Maintenance | Log Cabins Ireland

Posted on February 17, 2025February 17, 2025 by admin — Leave a comment

Cabin Talks

We got together to answer all your questions about building a log cabin in Ireland. Have a listen to the video or read the transcript below. But don’t hesitate to give us a call or come to visit us whenever it suits. We’re always keen to answer your questions about building a log cabin talks.

Do you have questions about building a log cabin?

Log cabin talks can provide invaluable insights and tips for your project.

Hi everyone, welcome to cabin talks. We are here today and we’re joined with Connor. Now Connor is here to help us delve into all the questions, most common questions such as how long it takes to build a cabin, the electrical work. So Connor, would you mind telling us a bit about the schedule and the preparation before buying a log cabin?

Preparation

Sure, sure there’s a lot to it I suppose, but basically once you find the cabin that you’re interested in, and obviously you come down to our showrooms, we go through all the ins and outs and anything you see can be adjusted: change of windows, bigger rooms, all that. But once you have decided on what you want, we look for 4,000 euro deposit and then we put things into production, we give you a contract, we sign it, you sign it, and in 10 weeks we can have that on site. So before we get there, you need to have concrete base built and we’ll give you specific dimensions on that base, that base is gonna be a little bit smaller than the timber cabin itself, because the cabin, it has to overhang. The biggest thing with making a cabin last is that you don’t have water pooling underneath. Right. Really important. Once that’s done, you’re ready to go.

Sure, sure there’s a lot to it I suppose, but basically once you find the cabin that you’re interested in, and obviously you come down to our showrooms, we go through all the ins and outs and anything you see can be adjusted: change of windows, bigger rooms, all that. But once you have decided on what you want, we look for 4,000 euro deposit and then we put things into production, we give you a contract, we sign it, you sign it, and in 10 weeks we can have that on site. So before we get there, you need to have concrete base built and we’ll give you specific dimensions on that base, that base is gonna be a little bit smaller than the timber cabin itself, because the cabin, it has to overhang. The biggest thing with making a cabin last is that you don’t have water pooling underneath. Right. Really important. Once that’s done, you’re ready to go.

Building schedule

We’ll be there for, depending on the size of the cabin, probably three days to build the outside of the cabin, walls, roof. Only three days. Three days. Wow.
All the work is done in the factory really, so it’s just a matter of putting the parts together.

So we put the outside walls, ceiling boards, and doors and windows, and we go away then and you have a week or 10 days to organize your plumber and electrician to do their first fix, pipes and wires. Once they’re done, we can come back then, do all of the insulation, put in the floors, walls, roof cover, and then we’re done. And that’s another three days, four days, depending on the size of the cabin.

We’ll be there for, depending on the size of the cabin, probably three days to build the outside of the cabin, walls, roof. Only three days. Three days. Wow.
All the work is done in the factory really, so it’s just a matter of putting the parts together.

So we put the outside walls, ceiling boards, and doors and windows, and we go away then and you have a week or 10 days to organize your plumber and electrician to do their first fix, pipes and wires. Once they’re done, we can come back then, do all of the insulation, put in the floors, walls, roof cover, and then we’re done. And that’s another three days, four days, depending on the size of the cabin.

Financing and builder details

Going back to the 4,000 deposit, I’m interested about this. So after the 4,000 deposit, what happens? You have to pay a full payment after that, or can you pay an installment?

Well, the first thing we should say is that a 4,000 deposit is not a big deposit compared to a lot of companies that look for 50%. So we’d like to think we’re generating a bit of trust there. But after that then, we arrive and there’s three payments to be made. The remainder that’s left,

we look for a payment when we arrive on site, a payment after the first three days when we, what we call, we reach ridge height, and then a final payment when we’re finished. Okay, thanks for clearing that up. And also in terms of the plumbing and electricity, I am a bit confused about that. So I buy my cabin and what do I do? Do I know a plumber? Do I have to find a plumber? Well, usually if you don’t have a plumber or electricity, we may be, depending on where you’re located, we may have contacts there. It’s pretty straightforward.

You need a builder, a plumber and an electrician. And what the builder will do is put in the base, but we’ll also put in a path probably up to the cabin. And underneath that path often, we’ll bring in the conduits for the electricity,

bring in the water supply and bring out the grey water and the sewage to wherever it’s going. So those groundworks are important. And then after that, your plumber, it’s important to set the dates with your plumber and electrician to say that you have a window.
And if you have seven days, tell them you have three days. Okay. So you’ve got to be here on the day. And they’re very good, they understand. And the thing about a log cabin is oftentimes if they haven’t done one, they’re interested. So they’ll be keen or if they have done one, they know it’s very straightforward. There’s no chasing of walls for wires or anything like that. It’s very open. It’s a quick day. It’s indoors. So there’s no weather which can be enticing as well, depending on the time of year. So, but the electricity and plumber, very straightforward.

Well, the first thing we should say is that a 4,000 deposit is not a big deposit compared to a lot of companies that look for 50%. So we’d like to think we’re generating a bit of trust there. But after that then, we arrive and there’s three payments to be made. The remainder that’s left,

we look for a payment when we arrive on site, a payment after the first three days when we, what we call, we reach ridge height, and then a final payment when we’re finished. Okay, thanks for clearing that up. And also in terms of the plumbing and electricity, I am a bit confused about that. So I buy my cabin and what do I do? Do I know a plumber? Do I have to find a plumber? Well, usually if you don’t have a plumber or electricity, we may be, depending on where you’re located, we may have contacts there. It’s pretty straightforward.

