Options when Buying a Garden Log Cabin

Log cabins are among the most versatile buildings you can add to your garden, and it all starts with the style you decide to invest in. When you buy a self-assembly log cabin kit, you have a huge wealth of options available to you, from different sizes and thicknesses to a range of roof, door and window configurations.

Here is a video showcase of our log cabins:

As you can see from the video, log cabins are assembled log by log, one atop another, with criss-crossing corners that interlock. Rather than panel walls, this log construction provides a thick and sturdy building suitable for a wide range of uses.

The primary uses of log cabins are as garden rooms, but there are also log cabin sheds, which are excellent for storage and as workspaces.

Log cabin roof styles

There are 3 styles of roof available on a garden log cabin:

Pent roof log cabins – a flat roof that slopes towards the back, providing a neat, modern look.

Apex roof log cabins – a peaked roof, sloping to the left and right of the building, framing the front entrance under the gable, resulting in a classic alpine style.

Reverse apex log cabins – a peaked roof similar to the apex, but sloping to the front and back of the building, providing a style that falls nicely in between traditional and contemporary.

The choice of roof is largely aesthetic, but you should also bear in mind the ceiling height; in a pent log cabin, the highest point will be at the front, while in an apex and reverse apex building, the room will be tallest in the middle. This might impact your choices for how you want to decorate your log cabin, or for the activities you will be doing in it.

Log cabin sizes

Depending on the model, your log cabin can come in sizes as small as 3m x 2.5 (or 2m x 2.5m for a storage shed) all the way up to 8m x 4m in our largest log cabin.

Obviously, a larger room expands the potential uses for it, but that doesn’t mean the biggest is the right one for you; you also have to take into account the space this will take up in your garden. To avoid requiring planning permission, it must take up less than half the property’s original outdoor space.

There is also a consideration of thickness, which is essential if you want your cabin to stay warm for more of the year. Our log cabin timber is available up to 44mm thick. Check out our log cabin thickness guide for more information.

Log cabin door and window styles

Our garden room log cabins feature fully glazed doors to provide ample natural light and a great view of your garden. On most models these will be double doors to allow for easy access and to help you add furniture to your setup.

With very few exceptions, the windows on our log cabins can be opened, and they are made of shatterproof styrene to protect them from damage that can occur.

The specific window style varies by model; some feature single-pane, side-opening (casement) windows as pictured above, while others feature taller, multi-pane windows that tilt open (awning style). Those windows look like this:

Depending on the model, you may find these other options are also available:

• Double glazing within wooden frames
• Georgian style panes
• Double glazing with uPVC frames (44mm log cabins only)

Ways to use a log cabin

We love seeing all the wonderful applications our customers have given their log cabins. Here are some of them:

• Garden office – for working from home, but nicely separated from the house.
• Salon – many customers have fulfilled their dreams of running a business working with nails, hair, skin and more.
• Garden gym – get fit in the garden, no matter the weather (make sure to choose the 19mm floor!).
• Family sitting room – a simple way to expand the enjoyment of your garden.
• Dining room – whether it’s a sunday roast or for a garden BBQ party.
• Garden library – a place to escape with your favourite book.
• Studio – whether it’s a log cabin dance studio or a garden music room.
• Man cave or she shed – for enjoying your personal hobbies, be it painting or gaming.
• Garden bar – for private or social drinks, parties and watching sports.

Click this link for more log cabin ideas.

Remember: if you need electricity or running water in your log cabin, you will need a qualified electrician or plumber to help you install this.

If you need more information to help you buy your log cabin, check out our log cabin buying guide.