Lugarde

Practical tips

You can enjoy your summerhouse, log cabin or gazebo for a very long time. With a few simple measures, you can keep your summerhouse in great condition and extend its lifetime. The following tips will help you maintain your summerhouse at its very best.

Practical tips

Gravel for protection against water

A layer of gravel around your summerhouse protects the underneath of the house from splashes of rainwater. The timber stays dry and your summerhouse lasts longer.

Door hooks

We advise you to install door hooks immediately after assembly. A door hook prevents a door from suddenly blowing open. This prevents the door and glazing from being damaged by gusts of wind or other weather conditions.

Ventilation

You may not really have considered ventilation. But does your summerhouse have adequate ventilation? Ventilation prevents condensation on the inside of your summerhouse. This is why it’s important to install ventilation grates. For effective aeration, place one ventilation grate at the front and one opposite, on the back of the log cabin or summerhouse.

Most of the moisture comes up through the floor. For this reason, you are advised to install an internal floor. You can also choose to have your summerhouse or log cabin insulated. Lugarde offers various forms of insulation.

Resistance of your summerhouse

Do you have unconventional plans for your summerhouse or log cabin, such as a roof terrace or a green roof? Or do you live in an area with extreme weather conditions such as heavy snowfall or wind? Then it is important to inform yourself about the resistance of the chosen garden construction before buying.

Our buildings are in general very stable. This is due to the quality of the wood and the construction method that Lugarde uses.

However, this does not guarantee that our products can withstand all weather conditions or special projects. Depending on the size of your summerhouse, its load-bearing capacity can vary. A smaller roof area for example can withstand more weight per square meter than a large one. The same principle applies to the wall surface.

Do you want to be on the safe side? Then it is possible for us to arrange an exact and individual structural analysis of your garden house for a fee. Thus we can assure you, if necessary, whether your chosen summerhouse is suitable for you, your projects and the location. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Movement of the timber

A wooden summerhouse or log cabin expands or contracts depending on humidity levels. This is a normal feature of wood. Wood expands, but doesn’t get longer. Every plank expands by around 1.5 mm. Since every summerhouse is around 15 planks high, this amounts to a full expansion of around 2.25 cm (15 x 1.5 mm).

In order to shrink or expand, the wood needs a little room to move. Most problems are caused by nails and screws secured in the walls, windows and doors. These prevent the from moving. All of our systems take into account the movement of the wood.

Lugarde doesn’t use nails or screws, yet all of our summerhouses and gazebos are very stable and both wind and watertight. Our highly advanced systems and precise production methods mean the walls fit together with millimetre precision.

If you plant to install pipes or built-in furniture, you must consider the movement of the wood.

Treat your summerhouse immediately

In order to protect your summerhouse against the sun, wind and rain, we advise you to treat it both inside and out before the unit is assembled. We can supply pre-treated summerhouses, log cabins and gazebos. Read more about our treatments.

Questions or more information?

Have questions, or want to learn more about our products, customer benefits and extra options? Please contact us or find the nearest dealer in your area. We will be happy to help you!