You need a builder, a plumber and an electrician. And what the builder will do is put in the base, but we’ll also put in a path probably up to the cabin. And underneath that path often, we’ll bring in the conduits for the electricity,

bring in the water supply and bring out the grey water and the sewage to wherever it’s going. So those groundworks are important. And then after that, your plumber, it’s important to set the dates with your plumber and electrician to say that you have a window.
And if you have seven days, tell them you have three days. Okay. So you’ve got to be here on the day. And they’re very good, they understand. And the thing about a log cabin is oftentimes if they haven’t done one, they’re interested. So they’ll be keen or if they have done one, they know it’s very straightforward. There’s no chasing of walls for wires or anything like that. It’s very open. It’s a quick day. It’s indoors. So there’s no weather which can be enticing as well, depending on the time of year. So, but the electricity and plumber, very straightforward.

Okay. So say for example, I have a big hill in my garden, a big lump of grass. And I just want to put a cabin there. Who do I go to first? Do I go to my builder and say, can you take this out? Or do I come to you and show you the land? What do I do? Well, really that’s the builder’s work. That’s the builder’s work.

Usually if you come to see us at any of our showrooms, bring a video, bring a video up, do a 360 of the garden shows where you’re going.

Anything can be done. You can dig into ground or you can raise up ground, whatever you have to think about where your septic tank is going and fall. Even that can be overcome. But yeah, bring a video and that’s the simplest thing. Okay. Also I live up a mountain and the road, it’s a bit small, the lane is a beaten track. Can you get up there? You’ll be amazed. And we always say, if the cement truck can get up there, we can get up there. And I’ve seen sites and you would think you wouldn’t be able to push a pram up that hill. Right. And they’ll get there around, they’ll get the concrete up there. If the concrete can go in, you see our stuff comes, it’s drop logs. So each plank, if you want to call them a log, is done individually. So we deliver on an Arctic with a forklift and then we take separate loads up. We don’t have to go up with the Arctic. So that’s not a problem.

Even if there’s a farmer with a trailer or whatever, but the lads will carry a distance too. Yeah, it’s not a problem. Not a problem. Okay, love to hear that.

Okay. So say for example, I have a big hill in my garden, a big lump of grass. And I just want to put a cabin there. Who do I go to first? Do I go to my builder and say, can you take this out? Or do I come to you and show you the land? What do I do? Well, really that’s the builder’s work. That’s the builder’s work.

Usually if you come to see us at any of our showrooms, bring a video, bring a video up, do a 360 of the garden shows where you’re going.

Anything can be done. You can dig into ground or you can raise up ground, whatever you have to think about where your septic tank is going and fall. Even that can be overcome. But yeah, bring a video and that’s the simplest thing. Okay. Also I live up a mountain and the road, it’s a bit small, the lane is a beaten track. Can you get up there? You’ll be amazed. And we always say, if the cement truck can get up there, we can get up there. And I’ve seen sites and you would think you wouldn’t be able to push a pram up that hill. Right. And they’ll get there around, they’ll get the concrete up there. If the concrete can go in, you see our stuff comes, it’s drop logs. So each plank, if you want to call them a log, is done individually. So we deliver on an Arctic with a forklift and then we take separate loads up. We don’t have to go up with the Arctic. So that’s not a problem.

Even if there’s a farmer with a trailer or whatever, but the lads will carry a distance too. Yeah, it’s not a problem. Not a problem. Okay, love to hear that.

The Housing Crisis

And also for young couples in Ireland, there’s less and less homes available. There’s less renting options available. So what would you recommend for a young couple starting out? They’re looking to buy a cabin.
What sort of cases have you worked with before?

Well, obviously that happens an awful lot. It’s a big part of our business. People are putting cabins and gardens on farms and that sort of thing. And what I always say is, obviously you need to have the cabin suitable for your use. So like the Limerick cabin, for instance, the two bed, I often suggest that they put a meter onto the end to make the bedroom bigger. I just mentioned that because you can do that. We have one bed, two beds, three beds. It depends on your budget and your needs. But what I would really important is to think not just about solving the initial problem because that cabin is gonna be there for 60 years. Or longer, it can last a hundred years. So why not, when your son or daughter moves on, let’s say, then you can Airbnb it or you can rent it out on long-term, which would be easier. So set it up so that it’s separate. So that if somebody is renting that they’re not in your back, in your kitchen window. If you can do that, then it’s a great investment.

Well, obviously that happens an awful lot. It’s a big part of our business. People are putting cabins and gardens on farms and that sort of thing. And what I always say is, obviously you need to have the cabin suitable for your use. So like the Limerick cabin, for instance, the two bed, I often suggest that they put a meter onto the end to make the bedroom bigger. I just mentioned that because you can do that. We have one bed, two beds, three beds. It depends on your budget and your needs. But what I would really important is to think not just about solving the initial problem because that cabin is gonna be there for 60 years. Or longer, it can last a hundred years. So why not, when your son or daughter moves on, let’s say, then you can Airbnb it or you can rent it out on long-term, which would be easier. So set it up so that it’s separate. So that if somebody is renting that they’re not in your back, in your kitchen window. If you can do that, then it’s a great investment.

So you’ve seen people use it in terms of property investment like Airbnb’s. Absolutely, yeah. You’ve seen it used for that as well, so that’s great. So another question that we get very frequently is, how long does a log cabin last?

