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Should I downsize from my three bedroom house to a one bedroom cabin?

Downsizing to a one bedroom log cabin

Should I downsize from my three bedroom house to a one bedroom cabin?

In today’s fast-paced and consumer-driven society, many individuals find themselves questioning the necessity of large living spaces and the financial burden that comes with them. The idea of downsizing from a three-bedroom house to a one-bedroom cabin may seem drastic to some, but it is a decision that should not be dismissed without careful consideration.

This essay will explore the financial advantages, lifestyle benefits, as well as the considerations and potential challenges of downsizing to a one-bedroom cabin. By examining these factors, individuals can make an informed decision about whether or not downsizing is the right choice for them.

Downsizing from a three-bedroom house to a one-bedroom cabin can offer significant financial advantages. One of the most obvious benefits is the reduction in mortgage or rent payments. With a smaller living space, individuals can expect to see a substantial decrease in their monthly housing expenses. Additionally, lower utility bills and maintenance costs are likely to follow suit.

Where are you downsizing to?

One of the great benefits of downsizing comes when you downsize to a log cabin beside a family member’s house. Most often, Granny and or Grandad will move in to a log cabin on the farm or in the garden of a son or daughter. This has so many obvious benefits, financial and social.

Downsize for financial benefits

Financially, there is usually no need to:

  • install septic tanks,
  • pay for a water or sewerage connection, or a
  • new ESB line.

There might be no need to install washing machines and tumble dryers, or even elaborate kitchens, all depending on how independent the two family units want to be from each other. (Maybe Granny and Grandad might just want to have dinner with the kids one or two evenings a week…)

And of course there’s the benefit of live-in babysitters!

The social benefits of downsizing

Is there any need to even write about the social benefits of downsizing…
Downsizing from a big house happens because previous occupants of the house have now left and there is an emptiness and sadness associated wit the old residence. Moving to a new place will hopefully bring some excitement and happiness to those moving, and also to whoever is receiving their new neighbours.

And if you are downsizing due to health issues, the ensuing benefits to both you and your caring family members are huge, not least in the reduction of stress and worry on both parts. While there are plenty of services for elderly people living alone, nothing can replace living close to someone who cares.

But from our experience in dealing with grandparents who have downsized into a log cabin, the biggest fans are definitely the grandchildren! I have never met a kid who isn’t over the moon that Granny or Grandad is living in a cabin in the garden – its a dream come true for any child.

If you’re considering downsizing, but to a separate site, you will need to go for planning permission.

Have a read of our blog on planning permission here.

If you are considering downsizing, you will need a log cabin!

  1. First, take a look at the site and decide what size of cabin you can easily fit in . Remember that you will need at least a meter between the log cabin wall and any boundary walls or fences.
  2. Decide on the number of bedrooms. We have a great range of both one bedroom log cabins and two bedroom log cabins to choose from.
  3. Come and visit us on Cork, Galway, Tullow, Boyle or Limerick and take a look at the quality of our buildings.
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The pros and cons of PVC Log Cabin Windows

Easkey Log Cabin Side View

Quality PVC Log Cabin Windows and Doors

Your choice of log cabin window type (pvc or timber) is important and, as with most decisions, it boils down to three things: price, convenience and taste. Lets take a look in a little more detail.

PVC or Timber Windows and doors?

The choice between PVC and timber windows depends on your needs and preferences. Here are some factors to consider:

Cost: with Timber Living, there is no difference in cost between white PVC and timber log cabin windows. If you are considering coloured PVC windows, the cost goes up, but minimally (approxiamtely €400 for a two bed log cabin. Ask one of our representatives if you’re thinking of coloured PVC windows.)
Maintenance: PVC windows are easier to maintain than timber windows, which require treatment every three or four years.
Durability: Timber windows can last a long time if maintained well. Our PVC windows come from Weatherglaze, so you can be very happy with their reputation on the Irish market.
Appearance: Timber windows have a natural and classic look that suit our log cabins better than PVC windows, particularly with the cross mullions. But they are not to everyone’s taste. Go with your own style is what we always say! And of course, PVC windows are available in a variety of colours.

All of our log cabin exterior windows and doors are double-glazed. And double-glazing gives a number of benefits to your log cabin.

  • Insulation: Double-glazing helps insulate your log cabin from heat loss. This is the first thing everyone thinks about when they think of double glazing. But there are other benefits too:
  • Noise reduction. A well-built double glazed window will provide a lot of quality noise reduction too! Just open your window and notince the increase in ambient noise. There you go!
  • Increased security: A quality double-glazed window or door is a good deterrent for any would-be burglar. All of our external doors come with five point locking as standard. And you can feel the quality of all of our log cabin windows and doors at any of our showrooms.

