Blog
Our blogs will help you get the most out of your garden. Here you will find more information on various topics such as garden trends, maintaining your decking, fence or log cabin and the difference between certain types of wood. But also about laws and regulations, what you can do in case of storm damage and the affordable design and sustainability of your garden. You can also read the latest news here, for example about the winners of the annual photo competition and developments within Tuin.
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Blog
The best timber for log cabins & garden buildings: Why Tuin chooses slow-grown spruce over pine & cedar
If you’re looking to buy a log cabin, summerhouse, gazebo or even a shed for your garden, it can help to know what type of timber your chosen supplier uses along with its pros and cons. There are a number of options to choose from, but most log cabins in the UK are usually made from pine or spruce.
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How to treat your timber garden building and ensure longevity (The Tuin Guarantee)
At Tuin, we’re proud to offer a 10-year guarantee on our timber garden buildings, including our popular log cabins, summerhouses and gazebos. We can offer this long-lasting guarantee due to the quality of our slow-grown spruce timber. However, this guarantee is only valid if the wood is properly and regularly treated.
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A guide to planning permission for log cabins or summerhouses in the UK
Buying a log cabin or a summerhouse can feel complicated with comparing suppliers, wall thicknesses, roof types and specifications. But one of the most common, and often confusing questions is: Do I need planning permission for a log cabin? In many cases, a garden log cabin, or any other garden building, falls under Permitted Development which means you do not need to get planning permission.
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Log cabins vs summerhouses: Which building should you choose for your garden?
If you’re looking to add a wooden garden building to your home, you’ve probably researched the right option for you and found both log cabins and summerhouses as suitable options. The buildings may look similar at first glance but there are key differences between the two and understanding these can help you choose the right building for your lifestyle, budget and intended use.
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Common problems during log cabin or summerhouse installation and how to fix them
Installing a log cabin or summerhouse is an exciting part of any garden project. Seeing your garden building finally starting to take shape can help you imagine how your revamped garden is going to look. However, during installation, it’s common to encounter small issues that can make you wonder whether something has gone completely wrong.
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How to finish your log cabin or summerhouse installation
Once you’ve built the walls, added the doors and windows and the roof, it’s time to add the finishing touches to ensure your garden building is fully ready for you to enjoy. It’s important to carry out a few final checks and maintenance tasks to protect your log cabin, ensure smooth operation of the doors and maximise the lifespan of your investment.
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Do log cabins or summerhouses need storm kits? Protecting your garden building from high winds
The UK weather can be unpredictable with winter storms and strong winds. With added factors such as exposed gardens and coastal locations, your log cabin or summerhouse needs to stand up to a variety of weather conditions. All of Tuin’s garden buildings are designed to be durable enough to withstand these changing conditions but, in some cases, a storm kit can provide added protection and help to keep your investment looking and performing its best for years to come.
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Why ventilation in log cabins and summerhouses matters: Everything you need to know
When installing a log cabin or summerhouse, factors such as insulation, wall thickness, roofing and base options are the most obvious considerations. However, another important element to consider when building a log cabin or summerhouse is ventilation. This is something that can be easily overlooked but a lack of effective ventilation can cause long-term problems and affect the longevity of your garden building.
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How to install your log cabin or summerhouse floor from start to finish
The floor of your log cabin or summerhouse is an important element of the stability and longevity of your garden building, as well as the overall comfort. A properly installed floor helps to provide support for your daily activities and insulation helps to improve the thermal performance of your log cabin or summerhouse. Each layer of the floor plays an important role so installing it correctly will ensure your garden building performs as it should and provides you with a space you can enjoy throughout the year. In this blog, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide to fitting the joists, insulation, floorboards and skirting boards of your new garden building.