Well, it’s a good question and a log cabin can last a hundred years. We have a video on the website of Derma Bannon saying that timber buildings can last a hundred years. Wow. The important thing is that they’re built well. Yes. Built properly and they’re treated properly. So as I mentioned before, it has to be up off the ground and there’s no way that water can pool underneath. That’s, I’ve seen garden cabins and people putting them on patios. That’s a disaster, so gotta be raised up. After that, then it’s gotta be treated well. So we recommend Sikans, which is S-I-K-K-E-N-S. It’s a really good, it’s a stain, not a paint. You get all sorts of colors in it, it’s not a problem. But it’s a very well formulated product.
You gotta apply it every four years or so. And once you do that, and once you make sure that there’s no dirt banked up against your timber, that sort of thing, very straightforward stuff, your cabin’s gonna last. So my cabin doesn’t have to look like a log cabin. I can actually paint this a color, a block color. For sure, yeah. We have samples on the website, blues and grays and all sorts of different colors. Yeah, yeah, they’re all available. And they, some of them look, well, they all look great. It’s down to taste, and a lot of people like the natural. The natural. Pine or the oak color. And other people wanna go for something more striking. So if I paint my cabin a block color, do I need to repaint that every year to maintain the durability of the wood? Does it lessen the quality of the wood? What would you recommend? No, no, well, it maintains the wood very well. It’s every four years. Every four years. And what it does is, because it’s a stain, it doesn’t seal the outside, and that’s important. So when rain falls on it, it stops the rain from soaking in. Rain runs down off it, which is important.
But then also it lets the product breath. Timber is a natural product.

I mean, people worry about, oh, will a timber building last? Well, they make boats out of timber, you know, and they last. So let’s not. Pirates made it work. Yeah.

Boats are made out of timber, they work. You know, if it’s built properly, and it’s treated properly, it will last. And if you just go to Europe, I saw a building in France, and it was 500 years old. It’s timber. Wow. You know? So you’re saying I can’t just go into woodies and pick up a tin of paint and start painting my cabin. What would happen if I painted it with a standard paint? Why do I have to use these? Well, you can use paint.

You can use paint, but we certainly don’t recommend it because what happens is that seals the wood, and wood needs to breathe. It’s a natural product. Okay, yes. People worry about, you know, the Irish climate. Well, one good thing about the Irish climate when it comes to timber is that it’s windy, and it dries. So, you know, something that people know doesn’t occur to people, but wind dries. But the wood is breathable. Yeah, yeah. And as I say, you know, timber has been used as a building product. It has been used. Yeah. It has worked. And it’s just we’re not that familiar with it in Ireland. Yes. But I know in Boyle, where I live, there’s a timber building built in the 60s. It’s the old golf club. Wow, really? Clubhouse, yeah. Still there, you know, people live in it. Ooh, ooh. Yeah, all there. So you have timber last, absolutely. Brilliant. And these are double walls in our residential cabins, too, which is important. You know, if you’re in a residential cabin, you have to have a double wall, unless when you go for the Scandinavian heavy log cabins, which are, you know, six or eight inches. But with us, we have 45 mil on the outside, 30 mil on the inside, and, you know, four inches or 100 mil of insulation, at least. And then, yeah, it’s a perfectly good way of building a building that’s gonna last a lifetime.

Well, it’s a good question and a log cabin can last a hundred years. We have a video on the website of Derma Bannon saying that timber buildings can last a hundred years. Wow. The important thing is that they’re built well. Yes. Built properly and they’re treated properly. So as I mentioned before, it has to be up off the ground and there’s no way that water can pool underneath. That’s, I’ve seen garden cabins and people putting them on patios. That’s a disaster, so gotta be raised up. After that, then it’s gotta be treated well. So we recommend Sikans, which is S-I-K-K-E-N-S. It’s a really good, it’s a stain, not a paint. You get all sorts of colors in it, it’s not a problem. But it’s a very well formulated product.
You gotta apply it every four years or so. And once you do that, and once you make sure that there’s no dirt banked up against your timber, that sort of thing, very straightforward stuff, your cabin’s gonna last. So my cabin doesn’t have to look like a log cabin. I can actually paint this a color, a block color. For sure, yeah. We have samples on the website, blues and grays and all sorts of different colors. Yeah, yeah, they’re all available. And they, some of them look, well, they all look great. It’s down to taste, and a lot of people like the natural. The natural. Pine or the oak color. And other people wanna go for something more striking. So if I paint my cabin a block color, do I need to repaint that every year to maintain the durability of the wood? Does it lessen the quality of the wood? What would you recommend? No, no, well, it maintains the wood very well. It’s every four years. Every four years. And what it does is, because it’s a stain, it doesn’t seal the outside, and that’s important. So when rain falls on it, it stops the rain from soaking in. Rain runs down off it, which is important.
But then also it lets the product breath. Timber is a natural product.

I mean, people worry about, oh, will a timber building last? Well, they make boats out of timber, you know, and they last. So let’s not. Pirates made it work. Yeah.

Boats are made out of timber, they work. You know, if it’s built properly, and it’s treated properly, it will last. And if you just go to Europe, I saw a building in France, and it was 500 years old. It’s timber. Wow. You know? So you’re saying I can’t just go into woodies and pick up a tin of paint and start painting my cabin. What would happen if I painted it with a standard paint? Why do I have to use these? Well, you can use paint.

