Lillevilla Log Cabin Insulation Guide

Roof and Floor Insulation Guide

This Blog will explain how to install roof and floor insulation into your Lillevilla Log Cabin during the build process.

Floor Insulation

With the floor insulation it is imperative that this be installed before the floorboards go down.

1. To hold up the insulation off of the floor you need to put a nail, screw or some other kind of baton 25mm down the floor bearer/support.

a.     At this point you can install some extra baton/timber between the ends of the bearers to hide the insulation from view.

2.     You need to put one of these into the bearers at least once every 400mm. Whilst the minimum is one support every 400mm you could put more in if you wished.

3.     After the supports have been put in place you will need to cut the insulation board to the required sizes. These will then slot between the floor bearers and rest on the supports you put in earlier.

4.     Once the insulation is in place and flush with the top of the floor bearers you will need to use foil tape to seal any joints between the insulation and the bearers.

a.     Please note that you will have the damp proof course (DPC) layer resting on top of the floor bearers. This is perfectly fine as the tape will connect to that as well.

5.     You are now ready to install your floorboards.

Roof Insulation

The roof insulation, unlike the floor, can be installed after the cabin is built but it gives a better finish when you install it during the cabin build. If we are supplying your roof insulation, then we also provide all the items I will mention below.

1.     The first step is to build your cabin up until the roof boards have been laid.

2.     You will then need to lay the vapour control layer (VCL), which is the foil sheet, over the roof boards and secure this down with the foil tape.

3.     Then you need to attach batons the whole way around the top edge of the roof. This insure the VCL stays down as well as providing a barrier for the insulation.

4.     After that you can lay the insulation board on top of that, using the previously installed batons as your guides as well as stoppers.

5.     Then you need to use the foil tape again to seal all of the joints between the insulation boards as well as the batons.

6.     At this point you can lay the oriented strand board (OSB) over the top of this and attach it to the batons.

7.     After this you just need to lay your roofing material over the top and attach any fascia that are provided with the cabin, detailed in the build guide.

a.    
Please not that with the increased profile of the roof the fascia boards don’t always cover the whole of the roof purlin/support beams. This is perfectly fine and as long as the ends purlins are treated like the rest of the cabin then they will be just fine.

                                                            

Visit our Website for more information and our full product range: www.lillevilla.co.uk

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Email: ben@lillevilla.co.uk

           info@lillevilla.co.uk

Phone Number: 01245 400202

What is an Acceptable Base?

What is an Acceptable Base?

A common issue we have encountered lately is when our fitters have arrived to install a cabin, they have not been able to do so as the base is of an unacceptable standard. The picture to the right is NOT an acceptable base for a log cabin and we will not be able to build upon it.

We have also had instances with concrete block bases where the supporting rows are running in the wrong direction and the support beams cannot be laid down. While block bases are a good base type, they are harder to get completely level due to the separate blocks and if this type of base is going to be used then it is essential to make sure all the blocks are level and solid. Our fitters will have the final call as to whether a base is acceptable or not.

If a base is found to be not suitable for the cabin then a rebooking of fitters will have to take place. This will incur a fitting charge which will be down to our discretion.

Another problem encountered is too much space being left between the rows of blocks. This issue, whilst still allowing the cabin to be built, will cause the floor to not have enough support, will be overly springy and in worst case scenarios the boards may crack under stress. To ensure ideal floor support a maximum space of 750mm can be left between the rows of blocks. The picture on the left has left too much space between the rows. 

Although this Blog has been a rather negative one we feel this information is necessary and saves money and stress in the end. Hopefully this Blog has been informative and helpful. 

Visit our Website for more information and our full product range: www.lillevilla.co.uk

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Email: ben@lillevilla.co.uk

            info@lillevilla.co.uk

Phone Number: 01245 400202

Building a block base for your cabin

Log Cabin Base using blocks

To build a block base for your cabin is cheaper quicker and a simpler process. Everyone heard about the man that build his cabin on sand! Well in this tutorial we will give you a quicker a simpler solution to build a block base for your cabin to sit on allowing under air flow, less dirt to dispose of and a cheaper solution to building a full concreted base.

 

 

Step 1

The first step is to acquire the information on the size of the base required and mark out the area on the land that you would like your log cabin to sit. This can be found on our website for each product just simply find the product you wish to build then under the tabs at the bottom click on the base tab, this will give you the dimensions required for that particular cabin. It is recommended that you give an extra 10-20 cm for sturdiness as well as if there is any errors all our base sizes are specified using this.

Dig out the area to a depth of about 6 to 8 inches (approx 25 cm) down so that the blocks, when embedded into the concrete, will sit flush with your existing ground. Continue the trench for the whole perimeter and the blocks that cross the  middle of the base to support the floor support beams should be set according to the build guide provided after order is placed or on request.

Step 2 

The mix of the concrete cement, which the blocks are embedded into, should be about 4 to 1 to gain the desired hardiness. Once the mix has been made fill one trench at a time ready for to receive the blocks. Set the block in the cement and use a spirit level to ensure a flat surface..

A flat sturdy base is essential as this ensures that no unnecessary problems may arise in future such as the jamming of windows and doors, also ensuring the log cabins long term durability and its general appeal. The cement should only take a day or two to fully harden.

The end result will be a flat and stable base to install your cabin onto. We find that a solid concrete base is the best option for installing a cabin rather than a block base but both have their own merits. Most of our customers opt to have their bases built for them by an independent contractor or we pass on the details of someone in their area who could do the base. If you choose to build the base yourself we hope that this guide will be of some use to you.

Please see our other blog for the alternate style base, the full concrete base. Link Here.

Visit our Website for more information and our full product range: www.lillevilla.co.uk

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Phone Number:(01245) 400202
Email: info@lillevilla.co.uk
            ben@lillevilla.co.uk

Building a solid concrete base for you Log Cabin

Log Cabin Base 

In order to install your log cabin a decent flat base needs to be put down first. If you are going to be laying the base yourself then here is our simple guide to constructing the base for your log cabin to sit on. The base can be either a single concrete base or slabs fixed with concrete.

Step 1

The first step is to acquire the information on the size of the base required and mark out the area on the land that you would like your log cabin to sit. It is recommended that you give an extra 20 cm for sturdiness as well as if there is any errors.

Dig out the area to a depth of about 4 to 6 inches (approx 15 cm) down so that the base will sit flush with your existing ground.

 

 

Step 2 

Place down a square wooden beam structure around the edge of the dug out space, making sure it all sits square and flush, joining each beam together with screws to make a secure unmoving frame.
Fill the area with course
sand or gravel making it as level and compact as possible making it easier for laying the concrete or the blocks on top.

 

Step 3

The mix of the concrete cement should be about 4 to 1 to gain the desired hardiness. Once the mix has been  made fill the space and level it out as much as possible. A flat sturdy base is essential as this ensures that no unnecessary problems may arise in future such as the jamming of windows and doors, also ensuring the log cabins long term durability and its general appeal. The concrete base should take a week give or take to fully dry so we advise this is done at least a week before delivery.

The end result will be a flat and stable base to install your cabin onto. We find that a solid concrete base is the best option for installing a cabin rather than a block base but both have their own merits. Most of our customers opt to have their bases built for them by an independent contractor or we pass on the details of someone in their area who could do the base. If you choose to build the base yourself we hope that this guide will be of some use to you.

Visit our Website for more information and our full product range: www.lillevilla.co.uk

Phone Number:(01245) 400202
Email: info@lillevilla.co.uk
          ben@lillevilla.co.uk