In recent years, a lot of countries have fallen in love with glulam log cabins. Nowhere is this more evident that in Britain. With a beautiful countryside, rich rural culture and good road infrastructure, Britain is the prime place to settle into a log cabin. Since log cabins are so aesthetically pleasing, it’s no wonder a lot of people are opting for them. To successfully build one, Eurodita has compiled a list of certain things you need to be aware of. After all, the success of all log cabin homes depends on proper preparation.
Planning permissions
Generally speaking, Britain is well-organised when it comes to bureaucracy. They are also operating quite favourably when it comes to glulam log cabins. Small log cabins are usually exempt from planning permissions, provided they are not built on protected land, such as National Park, World Heritage Sites and so on. In special cases such as these, local authorities must be consulted before any building takes place. In any other case, log cabin must be no more than 4 meters high, so long as it’s not within 2 meters of the boundary of the main house. Other size considerations are:
- Eaves of glulam log cabins must not exceed 2,5 meters;
- Bespoke log cabins must not have verandas, balconies or other raised platforms;
- No glulam log cabins can be used for permanent living or commercial activity.
If these criteria are met, then you will not need a planning permit. In all other cases, you will require a permit and a blueprint of what you want to build.
Strong foundations
The choice of foundation largely depends on two things: the type of land and log cabin floor plans. Concrete slab is always a great option, although it will always come out costlier. Standard log cabins can also be built on timber frame base, which is a far simpler solution. Take into account the land elevation as well. If the ground is even, you can choose any type of foundation. However, if the ground is sloping, you should also consider adjustable height PVC pedestals. They are an excellent and versatile option to reinforce your log cabin on a sloping ground. Your log cabins supplier should be able to give sound advice that is in line with local regulations.
Wall thickness
Even with wonderful and rustic countryside, Britain is still quite rainy. Take that into account when you choose the design of your made to measure cabins. As the bespoke log cabin company, we highly recommend to consider thickly layered walls, with the ability to insulate. A good example is our own glulam log cabin Sofia. Its walls are 88mm thick, which makes them great at keeping the moisture out. Together with residential grade windows and doors, it’s a great fit for majority log cabin uses.
Building process
Modular cabins are called such because they arrive in pre-built pieces that fit together quite easily. If you can wield a hammer well, you might even be able to build them up yourself. Installing glulam log cabins won’t take nearly as long as building a brick or classic log house. On average, it would take one person 1-2 days to fully install a 20 sq. m. glulam log cabin. We always recommend consulting your your local log cabins supplier, as they will be able to recommend a professional crew or even offer the building service themselves for an additional fee.
Going to the British countryside for a summer weekend, or moving there permanently is a fantastic idea. Doing so inside a log cabin is an even better one. Make sure you choose a log cabin that meets all of your needs and does not compromise on quality.