Category: Log Cabins

Browse our full range of beautifully crafted timber log cabins designed for comfort, sustainability, and style.

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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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Some interesting Log Cabin options

ONe Bed Standard w EXT and VERANDAH

With the widest range of log cabins in Ireland, you would expect us to offer a wide range of log cabin options too. And we do!

We have the widest range of log cabins available in Ireland, and THOUSANDS of satisfied customers around Ireland. After all, we’ve been in business for over twenty years and we’re still here. We have refined our log cabins so that they are ideal for long-term use in the Irish climate. (And don’t forget that the Irish climate is a lot milder than the Acandanavian climate that these cabins are designed for!)

Our Best-selling Log Cabins

Our two best-selling cabins, the Limerick Two Bed Log Cabin and the Tullow Three Bedroom Log Cabin are usually the PERFECT fit for our customers. But we may not have the perfect cabin for you! But usually, a simple change or two to our existing designs hit the nail on the head for most customers who cannot find exactly what they want on the Timber Living Log Cabins website.

Extend your log cabin

The first and most significant of the log cabin options for a lot of customers is to extend the log cabin they are interested in. This is often the perfect solution for our most popular models, the two-bedroom Limerick Log Cabin, and the three-bedroom Tullow log cabin. You can see all of our Two Bedroom Log Cabins and Three Bedroom Log Cabins on our website. And usually, because our living areas are already wonderfully spacious and bright,  adding an extra metre or two to the bedroom end of the building is the perfect solution, making the bedrooms bigger, giving plenty of wardrobe space, and solving any potential storage problems.

It is straightforward to have either of these log cabins elongated by one or two metres, giving much larger second and third bedrooms. Ask us about the cost of this. You’ll be very surprised at how very affordable it is to add an extra metre or two to your log cabin. In effect, because all we are doing is adding the extra timber, roofing and insulation for the extra metre (say), but there is no real increase in labour costs, then the overall increased cost is not prohibitive.

Extending – the most popular log cabin options

You can, of course, go further if you decide to extend this log cabin. For instance, if you extend by two metres, you could easily put in an ensuite between the main bedroom and the back bedroom. Of course, the inclusion of the ensuite will entail a further increase, due to the extra internal wall and door. But don’t let this stop you from asking about the cost. You will be pleasantly surprised at the cost. And that’s just one more reason to shop with TimberLiving – our Quality is Complimented by our Versatility!

A Verandah  – more stylish log cabin options

Verandahs are a very popular optional extra on our log cabins. We all know how well they look, but not everyone realises that they can be included in your build, no matter which log cabin you choose. And you can go for the overhang by itself, or overhang decking and railings. Just give us a call to discuss this very popular option. It really adds a lot of character to your log cabin, and for many it is, in effect, the icing on the cake for them.

Changing Windows & other Log Cabin Options

Window choice is very important for your log cabin. Windows serve a number of functions, of course. They let in light, but also keep in the heat, and give a certain character to your log cabin from the outside. And of course, if you have a special view from your cabin, you might want to change the windows to bring that view inside, so to speak.

We have an excellent blog about window choice here: https://timberliving.ie/which-windows-for-your-log-cabin

There are three main changes you can make to the windows in your log cabin:

  • Window size
  • Window location
  • Window material (Timber or PVC).

Window Size:

You can see from the image of our Sligo three Bedroom Log Cabin above that we can supply full glass doors for your log cabin if that’s what you wish. (You can see more photos of the Sligo Three Bedroom Log Cabin here.) The full glass doors are double glazed and are available in PVC or timber. All of our PVC windows are supplied by either Munster Joinery or Weatherglaze Ireland.

We only deal with highly reputable Irish companies when sourcing uPVC windows for your log cabins, because we want every element of our log cabins to be high quality, long-lasting products. Customer satisfaction is our key target in everything we do – that’s our policy and it has stood us in good stead for over two decades, so why change!

