Cabin living one year on - this time last year we made contact with Rob at Cabins Unlimted, we decided to use them after speaking to other cabin company's. You get a great sense of trust and belief with these guys unlike some of the large companies out there. Updated us and kept us informed with delivery and planning insulation. Colin is a great fitter with years of experience and bags Of patients.
The cabin - we ordered our Orkney Log Cabin which for the price was the best spec on the market boasting 70mm wall construction (other companies say 44mm is the premium model), lovely little touches with tilting windows or open them all the way. Only down side is the porch it is very big area and you do loose some cabin space, but this wouldn't stop me from buying it, gives a great space to get shoes off when pouring with rain! That was the easy part! What and where was the next thing.
My hints - the base, most important starting point, get this done by someone who knows what they are doing and get it flat and level. Insulation is the next important thing and after the winter last year the boys at Cabins Unlimited were right, we went with the roof 50mm and floor insulation, the orkney has a tongue and grooved ceiling and we filled this with loft insulation as well. Finished off the cabin floor with engineered oak flooring with under floor Heating, this is designed for wooden flooring and we used 12mm insulation boards. Electrics - don't be shy with the plug sockets we went for 6 doubles giving you flexibility to move furniture around, a must is an intercom system (for prying the kids out) we ran 4 CAT6 cables down for Internet, alarm sensors, telephone and intercom. Outside protection - We went with robs recommendation of the Rystic Timbercare, goes on very easily and covers well, 2 coats last year and no signs of deterioration in Colour at all, a quick scotch pad and another coat applied and the Colour is great!
Cost of running - the heating flooring is hardly on we have it set to keep a temp of 18 degrees and the system kicks in to keep this temp when required, we have used a log effect electric fire. With both working the cabin warms up very quickly and retains the heat for ages.
For the price you couldn't extend your house and have the same sq foot for the money, looks great, nice retreat and most import a space for the kids to chill/play with the views of the garden.
