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Log cabin warping and contractionAt certain times of the year I will get the odd complaint about our Log Cabins regarding warping and contraction from buildings installed in the Autumn and Winter, Early Spring. The height of the complaints will come in around July and August. Some customers will be nice and ask for advice, others will launch into a big complaint and are not very pleasant to deal with on occasions. I then gently walk through the problem with them until we resolve it. 100% of the time it is the customer’s own making. The pleasant guy asking for advice locate the problem and we solve it. The unpleasant guy will demand we go on site and then find the problem for them and all of the time it’s when they paid a ‘Qualified Carpenter’ or a ‘Qualified Joiner’ to install the building as it cannot be their fault. Unpleasant guy then gets very upset when we charge for our attendance. To solve this I thought I would write a quick post about this seasonal complaint. Here’s a few examples of log cabin warping:

Log cabin warping and contraction

Log cuts in log cabinsLog Cuts in Log Cabins, This short article is the second in my timber series which tries to explain the types of timber we can use in log cabins. In this post I will try to explain how we can muck about with the timber to give you a really good price. But is it really good quality? Do you really want it? The first in the series is here: Types of Timber in your Log Cabin

Log cuts in log cabins

Electrics in log cabinsWhen we buy a Log Cabin there are a lot of considerations, not only what it looks like but the size, style, the quality of the log cabin and price. We also have to consider whether it is permitted development or whether it needs planning permission. If we want to have electrics in our log cabins we also have to consider Building Regulations. As well as being a reasonable fitter I do have experience of electrics in log cabins as I’m also a qualified electrician.

Electrics in log cabins

Expansion / Contraction in log cabinsExpansion / Contraction in Log Cabins is very commonon with the first year of life. However this is all to do with how timber naturally acts. We know that Log Cabins move, and certainly within the first year of life they can move a lot. I explain this in an article about moisture content in log cabins. It greatly affects the expansion and contraction of the wall logs.

Expansion / Contraction in log cabins

Log cabin treatment, panicYou’ve got your brand new Log Cabin. It’s up and it’s chucking it down, it’s January with record rainfall, floods everywhere and your poor log cabin is bare wood, soaked… You need treatment don’t you? – PANIC! No need to panic! Wait a little while, relax, stop worrying about her, she’ll be fine for years – sort of!

Log cabin treatment, panic

Garden verandas from TuinWe normally just supply and deliver the Garden Veranda kit ready for self-assembly following our step by step English instructions and videos. But in this instance our own fitting team performed the installation on their behalf. This presented us with a unique opportunity for one our young apprentices. A chance both viewing and helping with one of these things going together. It also allowed us to hear a younger person’s point of view. This also helped us understand some of the key concerns that our potential customers may have before ordering

Garden verandas from Tuin

Install a log cabin - Fitting tipsI’ve written this to give as many tips as I can to help YOU install your log cabin. This will include more information over time, but hopefully what I have done so far will help you and give you some confidence. This post is aimed at customers who would like to install a Log cabins on their own but are a little worried or inexperienced. Before we start – Remember: fitting a log cabin is EASY and very rewarding. It is also for customers who have an installer lined up but want to know how it is done properly. There’s a few hints at the beginning to make sure they are!

Install a log cabin - Fitting tips

Timber deliveriesWe here at Tuin offer a wide range of Garden Timber used for all manners of projects. But with timber, as any merchant will tell you, delivery can sometimes be tricky due to the lengths they’re sold in and the overall weight. If we were lucky enough to have a number of branches scattered all over the UK then it would be easier. We could employ our own local drivers on our own fleet of flatbeds. However we aren’t quite there yet and only have the one depot here in Norfolk.

Timber deliveries

Garden shed insulationA crucial aspect often overlooked for garden buildings. As the temperature drops and winter sets in, ensuring your garden shed is well-insulated becomes essential for both comfort and functionality. Whether your shed serves as a summerhouse or a storage space, the right insulation can make a significant difference.

Garden shed insulation

Garden decking guideWith Summer ending, you may find that you have more time on your hands. So why not use this to your advantage and spruce up your garden ready for next year? With some garden decking you can really spruce up your garden. Why not choose one out our decking options for simplicity and ease? In this article you will be presented with our preferred decking ideas and handy recommendations that will help you have the perfect decking at your house.

Garden decking guide

Log cabin connectionsIf you’re looking to buy a log cabin and are looking for advice, if you take nothing else away from my blogs and ramblings please at least read this one and check with your log cabin supplier they use these log cabin joints. We’ve got something we call Wind and Watertight Connections in the corner where our logs interlock. They’re pretty much the standard these days for any good manufacturer of log cabins as it is really very bad not to joint using this system or a variation of it. It’s not something we shout about and nor do many other companies who use them as it should be a standard feature. Not using a W&W joint leads to lots of problems in the future for the log cabin. It does though save the manufacturer a lot of money in machining costs and machinery. No one in the UK would be that cheap to save on manufacturing costs, would they?

