Buying Guide - Log Cabins

An affordable alternative to costly home extensions, log cabins are practical, adaptable and versatile. Constructed using thick, interlocking log boards, our cabins provide a robust and resilient structure for year-round enjoyment. Explore our comprehensive buying guide to find the perfect log cabin for you, with insights into various sizes, styles and log thicknesses available at Mercia.

1. How will you use your log cabin?

Home Office

Log cabins are perfect for those looking for a practical, private office away from the distractions of home life. Choose a cabin with a greater log thickness and double-glazed windows for comfortable year-round use. The adaptability of our log cabins allows for the installation of electricity, so you can connect everything you need to set up a productive work environment. For creative professionals in need of more natural light, explore Mercia’s selection of log cabins featuring large, tall windows and doors, creating a bright and inspiring workspace.

Living Space

Designed for comfort, Mercia log cabins are a cost-effective extension to your home and offer a peaceful sanctuary away from the daily hustle and bustle. Create your own tranquil retreat with a few key pieces of furniture, plenty of cosy soft furnishings and those essential finishing touches. Plus, they are not just limited to adults; a log cabin can also serve as a secure and enjoyable teenage hangout spot, or as a dedicated playroom for the kids! Choose from our selection of cabins featuring styrene glazed windows, a safer alternative to glass, providing peace of mind and enabling children to play freely.

Gym

Create your own home gym with a log cabin, the perfect choice for fitness enthusiasts. Our robust and secure cabins offer an ideal environment for most workouts. Opt for a larger cabin with generous headroom to accommodate bulky equipment and ensure easy manoeuvrability. Don’t forget to protect your cabin by laying rubber tiles on the floor. With large windows and doors, Mercia log cabins provide plenty of natural light for visibility and ventilation to prevent overheating. Say goodbye to costly gym memberships, long travel times, and sharing equipment. Enjoy your log cabin gym in peace, knowing it’s exclusively yours!

Entertaining Space

Take your garden parties to the next level by transforming your log cabin into an entertainment space! Whether you envision a cinema, a bar or a games room, Mercia offers an extensive range of log cabin styles and sizes to suit your preferences. For those needing extra space, select cabins come with a veranda or sheltered patio area, allowing you to maximise the functionality of your cabin. Elevate your social gatherings with a log cabin that’s tailored to your entertainment dreams!

2. Size and layout

When it comes to choosing the perfect size log cabin, it’s important to consider its intended use and the number of people it needs to accommodate. Mercia log cabins are designed for longevity, ensuring our cabins serve you for years to come. Select a space which is big enough to evolve with your family’s needs, whether your playroom will eventually transform into a teenage hangout, or if your entertaining space doubles up as a hobby room.

3. Log Thickness

Mercia cabins are constructed using interlocking log boards which slot together to ensure a strong, weatherproof structure that can withstand adverse conditions. Our cabins offer a range of log board thicknesses, each carefully selected to suit different seasons and specific uses.

4. Choosing the style of your log cabin

A log cabin has the potential to become a striking focal point in your garden for years to come so it’s very important to consider its lasting appeal. At Mercia, we understand the significance of aesthetics, which is why we offer a wide range of styles and designs to cater to every garden. Whether you lean towards a timeless traditional look or prefer a contemporary and modern vibe, we have the perfect log cabin that aligns with your preferences and complements the overall aesthetic of your garden.

Traditional

Our traditional log cabin designs exude the timeless charm of classic Scandinavian aesthetics. Adding to their rustic charm, these cabins often feature an apex roof style. With their versatile and adaptable nature, our traditional log cabins serve as a blank canvas, allowing you to unleash your creativity and create your ideal garden room. Whether you envision an inspiring hobby room, a serene home office, or an exciting playroom, the traditional cabin style is perfectly suited for all uses.

Contemporary

Elevate the modern aesthetics of your garden with our captivating range of contemporary log cabin designs. Offering a diverse selection of styles and layout options, from pent roof with patio area to corner cabin with side shed, we have the perfect contemporary log cabin design to complement any garden. Harmonising style and functionality, each log cabin is crafted to enhance the overall look and feel of your outdoor space while maximising usability, so your log cabin can reach its full potential.

5. Location and installation

When choosing the size of your new log cabin, consider how it may be used in the future. Is there a possibility you might need more space down the line? If budget and garden space allow, buy a slightly bigger cabin than the one you think you need to allow for adaptability in the future. Please note that planning guidelines restrict any garden building from occupying at least 50% of your garden without planning permission. Most commercially available log cabins are designed to fall within mandatory planning restrictions, but it is advised to check with your local planning office before making any purchases.

It’s also important to assess your installation site. To utilise the building to its full potential you may want to observe where the sunlight hits your garden throughout the day and position the log cabin according to your preference. Before construction you should ensure that at least three feet of space will be left around the building to allow easy access during the install and future maintenance. Planning to add utilities such as electricity or running water? Take into account the cabin’s proximity to any vital infrastructure you need to avoid any unnecessary headaches.

Once you’ve chosen your log cabin it’s time to make a base! The base of your log cabin must be solid and level to protect the building from water build-up which would lead to rot and degradation. A good base will save you money in the long run as it extends the life of your garden building and helps to keep it away from elements which cause damage such as insects and ground water.

6. Insulated Garden Rooms

If you require a garden building with superior insulating qualities which you can comfortably use all year round then an insulated garden room may be the ideal building for you. Providing extra living space without the need for a home extension, our insulated summerhouses are incredibly adaptable, so you can create your dream home gym, workspace or hobby room with ease.

Enjoy usability throughout the year with these premium buildings which stay cool in summer and warm in winter, making them a practical and functional space for any purpose. Moreover, garden rooms are an attractive prospect for potential homebuyers, and can add substantial value to your property.

DIY range

Perfect for those with a good understanding of DIY, these insulated garden rooms offer the same premium quality of our classic range, without the added cost of installation. Available in five convenient sizes to suit every outdoor space and featuring a modular design, you have the flexibility to configure doors and windows to your liking. Experience year-round comfort with 72mm thick double skinned walls, double-glazed windows, and comprehensive insulation for the roof, floor and walls.

Classic range

Enjoy the premium quality of our insulated garden rooms with free home installation included as standard and available in a wide range of different sizes. Thoughtfully designed for year-round comfort, our insulated garden rooms are constructed with a fully insulated roof and floor, double-glazed windows and doors, and 72mm thick double skinned walls. The classic range is also available with an adjoining side shed so you can enjoy your new garden room without sacrificing storage space!

Sherwood range

The Sherwood range is our most premium collection of five uniquely designed garden rooms. Fully insulated with 100mm thick double skinned walls, the Sherwood range offers superior comfort all year round. Due to premium construction features such as EPDM rubber roofing material, double-glazed windows and Shiplap+ cladding, these luxurious garden rooms are built to provide years of high-quality service.

Insulated garden rooms are designed to meet the official criteria for ‘permitted development’ to avoid the need for planning permission. However, before making any purchases, we recommend verifying with your local planning office for complete peace of mind. Planning guidelines restrict any garden building from occupying at least 50% of your garden without planning permission.

7. Maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential to ensure your log cabin remains functional and in good condition. Mercia log cabins are supplied with a 10 year anti-rot guarantee, providing it is treated with a wood preservative and waterproofing topcoat after installation and annually thereafter. To maintain your log cabin between treatments, it is recommended to regularly clear any debris away from the building and check for damp or mould. Efficient maintenance of your cabin will ensure its longevity and functionality, so it can be utilised and enjoyed for years to come.