Are Garden Log Cabins Rainproof?
Are garden timber cabins rainproof is a query we got asked all the time here at garden log cabins .
The concise simple answer to your query is an unqualified yes!
Why would they not be?
Well,let’s take a look at some of the practical issues with a timber cabin which would make the timber cabin not rainproof and fairly frankly not fit for purpose.The main thing to look at quickly is the roof structure,that’s where you would visualize the main trouble would commence (this is not always the situation but that’s where we will commence today). The main trouble with the roof structure would be to have the felt or shingling to not be mounted 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 specialist especially if you are spending a lot of your hard earned money on a timber cabin.
• Make sure that the overlaps are overliing in the correct way. You should always commence felting at the bottom of the construction 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 commence 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 works off it will work underneath the felt and consequently create a water leak. This is precisely the same when doing shingles,make sure you install from bottom upwards.
• Make sure the overlaps of the felt/shingles are fairly generous. You don’t want them to be just barely overliing because this could create rainwater to get between the felt sheets and this will create a water leak
.• Make sure you use plenty of 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 tack in the middle,possibly two rows but again this depends on the quality of the felt. Failure to put enough felt tack in there could result in the felt blowing off during a bad storm which would then leave your construction exposed to leaks.
• It is in addition important that when you reach the overhang of the construction with the felt you tack the felt to side of the roof structure but DO NOT tuck the felt underneath the overhang of the roof structure as this limits the natural run off of the water. This can create premature rotting of the construction and in some cases create the roof structure to leakage around the top corners of the construction as water could build up.
• Make sure you use the right size fixings. If the roofing boards on your construction are let’s say 10mm,you don’t want felt nails of 16mm. Doing this would create the felt nails to come completely through the roof structure. This would not look cosmetically appealing and would in addition be a real chance of a water leak in the construction. 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 typically overlooked area on a timber cabin construction is the felt or shingles on the roof structure. This is generally 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 water leak. Because timber cabins are not built as high as the normal house and the felt and shingles aren’t fairly as tough and sturdy as a normal house tile they require a little more attention. 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 plants,or another example would be a children’s toys getting thrown up there which would all create damage to the felt/shingles. Not to mention lots of bird excrement can rot the felt if it is in an area where natural rainwater can not penetrate it to create a natural run off and cleaning system (for example if your timber cabin sits under a tree).
See range here install all of our timber cabins,we do this because we know you are investing a lot of money into a timber cabin and you want it to be around for a long period of time. So the best way we can guarantee this happens is to take care of the installation and make sure it is mounted successfully. We’ve been out to repair timber cabins in the past built by non-skilled people and if the construction is not put together successfully then number one it won’t be safe but in addition it could create a failure in the construction to be rainproof.
A prime example of this would be that the timbers haven’t been built successfully on the walls. This would then create the timber cabin to differ from the design as it was intended to be. At this point when the roof structure was mounted there might be openings between the roof structure and the wall. Openings could in addition appear on the walls of the timber cabins themselves and in some situations if the initial build of the timber cabin was so bad you would have no choice but to take down the timber cabin and reconstruct it.
This is why Timberdise Garden Buildings install all of our timber cabins so you don’t have this to worry about. As you can visualize if there is a void in the wall or a void between the roof structure and the wall this would leave the cabin open and it would most definitely leakage which is what we want to avoid at all costs.
I in addition want to bring attention to the floor surface a second. Having your timber cabin mounted on a proper ground base is a must. That could be a Timberdise ground base,concrete 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 anywhere 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 timber 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 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 cabin first and then apply the sealants afterwards. By not fitting the doors and windows with sealants then there’s a chance rainwater could penetrate the inside of the cabin,which again is easily fixed by applying sealants.
Also,in some cases 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 water leak and can be fairly normal. We suggest at Timberdise to get a dehumidifier if you have power access in there and leave it operating during the chillier months. This will help take dampness out of the air and further increase the lifespan of your cabin.
If you adhere to all the above ideas you should have a water leak free cabin for the duration of its lifespan which can provide endless enjoyment and relaxation.Keep in mind prevention is better than the cure.