At our Limerick, Boyle and Galway showrooms you can compare the timber and PVC windows in our two bed Limerick Log Cabins. and try out the quality log cabin door handles.

What colour log cabin doors and windows?

Weatherglaze provide us with very high quality external log cabin windows and doors. If you visit any of our show houses and try the door and window handles on the NILA garden cabin, you will immediately get the sense of quality and strength intrinsic in these quality items.

Coupled with the build quality of these windows and doors, you will also be glad to hear that Weatherglaze windows have an extra special coating on their glass to improve the energy efficiency, out-performing standard glass by more than 50% – just one more element of a timber living log cabin that goes towards reducing your heating bills.

The energy efficiency of the window is also increased by reducing eat loss at the window edges, making the glass 3-4°C warmer, AND cutting
condensation by up to 80%.  The use of high performance gaskets reduces noise pollution, too.

When you come to visit us at our show houses, be sure to try the different windows and doors on display. You will be able to feel the quality of the hardware in the door handles and hinges. Ask our representatives about the different types of materials, finishes and maintenance required, and you’ll easily be able to make a clear decision on your choice of window type for your log cabin.

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Should I paint or stain my log cabin

Should I paint or stain my log cabin

Should I paint or stain my log cabin?

We got the following recommendation from David at McDonogh’s Hardware in Galway:

For the outside or inside of your cabins I recommend you using Sadolin Classic All Purpose Woodstain or Fleetwood Super-Flex Wood Paint.

Sadolin Classic is a oil based product and the Super-Flex is waterbased. The temperatures need to be above 8 to 10 degrees to use either of them.

2 to 3 coats is the recommendation for both depending on soakage and surface of the timber.

All surfaces are recommended to be cleaned down with a cloth dampened with methylated spirits ( NOT WHITE SPIRITS ) to degrease the wood.

Both of those products can be used for inside and outside.

If it’s a colour you want to paint on for example a cream, grey, white, yellow etc then Super-Flex is the one to use.

If you want to keep the wood finish colour for example Teak, Antique Pine, Mahogany, Light Oak then Sadolin Classic is the one to use.

You should STAIN the exterior of your log cabin

When someone asks us “Should I paint or stain my log cabin?”  we ALWAYS say you should only stain the exterior timbers of your log cabin.

Previously we always recommended SIKKENS products too. But David from MacDonogh’s Hardware gave us the benefit of his experience, which has made us re-think our position.

Painting and staining exterior timber are two popular methods used to protect and enhance the appearance of wood surfaces, such as decks, fences, and siding. Both techniques have their advantages and considerations, so let’s explore them further:

Staining Exterior Log Cabin Timber:

  1. Natural Look: Stains preserve the natural beauty and texture of the wood, highlighting its grain and colour variations.
  2. Penetration: Stains penetrate the wood fibres, providing a deep level of protection against moisture, UV rays, and mildew.
  3. Maintenance: Stained surfaces generally require less maintenance than painted ones. Instead of peeling or chipping, stains tend to fade gradually, and a simple reapplication can rejuvenate the wood.
  4. Options: Stains are available in various opacities, ranging from clear or transparent stains that offer minimal colour change to semi-transparent and solid stains that provide more colour coverage.
  5. Prep Work: Proper surface preparation, such as cleaning, sanding, and ensuring the wood is dry, is crucial for the stain to adhere effectively.

Painting Exterior Timber:

  1. Protection: Paint forms a thick protective layer on the wood, shielding it from the elements, UV radiation, and moisture.
  2. Durability: High-quality exterior paints can withstand harsh weather conditions, including rain, sun exposure, and temperature fluctuations.
  3. Versatility: Paint offers a wide range of color options, allowing you to choose from numerous shades to match your desired aesthetic.
  4. Coverage: Paint can cover up imperfections and provide a uniform appearance on different wood types and textures.
  5. Maintenance: Over time, painted surfaces may require periodic maintenance, such as repainting or touch-ups, as paint can chip or peel due to weathering or wear.

Factors to consider when asking “should I paint or stain my log cabin?”:

  1. Wood Condition: Evaluate the condition of the timber. Paint is ideal for hiding imperfections, while stain works better on well-maintained wood with an appealing grain pattern.
  2. Climate: Consider the climate in your region. If your area experiences intense sun exposure or frequent rain, paint with UV protection or a high-quality stain may be necessary.
  3. Desired Aesthetic: Decide whether you want a solid, opaque colour (paint) or a more natural, translucent appearance (stain).
  4. Maintenance Preference: Determine how much time and effort you’re willing to invest in maintaining the wood surface over the long term.