You can use paint, but we certainly don’t recommend it because what happens is that seals the wood, and wood needs to breathe. It’s a natural product. Okay, yes. People worry about, you know, the Irish climate. Well, one good thing about the Irish climate when it comes to timber is that it’s windy, and it dries. So, you know, something that people know doesn’t occur to people, but wind dries. But the wood is breathable. Yeah, yeah. And as I say, you know, timber has been used as a building product. It has been used. Yeah. It has worked. And it’s just we’re not that familiar with it in Ireland. Yes. But I know in Boyle, where I live, there’s a timber building built in the 60s. It’s the old golf club. Wow, really? Clubhouse, yeah. Still there, you know, people live in it. Ooh, ooh. Yeah, all there. So you have timber last, absolutely. Brilliant. And these are double walls in our residential cabins, too, which is important. You know, if you’re in a residential cabin, you have to have a double wall, unless when you go for the Scandinavian heavy log cabins, which are, you know, six or eight inches. But with us, we have 45 mil on the outside, 30 mil on the inside, and, you know, four inches or 100 mil of insulation, at least. And then, yeah, it’s a perfectly good way of building a building that’s gonna last a lifetime.

Building a one bed log cabin

And about the one bed cabin, because this is a cabin we get asked about a lot, is that considered a residential cabin, and would that have the double wall?

Oh, absolutely, yeah. If it’s got a bedroom in it, well, I mean, we can build it for you, a single wall, but we would not recommend it. We really need the double wall if we’re gonna be sleeping in a cabin. Okay, so– Living in a full zone, yeah. So a garden cabin would just have the single wall structure, is that? Yeah, the garden cabin is really, you know, for an office playroom, that sort of thing, you can sleep in a garden cabin for a couple of nights. In the winter, it’s not going to hold the heat as well as a double wall, it’s as simple as that, you know? It’s still 45 mil of timber, so if you, and I know of a particular friend of mine, and he runs therapy sessions in his single wall log cabin, and he lights a big fire, and the ambiance of the timber walls and the fire and all that, it’s very soothing.

Oh, absolutely, yeah. If it’s got a bedroom in it, well, I mean, we can build it for you, a single wall, but we would not recommend it. We really need the double wall if we’re gonna be sleeping in a cabin. Okay, so– Living in a full zone, yeah. So a garden cabin would just have the single wall structure, is that? Yeah, the garden cabin is really, you know, for an office playroom, that sort of thing, you can sleep in a garden cabin for a couple of nights. In the winter, it’s not going to hold the heat as well as a double wall, it’s as simple as that, you know? It’s still 45 mil of timber, so if you, and I know of a particular friend of mine, and he runs therapy sessions in his single wall log cabin, and he lights a big fire, and the ambiance of the timber walls and the fire and all that, it’s very soothing.

Putting a stove into a log cabin

So a stove or a literal fire? Stove works really well in a log cabin. There’s something about the radiant heat from the stove and the timber and–

Okay. It’s very nice if you’re looking to, you know, for like a garden getaway, you know, TV, glass of wine, stove, you know? So if you’re a business owner and you want to have meetings in your cabin, you have the option of having a single wall, a double wall, the price range, what sort of difference? Well, it’s very hard to say, but you have to think about it, if you’re putting in a double wall, you’re putting in two walls instead of one, you’re putting in, well, we always have insulation in the roof and the floors, but the walls are bigger, so I mean, if you’re looking at a cabin that’s 10,000, it’s very hard to say. Okay. Four or five thousand extra depends on a lot of things. So you’d recommend that they come with the idea and we can really customize it to their specific needs. But we do find people working in cabins.
There’s no need for the double wall, we never get really good complaints about it. Your heated door would be higher if you have a single wall. Yes.

But with the stove, it really–
Get that stove in there. It’s a great job, yeah. Everybody start falling asleep in the middle of the meeting.
You gotta get down here and see it all for yourself, the quality and the craftsmanship. We are just saving time, saving you time, so come down and see it for yourself. Tullow, cork and Boyle.

So a stove or a literal fire? Stove works really well in a log cabin. There’s something about the radiant heat from the stove and the timber and–

Okay. It’s very nice if you’re looking to, you know, for like a garden getaway, you know, TV, glass of wine, stove, you know? So if you’re a business owner and you want to have meetings in your cabin, you have the option of having a single wall, a double wall, the price range, what sort of difference? Well, it’s very hard to say, but you have to think about it, if you’re putting in a double wall, you’re putting in two walls instead of one, you’re putting in, well, we always have insulation in the roof and the floors, but the walls are bigger, so I mean, if you’re looking at a cabin that’s 10,000, it’s very hard to say. Okay. Four or five thousand extra depends on a lot of things. So you’d recommend that they come with the idea and we can really customize it to their specific needs. But we do find people working in cabins.
There’s no need for the double wall, we never get really good complaints about it. Your heated door would be higher if you have a single wall. Yes.

But with the stove, it really–
Get that stove in there. It’s a great job, yeah. Everybody start falling asleep in the middle of the meeting.
You gotta get down here and see it all for yourself, the quality and the craftsmanship. We are just saving time, saving you time, so come down and see it for yourself. Tullow, cork and Boyle.

Posted on March 21, 2024March 21, 2024 by admin — Leave a comment

Low Maintenance Log Cabin

What about low maintenance log cabin? We’re all so busy nowadays. It seems like everywhere you turn there’s something to do. And that is why you should really consider a low maintenance log cabin.

Timber or cement board exterior?

All of our residential log cabins are double wall insulated constructions. Our standard log cabins have a 35 mm interior wall and a 45 mm exterior wall with 100 mm of insulation in between. Our low maintenance log cabins use the 45 mm wall and we put 100 mm of insulation outside that wall with a vapour barrier and an air gap before installing cement board on the outside of the building.

I hope the illustration below shines a bit of light on that.

Low maintenance log cabin benefits

A low maintenance log cabin offers numerous benefits, especially in today’s busy world. With our hectic schedules, it often feels like there is always something demanding our attention. That’s why investing in a low maintenance log cabin is a wise choice.

