Shire Crinan 8' x 8' ft 19mm Log Cabin

Shire, a producer of garden buildings since 1981, evolved from yacht production, utilizing the workforce's skills. With consistent expansion, their factories and warehouses cover 20 acres, featuring a planing mill, joinery production, timber store, and warehouses capable of holding 20,000 buildings. All products, including sheds, summerhouses, playhouses, log cabins, pet houses, and deck kits, are manufactured in the UK at two sites – Wisbech and Sutton Bridge. Notably, Shire refrains from rebranding, ensuring all products are crafted in-house, allowing for bespoke designs tailored to individual needs.

Commitment to quality is evident, sourcing timber directly from slow-grown Scandinavian forests. Shire emphasizes affordability, catering to various budgets. Their service ethos combines big company ideals with personal care from a small, close-knit team. Rejecting corporate jargon, the company prioritizes customer care, acknowledging occasional challenges and committing to swift resolutions. Despite imperfections, Shire proudly notes the satisfaction of hundreds of thousands of customers, showcasing their dedication to producing high-quality, customer-oriented garden buildings.  Commitment to quality is evident, sourcing timber directly from slow-grown Scandinavian forests. Shire emphasizes affordability, catering to various budgets. Their service ethos combines big company ideals with personal care from a small, close-knit team. Rejecting corporate jargon, the company prioritizes customer care, acknowledging occasional challenges and committing to swift resolutions. Despite imperfections, Shire proudly notes the satisfaction of hundreds of thousands of customers, showcasing their dedication to producing high-quality, customer-oriented garden buildings.

 

Read more about Shire's Warranty

Read more about Shire's Terms of Service

Read more about Shire's company information, including Terms of Service, Warranty and Installation - Click here

This guide, primarily provided by Shire for their products, offers instructions on preparing a base for a garden building. While the emphasis is on Shire products, the underlying principles can be applied to other similar items.

There are various methods for preparing a base, detailed in this guide. Regardless of the specific method chosen, achieving a flat and sturdy surface is crucial to ensure the building's stability, prevent long-term damage, and facilitate proper assembly.

**Pressure Treated Frame Base**

*For use on firm soil or lawns*

Shire's frame base is straightforward to assemble and easy to level. This system minimizes the need for extensive tools and skills, reducing labor compared to alternatives like laying slabs or mixing concrete. The frame can be used on firm soil, grass, or hard ground, and its spike system accommodates uneven surfaces and slight gradients.

*Stage 1*

- Select an appropriate site for your building, allowing at least 18 inches or 450mm of space around for assembly access.
- Ensure the area is not waterlogged and lacks steep slopes or overhead obstructions.
- Verify components and assemble the frame base per the manufacturer's instructions.

*Stage 2*

- Attach leveling spikes to the frame, ensuring they do not protrude above the frame when flipped over.

*Stage 3*

- Flip the frame into place, tap the leveling spikes into the ground, and check for levelness using a spirit level.
- Adjust for unevenness by tapping spikes further or making small adjustments as needed.
- Recheck with a spirit level, and once level, the base is ready for your new garden building.

*Materials and tools required*

- Tape measure
- Sandpaper
- Gloves
- Battery-powered drill/screwdriver
- 6mm drill bit
- Spirit level
- Rubber mallet or standard hammer with a piece of timber for protection

**Concrete**

*Stage 1*

- Choose a level area for the building site, allowing ample access during fitting.
- Use pegs and string to mark the base area, ensuring it matches the building's floor area plus the formwork's timber thickness.
- Check for squareness by measuring the diagonals.

*Stage 2*

- Dig out the base area if on soft ground or lawn, ensuring a 6-inch or 150mm depth.
- Optionally excavate for a step-up, leaving a 3-inch or 75mm depth for compacted hardcore.
- Level the hole and remove pegs and string.

*Stage 3*

- Build formwork, ensuring it is square, and place it in the hole.
- Add a layer of hardcore, compact, and cover with sand.
- Measure, mix, and spread concrete, leveling it to the top of the formwork.
- Cover with polythene in wet conditions or damp sacks on hot days to prevent cracking.
- Allow 48 hours to dry completely.

*Materials and tools required*

- Hardcore
- Sand
- Standard cement powder
- Sand/gravel ballast or Dry mix concrete bags
- Water
- Tape measure
- Pegs and string
- Spade
- Timber for formwork
- Spirit level
- Broom
- Cement mixer
- Spot mixing board
- Wheelbarrow
- Tamp board
- Straight edge section of timber

The Shire teams specialise in assembling all their featured products on our website, ensuring a professional and hassle-free experience. Installations are conducted on weekdays between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm, with potential extensions in unavoidable circumstances.

Before assembly, ensure the following:

- Ensure your base is firm, flat, and level.
- For log cabins and larger structures, we recommend concrete bases.
- If using an Adjustable Base, the surface doesn't need to be level but should be solid.
- Our teams may use a vehicle up to 17 tonnes, requiring access to the property.
- A permit may be needed for parking in controlled areas for up to a full day.
- There must be at least 2 ft or 600 mm clearance around the building for assembly and future maintenance.
- No overhead obstructions like low branches or power cables should be present.

To streamline the process, you'll be asked to send a photo of your prepared site to our customer service team before our team arrives. If, upon arrival, the team deems the site unsuitable, they will seek your decision on whether to proceed and may ask for a disclaimer.

Please note that if the team has to leave the site before completion due to factors beyond our control, including site suitability, the assembly charge is non-refundable. For the longevity of your building, immediate treatment with a suitable preservative after installation is recommended, followed by annual or more frequent treatments per your chosen preservative's instructions.