If you’re considering using the longer windows, as shown in the image above, be sure to remember that you will be losing wall space if you lower the cill by installing those longer windows. With a standard window, there’s room below the cill for a table, or even a radiator. Don’t forget to check out this important detail when planning your windows.

uPVC Windows for your Log Cabin

Our timber windows are very high quality, double-glazed tilt and turn windows, which have not let us down over the years, so we are very happy to recommend them. However, many people are keen on uPVC windows because they are lower maintenance. We are happy to supply you with whichever type you choose. While uPVC windows are lower maintenance, there is the restriction on colour – once you choose a colour, you have to stick with it.

For most people, this is not a problem, but we should still mention it. White PVC goes with most colours, but we do offer different colours of uPVC windows. Our range varies depending on the supplier, so its best to ask your TimberLiving representative about the current choices.

Give us a call or come visit us to learn more, and experience one of our best quality log cabins first hand.

Tullow: 05991 81039

Boyle: 086 817 0429

Cork: 087 6464 280

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How long do residential log cabins last?

Easkey Log Cabin

Residential log cabins – there’s a growing trend for them in Ireland. But the big question is – How long do they last? Log cabins are a sizable investment, albeit a very clever and cost-effective one. Nevertheless, for the amount of money you spend, you want to be sure that your investment will last. And last it will – for a lifetime.

Comfortable residential log cabins

Cosy Residential Log Cabin

Log Cabins are durable, strong and reliable

How long do Residential Log cabins last in Ireland?

That’s a good question, and a very important one. People in Ireland are not familiar with living in log cabins: they’re only becoming a common option for living in now. (Although TimberLiving has been selling log cabins in Ireland for over twenty years…)

All you need in a residential log cabin
Space and convenience

If you’re Irish, you almost certainly grew up in block-built houses. Or an old stone building – freezing cold on the inside, both Winter AND Summer! So it’s understandable that Irish people might be inquisitive about the longevity of log cabins.

We all know that timber building is very, very common as a housing material all over Europe. But there is still an understandable reticence about trusting a timber building to last a lifetime. Many people have the notion that log cabins won’t last in Ireland because the Irish climate is a lot more damper than any other country in the world (wrong!)

We do get wet winters, of course, but we’ve also got the windiest climate in Europe, and wind dries things, and Irish wind dries things very well.

Painting a log cabin

As regards dampness, the proper stain protection on your log cabins will prevent any degradation due to dampness. Have a read of our blog on staining your log cabin here: https://timberliving.ie/how-to-paint-your-log-cabin

But with residential log cabins, built with the highest quality timber, and with the highest quality design, will last you a very long time. As long as you maintain the exterior of your log house, keeping it dry, it will last a lifetime.

They make boats out of wood

Spacious log cabin kitchen

They make boats out of wood, and they last a long, long time, putting up with the ravages and corrosiveness of seawater. So why not make log cabins out of timber? Timber houses are half the cost of block-built houses because the on-site labour is so much less. All of our houses are produced in a Hi-Tech factory, using precision engineering methods to produce every piece of wood required for our log homes, cut accurately to the millimetre.

All of this means there is little to no onsite cutting, and the highly accurate machining and fitting also means reduced draughts and air leakage. This leads to a more rigorous building, which will not allow excessive movement of timber beyond that expected from a natural product.

But don’t take our word for it. Dermot Bannon did a programme on Scandinavian Log Cabins, and we were delighted with what he had to say about the durability and longevity of timber houses. As we say, a log house will last a lifetime if it is built properly and treated well.

Come and see for yourself

Warm, easy to heat log cabin
Contemporary style log cabin

Visit our showrooms and see if you can find any piece of timber that was hand cut during the construction. You’ll be searching for a long time! So, whether you’re looking for budget residential log cabins that are a quality bargain, come and see us now.

Can you paint a log cabin home?

Cosy Log Cabin Kitchen
Home sweet log cabin home

Once the exterior of your cabin is treated properly, your cabin will last a lifetime. But what about log cabin paint? Actually, you don’t use paint for your log cabin, you use a stain. We recommend using Sikkens. Have a read about our Log Cabin blog in relation to log cabin paint here.

TimberLiving log cabins Ireland have a lot of residential log cabins for sale and provide the highest quality, best spec cabins in Ireland. We have been in business for over 20 years, and in that time we have built thousands of log cabins.