Benefit One: Cost

The initial cost of a log cabin with cement board on the outside is cheaper than a log cabin with timber on the outside. But you have to get your builder to skim the final building, and that is going to make your low maintenance cabin a little bit more expensive. Of course, you will make up the difference quite quickly because the cost of Sikkens wood stain is higher than the cost of a standard exterior paint. So, after your second time staining the exterior of your cabin you have broke even. And hat back-of-the-mind Whisper that keeps reminding you that you have to stain the log cabin is gone.

Cutaway version of low maintenance log cabin wall.

Benefit Two: peace of mind

Peace of Mind is important to us all. And with a cement board exterior on your log cabin, the added onus of regular maintenance every four years is removed. You could leave your cement board log cabin untouched for 20 years and not be worried. It would look terrible! But it would be fine as a structure.

Admittedly, a cement board exterior might not be to everyone’s taste. The timber exterior on a log cabin exudes charm and is definitely a big reason for people buying log cabins. But the practicality of a cement board exterior outdoors the looks of a timber exterior for a certain buyer. If you are that buyer, talk to us today.

Posted on June 8, 2023October 5, 2023 by admin — Leave a comment

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:

Natural Look: Stains preserve the natural beauty and texture of the wood, highlighting its grain and colour variations.
Penetration: Stains penetrate the wood fibres, providing a deep level of protection against moisture, UV rays, and mildew.
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.
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.
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:

Protection: Paint forms a thick protective layer on the wood, shielding it from the elements, UV radiation, and moisture.
Durability: High-quality exterior paints can withstand harsh weather conditions, including rain, sun exposure, and temperature fluctuations.
Versatility: Paint offers a wide range of color options, allowing you to choose from numerous shades to match your desired aesthetic.
Coverage: Paint can cover up imperfections and provide a uniform appearance on different wood types and textures.
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?”:

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.
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.
Desired Aesthetic: Decide whether you want a solid, opaque colour (paint) or a more natural, translucent appearance (stain).
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.

Posted on June 15, 2020January 24, 2024 by admin — 4 Comments

How long do residential log cabins last?

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.

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

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

Tullow, County Carlow (Phone 05991 81039)
Boyle County Roscommon, (086 817 0429)
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

Posted on June 12, 2020May 8, 2025 by admin — Leave a comment

Log Cabin Electrical Wiring

Electrics in Log Cabins? Your electrician is going to love to hear you need your log cabin wired. Its such an easy, clean, quick job compared to a block built house.

What electrics will I need in my log cabin?

There are no restrictions to what you can put into your log cabin. From an electrical point of view, a log cabin is just like any other building. Sauna anyone? Hot tub? Electrical underfloor heating? We’ve done them all.

But realistically, in the average log cabin, the range of electrical items includes all of the obvious ones:

Freezer
Refrigerator
Water cooler
Cooking
Cooker
Double Oven
Microwave oven
Washing machine
Clothes dryer
Dishwasher
Water heater
Panel heaters
Storage Heaters
Electric Shower
Power Shower
Immersion Heater
Extractor Fan
Fan Heater

Water Heating in a Log Cabin

When considering water heating, you have two main demands:

Water for a Shower/bath
Water for Bathroom and Kitchen Sink

Water heating for showers, baths and sinks is a simple, very straightforward task for your log cabin. Thera re two basic options, particularly when we are dealing with a smaller cabin, and the shower is the deciding factor. You need to decide whether you are going to go for an electric shower, or an immersion heater and gravity fed shower (with a pump included, as an option.)

ELECTRIC SHOWER & UNDER SINK WATER HEATER

Installing an electrical heater into a log cabin is a very straightforward business from the plumbing point of view. It only gets complicated when it comes to where your electricity is coming from. If you are taking a power feed from an exiting house/meter/electrical board, and there is already an electric shower in the main house, then things get a little complicated. The problem is that electric showers use a lot of power. Usually, there is not enough power for two electric showers going into the one house. (Normally, you will only ever find one electric shower in any house – ask around – you’ll see!)

If you want an electric shower in the cabin and there is already one in the main house, you will have to get an isolater switch installed. This is straightforward, and it just insures that the two showers cannot be turned on at the same time.

Once you have your electrical shower installed, all you need is an under-sink instantaneous water heater to heat tap water for the kitchen and bathroom sinks.

IMMERSION HEATER

An immersion heater is also an option, and can be a requirement if you are putting in radiators. It is again a simple operation to install an immersion heater. You can get very reliable water heaters on eBay for a very reasonable cost.

Log Cabin Lighting

Because of the shape of the ceilings in our log cabins, recessed lights seem to work very well, and are used by a lot of our customers. They are very reasonably priced, coming in at about €9 per light, and they are extremely economical to run. Using te latest LED technology, these lights do not get hot, and use very little electricity. Unfortunately, they cannot be dimmed, so you will need some other lamps around your rooms for atmospheric lighting. The photo above is of the living room in the Log Cabin Showhouse in Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Feel free to come and visit. Just call 086 817 0429 to make an appointment.

Cost of Log Cabin Electrics

Depending on the amount of wiring/lights/plugs/appliances/heaters you want installed in your log cabin, the cost of the wiring is going to vary, of course. But I can tell you that it cost me €1900 to fully wire the two bedroom log cabin show-house in Boyle, and that included:

11 double sockets
Connections for Cooker, Immersion and Washing Machine
16 recessed ceiling lights
One outside socket
Set of outside lights with sensor
One panel wall heater
One Extractor fan connection
One strip light for kitchen area

Visit our log cabin showrooms.