Ultimately, staining is the best option for treating the exterior of your log cabin.

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Lead-in Time for a log cabin

Do I have enough lead-time for a log cabin

What is the lead-in Time for a log cabin?

So, you’re planning on building a log cabin. You need to get your ducks in a row! Before the log cabin builders arrive, you need to get your base built. And you also need to contact a plumber and electrician, and of course, who’s putting in the kitchen! So many things to line up – so little time…

Do I have enough lead-in time for a log cabin?

There’s no need to panic! The lead-in time for a log cabin from Timber Living is from 8 to 12 weeks, depending on what we have in stock. That’s plenty of time to get your builder in and have them prepare the base for you.

How much will the builder do for me?

Before your builder starts, we will provide you with accurate drawings of your cabin, and will also let you know the EXACT size base that is required for your cabin. Base types vary, depending on whether you’re building a Garden Room or a Residential Log Cabin.

Your builder will carry out some key tasks, including:

Your builder might also be able to recommend a plumber and electrician. Depending on the region you are building in, we at Timber Living might be able to recommend builders, electricians and/or plumbers. Don’t hesitate to ask!

Also, when it comes to electricians, make sure your electrician can certify the work carried out. You’ll need this certification for insurance purposes. You can find a certified electrician here.

When do the electrician and plumber come?

Your plumber and electrician will come to your residential log cabin two times – once for the first fix, wires and pipes, and then a return visit to finish off. Normally this should take about half a day for both, depending on the complexity of the job.

This works for us because we come to you two times when building residential log cabins. On our first visit, we will build the outside walls and ceiling boards, and then we will install all the doors and windows. We return in a week or two to complete the job, after the electrician and plumber have done their first fix. So it is important to impress upon the tradespeople the importance of turning up when agreed!

Your electrician will tell you that the biggest cost for the job is the actual wire and switches/sockets/fuse-board etc., and that the labour is a smaller element of the overall cost.

Do I have enough lead-time for a log cabin?

Yes, you have plenty of lead-time for a log cabin. But you are bound to have lots of questions. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at any of our showrooms and we’ll be delighted to explain the ins and outs of building a log cabin.

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Are log cabins sustainable in today’s climate

Two Bedroom Log Cabin in snow

Are log cabins sustainable?

Log cabins can be considered a sustainable way of building under certain circumstances. Here are some of the reasons:

  1. Renewable resource: Wood used for log cabins is a renewable resource, which means that it can be regrown and harvested again and again.
  2. Low carbon footprint: The carbon footprint of a log cabin is generally lower than that of a conventional house.
  3. Energy-efficient: Log cabins have excellent insulation properties, meaning they retain heat in cold weather and stay cool in hot weather. This reduces the need for fossil fuels to heat or cool the home.
  4. Durability: Log cabins can last over a hundred years, which means that they require less reconstruction or replacement as long as they are properly maintained. (We have a video of this on our videos page: https://timberliving.ie/videos
  5. Local sourcing: Building a log cabin often involves sourcing materials locally, reducing transportation costs and minimizing the carbon footprint.
  6. Concrete is a hugely unsustainable product – the energy used in creating cement for concrete and concrete blocks is enormous and creates a huge carbon footprint.

However, some concerns can also be raised regarding the sustainability of log cabins, so you need to be sure the company you deal with have responsible environmental policies in place. Appropriate harvesting of timber is essential, preventing deforestation and land degradation. Our cabin suppliers only purchase their lumber from providers with sustainable re-planting policies.

Also, precise cutting and fitting of log cabins can result in significant waste of lumber. At Timber Living, the latest and best timber fabrication technology is used in production, keeping waste to a minimum, and therefore reducing costs to the consumer.

Our timber is kiln-dried to European standards, ensuring that there is no threat of pest infestation, and also meaning there is no need for chemical treatments, which are not entirely environmentally friendly.

Therefore, ensuring responsible harvesting of lumber and sourcing materials should be taken into account when considering the sustainability of a log cabin.

Are log cabins sustainable? We use the same timber from the same source in all of our cabin buildings, including our saunas and garden offices.

Deloitte suggests in their article  that “The higher upfront cost of sustainable buildings can be offset by a lower long-term life cycle cost.” But we would contend that a more sustainable building does NOT have to cost more!

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Log Cabin Garden Room – the perfect solution

Quality Saunas Ireland

A log cabin garden room from Timber Living is a great solution to so many issues surrounding modern living. Whether you’re looking for a garden office, office pod, gym, therapy room or evening getaway, our garden rooms are an excellent solution.