Log cabin connections

Log cabin treatment gone wrongAs I’m writing this it is January 2017 the log cabin treatment is relevant as you read this post. Occasionally we will receive pictures asking for advice on log cabin treatment when something has obviously gone wrong with a log cabin. We can also receive complaints about log cabin treatment that has been applied to our log cabins from customers who have used our own treatment or other log cabin treatment we have recommended, and things can go wrong. Please see this page for our advice on the treatment of log cabins with our recommended treatments, ours and also others.

Log cabin treatment gone wrong

Pent installation roof adviceA little insight to how you can format the parts of our Modern log cabins. If you would like to follow along to a video tutorial, see our Installing a Pent Log Cabin video filled with tips on ensuring the longevity of your Log Cabin. So you have built up your new log cabin up to roof height and you will come across a sight like the one below. Now comes the installation of your Pent Roof.

Pent installation roof advice

Log cabins with hot tub - Ideas and designThis example being, as the title suggests, log cabin hot tub covers! Hot tubs have had increased popularity over the past couple of years. The opportunity to relax in your own surroundings is certainly an alluring prospect. We have put a list together of ideal candidates for a shelter for your hot tub. Complimented by our customers photos and experiences.

Log cabins with hot tub - Ideas and design

Adding a window to a log cabinImagine you’ve built your Log Cabin and you find you need more light. Perhaps you already know another window needs adding to your log cabin. Or maybe you cannot block out that amazing scenery you have from your garden.

Adding a window to a log cabin

Sap removalVery occasionally you may be faced with a sap pocket in one of the logs within a Log Cabin. This is unavoidable unfortunately and this does sometimes happen with timber. Sap is very sticky and can leave quite a mess. This post covers sap removal, especially larger pockets of it. Removing sap in wood, you can either leave it to dry and then cut off with a sharp knife, your can also wipe it off with white spirit.

Timber frame base for log cabinsI’ve been pondering this post and am slightly reluctant to write it as I am NOT a structural engineer. I have lots of experience with timber but I am not at all qualified to give technical advice and specifications, so please read this post in the spirit it is meant. You have no come back on me personally if anything goes wrong, the design of this is completely down to you but I will give some advice and ideas based on my experience.

Timber frame base for log cabins

Double glazing in log cabinsNo doubt you will have seen across a lot of the suppliers of log cabins in the UK that EVERYONE offers double glazing, AND they offer it with everything, I’ve even seen a 19mm cabin with double glazing as an option – amazing! You may have noticed we do NOT offer double glazing with everything. There’s a reason for this ….

Double glazing in log cabins

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Log Cabin Fitting Walkthough and Advice - TuinThe fitting of a Tuin - Tuindeco apex 45mm log cabin with detailed annotations of each step of the install.

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Log Cabin Fitting Walkthough and Advice - Tuin

Log cabin floor as an optionYou will no doubt have noticed our Log Cabins have a floor as an ‘option’ and, perhaps like some customers comments in the past, you’ll be aghast at this. Surely it must come with something? How can you not have a floor? Let me explain why we offer a wooden floor as an option:

Log cabin floor as an option

Base requirements for log cabinsLog Cabins are not built like a shed, at least the good ones aren’t. Especially when it comes to the cabins’ base requirements. What I mean by this is; Sheds: When a shed is installed the floor is placed down first, the walls go on top of it and the build is continued. Log Cabins: With the majority of log cabins, the cabin is first built and the floor goes in afterwards and sits within the cabin and is not an integral part of it. The floor system acts as a ‘floating floor’ and should not actually touch the cabin walls. Despite this, the floor joists may touch. More often than not, the joists attach to the log cabin foundation beams.

Base requirements for log cabins

Log Cabin Construction Advice

Log Cabin Construction Advice

Minimum Order Value - £150Starting March 21st, we are introducing a minimum order value of £150 when placing an order online. If you have purchased a log cabin or other garden building from us and require an item(s) under £150 in order value, please give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.

Minimum Order Value - £150

Gardening Calendar - What to Plant in 2025As we settle into 2025, our gardens continue to evolve, shaped by changing climate patterns, eco-conscious trends, and a growing desire to cultivate thriving, sustainable outdoor spaces. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting your green-thumb journey, there's no better time to embrace the joys of gardening. From British favourites to kitchen garden staples and pollinator-friendly plants, this year brings endless possibilities to breathe life into your garden.

Gardening Calendar - What to Plant in 2025