You can get details of all of our log cabin showrooms here: https://timberliving.ie/showrooms

Why not come for a visit? O phone 0591 81039 if you have any questions. You’ll also get lots of information on our Log Cabin blog page.

Posted on April 14, 2020May 8, 2025 by admin — Leave a comment

Which windows for your log cabin?

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

Double french doors on a log cabin — Timber double glazed french doors

Building a log cabin in ireland — Timber double glazed french doors

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.

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.

Posted on March 31, 2020January 24, 2023 by admin — Leave a comment

What our log cabin show house visitors think

We have had a lot of visitors to our log cabin show house in Boyle since it was built back in February 2018. For most people, it is their first visit to a log cabin showroom, and they are generally very pleasantly surprised by what they see.

The way our log cabin is tucked away at the back of the garden means that it looks quite small. So our visitors are generally very surprised when they realise that the showroom is a two-bedroom showhouse, with an area of forty-nine square metres (49 sq.m), or five hundred and thirty-three square feet (533 sq.ft).

Timber Living Log Cabins Ireland has been selling log cabins to Leinster and the east of the country for over twenty years, and was delighted to open a show house in the west of Ireland, to service Galway, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan, Monaghan and Westmeath.

What is a log cabin show house interior like?

The reaction of most people has been extremely positive. As soon as you walk into our log cabin show house, there is something special going on, but it is often hard to put your finger on what exactly that is. Of course, we in Ireland are not used to a full interior timber surface in our living areas, so seeing all of that timber is both appealing and surprising. Not everybody likes it actually, but most people are really delighted with their first impression.

And of course, if you do not like the wood finish, it is easy to paint all of the walls. In fact, even if you like the timber finish, it would make sense to put some protective varnish coating on your wall, for ease of cleaning, if nothing else.

But actually the real first impression is not as obvious. Because our timber living log cabin show house walls are the highest available in the country, that means that our roofs are also very high. So, when you walk into to any of our cabins, the first sensation, which is usually sub-conscious, is a feeling of openness, because the roof is raised so high.

Painted walls or timber finish?

The biggest debate of all amongst our visitors has been whether or not to leave the full timber finish throughout the cabin. It’s nearly a Brexit debate! A lot of people love the timber finish everywhere, while others really like a painted finish. Of course, there’s always the option to tile, varnish or stain the wood too. It’s always a great debate amongst our visitors, and with couples, as long as they both see things the same way, there’s usually no problem.

Creaky floors?

Another regular comment from visitors is how solid the floor feels in our log cabin show house. Some people expect the floor to be creaky because it is a timber cabin. Others are surprised at how solid the floor feels because they have visited other show houses and and a lot of them just don’t feel as solid as a TimberLiving show house.

If you’re cabin is built well, and your foundations are good, there is no reason why you should have a creaky floor. Of course, there will be some movement in the floor due to temperature and moisture changes. If you wish you can put a floor covering down – carpet, lino or engineered wood.

What is the best log cabin foundation?

A major mistake that some other log cabin companies are making is offering timber frame and block foundations. In our opinion, if you want your log cabin to last a lifetime, you need to have an extremely solid foundation. We always recommend a five-inch concrete slab for our foundations. Any other form of base has the potential for settling, and settling of a foundation is not a good thing or a log cabin.

With the extra-long timbers that are used in log cabins, you can imagine the problems that might arise if one corner of that cabin settles more than the other. This is the sort of thing that happens ith block foundations. You need one complete slab, so that if there is any settlement, it affects all of the cabin equally.

Solid doors and windows

Another good indication of a quality build that how well the windows and doors close. after nearly 2 years as you should expect, windows and doors ( interior and exterior) are performing as well as they did on the first day.

Overnighting in a log cabin

We’ve had a few people stay in our show house over the last couple of years: friends from England, Sweden and Germany, family home from the States, Granny and Grandad – lots of different visitors. And everyone wakes up very well rested. They always remark at how quiet it is – especially those who come from living in cities. And those who stay when its raining love the sound of the the rain on the roof – the cabin really brings people back to mature.

Our cabin is a delightful little haven – quiet, cosy and warm, and well worth a visit.

Where is my nearest log cabin show house?

We have log cabin show houses in Boyle, Co Roscommon, Tullow, Co Carlow and Carrigaline, Co Cork. You can get all the contact information, directions etc from our log cabin show house contact page. Start planning you visit now. And please, ring for an appointment if you’re coming to Boyle – 086 817 0429

See you soon!

Posted on March 12, 2020May 9, 2025 by admin — Leave a comment

Log cabin maintenance – what’s best for your log cabin

When people think of log cabins Ireland, and living in a timber home, one of the most important questions they ask is about log cabin maintenance and how easy it is to maintain the exterior of your log cabin home.

Staining (not painting) your log cabin

Is it hard to maintain a log home?

Of course, this is a valid concern. Particularly considering the fact that most people are not familiar with maintaining timber homes in Ireland. But we must remember that there are thousands and thousands of timber homes being lived in all across Europe, the United States and many other parts of the world. And methods of log cabin maintenance have been developed over the centuries to make sure that log cabins can stand up to all of the vagaries that the weather can throw at them.

Are Log Homes High Maintenance?

You would think that with all of the modern conveniences that technology has benefitted us with in the last few decades – dishwashers, washing machines, hoovers, smartphones and the rest – that life would be a bit easier, and we would all have lots of free time to do the things that matter. But no! It seems that nowadays, we have less time than we ever had to do the important things in life. Anyway – back to the question.

Are Log cabins easy to maintain?