Would you like to visit a show house? We have show houses based in

  1. Tullow, County Carlow (Phone 05991 81039)
  2. Boyle County Roscommon, (086 817 0429)
  3. Carrigaline County Cork. (087 6464 280)
If you’re looking for a quality log cabin, we are the company to contact.

We have a wide range of cabin styles, from garden offices to Granny flats to 1, 2 and 3-bed log cabins, And we can also produce bespoke designs. If you’re going for planning, we can provide you with a long-term residential cabin with an A3 BER rating.

So do yourself a favour and visit us today to see Ireland’s finest and best-value log cabins.

#logcabinfinishes #logcabinquality #howlongwillalogcabinlast #logcabinmaintenance #logcabindurability

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Can I install a stove in a log cabin?

Stove in a log cabin

A burning wood stove is a beautiful thing: warmth and comfort in the cosy surroundings of a log cabin.

It’s a common question: can I put a stove into my log cabin? And we’re delighted to tell you that the answer is yes!

file 3 1

You can install any type of stove into your log cabin: wood burning, wood pellet stove, natural gas stove – even an oil burning range. Whatever stove you decide to install in your log cabin, you can see from the video that making an opening in the roof of your log cabin is a straightforward operation.

https://youtu.be/LLkMm5sTZmQ

Fitting your stove into a log cabin

Any experienced fitter will be able to install your stove in your log house in 3 or 4 hours. it is important that you use a double skin flue when going through the roof section of the cabin. it is also very important to have a heat shield fire screen behind the stove so that the heat cannot discolour your timber walls. You can get specific fireboard, imitation stone effect tiles, and many other alternatives to install behind your stove.

And there is no restriction on the log cabin size – you can fit a stove into any cabin in Timber Living’s Range of Log Cabins.

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Log Cabin Stove Safety Regulations

It ia very important to follow all of the guidelines when fitting your stove, and to use an experienced fitter. When we fitted the stove in the Boyle showhouse, there were detailed instructions with the stove relating to minimum flue length, flue bore, distance from surrounding walls, flue draught etc. There’s quite a lot to fitting the stove correctly so that there is no risk or hazard, and also that you have a good draught when the stove is burning.

We asked Adrian Hunt of AJ Installers (086 441 2269) to fit the stove in the Boyle shwhouse, and we were very impressed with the care and detail with which he completd the installation. He spent a lot of time squaring off our wood-buring stove, and thats not easy, since the base is oval!

Can I put a back boiler on my log cabin stove?

Because our cabins have cavity walls, it is very straightforward for your plumber to run a back boiler off your stove too. as in any house, what’s your stove is operating, you can run radiators off the back boiler full stop it is important to size the boiler and Stove correctly for the heat requirement of your log cabin full stop your heat requirement will depend on the level of insulation in your cabin. Again, any competent installer will be able to size your stove and boiler for you.

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Gas Stove in your Log Cabin?

A balanced flue gas stove is an interesting option for a log cabin. The beauty of a gas stove is that you can fit a horizontal flue, going out the wall, and there is no need for it to go above the roof of the cabin. There are many benefits to this, particluarly the cost, since stove flues are quite expensive per metre. Of course, the cost of the stove itself will probably be more expensive, so at the end of the day, overall costs might be quite similiar. Fuel costs will vary hugely, depending on whether you’re using turf, coal or wood in your solid fuel stove, compared with gas. Butthere is the adde cleanliness of a gas stove, and the fact that there’s no need for regular cleaning out of ash, which is always a consideration.

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Do you have any questions about stoves in your log cabin?

whether you are looking for a recommended fitter, or recommended stove please do not hesitate to contact us to ask about stove installation in your log cabin. we are always happy to help and advise on any aspects of log cabins.

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How efficient are log cabins to heat?

snow on a log cabin

Energy efficiency in your log cabin home is something we are all interested in, whether it’s for environmental reasons, or simply to save money. The better insulated your log cabin is, the less heat you need to keep yourself warm.

