Are garden log cabins waterproof is a question we got asked all the time here at Timberdise Garden Buildings .
The very short simple answer to your query is an unqualified yes!
Why would they not be?
Well, let’s take a look at some of the conceivable troubles with a log cabin which would make the log cabin not waterproof and fairly honestly not fit for purpose.The main thing to look at right away is the roof structure, that’s where you would visualize the main problem would start (this is not always the case but that’s where we will start today). The main problem with the roof structure would be to have the felt or shingling to not be set up successfully. This is fairly easily done if this is something you have never done before and why it should always be carried out by a professional particularly if you are investing a lot of your hard earned cash on a log cabin.
• Make sure that the overlaps are overlapping in the ideal way. You should always start felting at the bottom of the structure and felt upwards. By doing this you guarantee that the felt overlaps 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 work beneath the felt and consequently bring about a water leak. This is exactly the same when doing shingles, make sure you place from bottom upwards.
• Make sure the overlaps of the felt/shingles are fairly generous. You don’t want them to be just barely overlapping because this could bring about rain to get between the felt sheets and this will bring about a water leak
• Make sure you use more than 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 pin in the middle,possibly two rows but again this depends on the quality of the felt. Failure to put enough felt pin in there could result in the felt blowing off during a bad storm which would then leave your structure exposed to water leaks.
• It is additionally vital that when you reach the overhang of the structure with the felt you tack the felt to side of the roof structure but DO NOT tuck the felt beneath the overhang of the roof structure as this limits the natural run off of the water. This can bring about early rotting of the structure and in some scenarios bring about the roof structure to water leak around the top corners of the structure as water could build up.
• Make sure you use the right size fixings. If the roof boards on your structure are let’s say 10mm, you don’t want felt nails of 16mm. Doing this would bring about the felt nails to come completely through the roof structure. This would not look cosmetically appealing and would additionally be a real possibility of a water 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 water leak.
• The most regularly ignored area on a log cabin structure is the felt or shingles on the roof structure. This is typically 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 exactly what you should do and I would strongly recommend at least once a year or if you notice a water leak. Because log cabins are not built as high as the typical house and the felt and shingles aren’t fairly as tough and sturdy as a typical house tile they require a little more focus. They are exposed 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 children’s toys getting thrown up there which would all bring about harm to the felt/shingles. Not to mention lots of bird excrement can rot the felt if it is in an area where natural rain can not pass through it to create a natural run off and cleaning system (for instance if your log cabin sits under a tree).
View our products 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 occurs is to take care of the installation and make sure it is set up successfully. We’ve been out to repair log cabins in the past built by non-skilled people and if the structure is not put together successfully then number one it won’t be safe but additionally it could bring about a failure in the structure to be waterproof.
A prime instance of this would be that the logs haven’t been constructed successfully on the walls. This would then bring about the log cabin to differ from the design as it was intended to be. At this point when the roof structure was set up there might be voids between the roof structure and the wall. Spaces could additionally 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 Timberdise Garden Buildings place all of our log cabins so you don’t have this to worry about. As you can visualize if there is a gap in the wall or a gap between the roof structure and the wall this would leave the cabin open and it would most definitely water leak which is what we want to avoid at all costs.
I additionally want to bring focus to the flooring a second. Having your log cabin set up 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 cabin,don’t put it at 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 getaway for it then the log cabin will flood,that is regardless of how thick and tight your logs are.
Lastly let’s talk about sealants around the windows and doors. Make sure after you have treated your cabin you fit the relevant sealants around the doors and the windows. The cabins don’t come with these fitted as standard, this is so you can treat the cabin first and then apply the sealants afterwards. By not fitting the doors and windows with sealants then there’s a chance rain could pass through the inside of the cabin, which again is easily fixed by applying sealants.
Additionally, at times particularly during the winter months, condensation can take place inside a cabin. This is typical due to the cabins not having any insulation fitted, it is not a water leak and can be fairly typical. We encourage at Timberdise to get a dehumidifier if you have power access in there and leave it working during the chillier months. This will help take dampness out of the air and further increase the life of your cabin.
If you comply with all the above recommendations you should have a water leak free cabin for the duration of its life which can offer unlimited pleasure and relaxation. Remember prevention is far better than the cure.