Need some advice about log cabins . . .

[Calico Cat]

I'm looking to put up a log cabin in the back garden to use as a studio (Yeahhhh!).

I've looked at lots on-line and "in the flesh" (having dragged Krysia to Bedford on Saturday) and I'm trying to decide between a couple of designs/options . . . . I know several folks have these as studios and I wondered

- what thickness walls you went for - options seem to be 28mm or 45mm?
- how much added insulation you had built in?
- how cold they are in winter . . . . . .?

I'm also trying to decide between a big national supplier that make their own (can't get them anywhere else) or a small local guy that buys them in - oh, decisions, decisions . . . .

Any info/help would be much appreciated - it's quite an expense and I'd like to get it right (well, as good as I can anyway)

Thank, Carole

[JKC]

Hi Carole

I just had my summerhouse insulated and the amount of insulation you can have put in depends on the depth of the wooden baton things inside, mine only had around 50mm, so I had to go for the best insulator available for that space, it was expensive, also you have to be careful of the type you get because of the electrics.  I haven't had a winter so far, but would imagine that you would need heating in winter.  I have to open the door just now after a while and the temps up here so far this summer have been very low, even minus.  Good luck.  Janet

[Krysia@No98]

(having dragged Krysia to Bedford on Saturday)

Kicking and screaming I might add.

You know how it is, kicking the door down to get into the log cabins and screaming "I WANT THAT ONE" 

I won't tell you about the trip to Ikea straight after, but I will say that I didn't buy the chair for the garden I don't have.

[TracyJayne]

Having got mine from the big national supplier in Bedford, we went for 45mm walls, I didn't put any insulation on the walls or ceiling, although I did put it in under the floor.  It is a little chilly in winter for half an hour or so until the heating kicks in, I have one small halogen heater in there, plus kiln and torch obviously. I love it, and I have to say using that supplier was easy and quick.  It was easy to put together, hubby and I did it in a couple of days although we did get an electrician in for the sparky work.  Let me know if there is anything specific else you want to know. 

[Calico Cat]

Having got mine from the big national supplier in Bedford, we went for 45mm walls, I didn't put any insulation on the walls or ceiling, although I did put it in under the floor.  It is a little chilly in winter for half an hour or so until the heating kicks in, I have one small halogen heater in there, plus kiln and torch obviously. I love it, and I have to say using that supplier was easy and quick.  It was easy to put together, hubby and I did it in a couple of days although we did get an electrician in for the sparky work.  Let me know if there is anything specific else you want to know. 

Funny, that's where we went . . can I ask which cabin style you chose and also what kind of base you had?

[Dolly Daydream]

Hi Carole,

Good luck with this...I hope you are getting someone else to build it all for you.  I built mine in the garden last year and it's quite a job ( I still haven't quite finished).

I did loads of research online and kept coming back to the same company, Dunster House.  It worked out the best value by far.  The cabin wood is a good quality and they make it theselves in this country.  There's loads of extras (e.g. guttering and tiles) that are actually a very good price.  I priced things up separately , as I was on a VERY tight budget,  but  their prices worked out really well.  (They'll even build it for you.)  I got the 28mm wall which is good and a lot chunkier than your average shed but if I could have afforded the 45mm one, I would have got that.  

As far as insulation is concerned,  it's the roof and floor that are the most important...it's the 'hat & boots' analogy.  I laid 50mm insulation board under mine which seems really good. You can get the roof insulated too.  It goes above the ceiling boards and beneath your roofing material.  (Incidentally, I tried to save a bit of money and fitted 50mm on the inside but it creates more problems that the savings are worth).  You can buy a fully insulated version of the cabin with twin walls but I reckon with 45mm you wouldn't really need it.  Saying that, I live in Cornwall, it's relatively mild weather down here.  Oh yeah, and double glazed windows are also important, a lot of heat would go out through those.

If you have any more questions, please ask.    

Good luck, Liz

[Calico Cat]

All roads seem to lead back to Dunster House in Bedford . . . . . .

[CindiDee]

Yup, mine is from Dunster House too  I have one of the double walled fully insulated jobs that Liz mentioned but then I do live on the North East coast of Scotland so figured I might need it! I'd highly recommend them and it was really easy to build too. It still needs heating in winter but doesn't take long to warm up and retains the heat well once it's warm.

[Jay9]

I did quite a lot of research on this and kept coming back to a 45mm wall from Dunster house. Just haven't got round to ordering it yet. 

My SIL's next door neighbour got one from them, all delivered fine and went up in a weekend with them doing the work.  My brother had one from them too, he had a window unit with a sticker left on the inside (?!) and they sent him a new unit straight away.  He was very impressed.

i think that's three votes for them now? 

[TracyJayne]

Having got mine from the big national supplier in Bedford, we went for 45mm walls, I didn't put any insulation on the walls or ceiling, although I did put it in under the floor.  It is a little chilly in winter for half an hour or so until the heating kicks in, I have one small halogen heater in there, plus kiln and torch obviously. I love it, and I have to say using that supplier was easy and quick.  It was easy to put together, hubby and I did it in a couple of days although we did get an electrician in for the sparky work.  Let me know if there is anything specific else you want to know. 

Funny, that's where we went . . can I ask which cabin style you chose and also what kind of base you had?

I think it was Carsare, 3.5 x 2.5m, we ordered a dividing wall too, which comes with an extra door and have split the cabin in two, so we had somewhere to keep the bikes and other rubbish that usually goes in a shed, so I have 2.5m square for my shedio.  We did think about have the insulated version, but decided that as space was limited, and we couldn't have a bigger cabin, it would impact on the interior space too much.  We had a concrete base put down to put it on.  Still got a spare window for it, as we put the door from the dividing wall where one of the windows should have been.  I'm only 5 minutes away from Bedford, so if you want to see it in action, as it were, I'm sure we can get together!

[Melty]

If it's any use to you my friend builds Eco sheds and straw bale structures (he calls them love shacks!) which are very well insulated and warm with sedum roofs they look really sweet his website is www.ironshirt.co.uk and he's willing to travel about to build stuff ...

[Pat from Canvey]

Thanks for posting the link Melty. I had great fun looking at all his pictures. Some of the sheds seem reminiscent of hobbit houses.

[SallyR]

Mine came from a company called Nordic Wood www.nordicwood.co.uk - 70mm thick walls, with an insulated floor and ceiling (no need for insulation in the walls).  Not the cheapest out there but chosen because a friend of mine lived in a Nordic Wood cabin for a couple of years so it (and the company) came with glowing references.  They're Surrey-based and seem to exhibit at the big building shows - think they're doing Grand Designs Live at the moment - or if you're passing Farnham, feel free to come round and have a look!

They did the base and installation for us too (mmm, rather nice Norwegian builder ...  ) but we provided our own sparky.

Having used it all winter, I can honestly say I love it to bits. It's very easy to heat with a little electric radiator - once it's warm, it retains the heat really well and it's not difficult to overheat in there, even with the window ajar and the ventilation on.  We also went for a dividing wall and extra external door, so I have an overflow glass store, oops, sorry, I mean OH has a place to stash his diving kit 

[dinah46]

This is mine with 45mm logs.  Love it. Doesn't need any insulation as it warms up pretty quickly with the kiln on in the winter.  I just use a small halogen heater when necessary.

[Melty]

Glad you enjoyed it! He uses a lot of reclaimed materials and you get a custom built to your specs shed at the end of it, he is very comparable and ofeten cheaper price wise as well to the log cabin companies.

Thanks for posting the link Melty. I had great fun looking at all his pictures. Some of the sheds seem reminiscent of hobbit houses.