Hello 😊 if you are on this page, it is because you are trying to understand how you can protect your investment. Please spend three minutes with us to learn how your guarantee works. The Tuin guarantee does not affect your statutory rights.

The most important thing to know is that we have your back and will want to help you when you have a problem. A log cabin is expensive but sending you an additional couple of beams is inexpensive if you have a problem that you need to fix. 

No matter which company you buy from, what we all guarantee is the wood that you use to make your log cabin, summer house, or shed. Not the whole shed, cabin, or summerhouse. 

So if some of your wood rots or gets an insect infestation, so long as you have done the basics right, we are happy to replace the wood that has been compromised but we do not remove and replace the beams ourselves unless our own fitters have done the build & wood treatment for you.

The key is that it is much better to not be in the situation where you need us to supply you with any additional beams. These three tips are the most important based on our 50 years of combined experience.

Foundation basics

Build a flat and level surface across the entire length of the shed, summer house or log cabin. If it is a concrete base, it must be flat, so water cannot pool. The complete base must be level. Even a 2cm drop from one end to the other can cause you issues. So do invest in a 2 or 3 metre spirit level if you do the work yourself. 

Customers often get a builder to do the groundwork (build the base). Just because you hired a professional, do not assume that they will get it right. You must make it absolutely clear to the builder just how important it is to get a base, smooth and level from end to end. We have dealt with many poorly constructed bases, and it is so important to get this right.

Your foundation beams must be able to sit on a damp ground and not rot. The only beams that can do that are pressure treated, composite or hardwood and we would recommend painting hardwood & pressure treated beams with bitumen.

The Build basics

Please take the time to put the log cabin together correctly. If you have any issues, we are here to help you, but please do not customise your build, as that defaults the guarantee. Minor alterations such as adding an internal wall or adding doors and windows in sensible places are fine, but before you make these changes, can we suggest you contact us so we can put the alteration on file for you. 

The Treatment basics

It is your choice, but we highly recommend using only a waterproof (sometimes called weatherproof) treatment on all exposed surfaces. We do not recommend water resistant treatments. 

If you can evidence that you have applied the correct treatment as requested (see below), we will guarantee the wood. All wooden structures move, and you will need to re-apply or apply treatment as wood becomes exposed. You should also re-apply your treatment annually.

Our 10-year anti rot & insect attack guarantee

Our 10-year guarantee like most log cabin guarantees, means we will protect your product against fungal decay & insect infestation both of which leave the wood compromised in such a way, that the wood is no longer structurally sound.

You need to build a base that is level across the length of your building. You must ensure that the foundation beams are pressure treated wood, composite, or hardwood. 

These beams must lift the cabin off the ground and protect the underneath of the shed from moist air and damp.

You must apply three coats of weatherproofing or waterproofing treatment to all exposed wood including window & door frame interiors. The waterproofing work must take place within one month of the build.

You should then apply a fresh coat every year, but we recognise treatments do give different timings. 

Finally, your log cabin, summer house or shed is not watertight until you have treated it, as per the steps above.

From a location perspective your structure must be kept away from a naturally damp ground spot and the wood cannot touching a wall, tree, or bush.

Finally, you must build the log cabin to our specifications and not customise the cabin. Small alterations such as additional windows, doors and internal walls in sensible places are fine, but we do ask that you let us know what changes you have made.

If you have any questions about your guarantee, please email Tuin at info@tuin.co.uk or contact us between the hours of 9 & 5 on 01508 558 308.