Our garden log cabins are affordable, sustainable, long-lasting, easy to heat and stylish. Take a look at the wide range available on our Log Cabin Garden Rooms page and you can see for yourself!

Why buy a log cabin garden room?

  1. Extra space: Our log cabin garden offices provide additional living space without the need for expensive home renovations or moving to a larger house.
  2. Versatility: Our garden office pods are incredibly versatile, and they can be used for a variety of purposes, including a home office, a gym, a guest room, or even a workshop.
  3. Eco-friendly: Log cabins are constructed using renewable resources and are naturally energy-efficient, which makes them eco-friendly.

More Advantages of a Timber Living Log Cabin Garden Room:

Our best-selling garden room

Our Nila Log Cabin Garden Room is our best-selling Garden Office. It is immediately appealing, with its long windows and full-height, double-glazed French doors offering plenty of light to the interior of this class-looking cabin.

It can be viewed at all of our locations, in Tullow, Boyle, Cork, Galway and Limerick.

Optional extras include roof and floor insulation, and extra windows (fixed and tilting.)

Download our Garden Log Cabin Catalogue here!

Whether you’re looking for

  • a garden office,
  • a gym,
  • a yoga room,
  • therapy room,
  • hairdressing salon, or
  • just somewhere to get away from it all

our garden log cabins are ideal!

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Garden Log Cabins Catalogue

Garden Log Cabins Catalogue

Download our Garden Log Cabin Brochure here!

Whether you’re looking for

  • a garden office,
  • a gym,
  • a yoga room,
  • therapy room,
  • hairdressing salon,

a garden log cabin can give you the extra space you’re looking for.

It’s a simple and practical way to add more usable space without making changes to your home. Your cabin can become a quiet place to work, exercise, meet clients, enjoy your hobbies or just switch off at the end of the day.

With a range of models and layouts available, you can create a space that works for you and fits naturally into your garden.

Browse our brochure to discover the different styles and options available. And if you’re not sure which garden log cabin would be right for you, get in touch with our team – we’ll be happy to help.

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Bases for garden cabins and saunas

Joy One Outdoor Sauna

Building a base for your garden cabin

Whatever you’re building –  garden office, a playroom, a meditation room or a sauna – you’re going to need a good base or foundation.

By good foundations, we mean foundations/bases that are both SQUARE and LEVEL. Square so that the building we supply sits directly down on the base, and overhangs evenly all around. (One thing is for sure – our building will be square! If there is a problem, it’s going to be with your base :-))

Slab foundation or decking base?

There are a few differences between a slab foundation and a decking base, but let me firstly explain what I mean by the two different types.

Slab Foundation:  A slab foundation is a solid piece of poured concrete, generally four or five inches thick, and usually with a steel re-bar included. (Some people say you won’t need the re-bar. That might be true, depending on the weight of the building you’re putting on the slab, but as some other people say “it’s better looking AT it than looking FOR it”. Re-bar really strengthens your slab and is relatively cheap when considering the overall cost of the slab, so stick it in!

Decking Base: A decking base is a timber frame sitting on top of a set of blocks, usually set on the flat, and best sitting on a bed of hardcore or gravel. It’s important that there are no gaps in your block ring where rodents can get in. The timber frame is made of four by three treated timbers, at 400mm centres. It is important to talk to us about the direction of those timbers. On top of this frame sits a 50mm marine ply, which operates as a support for the floor insulation in your cabin, if specified for the build.

Here’s a interesting video for you on how to build a decking base, although we’d recommend you get a full-time builder to do this for you if you need to watch a video in order to build bases for garden cabins.

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Furnishing your log cabin – on a budget

Cozy log cabin interior

Furnishing your log cabin on a budget

Furnishing your log cabin is definitely the fun part of getting a log cabin. And it can really be done for not a lot of money. See below how we found so many bargains online:

  • Kitchen: €1200
  • Sofa: €120
  • Bathroom suite: €300
  • Bedrooms: 250
  • Stove: €650
  • Total: €2,520

While a log cabin is a great buy – setting yourself up mortgage-free is something a lot of people can only dream of – its still going to cost a lot of money. Cutting corners on the log cabin itself is a mistake – you need a quality cabin that will last, be easy to heat, comfortable and DRY.

So, once your cabin is built, you will need to set about furnishing your log cabin to make the cabin your own. Or converting a log cabin into your dream home!

Adverts.ie and DoneDeal.ie are great sources of quality furnishings at great prices. Once you get browsing, they’re also a source of log cabin interior design ideas. A lot of people, once they get themselves a new couch (say) just want to get rid of their old one as quickly as possible. Sometimes you might even get a couch for free. (The couch in the featured image of this post was free! Worth over €3000 new, from Adverts!)

