FAQ
Welcome to our frequently asked questions page, hopefully they will give you quick answers your log cabin and log home queries
FAQ - British Log Cabins
Frequently Asked Questions
During the construction process we treat each log cabin for wet rot, dry rot, wood boring insects and fungus. We also recommend to treat the cabin against the weather (i.e. sunlight and water) and can include this in your quote if required. We have used many UK brands and treatments in the past and the decision is ultimately down to the customers preference and the finish desired. However we have found that many of the UK products do not work that effectively as they are not designed for use on log homes so we have recently become suppliers of an American product called PermaChink which has been developed especially for use on log homes. The products available can protect and seal the logs from the weather, stain the logs with a choice of colours if required, along with products to preserve, clean and restore the logs. Please see our Shop for more details or ring to discuss your requirements.
Treatment with Perma-chink sealant is included in our 'sealed shell' package.
Handcrafted log cabins are very versatile in the type of footings that can be used.
Due to the way that the building is constructed each log acts as its own 'lintel' so a log wall can span between pier footings or strip footings easily. We usually don't exceed spacings of 2000mm.
On a small cabin we generally specify pier footings because they are simple, reasonable inexpensive and work well on both flat and sloping sites.
With a full log home we opt for a full footing and slab, this makes it easier to properly insulate (minimising thermal bridging) and allows for installation of underfloor heating within a screed which is our preferred convection method in a log home.
The depth of the footings will depend upon the ground where it will be sited and the foundations will ultimately have to be passed by a structural engineer. However, as an indication I would work on the following:
400mm wide, 1000mm deep reinforced footing under each log wall. 150mm deep reinforced concrete slab throughout. 3 rows of engineering bricks underneath each log wall to bring logs up to finished floor level. (This allows for insulation, underfloor heating and a liquid screed sub floor finish). Footings are not included in any of our example prices due to the variation from site to site.
Due to the way that the building is constructed each log acts as its own 'lintel' so a log wall can span between pier footings or strip footings easily. We usually don't exceed spacings of 2000mm.
On a small cabin we generally specify pier footings because they are simple, reasonable inexpensive and work well on both flat and sloping sites.
With a full log home we opt for a full footing and slab, this makes it easier to properly insulate (minimising thermal bridging) and allows for installation of underfloor heating within a screed which is our preferred convection method in a log home.
The depth of the footings will depend upon the ground where it will be sited and the foundations will ultimately have to be passed by a structural engineer. However, as an indication I would work on the following:
400mm wide, 1000mm deep reinforced footing under each log wall. 150mm deep reinforced concrete slab throughout. 3 rows of engineering bricks underneath each log wall to bring logs up to finished floor level. (This allows for insulation, underfloor heating and a liquid screed sub floor finish). Footings are not included in any of our example prices due to the variation from site to site.
The short answer is hundreds of years! There is no reason why a handcrafted log cabin will not be inhabited by your great grandchildren. Handcrafted cabins and homes constructed from Western Red Cedar will certainly outlast any other timber building on the market.
Like any other building a log cabin requires maintenance. The more you look after it, the longer it will last. If treatment is applied every 2-3 years to protect from the weather, foundation timbers are kept out of the ground, gutters kept clean and clear and larger upwards facing checks are filled there is no reason why the building will not last and last.
We give advice to each of our customers as to the best way to look after their cabin and let them know things to look out for when carrying out maintenance work.
Western Red Cedar is renowned as being the best timber for use outdoor use. If protected properly in a well designed building however a larch or douglas fir building will provide cosy shelter long after we have all disappeared.
We offer an unlimited guarantee on our log-work (subject to an annual maintenance contract)
Like any other building a log cabin requires maintenance. The more you look after it, the longer it will last. If treatment is applied every 2-3 years to protect from the weather, foundation timbers are kept out of the ground, gutters kept clean and clear and larger upwards facing checks are filled there is no reason why the building will not last and last.
We give advice to each of our customers as to the best way to look after their cabin and let them know things to look out for when carrying out maintenance work.
Western Red Cedar is renowned as being the best timber for use outdoor use. If protected properly in a well designed building however a larch or douglas fir building will provide cosy shelter long after we have all disappeared.
We offer an unlimited guarantee on our log-work (subject to an annual maintenance contract)
A log cabin is the same as any other structure when it comes to planning so the same rules apply. A detailed overview of the current planning rules and regulations can be found at http:// www.planningportal.gov.uk Smaller log cabins can be built in within the curtilage of your home without planning permission.
If you own woodland then you can erect a log cabin as a permitted development for use as a shelter.
If you are to build a log home then you will need to apply for planning permission. There are many different avenues that navigate. More detail can be found in our planning permission section. We are able to assist with advice, architectural drawings, surveying, planning applications and building regulations with your log cabin all at a competitive price.
If you own woodland then you can erect a log cabin as a permitted development for use as a shelter.
If you are to build a log home then you will need to apply for planning permission. There are many different avenues that navigate. More detail can be found in our planning permission section. We are able to assist with advice, architectural drawings, surveying, planning applications and building regulations with your log cabin all at a competitive price.
It is very difficult to quote per square meter as there are so many variables that can affect the cost of a log building. Two cabins could be an identical size but differ in price by 50{b9d17d769e9c006c61488a721baafa3b8a1133800deae0751617b633a602993d} due to the complexity of the design.
If you have an idea of the size or a rough plan of what you would like us to build then we can provide you with a speedy quotation and suggest design features that will enhance the building.
You can get an idea of our prices on our designs page Here. If you would like a quote on something that you have in mind then please contact us.
