| If extra space is needed for the home, a log | | | | insulation you need and your utility |
| cabin is an attractive and practical way to | | | | requirements. |
| answer the problem. Log cabins are ideal as | | | | |
| a home office, a gym, for housing Jacuzzi's | | | | The typical contents of a log cabin kit |
| and saunas or as a playhouse for the | | | | contain cut logs for a specific log cabin |
| children. | | | | plan. Each log has a predetermined location |
| | | | in the wall of the cabin, with door and |
| The size and style of your log cabin can be | | | | window openings already cut into the |
| dependent on your budget. One way to make | | | | appropriate logs. Most log cabin kit |
| your budget go further is to use a log cabin | | | | companies offer a number of log cabin kit |
| kit and assemble the log cabin yourself. Most | | | | options that contain additional components: |
| log cabin kits come with comprehensive | | | | cladding, insulation, screws, corner panels, |
| assembly instructions, and with assistance | | | | window frames and windows, doors frames and |
| from friends and family armed with tools, | | | | doors, steel brackets, anchor bolts, nuts and |
| such as: a hammer, drill, spirit level, and a | | | | washes, studding, roofing and flooring. What |
| screwdriver, it can be a challenging and | | | | isn't included is: foundations, wiring, |
| rewarding experience for everyone involved. | | | | plumbing, heating, roof tiles, and guttering. |
| | | | Because each log cabin kit company structure |
| However, for some people, just the thought of | | | | their kit differently, it makes it difficult |
| assembling a log cabin kit is enough to give | | | | to compare costs between the companies, |
| them a headache: so the next best option is | | | | unless you can do an item-by-item comparison |
| to hire help though your log cabin kit | | | | of the contents of the different log cabin |
| company or from local trades' people. | | | | kits. |
| | | | |
| Once you know your budget, the next step will | | | | Before the log cabin kit is assembled, a |
| be deciding what type of log cabin kit to | | | | well-prepared level base that is the same |
| purchase. Log cabin kits come in different | | | | size as the log cabin floor will be required |
| packages: some are, handcrafted, and made | | | | to ensure a long lasting installation. A |
| from whole logs, whereas other log cabin kits | | | | variety of materials can create a solid base, |
| are made from kiln-dried logs that are | | | | such as: concrete or paving slabs positioned |
| factory milled. Consider the quality and | | | | on hardcore, and it should be 20-50mm above |
| quantity of the wood in the log cabin kit: if | | | | the ground level. Building regulations will |
| your log cabin is to be used for twelve | | | | need to be considered, for example, if your |
| months of the year, you will need thicker | | | | log cabin is to be located next to a boundary |
| logs than if your log cabin was for | | | | line. Some log cabins require planning |
| summertime usage. There are different shapes | | | | permission and your log cabin kit company |
| of logs to choose from, and a common choice | | | | maybe able to provide advice on this matter. |
| is the 'D' log, which is round on the outside | | | | However if there are doubts, it is best to |
| and flat on the inside and gives a horizontal | | | | contact your local planning authority before |
| wood-panelling look within. If you are | | | | work is commenced. |
| concerned about the environment, check the | | | | |
| logs are from substantially managed forests. | | | | Log cabin kits do take time to assemble, but |
| Deliberate over the floor plans to determine | | | | the finished product will be something you |
| what will work for you, what type of timber | | | | and your family can enjoy and appreciate for |
| you want to use, e.g. pine or cedar, what | | | | many years to come. |