What we’re made of: How we build our glamping pods and lodge cabins

It would be no overstatement to say that in three decades of building wooden pods and lodges…we’ve learned a lot.

Over those three decades, we’ve designed and built all manner of sustainable timber cabins; from the epic and large to the cute and compact. Many of the materials we use have stayed the same, but some have changed or been adapted to better suit the ever evolving needs of both the holiday market and private customers looking for unique and sustainable alternatives for housing. We take a look at some of the key materials we use in our Wooden Wigwam buildings.  

External Cladding: Home grown Larch

Our feather edge larch cladding boards have been with us since the very beginning. Nothing compares to the sustainability, durability and beauty of this material. Larch is grown in the UK and all of our boards come from UK suppliers. This coupled larch's ability to grow quickly, make it one of the most sustainable materials we use. 

Feather edge larch cladding is a superb building material for several reasons. It offers exceptional durability and natural resistance to rot and pests when it is treated and applied correctly. This ensures a long lifespan and minimal maintenance requirements.

Our larch cladding looks great. Its rustic appearance and warm reddish-brown color create a visually appealing facade that blends seamlessly with natural surroundings. Its versatility allows for various design styles, from traditional to contemporary, enhancing the look of whatever structure we use it on. 

Insulation: Recycled Mineral Wool

Recycled mineral wool has many advantages. Most obviously, it's recycled; making it another sustainable choice. an eco-friendly choice, as it's produced from recycled materials, primarily post-consumer glass and slag, diverting waste from landfills and conserving energy and resources on the production of new materials. 

Recycled mineral wool is highly efficient in terms of both thermal and acoustic insulation, improving a building's energy performance and comfort. Its fire resistance properties act as an additional barrier against our internal weatherboard. It is non-toxic, promoting indoor air quality. Easy installation and durability make it a practical and cost-effective option for various construction projects, from residential homes to commercial structures.

Windows: Velux

All of our cabins come with Velux windows. They offer exceptional quality and reliability, with a reputation for durability and long-lasting performance. 

Velux windows are also energy-efficient, reducing the need for artificial lighting and improving thermal comfort through their insulated design. 

CLS Timber Frames

Many other manufacturers will use steel frames in construction, especially for pods. We use CLS timber for most of our framing because it’s an excellent material and far more sustainable. 

CLS (Canadian Lumber Standard) timber is an excellent choice for the structural components for several compelling reasons. Its consistent and high-quality finish ensures precision in construction, leading to a more stable and sustainable cabin. This uniformity simplifies the building process.

The materials exceptional strength and durability make it well-suited for the challenging demands of cabin construction, capable of withstanding various weather conditions and heavy loads. Its resistance to decay and pests enhances the cabin's longevity and minimizes maintenance.

Doors: Why we use Plastic

Doors are the one part of our cabin where we don’t use wood. The reason for this is simple; the door is a vulnerable spot on a building and plastic is more reliable. 

Plastic doors, typically made of PVC or uPVC, are highly resistant to moisture, rot, and termites, which are common challenges in this particular area of a wooden structure, due to their frequent use and need for sealing. While our larch cladding is perfect in covering the rest of the cabin, the door requires something permanent if we are to avoid deterioration and the carbon costs associated with it.

Combining the durability of plastic doors with the beauty of timber can result in a cabin that's both visually appealing and easy to maintain, providing a blend of aesthetics and practicality.

Final Thoughts

The materials we use to build our timber cabins are crucial in their quality and durability. Sustainability is at our core and we aim to strike the right balance between a material’s durability and its sustainability. With most of our key materials (like our larch cladding), there is no conflict in these aims; what is sustainable to source, is also effective, reliable, and highly durable. 

To learn more about how we build our cabins, read our sustainability promise here. If you’d like to speak to a member of our team, fill in your details below.