If you have an idea of the size or a rough plan of what you would like us to build then we can provide you with a speedy quotation and suggest design features that will enhance the building.
You can get an idea of our prices on our designs page Here. If you would like a quote on something that you have in mind then please contact us.
The payments for a log-work only shell are generally broken down into four payments:
Deposit 30{b9d17d769e9c006c61488a721baafa3b8a1133800deae0751617b633a602993d} (to hold your place in the build schedule and order timber)
5 logs high in our yard 30{b9d17d769e9c006c61488a721baafa3b8a1133800deae0751617b633a602993d}
On delivery 30{b9d17d769e9c006c61488a721baafa3b8a1133800deae0751617b633a602993d}
On practical completion 10{b9d17d769e9c006c61488a721baafa3b8a1133800deae0751617b633a602993d}
This payment structure is spread out further with a sealed shell or turn-key project.
Deposit 30{b9d17d769e9c006c61488a721baafa3b8a1133800deae0751617b633a602993d} (to hold your place in the build schedule and order timber)
5 logs high in our yard 30{b9d17d769e9c006c61488a721baafa3b8a1133800deae0751617b633a602993d}
On delivery 30{b9d17d769e9c006c61488a721baafa3b8a1133800deae0751617b633a602993d}
On practical completion 10{b9d17d769e9c006c61488a721baafa3b8a1133800deae0751617b633a602993d}
This payment structure is spread out further with a sealed shell or turn-key project.
We take our contracting very seriously. Our building contract has been written by an established firm of solicitors and is backed by their expertise.
The contract is constantly evolving as we come across different situations and needs of customers, every clause is negotiable and the contract is written with fairness in mind. The main thing that a good building contract provides is peace of mind, log building is not a small investment but you can rest assured that it is a safe investment with our contract in place.
The contract is constantly evolving as we come across different situations and needs of customers, every clause is negotiable and the contract is written with fairness in mind. The main thing that a good building contract provides is peace of mind, log building is not a small investment but you can rest assured that it is a safe investment with our contract in place.
The first thing that we need to do is establish exactly what you would like. Initially just contact us with a some idea and preferably a rough floor plan. Include things such as preferred roofing material, floor finish if a sealed shell or turn-key is required. We will then come up with a specification and price for you.
We will then need to draw up exactly what you want. We have an architect do this for us. We charge a £680 + vat flat rate for unique drawings.
From here we can then arrange a meeting either at one of our projects or on your site to chat about the finer details and discuss any changes to our proposed specification. Once you are happy with the price and specification you can then instruct us to process your order.
Upon order of your cabin you will receive two copies of the contract (one to keep, one to return), a copy of the written specification, a copy of the International Log Building Association’s Log Building Standards and an invoice for the deposit due on your project.
Once the contract and deposit are received we will order the timber for your log cabin and work towards completing by the estimated completion date that we have set.
We will then need to draw up exactly what you want. We have an architect do this for us. We charge a £680 + vat flat rate for unique drawings.
From here we can then arrange a meeting either at one of our projects or on your site to chat about the finer details and discuss any changes to our proposed specification. Once you are happy with the price and specification you can then instruct us to process your order.
Upon order of your cabin you will receive two copies of the contract (one to keep, one to return), a copy of the written specification, a copy of the International Log Building Association’s Log Building Standards and an invoice for the deposit due on your project.
Once the contract and deposit are received we will order the timber for your log cabin and work towards completing by the estimated completion date that we have set.
The timber that we use is all British grown and all comes from sustainable sources. We usually use Western Red Cedar or Douglas Fir in log cabin construction and lean towards Douglas Fir for post and beam structures due to its superior spanning strength.
Douglas Fir is known for its strength and Western Red Cedar for its natural ability to resist decay, both timbers are well suited to construction in our climate.
Douglas Fir is known for its strength and Western Red Cedar for its natural ability to resist decay, both timbers are well suited to construction in our climate.
Of course it depends on the size and complexity of your structure but a rough estimate from the time that we receive the timber in the yard would be:
3 bedroom home Log-work only - 10 weeks in the yard and 2 weeks on site.
Sealed shell - 10 weeks in the yard and 7 weeks on site.
Turn-Key - 10 weeks in the yard and 20 weeks on site.
Small single room cabin
Log-work only - 5 weeks in the yard and 3 days on site.
Sealed shell - 5 weeks in the yard and 10 days on site.
Sealed shell with floor and log burner - 5 weeks in the yard and 3 weeks on site.
3 bedroom home Log-work only - 10 weeks in the yard and 2 weeks on site.
Sealed shell - 10 weeks in the yard and 7 weeks on site.
Turn-Key - 10 weeks in the yard and 20 weeks on site.
Small single room cabin
Log-work only - 5 weeks in the yard and 3 days on site.
Sealed shell - 5 weeks in the yard and 10 days on site.
Sealed shell with floor and log burner - 5 weeks in the yard and 3 weeks on site.
We offer a two week course in handcrafted log building course
If you are interested in learning about log building then please register interest on our course page.
If you are interested in learning about log building then please register interest on our course page.
Yes, so long as it is within the specification that we require.
We can build handcrafted cabins with Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Larch, Spruce and Scots Pine.
Our usual spec is minimum 10” tops and maximum 20” butts with minimum taper and reasonably straight. All of the timber needs to be hand felled rather than using a harvester. We can fell the timber if required.
We can build handcrafted cabins with Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir, Larch, Spruce and Scots Pine.
Our usual spec is minimum 10” tops and maximum 20” butts with minimum taper and reasonably straight. All of the timber needs to be hand felled rather than using a harvester. We can fell the timber if required.
