Summer House / log cabin

[The_Max_Sti]

Hi guys..

I see we have a Home and garden section so i can feel i can ask this question with out the GD back lash.

The misses (SWMBO) wants a summer house / log cabin in the garden Its going to be around 4m x 2.5m or 4m x 3m, Apparently its still being decided (if anyone got any good places to look that maybe a good idea.. (Bristol area, budget less than £1k)) Current is a 19mm Board cabin but iv not looked around as she does not know the size yet..

I'm happy in constructing it but I'm wondering what I should do under it..

1. Paving stones with **** of mortar under it. (Iv got enough from ripping up the old one paving)
2. Or dig out put sand down and then paving stones.
3. Dig out slightly wider and stick down Mot Type 1 Sub-base + paving slabs.
4. A Slab but it would be a real pain to get the concrete from the front to the back or mixing it.
5. Others???

Garden slightly slops but not by much over the course of 4m around 5-10cm Max.

Ideas please..

 

[Maccapacca]

I'd lift it up to keep the base out of the wet so it doesn't rot and lay bearers to allow the air underneath. To that end I'd cast a base using the old slabs as hardcore, or cast in posts and build a frame like a deck but more substantial.

 

[The_Max_Sti]

Hi thanks for that.. I think asking around again I'm going to go with the casting posts option like you say. (breeze block + Damp proof membrane on top just incase)

 

[Maccapacca]

Just use treated timber as bearers

What do you think you are doing with the breeze blocks ?

 

[Maccapacca]

http://www.gardenersown.co.uk/garden/garden allotment/sb6.jpg

Like that and you can close up the timbers and put more posts in the ground.

I built my deck like that and just used all the left over sub base timbers and dug in as many posts as I could get out, solid as a rock.

 

[The_Max_Sti]

Ahh ok i was going to use breeze blocks for the posts in the ground and stick the base of the summer house on them. I was worried about the timber rotting so though of using breeze blocks instead..

 

[Maccapacca]

Oh OK, yeah that'll be fine but more work, timber shouldn't rot if it's tanalised and encased in concrete.

There's Homebase / Wickes tanalising and then there's proper timber yard tanalising which you shouldn't need to treat cut ends but I would.

 

[Nightglow]

Why not use concrete- in post supports, you can then replace support if rot sets in.

You can also get a Pre Cast Concrete Deck Pier/ Deck Block saves work pouring concrete.