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There are two main questions filling the mind of many who order a log cabin kit and are either waiting for the components to arrive or are reading the instructions ready to put it together; how long will it take to build, and how long will it last?
Both answers can vary wildly depending on the circumstances, with a cabin taking between a few days and several weeks depending on its complexity to construct, fit and waterproof, effectively making it habitable.
However, the question of longevity can vary even more, with some log cabins surviving for centuries.
Determining the age of buildings can at times be tricky, but the oldest standing log cabin in the western world is believed to be the C.A. Nothnagle Log Cabin in Gibbstown, New Jersey.
It has been dated back to circa 1638 and was constructed by either Swedish or Finnish settlers in North America. It has since become a local tourist attraction, in part due to the fascination of seeing a building made of wood that has survived through the ages.
Part of the reason for its survival is its simple structure that has been reinforced through the ages. The earthen floor was covered with pine boards and the treenails that kept the roughly square-hewn logs in place were eventually replaced with metal nails.
Whilst it is fairly ambitious to claim that most log cabins would survive as long as the oldest surviving example, the truth is that log cabins can last many years. Exactly how many depends on several different factors.
Typically when we discuss log cabin longevity we are talking about decades, with a typical page of between 20 and 80 years from construction to being beyond repair.
There are of course outliers that either last far longer or due to an issue do not last as long as they should, but for the most part, a cabin’s longevity is determined by three main factors.
The location of your cabin is one of the biggest keys to its longevity, and it all comes down to one simple word: humidity.
Wood thrives in sunnier, drier environments compared to sites with more moisture. So avoiding rainfall, waterproofing the cabin as much as possible to keep water away, and setting up drainage systems to keep water away from the cabin would considerably extend the lifespan of the cabin.
It should be noted that the issue is humidity more than heat, which is why cabins can thrive both in dry but frozen tundras and searing deserts alike.
The logs you construct your cabin from, the treatments you use and the other materials that form your cabin play a huge role in determining how long it will last.
Traditionally, log cabins used dried, treated wood that would resist moisture and water that could cause wood to rot away and collapse. Whilst these have been replaced with milled logs, make sure you know they are treated before fitting.
Whilst the materials and climate are the biggest factors in the long term health of a log cabin, maintenance is also a huge factor, and can help to offset the effects of a rather unwelcome climate.
Regular wood treatments, fixes and occasional replacement of logs will make all of the difference.
Author - Martin Corby
Posted - 17 Sep 2021
Disclaimer: This information is subject to change and as such, is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Readers are encouraged to verify the details independently.
Dave Pearce
Verified Customer
Livata 4x3
Very good quality cabin ,instructions could be better, but very pleased with end product.Martin kept me informed on order delivery was great, no damage or missing bits.
02 Feb 2024 - ""
Peter Thompson
Verified Customer
Clockhouse
Delivery was efficient, all well packaged and protected from damage. Constructed by three of us in one and a half days. Everything fitted perfectly and needed gentle mallet to locate exactly. Instruction book was clear simple and explicit. Thoroughly delighted with the construction and the finish. Very pleased that Martin was able to redraw the design to our specification. Delighted with the whole thing, finish, price and service. Thanks Martin.
06 Dec 2023 - Paignton, United Kingdom
Philp Eaton
Verified Customer
Livata 4x3
Great product. Lots of surplus parts supplied which is helpful. Quality of wood is fantastic. Cannot fault the service.
01 Nov 2023 - ""
Patrick Ford
Verified Customer
Bespoke Cabin
Very good cabin, and came flat packed for us to put up. Easy instructions and went together really well. would recommend. we would use this company again, good product, good price and brilliant customer service.
31 Oct 2023 - , United Kingdom
Charles Chalmers
Verified Customer
Bespoke Cabin
Delivered on time with friendly driver. All components in good order and assembly went well. Good service.
17 Oct 2023 - Washington, United Kingdom
Jon Budd
Verified Customer
Livata 6x4
Great quality item with simple, concise instructions, easily constructed by the family. Great delivery service. However, the customer service from Garden Adventure was not great; the cabin was a month late arriving, we had to chase for information regarding this as none was forthcoming. The incorrect bearers arrived and although we received a refund we had to chase for this. Not sure I would recommend them but the cabin materials were great.
25 Sep 2023 - Slough, United Kingdom
Andrew Buckland
Verified Customer
Meribel 5x3
Seamless ordering, Martin was extremely helpful with all my questions. Delivery was also fantastic with the delivery guy very helpful (it's a big delivery). Took me and elderly father in law 2 days to get it all up and built/weather tight, went together very easily with no issues. I went for the shingle roof, it still came also with felt which could be used as roof underlay. For spec I went for the superior level glazing with toughened glass, also went for the larger logs (68mm) and glad I did as feels so sturdy/insulated although am sure the 44mm would be great also. I Insulated the floor with celotex, could have done the roof but as this is a garden room rather than office etc I didn't go that far. Overall a highly recommended product, for what you get I think it's a very competitive price, much better than others I had seen that weren't so good. The only parts I bought myself were the insulation and guttering (and paint/preserve of course). I want it to last so did two coats of preserve, knotting and two of paint, also have a sealant to go on which is yet to be done. A sprayer really helped/cut down on time. Would not hesitate in recommending Martin to purchase through, helpful all through the process and very quick to respond. 5*
22 Aug 2023 - Basildon, United Kingdom
Chris Green
Verified Customer
Meribel 4x3
Great cabin. Excellent quality. From the initial ordering and having it customised to my specs, to screwing on the last piece of trim this has been a pleasure. Straight forward to assemble. Had everything but the roof covering done in a day on account of how well it went together. Sturdy high quality build. Could not be happier. This company have been an absolute pleasure to deal with. Top marks 👍
12 Dec 2022 - Rugeley, United Kingdom
Luke Stevens
Verified Customer
Torgnon 6x3
Really pleased with our log cabin! Can't believe the quality of the wood. It took the installation team (Lee Stuart and 3 others who were recommended by Martin) 6.5 hours which was really impressive given the weather conditions on the day, and even they said how good the quality was. It is so warm inside and we didn't even have the insulation installed. Great correspondence from Martin from the start to keep us in the loop regarding production and delivery times. Would highly recommend to anyone. Thanks Martin!
15 Nov 2022 - Swansea, United Kingdom
Steve Rycroft
Verified Customer
Livata 5x3
Quick service and delivery - any issue with missing parts solved quickly
12 Oct 2022 - ""
Log Cabin Kits - Part of the Garden Adventure Group
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01342 477774
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