Cosy cabin interior

Log Cabin Insulation

log cabin wall with insulation

Timber living log cabins are very easy and cheap to heat. From an energy efficiency point of view they are top notch.  Our standard log cabin insulation levels maintain a nice warmth within our cabins during the winter, and actually help to keep them cool during the summer. It is remarkable how cool your cabin will be in the summer even  with the dark roof cover. That’s because we provide, as standard, 100mm Kingspan Insulation in our roofs. We also, as standard, include 100mm insulation in the walls.

Floor insulation – take note

And it is very, very important to use kingspan Insulation in the floor as well. Some companies offer rock-wool in the floors:  this is always, always a mistake. Do not buy a cabin with rock-wool insulation in the floor.

Putting your rock-wool insulation in the floor, on top of a concrete slab (even though there is a damp proof course in between) is a huge mistake. In the winter months, when the slab is colder than 4 degrees centigrade, the damp winter air condenses on the cold surface of the slab, and on the top of the damp proof membrane. The rock-wool insulation soaks up this dampness like a sponge!

This creates a number of problems:

  1. Your insulation is wet, and doesn’t insulate any more.
  2. The gathering moisture in the insulation can lead to rotting of your floorboards
  3. Your interior floor is going to be very cold, and will draw heat out of your living area.
  4. Unhealthy moulds can start to grow on both the underside AND interior face of your floor!

Log Cabin Airtightness

Of course, insulation is not the only element to be considered when discussing log cabin heat. We also need to consider air tightness. There is no point in insulating to the max and then leaving the window open! I am not suggesting you would leave a window open, but if your cabin is not reasonably airtight, then you might have the equivalent of an open window when you add up all of the draughts in your cabin.

We carried out a blow door test on the log cabin in Boyle and found that the cabin was well within building standards for air tightness, by a factor of 40%, which is very reassuring.

Log Cabin Insulation upgrades

Of course, we can increase your insulation levels if you wish. If you’re going for planning, you will need To increase your insulation to upto 8-in or 200mm in the walls, floors and roof. We also improve the air tightness of the  log cabin building.

There are many different ways to increase insulation. The walls are the obvious place to start. Here is a list of different options for increasing insulation in log cabin walls:

  • Increase the cavity. We can always increase the cavity size to eight inches (two hundred millimetres).
  • Insulation Material. Also, the material you use to insulate within the walls is a factor. We have upgraded our default wall insulation – we are now using Metac which is a high performance quality thermal insulation roll which has a higher better U Value than standard rock-wool insulation.
  • External Insulation: This solution is often insisted upon by planners, who, depending on the area, want buildings to have a rendered exterior finish in place of the horizontal drop log exterior which is our default.
  • Dry lining. Dry lining the interior of your cabin to increase the overall insulating value of the walls is another obvious solution, but of course, you loose the interior timber walls. This is not a problem for everyone, and is down to personal choice.

What about the floor insulation? One alternative for the floor is to use Quinn Lite thermal blocks to insulate the slab. Quinn Lite blocks are Thermal AAC Blocks designed for thermal excellence and ease of construction.

Either way, we can give your new log cabin home an A2 BER without any problem.

Log cabins are cheap to heat

Once your residential log cabin home has been well insulated,  it is going to be as easy to heat (or easier) that any other type of building. (Are Log Cabins Easy to Heat Blog entry) The  function of any buildings envelope (walls floor and roof) is to keep in the heat, keep out the rain, wind and cold. a log cabin envelope is exceptionally good at this, as long as there is sufficient insulating value in the Fabric of the envelope, and that the envelope is relatively airtight. Timberliving  log cabins fulfill all of these requirements. So, whether you’re looking for a one bed log cabin, a 2 bed log house, a 3-bed timber home, or a bespoke design log cabin, you should make your first point of call one of our timber living show houses.

Timber Living Log Cabin show houses

We have show houses in Boyle, County Roscommon (086 817 0429), Carrigaline Co Cork (087 6464 280) and Tullow, Co Carlow.  Please don’t hesitate to call us straightaway to organise a visit.

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Can I get insurance for my Log Cabin?

image 13

Like all good things in life, your log cabin is going to need insurance. Insurance is a bill we pay every year, for house, car, health, even pets, and if we all hope and pray that we never have to use the policy!

