Installations

Timber Cabins Installations

Before we can install one of our log cabins at your address you will need to ensure that an adequate base is prepared in order to sit the building on. It is essential that the base is square, level and firm and at least a size suitable to the size of the build (see the recommended sizes below). If you have chosen to have the log cabin installed by ourselves and we find on the visit to your property that the base is not suitably laid we will not be able to install and this could lead to a re-visit charge of £150.00. Base installation is one of the services we offer and below are the options you can choose from.

BASE

A good strong base can add years to the life of your log cabin so be careful not to skimp and compromise the longevity of your building.

Considerations for your base:

• It should be 100% level in every direction
• Ideally square
• Consideration should be given to the weight of the log cabin i.e. a 44mm is considerably different to a twin skin 90mm + 90mm log cabin
• Ideally to just over the footprint size of the cabin
• The cabin floor bearers are supposed to sit on a solid base so the strip foundations must be close enough to support the full floor. If the floor is not fully supported there will be an element of bounce to the floor boards.
• Your base level should be 20-50mm above ground level. The thickness of the base material depends on the weight of your cabin.

Options:

Pressure treated wood base frame

A pressure treated wood base frame can be custom made to your timber building requirement. It allows for any uneven surfaces or slight slopes. It is a cost effective method that doesn't cause too much disruption when installing. The wood used is pressure treated which means that it will stand up to the elements such as moisture, insects and rot. It has a unique ability to fend off decay which makes it ideal for any high moisture and/or ground contact installations.

Paving Slabs

Paving slabs are another cost effective way of basing your cabin. Available in various colours and designs and fitted to be 100% level these will provide a fabulous long lasting base for your log cabin. You can speak to one of our staff members who will be pleased to go through the various options and prices.

Wood Sleepers

Ideal for grounds that are very uneven and require digging out to get a level base.

Concrete

A concrete base is one of the most popular base installations and is ideal for larger buildings where the ground is reasonably level and not prone to flooding or collecting water.

Before installation you need to consider the usage of the log cabin as this will determine the depth and thickness of the concrete to be installed - for example a cabin used as a garage would need a more substantial concrete base as opposed to a log cabin being used as an office. Plus a children's playhouse will need a less substantial concrete base as opposed to a multi-room log cabin solution. A FREE site consultation can be arranged with one of our team members who will discuss the area and the options available.

As well as considering the weight of the log cabin you may also need to consider any additional accessories such as overhangs and guttering. You don't want any rainwater shedding onto your neighbours patio/garden. So enough space needs to be left for this to be accommodated.

The below table gives you a general idea of the depth and thickness required for your log cabin building.

Dense Building Blocks

Dense building blocks can be used as a base for your log cabin where the ground is uneven and also where the building may need to be raised. With properties that boast durability and strength these blocks will provide a substantial base and should be laid out in strip formation running in the same direction as the buildings base bearers

ROOF

Options:

Roof shingles

Durable, waterproof and beautiful. Protecting what's under your roof from the elements is simplicity itself with IKO Roofing Shingles. Roofing Shingles make ideal roofing as they are attractive, easy to install and are perfect for use on a range of buildings. Durable and aesthetic, they can be used on new building projects or for refurbishing everything from stables, gazebos, beach huts, chalets, summerhouses and sports pavilions to garden buildings.

Roofing Shingles are suitable for use on any building, temporary or permanent, domestic or commercial, habitable or recreational with a roof pitch from 15 degrees to vertical. The simplest makeovers can be completed by following the fixing instructions. Roofing Shingles provide a long lasting, highly decorative, weatherproof roof finish in a variety of pitched roof .

Technology at its best

They consist of glass fibre base, coated with oxidised bitumen and surfaced with attractive coloured mineral granules.

Benefits

They come in two different style options Armourglass Square Butt Roofing Shingles and Armourshield Hexagonal Roofing Shingles.

Roofing Shingles Colour Selector: Traditional Square Butt Shingles

Armourglass Square Butt - Forest Green

Armourglass Square Butt - Tile Red

Armourglass Square Butt - Slate Grey

Armourglass Square Butt - Dual Brown

Armourglass Square Butt - Black

Roofing Shingles Colour Selector: Hexagonal Shingles

Armourshield Hexagonal - Forest Green

Armourshield Hexagonalt - Tile Red

Armourshield Hexagonal - Granite Grey

Armourshield Hexagonal - Dual Brown

Armourshield Hexagonal - Black

IKOslate

IKOslate is a composite roof tile manufactured from mineral reinforced 99% recycled and re-engineered materials. Its unique structure gives it superior strength and makes it easier to handle and install.

IKOslate has the same aesthetic qualities as slate because moulds of quarried slates are used to form the composite tiles. Each mould imparts different textures and patterns to the tile and its natural look is enhanced by a realistic “slate grey” finish. IKOslate allows the experienced roofer, or contractor without extensive roofing experience, to deliver a sustainable roof with the look and feel of slate faster and more economically than previously possible.

Proven protection against the elements. Fire, wind, rain, pollution, even microbial growth, IKOslate has been extensively tested and independently proven capable of dealing with them all.

Features and benefits

• Fire rated to EXT.S.AA in accordance with BS476 Part 3: 2004.
• Certified to withstand wind and wind driven rain in excess of 110mph.
• Resistant to fungicidal and microbial growth as well as airborne chemicals and pollutants.
• Passed 4,500 hours accelerated arc zenon test for colour-fastness and UV resistance.

