing style, start by thinking about which roofing style is most aesthetically pleasing to you. Where you situate the cabin may be a consideration factor.

If you opt to not use guttering, consider where rain water will run-off and If you want to see more or less roofing, the pent roof is your best bet to create a contemporary look. An apex on the other hand may achieve a more traditional finish but you may see a little more roofing when viewing the cabin side on. You will end up with a beautiful garden building, whichever you choose!

Pent roof

Apex roof

Modern/Saltbox Roof

STYLE

The size and shape of your land may dictate the size and style of the log cabin that you choose along with what you intend to use it for.

The corner log cabin is ideal if space is at a bit more of a premium, as the cabin can sit nicely in an unused corner of your garden. A multiroom or side store cabin may be a great addition if you're less worried about space. Side store cabins can actually save you space as the storage side store may even remove the need for a shed!

Corner

Sidestore

Multiroom

WHAT LOG CABIN BASE SHOULD I USE?

As with any building the base is key. For problem free longevity a log cabin must be built on a strong level surface. If you are using an existing base ensure it is level and damage free before installation. Concrete slabs such as an existing patio can be ideal.

If there is no existing base your first option is to lay a new concrete surface. The area should be well prepared with deep foundations and compacted hardcore before any concrete is poured. A quick and easy solution…

Alternatively a quicker and easier solution to laying concrete is Dunster House's RapidGrid Foundation System. A quicker, cost effective and environmentally friendly alternative to concrete foundations

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO USE YOUR LOG CABIN FOR?

Pub Shed

Arts Crafts

Beauty Salon

Garden Offices

Gym

Lounge

No matter the use for your log cabin, ensuring you get the right cabin to suit your needs should be of utmost importance.

Our log cabin buyers guide provides you with of all of the detailed information you might need when considering what wooden log cabin to buy. Be an informed buyer.

DOWNLOAD

Our full Log Cabin
buyers guide

View our full range of log cabins

LOG CABINS F.A.Q

F.A.Q

What Is A Log Cabin?

A Log Cabin is a garden building constructed using individual lengths of timber (logs), which interlock to form a solid structure. Log Cabins can have numerous uses, such as a garden retreat or garden office, an extra family room, a games room, a music room, a gym... the list is endless.

Our Log Cabins are made from slow-grown spruce, and feature pressure treated bearers, 4mm toughened glass and domestic locking systems.

Does a log cabin require planning permission?

Due to the unique design of a Dunster House product, in the vast majority of cases our garden buildings can be installed without the need for planning permission.
However, there are a few other factors to consider:
As all properties are different in size, shape and style we can only advise based on how we have designed our products, not on your property.

When to consider planning permission:
- If the garden building exceeds over 2.5m tall - the majority of Dunster House buildings do not exceed this.
- If you intend on putting an outbuilding in front of the main elevation of your property (as it was originally built or as it was on 1st July 1948) will require Planning Permission.
- If you live in a listed or graded building
- If you live in a designated area such as areas of outstanding natural beauty, national parks, world heritage sites and conservation areas.
- If there is a possibility that over 50% of your garden would be taken up by outbuildings.

What Are U-Values?

U-values tell us about the heat loss properties of the material you are measuring. The lower the number, the better insulated the Log Cabin will be.

How To Keep My Log Cabin Warm?

There are several options available when looking at how to keep your log cabin warm. Firstly, if you are only planning to use your log cabin occasionally, we would just recommend putting in a small electric heater in the cabin. Usually you would turn that on 20 minutes before you are going to use it to kill of the chill.

However, if you are planning to use your log cabin all year round for either business purposes or a play area etc, we offer different wall thicknesses on our cabins. 28mm, 34mm, 45mm and 62mm (insulated) are the options available.
We have designed a unique concept - the Warmalog range, which is our insulated range of cabins. The cabin walls, roof and floor have all been insulated with polyisocyanurate to help you keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The wall thickness is equivalent to having a standard cabin with walls 140mm thick.

How many years do log cabins last?

Look after a log cabin and it could last for years for many, many years. So long in fact, it's likely to far surpass the use you have for it. Treat your cabin from time to time with wood preservatives but importantly, make sure the bearers of your cabin are pressure treated! NOT dip treated!

LOG CABIN BUYERS GUIDE