Your log cabin, like all good things in life, is going to need insurance.

Log cabin with verandah

What insurance companies cover log homes?

But insurance is not a problem for log cabins Ireland. Most companies will give you insurance for your log cabin, log home or garden chalet, log cabin or granny flat.

We did a quick google search and found the following:

Non-standard home insurance from OBF: https://www.obf.ie/non-standard-homes/

Holiday Home Insurance from Allianz: https://www.allianz.ie/holiday-home-insurance/

Log cabin insurance form Intasure: https://www.intasure.com/logcabin/

Log cabin insurance form Assetsure: https://www.assetsure.com/homes/log-cabin-insurance/

As usual, its important to shop around for insurance. Money is money, as they say, and its beter in your pocket than theirs, so be sure to spend a bit of time on the phone. If you spend an hour calling and save a couple of hundred euro, you won’t earn that hourly rate too often! Why not reward yourself with something special if you make a big saving? A nice botle of wine if you save €75, a meal out if you save €150 – you get the idea :-)

Insuring a Log Cabin Granny Flat

Often, if a log cabin is built in a garden, it is possible to include your log cabin or log cabin granny flat on your existing home insurance policy as an outbuilding. This is a pretty painless process, and, depending on your company and the size of your log cabin, might not cost you a penny!

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Get your log cabin insurance through us

Some insurance companies have not listed the building technology that we use in our log cabins, and so maya refuse you insurance.  But this is not a problem. We have brokers who are quite happy to offer you insurance on your log cabin, and at a rate equivalent to regular house insurance.  Just give us a call at our head office in Tullow (05991 81039) and we will be glad to put you in touch with our broker.

Quality Log Cabin Construction

Our log cabins are built of the highest quality material and methods. We are quite happy to give a 10 year guarantee on all of our log cabin homes,  because of the high quality of the production, the timber materials, the specialists craftsmen, and how our log cabins are built. Most of our craftsmen I have 20 years experience or more in the building of our log cabins, so they are well able to anticipate any potential problem with your build and eliminate the issue at the building stage.

log cabin interior with varnished floor

We have a wealth of experience between our installers and our representatives around Ireland. we have been building log cabins in Ireland for over 20 years, so we have  come across (and solved!) every single problem that might occur with your log cabin home. so if you’re looking for a log cabin that will last and last, talk to us at timber living log cabins. Come and visit us and see the quality of our buildings.  Talk to our representatives and you will understand the death of our knowledge of the business. If you come and see us you will leave our showrooms reassured that a TimberLiving Log cabin is a long-lasting log cabin, which is easy to heat, easy to maintain, is long lasting, stylish and durable.

Call TimberLiving log cabins now

We have show houses in Tullow, Boyle and Carrigaline. Come and visit us at one of our Log Cabin showrooms and see the quality of your new log home. You’ll get all of our details on our Contact Us page.

Log cabin show houses

If you come to our Tullow showrooms, you can see both our Tullow three bed log cabin and a two bed Limerick log cabin. Give Valerie or Fegus a call at 05991 81039 to discuss a visit.

We have a beautiful two bed log cabin show house in Boyle, Co Roscommon. Give Conor a call at 086 817 0429 to arrange an appointment.

And if you’re in Munster, you can also organise a visit to our show house in Carrigaline in Cork. Give the Head Office a call to organise 05991 81039.

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Which windows for your log cabin?

Log Cabin Windows

Choice is key when it comes to log cabin windows, because everyone’s taste is different

Windows are a very important element of your log cabin. They let the light in: they’re an architectural feature: they should also keep as much heat inside the cabin as possible. So, which windows do you choose when buying your cabin from Timber Living Log Cabins Ireland?

Full height PVC windows for your log cabin

We have the best log cabin windows

“The eyes are the windows to the soul”. Sounds like a completely irrelevant way to start this article, but bear with me! Of course, you’re going to need windows in your log cabin, but the windows do a lot more than just let the light in. Depending on your window size, they might not let enough light in. Then again, they might let too much heat out! Window choice is important!

