Are Garden Timber Cabins Waterproof?

Are garden log cabins rainproof is a query we got asked all the time here at See range here .

The concise simple answer to your query is a definite yes!

Why would they not be?

Well, let’s take a look at some of the potential complications with a log cabin which would make the log cabin not rainproof and fairly frankly not fit for purpose.The main thing to seem at right away is the roof structure, that’s where you would imagine the main complication would start (this is not always the situation but that’s where we will start today). The main complication with the roof structure would be to have the felt or shingling to not be installed properly. This is fairly easily done if this is something you have never done before and why it should always be undertaken by an expert especially if you are investing a lot of your hard earned cash on a log cabin.

• Make sure that the overlies are overliing in the right way. You should always start felting at the bottom of the structure and felt upwards. By doing this you guarantee that the felt overlies on top of the piece of felt that is further down the roof structure. This will guarantee there is a natural run off of the water, if you start felting at the top of the roof structure and you put the overlap from the bottom pieces over the top of the felt higher up when the rain operates off it will run under the felt and consequently result in a leak. This is precisely the same when doing shingles, make sure you place from bottom upwards.

• Make sure the overlies of the felt/shingles are fairly generous. You don’t want them to be just barely overliing because this could result in rain to get between the felt sheets and this will result in a leak

• Make sure you use enough felt nails. Ideally you want to be spacing the felt nails around 6 inches apart from each other. Always do this on both sides of the felt and dependent on the quality of the felt you are using possibly put another row of attach in the middle,possibly two rows but again this depends on the quality of the felt. Failure to put enough felt attach in there could result in the felt blowing off during a bad storm which would then leave your structure subjected to water leaks.

• It is also crucial that when you reach the overhang of the structure with the felt you pin the felt to side of the roof structure but DO NOT tuck the felt under the overhang of the roof structure as this limits the natural run off of the water. This can result in early rotting of the structure and in some scenarios result in the roof structure to leakage around the top corners of the structure as water could build up.

• Make sure you use the right size fixings. If the roofing boards on your structure are let’s say 10mm, you don’t want felt nails of 16mm. Doing this would result in the felt nails to come completely through the roof structure. This would not seem cosmetically appealing and would also be a real option of a leak in the structure. They way felt is now designed,there should be a watertight seal around the nail but throughout the seasons with wear and tear this may fail resulting in a leak.

• The most generally ignored area on a log cabin structure is the felt or shingles on the roof structure. This is normally because we can’t see it most of the time and it’s a lot more difficult to get up there and have a look,but this is precisely what you should do and I would strongly recommend at least once a year or if you notice a leak. Because log cabins are not built as high as the normal house and the felt and shingles aren’t fairly as tough and durable as a typical house tile they require a little more attention. They are subjected to more elements on a daily basis because they are lower, this can result in a number of things from falling debris from trees, or another instance would be a kids’s toys getting thrown up there which would all result in harm to the felt/shingles. Not to mention lots of bird droppings can rot the felt if it is in an area where natural rain can not penetrate it to create a natural run off and cleaning system (for instance if your log cabin sits under a tree).

timberdise garden log cabins place all of our log cabins, we do this because we know you are investing a lot of cash into a log cabin and you want it to be around for a long period of time. So the best way we can guarantee this takes place is to take care of the installation and make sure it is installed properly. We’ve been out to repair log cabins in the past built by non-skilled people and if the structure is not put together properly then number one it won’t be safe but also it could result in a failure in the structure to be rainproof.

A prime instance of this would be that the timbers haven’t been built properly on the walls. This would then result in the log cabin to differ from the design as it was intended to be. At this point when the roof structure was installed there might be openings between the roof structure and the wall. Voids could also appear on the walls of the log cabins themselves and in some situations if the initial build of the log cabin was so bad you would have no choice but to take down the log cabin and rebuild it.

This is why garden log cabins place all of our log cabins so you don’t have this to worry about. As you can imagine if there is an opening in the wall or an opening between the roof structure and the wall this would leave the log cabin open and it would most definitely leakage which is what we want to avoid at all costs.

I also want to bring attention to the flooring a second. Having your log cabin installed on a proper ground base is a must. That could be a Timberdise ground base,cement base or a paved area. As long as they’re flat, level and solid you should be ok. Be mindful of where you put the log cabin,don’t put it any place that is at risk of flooding as just like the house that you live in. If the water level rises and there is no escape for it then the log cabin will flood,that is regardless of how thick and tight your timbers are.

Lastly let’s talk about sealants around the windows and doors. Make sure after you have treated your log cabin you fit the relevant sealants around the doors and the windows. The log cabins don’t come with these fitted as standard, this is so you can treat the log cabin first and then apply the sealants afterwards. By not fitting the doors and windows with sealants then there’s a chance rain could penetrate the inside of the log cabin, which again is easily fixed by applying sealants.

In addition, at times especially during the winter months, condensation can occur inside a cabin. This is normal due to the log cabins not having any insulation fitted, it is not a leak and can be fairly normal. We recommend at Timberdise to get a dehumidifier if you have electric access in there and leave it running during the colder months. This will help take dampness out of the air and further increase the life of your log cabin.

If you follow all the above suggestions you should have a leak free log cabin for the duration of its life which can provide limitless pleasure and relaxation. Bear in mind prevention is better than the treatment.