Lets look for log cabin furniture!

I thought it would be interesting to go through Donedeal and see how much it would cost to furnish a standard two bed limerick log cabin from Donedeal. I’ll spend the next hour browsing and see what’s available in my region now. Once you get going, you’ll get great ideas for decorating your log cabin.

Your cabin kitchen

kitchen bargain

The secret when looking for a QUALITY kitchen in Donedeal is to search for “granite” in the kitchen section. Anyone who can afford a granite counter-top will have spent money on quality timber for the doors and presses too , appliances, the drawer fillers and handles.

Here’s the best I found after ten minutes looking:

Ivory shaker kitchen for sale included granite tops, double oven and microwave, ceramic hob, sink and taps, extractor fan, dishwasher

Only €1,200!

Lets find a nice sofa!

contemporary sofa

Of course we’re going to need leather to make our cabin evenings extra special. There are all sorts of styles and conditions available on Donedeal. And everyone has their own taste when it comes to furnishings.

I found this large white sofa for only €120! I think it looks great, but it’s white! So if you have pets or kids it might not be an option. Anyway, when it comes to log cabin furnishing, there’s a lot of choice out there!

Sofa price: €120

 

Bathroom fittings can run to a tidy sum, depending on what you’re buying, but once bought, bathroom fittings don’t really go out of fashion. So what you buy should be still with you for the duration. What we need for the cabin is a shower enclosure and electric shower, sink and loo. Shouldn’t be too hard to find!

pedestal sink for furnishing a log cabin

After ten minutes I found a fascinating suite, including a loo, very modern circular sink with under-sink unit, and a Jacuzzi bath! And all for only €300!

OK, not everybody’s cup of tea, but it illustrates the point again that you can get some excellent deals online when furnishing your log cabin.

Bathroom suite: €300

Furnishing your bedroom

Wardrobes and beds next. Lets look for a double bed, a single bed, a wardrobe and chest of drawers. .

Wow! The first ad I see is a double bed for €60. I’ll take it!  And a single bed for free! There’s a nice large wardrobe for €30. Throw in a lamp or two and a chest of drawers. Shall we say €250 in total?

Bedrooms: €250

stove

Heating your log cabin

There’s a gas stove for €50 on Donedeal! including a necessary flues etc. It’ll cost you €250 to get that fitted if you’re not up to doing it yourself.  It’s a Tiger gas stove, which cost about €1,000, and you’re not doing too badly with this one!

You’ll have to get someone to put the flue out through the wall or roof, and make sure it’s fireproofed. You’ll also need tiling on the wall behind in order to protect the wall from the heat. Your plumber should be able to set up the gas connection and ensure its safe. If we add on the €250 for fitting, and let’s say €300 for a hearth and tiling, you’re on fire for a total of €600.

Stove: €600

Keep hunting! There are loads of bargains out there!

 

 

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Flat pack garden room

Best Garden log Cabins Ireland has on sale

Flat-pack garden room benefits

TimberLiving log cabins are excited with our new flat pack garden room range. Originally sourced and fabricated in Germany, these high-end garden log cabins are available as flat packs or delivered and built.

NILA flat pack garden room
Quality Garden House Log Cabin

 

Garden room flat pack vs. Log cabin

Our German flat pack garden rooms are built using only the best Arctic-grown Norway Spruce, sourced mainly in Scandinavia. The main difference between these flat-pack cabins and our residential log cabins is the insulation levels in the walls, floors and roof. If you’re only using your garden room for a couple of hours at a time, or mainly in the Summer months, there is no need to spend the extra money on insulation. Because, along with the insulation are a double wall construction, and you are increasing the amount of timber in your cabin, putting up both material and building costs.

Garden office solutions

Our garden rooms are ideally suited for a lot of uses, including:

  • garden office
  • gym
  • playroom
  • music room
  • getaway space (my favourite!)
Green NILA Garden Cabin
Poolside Garden Cabin

Building a flat-pack garden office kit

Building flat-pack garden room kits will keep you busy, but busy is good! Our flat-pack cabins come with clear instructions on how to build, but if you think it’s too much for you, we can build it for you, or you could get help from a friend or local handyman.

Any questions about our flat pack cabins?

Of course there are lots of questions about our products, including:

  • What is the cheapest way to build a garden room?
  • What is the cheapest garden room?
  • Is it worth getting a garden room?
  • Does a garden cabin add value?

Just call our offices or visit our showrooms and we’d be glad to let you know of all of the benefits.