Get the right windows for your log cabin

As you can see from the picture gallery above, we have a host of different window sizes and shapes, all of which are available to you.

Take a look at our Sligo log cabin as a great example of how you can light up your cabin interior with the right window choice.

And our Cavan Log cabin is another interesting choice. This cabin would be ideal as a holiday home, if your location has the stunning views.

Window Size and Shape

There is no restriction on the window size and shapes we can produce. Just ask any of our representatives, in Tullow, Boyle or Carrigaline, and we’ll be glad to talk you through all of the options.

Log cabin Window choices

Make sure you get the right shape of window for your log cabin. What factors should you consider?

  • South facing? There’s no doubt but that you should, if at all possible, have your main window wall facing south, or at least between south east and south west. You’re going to get the best light of the day, and also benefit much more from solar gain.
  • Balance Solar Gain with Heat Loss. If you’ve got a beautiful view, you’re going to want big windows to take in the view. There’s lots to consider here. Big windows are great, but they can lead to heat loss at night, so they need to be heavily curtained. And your curtains need to close off at the ends, so that the cold air behind them is trapped. Curtains that are away from the wall are ineffective, especially with large windows. The large window surface area can generate a draught, which will get the warm air in the cabin moving, and make it uncomfortable. So, by all means go for the large windows, but you’ve got to get a bit unconventional with your curtain-hanging. Want o know more about heating a log cabin?
  • Big Bedroom Windows? You don’t need a lot of light in your bedroom window, unless you’re the sort that likes to stay in bed til the sun is high in the sky. So, its probably best to keep your bedroom windows small, and, by reducing heat loss, cosy. This also means that you can put your bedrooms on the north-facing side of the building, and leave the living areas in the south-facing rooms.
  • Traditional Vs Modern Window frames. Wooden frames or pvc? Its a conundrum. Our wooden timber frames are very high wuality, amde from the best quality timber, sourced in Russia, so they are slow growing, and very strong and durable. They will last as long as you maintain them. But that is the key word – maintenance. Whie the beauty of timber cannot be fully replaced by PVC, the issue of maintenance cannot be avoided. So, if you’re going for a larger building, with lots of windows, the best advice is probably to sacrifice a bit of the traditional for th convenience of low maintenace PVC windows.
  • Double glazed, heat retaining. The major factor in double-glazed windows, besides the quality of the build – seal etc – is the gap in the window between the two panes. Always take a look at this gap – the bigger the better, the bigger the more heat is retained.
  • Cabin character. This is a difficult one to be definitive about, because it boils down to people’s tastes. Some people like a traditional looks in a log cabin, while others want something a bit more modern, more individual. But needless to say, your cabin windows really do define the character of your cabin. Usually, the choice is immediately clear to someone who is buying a cabin – as soon as they see what they like, they know it straightaway. The problems start when two people are buying, and they each want something different. But, at Timber Living, we have a wide range of log cabins, and we’re very good at finding you exactly whatyou’re looking for. Contact us now to arrange an appointment and a viewing of our log cabin showhouses.

Quality log cabin windows

At Timberliving, we realise the importance of high quality windows in your log cabin. If you come to any of our showrooms you can experience for yourself the high quality of the hardware in our windows. All of our windows are tilt and turn, double glazed timber frame windows. Notice the gap in the double glazing. This determines how well your in windows insulate you against the cold.

Timber frame or PVC windows in your log cabin?

The standard window in all of our cabins is timber. but if you are interested, we can also offer you PVC windows. PVC windows come in a wide range of colours. Of course, white is the standard colour and is a lot cheaper than a coloured PVC frame. This is because quite PVC windows are very commonplace and and the expected colour in the marketplace.

Coloured PVC Log Cabin Windows

You can see REHAU’s range of PVC windows here: https://www.rehau.com/download/1893282/standarddekore-kaleido-foil.pdf

We offer a beautiful range of natural colours in coloured PVC windows from REHAU. Follow the link above to get a clear idea of the colours that are available. Coloured windows can look great in a log cabin – it all depends on personal taste. we have had come customers who have been adamant that they want the timber frame windows particularly for inside the cabin. timber windows painted white still look like timber windows, rather than PVC windows full stop and when you’re building your own log cabin, you should of course build it the way you want it. PVC has the benefit of low maintenance, but many people feel that you cannot beat the natural beauty of timber windows.