Reduced breakage, scrap and disposal costs.

Because natural slate is easily broken during transport, storage and installation, it’s often necessary to over order to ensure you have enough to finish the job. This additional cost, and the cost of disposing of any broken slates, can be avoided by using IKOslate. IKOslate makes it easy to order just the right amount of roofing tiles, no more, no less. Each pack contains enough tiles to cover 1.5sq/m with a 180mm exposure, and, because it’s not brittle like slate, there’s no need to build a breakage factor into the amount you order.

Click on the YouTube link below to watch our videos:

IKOslate - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8AKTcOTce4
IKOslate Crown Ridge Tiles - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Nk_Q-s2ko

Metrotile Roofing System

The roof is a symbol of security and shelter for both domestic and commercial roofing. Whether it’s protecting your home and family, keeping the indoor courts of a leisure centre dry or keeping you sheltered while waiting for the bus, the roof is the most significant part of any building.

Lightweight steel roofing has evolved to become a product that offers benefits that exceed those of traditional roof tile materials and is held in high esteem by our all-sector spanning customer base.

Features and benefits

Watch the video

https://vimeo.com/70962021

Standard Roofing Felt


Standard roof felt is one of the oldest and most common low-slope roofing options available on the market today. It’s easy to install and comes in a variety of colours. Rolled asphalt roofing has a granular surface and is made up of a heavy, asphalt-saturated organic or fiberglass felt. Rolled asphalt roofing is very similar to asphalt roofing shingles, as it’s coated on both sides with asphalt and is protected with mineral granules.

Roofing felt comes in a variety of colours and is also available in different sizes, but is typically sold in rolls that are 3 feet wide by 33 feet long.

Standard felt roofing is cheaper than most products, it has one of the lowest life expectancies. The roofing felt generally lasts between 10-15 years as long as installed correctly; as this will ensure it lasts longer and prevents any future leaks.

One of our friendly staff members will be more than happy to discuss this option further with you.

Wood Shingles - Cedar

Cedar wood shingles are thin, tapered pieces of wood primarily used to cover roofs and walls of buildings to protect them from the weather. Historically shingles were split from straight grained, knot free bolts of wood.

EPDM (Ethylene propylene diene monomer) Rubber Roof



Firestone RubberGard™ EPDM membranes offer a unique combination of features and benefits which have been demonstrated on countless commercial and industrial rooftops around the world.

Key Features/Benefits

• Excellent resistance to ageing (UV and ozone)
• High elasticity (>300% elongation)
• Excellent flexibility at low temperatures (-45°C)
• High puncture resistance
• Membrane and seams display high resistance to hydrostatic pressure
• Fire resistance to external sources (Low-Slope-Fire-Retardant EPDM)
• Inert (no solvents or plasticizers). The membrane composition remains constant over time
• Compatible with the collection of rainwater
• Resistant to micro-organisms
• Large dimension membranes significantly decrease installation time
• Reduced environmental impact compared to other waterproof membranes and in line with ecological requirements
•Compatible with green roofing systems and photovoltaics
• Easy installation and repair even after several years’ exposure

Watch the video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UllBoufTsfw

TREATMENT

Appearance of gaps or cracks

As timber is a natural product it will react in various ways when presented with humidity and temperature. If the weather becomes extremely dry then small cracks may appear between the boards. Once the weather normalises these cracks will revert back to normal. Also with long periods of drought small cracks will appear which cannot be avoided but this will not affect in anyway the static load bearing capacity of the log cabin.

Roofing felt

On occasions when roofing felt is exposed to changes in temperatures it can sometimes cause a rippling effect. This is perfectly normal and will not reduce the quality of the roofing felt in any way.

Doors and Windows

Doors and windows will expand and contract with changes in humidity and temperature. To minimise the risk of this happening, ensure you treat all of the windows and doors with our recommended Protek paint. You should ensure that the end grain of each unit is completely covered in the recommended paint treatment. It may on occasion be necessary to adjust the screws holding the units in place from time to time.

Fixtures and fittings

We strongly advise against installing any fixtures that will restrict movement of the building. If you have our partition walls installed they are specially designed to allow the log cabin to move naturally. If a unit is fitted to walls without taking care to allow the log cabin to move, then it will cause large gaps to form between the logs. The only way to rectify this problem if it does occur, is to remove any fixings from the walls and allow the log cabin time to settle back into position. Please note that even such things as having fixed electric cables attached to the walls have been found to restrict the movement of the logs and sliders should be used in these circumstances.

Guttering

Guttering is essential to help protect and maintain the life of your building.

The roof finish, shingle tiles, felts etc, should over hang the roof boards enough to allow water to drain directly into the guttering.

Best guttering for timber buildings and log cabins is rolled 1 piece guttering. If using PVC check seasonally for any movement.

Ensure the guttering downpipes are turned away from the building so water is not pooled or drained near the walls or under the building.

If you do have other problems with your log cabin, which cannot be resolved above, and it is within 12 months of Timber Cabins UK installation, please put the problem in writing and forward to Timber Cabins UK, Longsight Road, Langho, Lancashire. BB6 8AD. This can be by letter or email at info@timbercabinsuk.com and it often useful to send photographs. Unfortunately we are unable to deal with any problems if not put into writing to us.

If you would like any further advice on any other matter that is not covered here, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01254 247075. If maintained correctly, your log cabin will give you many years.