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How to fit felt shingles on your log cabin or summerhouse
Once the walls of your log cabin or summerhouse have been built and the roof has been added, fitting the roof shingles is one of the final stages that not only finishes your garden building off aesthetically, it also plays an essential role in protecting your building from the elements. The roof is one of the most important parts of your log cabin or summerhouse. It’s constantly exposed to wind, rain, changing temperatures and prolonged UV exposure. The roof and the roofing material provide a protective barrier against weather and moisture so choosing the right roofing material and installing it correctly is an important part of your installation.
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How to install the canopy for your log cabin or summerhouse
Not all log cabins and summerhouses have a canopy section but some models feature an enclosed indoor area with a canopy or veranda. The installation for these models is slightly different to a regular log cabin or summerhouse with four walls. A log cabin with a canopy provides the perfect outdoor space that allows you to make more use of your garden, whatever the weather or season. It’s perfect for adding outdoor seating or providing shelter from changing weather conditions so you can continue to enjoy being outside, despite the weather.
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How to install the roof of your log cabin or summerhouse
A properly fitted roof on your log cabin or summerhouse helps to keep your building protected from the elements, finishes your garden building off perfectly and ensures your garden building continues to perform and provide you with enjoyment for years to come. At Tuin, we supply a range of log cabins and summerhouses, each with different roof types. So, in this guide, we’ll explain the types of roof available and show you how to install a pent roof or hipped roof, depending on which model you’ve purchased.
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How to fit a window in your log cabin or summerhouse
Once you’ve built your log cabin up to a certain height, it’s strong enough to fit the windows. Correctly fitting the windows in your log cabin or summerhouse will not only ensure that your garden building looks aesthetically pleasing, it also helps to keep your building insulated, protected from the elements and keeps your building performing over time. Due to the construction of your log cabin or summerhouse, the windows must be installed in a way that allows the timber of the log cabin to move naturally without putting pressure on the frame, glazing or the rest of your building.
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How to build and install a log cabin or summerhouse door
Installing the door frame in your log cabin or summerhouse correctly is an important part of the build as it can directly affect how well the doors open, close and perform over time. Timber garden buildings are designed to allow for the expansion and contraction of the material as it adjusts to changes in environmental temperature and moisture. As a result, you’ll need to install your door frame to allow for this movement and to prevent problems with the functioning of your doors in the future.
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How to start building the walls of your log cabin or summerhouse
Once you’ve installed the base and foundation beams of your log cabin or summerhouse, it’s time to start building up the wall.This is when your building project comes together and starts to look like a garden building. Tuin log cabins and summerhouses are built using interlocking logs which makes our models simple to build but accuracy is required for the best results and to protect your building over the long term. Making errors now can affect the fit of windows, doors and even the roof at the later stages of the build so it’s essential to get it right as you go along.
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Log cabin vs shed: What’s the difference?
When you’re researching a garden building, you might be wondering whether a log cabin or a shed is the better option.At first glance, they might appear to be similar but they’re designed for very different purposes. A shed is designed for storage whereas a log cabin is designed as a usable living space that can function as a home office, gym, hobby room or private garden retreat.
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Wooden gazebo vs metal gazebo: How to choose the right option for your garden
If you want to create a sheltered space in your garden for relaxing, dining or entertaining outdoors, a gazebo is a great addition to any space. However, when it comes to choosing the right gazebo for your home, there are a number of options to choose from, including the material. Both wooden and metal gazebos or pergolas provide protection from the elements and help you make better use of your outdoor space throughout the year. Each type differs slightly in terms of appearance, durability and maintenance requirements so choosing the right gazebo requires some careful consideration.
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Spread the cost of your garden building with Tuin’s 30% deposit scheme
We know that investing in a log cabin, summerhouse, gazebo or any garden building is a great way to enhance your garden and create more usable space. However, we also know that it’s a significant purchase. You might be looking to create a home office, gym, workshop or additional living space you can use all year round. Whatever you’re looking for, we understand that you might want more flexibility when it comes to paying for it. At Tuin, we’ve introduced a new 30% deposit scheme on all eligible orders to enable you to secure your order with a deposit and pay the remaining balance closer to your delivery date.