Window colour choice

Come to our log cabin show houses

Whether you’re looking for timber or UPVC windows, one, two or three bed cabins, a garden office or gym, you should come and visit us in our timber living show houses. We have show houses in Tullow, Boyle and Carrigaline. You will get all of our details on our contact page. Look forward to seeing you soon.

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7 reasons to get your log cabin from Timber Living

a room with a tub and chairs

Log Cabins Ireland – Over 20 years in the business

We’ve been in the log cabin business for over twenty years, and we’ve come across AND SOLVED every possible problem that might arise with Log Cabins Ireland. That’s why our cabins are designed specifically for the Irish climate, with weatherboards, separate double-leaf construction, excellent levels of floor, wall and roof insulation, and other details.

Log Cabin Kitchen
Our Log Cabin has everything

Who sells the best log cabin homes in Ireland?

Of course, we’re going to say that we sell the best log cabins in Ireland.  Well, what with being in the log cabin business for over two decades, we have had lots of time to find the best log cabin suppliers in Europe – and by best, we mean the highest quality log cabins, at a fair price. We have looked at over 25 suppliers throughout our time in the business, and we are confident that nobody could find better quality, better value log cabins throughout the continent of Europe.

10-year guarantee on all log cabins

We’re quite happy to offer a ten-year guarantee on our buildings. That’s because we closely monitor the production and installation of every log cabin. We stand over the quality of the product, and the workmanship that goes into the production and construction.

Our log cabins last a lifetime

As long as you treat a log cabin correctly, there is no reason why it will not last a lifetime. The high-quality, kiln-dried Norway Spruce timber from Siberia (many of the trees are 150 years old) that we use is as good as it gets when it comes to timber for construction. You can read all about the timber we use in our blog post here: What timber should a log cabin be built with

How to paint your log cabin

Maintenance of your log cabin is key if you want it to last a lifetime. The final element to maintaining your log cabin is treating the walls correctly. All you have to do is treat the walls with SIKKENS, or some other suitable stain (NOT PAINT!) and your cabin will last a lifetime. A stain allows the timber walls to breathe – in other words, moisture is not trapped beneath the impermeable paint skin. This ensures the longevity of your log cabin walls. Read more about not painting your log cabin here.

log cabin w

Double wall construction

If you’re going to stay in your log cabin, it needs to be insulated. Some companies offer 75mm solid walls, with no insulation. This is a disaster in the damp Irish climate. Do not buy a cabin with this spec! You’ll have black mould growing behind your wardrobes and presses in no time. Very unhealthy!

The great thing about TimberLiving is that no matter where you are in Ireland, there’s a showhouse two hours away. Whether you come to see us in Cork (Carrigaline), Carlow (Tullow) or Roscommon (Boyle). Well worth the trip! You’ll be able to come into our show houses and experience firsthand the quality, comfort and style of our best-quality log cabin buildings.

High-quality windows and doorsImage 1 1

You won’t find better double-glazed, tilt-and-turn windows or doors from any other Log Cabins Ireland company. And we offer a range of choices when it comes to windows and doors. Have a read of our blog on window choice for your log cabin here: https://timberliving.ie/post/which-windows-for-your-log-cabin

The insulation you choose is very important for your log cabin. You want the cabin to be warm and easy to heat. That’s why we put a minimum of 100mm of insulation in our walls and roofs. And in the floor, we ALWAYS use PIR (Kingspan) insulation. If a company is putting rock wool in the floor, walk away! Read more about log cabin insulation here; https://timberliving.ie/post/how-well-are-log-cabins-insulated

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How warm are log cabins during a winter?

It’s the cosiness, the warmth and comfort, that is the enduring image of a log cabin. But the big question is, how true is the image? Are they really that warm and comfortable? And how much does it cost to keep them warm?

Cozy, comfortable log cabins

Are log cabins warm?