The truth is that the maintenance of a log cabin is very, very straightforward. People are concerned about the durability of timber, but we like to remind them that they make boats out of timber. Every hall door in the country was made out of timber, before the advent of PVC and aluminium windows and doors, and they lasted forever, as long as they were well maintained. Timber is a fantastically durable material, as long as it is well maintained. Have a read of our blog post about the quality of wood we use in our log cabins. What timber should a log cabin be built with?

So how do we maintain our log cabin home?

The most important thing to remember is not to use paint! Paint forms an impervious skin on the surface of your wood and seals it so that any moisture within the wood cannot get out. This is not a good thing, and that is why we recommend that you use a stain on the external surface of your log cabin. The correct stain will allow the timber of your external walls to breathe, but will also prevent the rainwater from penetrating the surface of the wood. If yu come along to the Boyle Log Cabin showhouse, you can see (on a rainy day) how water runs down off the sruface of the cabin walls. We have three coats of stain on the external walls, and it looks great from even a short distance. But if you look closely, you can see the timber beneath the coating.

What should I treat my log cabin with?

What we recommend is to use a material called Sikkens. Sikkens is a Dutchproduct, and it has been highly recommended to us by a number of professionals in the business, not least a colleague who is a professional in the business and based in The Netherlands. We have a very detailed blog post all about the exterior treatment of your log cabin, which I suggest you read. Once your log cabin is built, you need to apply preservative to the timber and then 3 coats of Sikkens. After this initial task, there is no need to treat the exterior of your log cabin for another 3 or 4 years.

Sikkens for Log Cabin exteriors

How much does log cabin maintenance cost?

Sikkens is a highly rated product throughout Europe, and on the continent, it is more expensive than standard paint. Fortunately for us in Ireland, though, a tin of Sikkens stain is about half the price of the equivalent item on the continent! What is that? I cannot be sure, but I imagine it is because there is so much more timber on the continent to be treated, so people, in general, know a lot more than we do in Ireland about treating timber buildings, and they are experts in knowing what product works well. And when you know a product is the right one for your log cabin, you are happy to pay more for it.

It is also important to keep an eye on the clear mastic seal around your doors and windows and make sure to repair this if there is any break in the material. It is a quick job and easily done. A stitch in time saves nine, as Granny used to say.

The only other major maintenance task but you need to perform is a very light one. It is very important that there is no way that moisture can get into your log cabin walls. The only way this can happen is if you allow earth or other materials to lie against the cabin walls. Anything that enables moisture to gather and seep into the walls will cause you problems. As long as you can keep your walls clear, everything is going to be ok.

Your log cabin is raised off the ground for this very reason. We have been asked now and again if we would build a cabin in an existing yard, and e always insist that a two-inch high pad be built, upon which we would build the cabin. This is in order to ensure that the cabin never ends up sitting in a pool of rainwater on the yard surface. Something like that would be very detrimental to the cabin.

Why is proper Log Cabin Maintenance important?

Here are a few pictures of a log cabin that was not treated properly.

Poor log cabin maintenance — You need to paint your log cabin

Log cabin exteriors need proper treatment — Badly treated log cabin

These images illustrate how important it is to treat your log cabin exterior well. There are plenty of examples of old cabins that are in great nick. All of these have had regular log cabin maintenance carried out.

If you have any questions in relation to log cabin maintenance, or if you would like to visit us in one of our showrooms, please contact TimberLiving Log Cabins now.

Tullow, Co Carlow (05991 81 039)

Boyle, Co Roscommon (086 817 0429)

Carrigaline, Co Cork. (087 6464 280)

Posted on March 2, 2020October 5, 2023 by admin — Leave a comment

How Long Does a Log Cabin Last?

How Long Does a Log Cabin Last?

People often ask “How long do Timber Living log cabins last?” It’s a reasonable question – we’re not overly familiar with log house living in Ireland, so the use of timber on the exterior of a building is something that concerns people. But we like to remind people when asked this question, that a). they make boats out of wood b). every front door in the country was made out of wood, before the advent of PVC

So, the answer to the question is – Log Cabins Last a Lifetime!

How to Maintain a Log Cabin

Of course, if you want your log cabin to last a lifetime, you have to maintain it well. Water is timber’s enemy, and as long as you can protect your log cabin from the damage that water can do, you will have a log cabin that will last for many. many years.

The first step in keeping your log cabin dry is by building it on a base that is raised up from the ground above it, and that is ten millimetres all-round shorted than the cabin itself. Doing this means that the cabin overhangs the base by ten millimetres on every edge. We also include a throated rain sill all around the base of our log cabins. These two measures ensure that there is no chance of water pooling underneath the log cabin. If your cabin was standing in a pool of water, the water would be soaked up by the cabin timbers, and that would lead to rotting. So, the secret is to keep underneath your cabin bone dry. Here’s a video that goes into this in more detail.

Quality Timber – that’s the secret!

We’re not familiar with Log Cabins in Ireland, but that is no reason not to consider TimberLiving’s residential log cabins as an excellent option for your new home. What is a house anyway, but four walls, a roof and a floor? As long as the right timber is used, your log cabin will last for many decades. All of our timber is sourced from sustainable forests within the Arctic Circle. We use the finest, slow-growing Norway Spruce, which is a time-tested, and well-proven timber used in the construction of log cabins throughout Europe for centuries.

Have a read of our blog post What Timber Should a Log Cabin Be Built With.

What is the lifetime of a log cabin?