Log cabins can be wonderfully arm and cozy, and reasonably cheap to heat. It is all about how the log cabin is constructed.

Like any building, the insulating value of the walls, roof and floors decide how warm the building will be, and how easy it is to heat. Think about it – if you’re lying in bed on a cold winter’s morning with only a sheet covering you, you’re going to be cold no matter what the sheet is made of.

 

So, in your log cabin, you need a wall thickness of more than 6 inches (150 millimetres) if you want a log cabin that is warm and coy in the winter months.

 

Some companies offer log cabins with only a 3 inch (75 millimetre) thick timber wall, and if you by one of these, you’re going to have a cold, cold log cabin. Brrrrr! (You will also have a damp log cabin, with black spots on the walls and quite possibly water coming through. So don’t buy a cabin with 3 inch thick walls.)

What are the best log cabin walls

Are log cabins easy to heat?

At Timberliving, we  offer double Leaf walls. Our standard build is a 45mm outside wall with 100mm cavity and a 30mm inside wall. This gives you plenty of insulation, as well as a very strong internal wall from which you can hang kitchen presses and anything else of significant weight.

 

Do log cabins need to be insulated?

You could easily argue that you do not need to have insulation in your log cabin walls, but that would be true only if your log cabin walls are solid wood and a minimum of 8 inches (200 millimetres) thickness. But this class of a log home is very expensive to buy and build.

 

If you’re planning on using your log cabin for sleeping in, especially during the winter, you will need to insulate your walls. We build our cabins with a standard four inch (100 millimetre) cavity, and use a product called METAC, which is a high grade, quality thermal insulation, as insulation within the cavity.

And the wall insulation does more than just help keep the heat in. Wall insulation also ensures that there is no mould within the cabin itself. If your cabin is built without wall insulation, and is being regularly heated on very cold winter nights, you can expect mould, in certain situations. Mould is generated when moist, warm air touches cold surfaces and condenses. Take a situation in a single wall, uninsulated cabin, with (say) outside temperatures of 2 degrees, and a stove heating the cabin inside. The surfaces of the walls will be warm, EXCEPT behind wardrobes and presses, because it will be difficult for the warmth to get behind these fittings. So, you will have damp air connecting with these cold surfaces. The dampness in this air condenses on the cold surfaces, encouraging the growth of mould. NOT a pretty picture…

Increasing your log cabin insulation levels

If you are going for planning, you will need greater insulation in the walls and roof of your cabin. Wall insulation thickness can be increased either by increasing the size of the cavity, or using external insulation full stop this has the benefit, from a planning point of view, you of having a cement board finish, which is often a requirement of planning applications.

Log cabin wall thickness and noise proofing

One of the benefits of our double Leaf walls is the noise insulation they provide.  Come to one of our showrooms and here for yourself how quiet it is inside a timber living log cabin. Whether you are looking for a residential log cabin , a granny flat one bedroom log cabin, or if you have your own bespoke design log cabin we can provide you with the insulation levels you require.

Are log cabins easy to heat?

Of course, if you have a well insulated log cabin, there will be a smaller heat requirement. And the smaller the heat requirement, the easier, and CHEAPER! it will be to heat. And that means a number of benefits to you, the user. The ongoing savings made with less fuel buying is great, but it also means that the hardware you buy will be cheaper too. A smaller stove, for instance, is going to cost a lot less than a stove twice its size. You can expect a few hundred euro on your hardware cost if your cabin is well insulated. And then there’s the fuel handling, especially if you’re using a solid fuel stove or boiler. That means carrying is and less ashing out too!

 

What heating system can I use in my log cabin

You can use any form of heating system in your log cabin: solid fuel, wood pellet, back boiler with rads, oil or gas, or even heat pumps and/or underfloor heating. Whatever heating system you use, your heating requirement and bills will be very much reduced as you increase your insulation. We have a blog post about heating your log cabin – take a read here: Heating a Log Cabin

Why not come and visit us at our showrooms in Boyle (086 817 0429), Tullow (05991 81039) or Carrigaline (087 6464 280) and see for yourself the quality of our log cabins.