The right timber is of course, a very important element of your log cabin, but you also need all of the other elements – windows, doors and roof cover – to be of the highest quality in order to extend and maintain the lifetime of your log cabin. And we use only the best of elements in our log cabins, built to the highest EU standards. Here is a blog that tells you all about the tilt and turn, double glazed windows and window choices we offer in our cabins: https://timberliving.ie/post/which-windows-for-your-log-cabin

Our roof cover is a pressed steel, tile effect, and profiled roof cover. This is finished in a hard-wearing paint, so there will be no corrosion on the roof. It is also highly effective from a wind point of view. We have never had any of our roofs suffer from wind damage. And we have a cabin built on the Aran Islands, so we can speak with confidence about the reliability of our roofs!

Because our roofs are at such a shallow angle, it is not a good idea to fit tiles on the roof. It is recommended that your roof be at a slant of greater than thirty degrees if you want individual tiles fitted to your cabin roof. This is because wind can get under smaller tiles on shallow roofs and lift them, and also because stronger winds can actually drive rain in under individual roof tiles on shallow roofs.

What kind of paint do you use on a log cabin?

What log cabin paint should you use? Well, you don’t use paint on your log cabin! You should actually use a stain, such as SIKKENS, rather than paint. Stains let the timber breathe, so moisture is not trapped under the exterior coating. And there’s a wide range of colours available from SIKKENS. We have a few posts about treating log cabin timber.

Log Cabin exteriors require treatment every three or four years. Once they are well-maintained on the outside and kept dry (that’s the secret) your Timber Living log cabin will last for a minimum of 60 years. Make sure there is no soil up against any of the timber, and that there is no opportunity for water to pool under your log home, and then there will be no fear of trouble with your log house. These rules apply, whether you’re building a one-bed cabin granny flat, a two-bed log cabin or three-bed log cabin, or your own, bespoke log cabin.

Please don’t hesitate to call us at our showhouses in Tullow (059 918 1039), Carrigaline (087 6464280) and Boyle (086 817 0429) with questions, or to make an appointment.

Posted on February 26, 2020May 8, 2025 by admin — Leave a comment

Log Cabins and Climate Change

Log cabins are ideally positioned to make a great contribution in the battle against climate change, if only the planners would accept them. And in some cases they are accepted by planners. There is nothing more sustainable, no method of building more environmentally friendly than building homes with timber.

Concrete block buildings have a huge carbon footprint. There is an enormous amount of energy that goes into creating the cement which is used in turn to create the blocks. There is the extra energy used in transport of the materials to factories for processing, and then to the site for building. Add in the energy used in handling all of the materials on site too, and the carbon dioxide emissions levels keeps on building up and up. And wherever there’s concrete, you’ll find steel too. And the energy used (and the ensuing emmissions) are huge for the steel industry.

On top of all the emmissions due to the large amounts of concrete and steel used in the building, we ned to factor in the fact that such a heavy weight building requires a much bigger foundation, also made of lots of concrete and steel. Oops! More emmissions! Really, its a bonkers way to build, when you think about it…

Log Cabins – Environmentally Friendly Homes

The beauty of log cabins when it comes to climate change, is the fact that when the trees are growing theygrow on carbon – they take carbon in from the air as they grow, thus helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. And as the log cabin industry cevelops and grows due to market demand and (hopefully) more cabin friendly regulations) the producers will be encouraged to grow sustainable forests, in order to provide trees for the industry long in to the future.

In truth, the Russian forestry industry has been operating on a sustainability moel for over a century, always planting trees to replace trees that have been felled to produce new products. Its great to hear that such foresight and common sense has existed for so long, and that we are benefitting now, since the Russian forests are still available to us, and have not been farmed out of existence!

Log cabins – good for the environment

Log cabins – the environmentally-friendly choice

Because Timber Buildings weigh 20% of the weight of concrete buildings, there is a huge reduction in the required concrete Foundation. Wood also replaces steel in log cabin homes – another reduction in the fossil fuel used to create the residential log cabin.

Roof tiles – another factor that people forget about. If you want (say) blue bangor roof tiles on the roof of your home, that’s the weight equivalent of putting a car on the top of your house! This requires much stronger roof support, stronger walls and a stronger foundation – all of which increase hugely your house’s carbon footprint. So much cheaper and easier, and lighter, but just as insulating, to use single roofing panels. And less chance of losing a tile in the next storm!

Unbelievably, concrete is responsible for up to 8% of global carbon emissions. It is the second most abundant material on Earth, after water! And it has a huge environmental impact. It’s hard to believe that a cubic metre of wood contains the equivalent carbon of 350 litres of petrol, but it’s true. The more of this type of information that people can learn about timber, the better off we will all be. It has been found buy a study in the UK that the use of timber in buildings is the greatest opportunity for greenhouse gas abatement in a low carbon economy, since the wood replaces steel, concrete and brick. Have a read of this article from the BBC: Could wooden buildings be a solution to climate change?

Many epople will tell you that there is a strong concrete lobby in the country, which is working against the construction of residential log cabins. Of course the Construction Industry should work to protect their members rights, but in this era of climate emergency, don’t we all have an obligation to look for opportunities to change our ways in order to help the environment? Homes will still have to be built – maybe its time to look seriously at building all of our buildings – not just homes, from timber? If we get into this timber building industry now, we could lead the field and supply Europe with materials, expertise and technology – the market is there, developing rapidly and waiting.

What an opportunity for the Government! If only the government could wake up to the huge benefits of these fantastic timber homes. Seize theday! .

Log Cabins Range

So, whether you’re looking for a one bed granny flat, a two bed garden chalet, or a 3 bed log cabin home, you you can enjoy the fact that your log cabin is so environmentally friendly. Of course we also produce bespoke log cabins, if that is what you are looking for.

So why not give us a call at one of our showrooms in Tullow, Carrigaline or Boyle? You’ll get all of our details on our contacts page.