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INSTALATION AVAILABLE Mercia 4.5m x 3.5m Home Office Log Cabin 34mm
First Added - February 27 2022
Last Updated - August 4 2022 - 14 Data Points Updated - 3 Data Points Added
Reviewed & curated by a panel of garden building experts. Using methodology 1.1
Product ID: SKU: 633176
Size: 14' x 11'
Merchants Checked: 12
Available From: 1
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Our verdict on the Mercia 4.5m x 3.5m Home Office Log Cabin 34mm
The Mercia 4.5m x 3.5m Home Office Log Cabin 34mm comes with a reverse apex style roof, holds a 10 Years guarantee, and is fit with lockable double doors that use a sash lock locking system. The 2 windows used on this particular 14′ x 11′ use a double glazed glazing material (Thickness was not specified).
Base material: wood
Certifications this product meets:
FSC certified timber[1]
Our experts say this has 5 stand out features. A stand out feature is something found on over 70% of the top 10% of products in a particular category or is an exceptionally good feature as rated by our panel of experts.
1. The tongue & groove floor material is a great choice and is what we find being used by 94% of the top 10% of log cabins.
2. A 34mm thick cladding like the one used on walls of this log cabin is one of the best rated by our experts.
3. The mineral felt roof covering found on this log cabin is rated to be one of the best by our experts.
4. A floor that is 16mm thick is something our experts say is one of the best available for this kind of log cabin.
5. This double glazed glazing material is one that our experts say is one of the best available for windowed log cabins.
Below is a brief overview of how some of the key points of this log cabin fairs across the market.
Cladding
The interlocking boards cladding(walls) used here is an about average form of construction for log cabin walls out of the 2 types [2] we’ve identified on same-size log cabins, that you’ll also see getting used on 3% (29 of 893) of all log cabins analysed [3], and sadly not present at all on any of the 89 log cabins that make up the top 10% of log cabins [4]. You’ll also find the interlocking boards cladding showing up on 5% of 14′ x 11′ log cabins (8 in total) [5].
The walls are 34mm thick and we rate this the best thickness out of the 6 found on same-size log cabins [6]. It is used on 9% of all log cabins [7] and is also used across 8% of the top 10% of log cabins [8] we analysed. While you’ll find that the Expert Score of this log cabin is 4 points lower than the average for 14′ x 11’s that use 34mm thick cladding (85 vs the average of 89) [9], you can be sure it’s not due to the cladding thickness as this one of the highest scoring thicknesses available on 14′ x 11′ log cabins. 15% of 14′ x 11′ log cabins (25 in total) use 34mm thick walls.
Read full analysis for cladding.
Roofing
Mineral felt is used as the roof covering, and out of 3 types identified on same-size log cabins [10], is said to be one of the best roof covering materials. It comes fitted on 57% of log cabins and used on 58% of the top 10% of 14′ x 11′ log cabins. Even though the Expert Score of this particular log cabin is below the average 14′ x 11’s cover their roofs with mineral felt (85 vs the average of 86), with it being on 58% of the top 10%, this should give you confidence in its quality. 63% of 14′ x 11′ log cabins (107 in total) make use of a mineral felt material as a roof covering.
Read full analysis for roofing.
Flooring
Great, our experts say most of the flooring options used are among the best.
The manufactures of this log cabin chose tongue & groove for the floor construction, we rate this the best form of floor construction out of 2 types found on same-size log cabins [11]. This type of floor construction is used on 74% of all log cabins we analysed, and 94% of the top 10% of those log cabins. Even though the Expert Score of this particular log cabin is 2 points below the average of 87 for 14′ x 11’s using a tongue & groove flooring, with it being on 94% of the top 10%, you can be assured that this is a quality flooring material. 78% of 14′ x 11′ log cabins (132 in total) use tongue & groove construction for the floor.
A 16mm thick floor boarding is used here, this is the best floor board thickness according to our experts out of 5 found on same-size log cabins [12]. It’s found on 6% of all log cabins and used on 3% of the top 10% of log cabins. Even though the Expert Score of this log cabin is 3 points lower than that of the average for 14′ x 11’s floored with a 16mm material (85 vs the average of 88), you can be sure it’s not due to the flooring because this one of the highest scoring flooring thicknesses available on 14′ x 11′ log cabins. 11% of 14′ x 11′ log cabins (18 in total) use 16mm thick floor boarding.
Read full analysis for flooring.
Window
Double glazed windows come installed on this log cabin. As a glazing option, we rate it the best out of the 3 glazing types found on 14′ x 11′ log cabins [13]. This particular type of glazing is used on 15% of all windowed log cabins and 2% of the top 10% of log cabins with windows we analysed. Even though the Expert Score of this log cabin is 3 points lower than that of the average for double glazed glazed 14′ x 11’s (85 vs the average of 88), you can be sure it’s not due to the material of the windows because this one of the highest scoring available on 14′ x 11′ log cabins. 16% of 14′ x 11′ log cabins with windows (26 in total) use double glazed windows.
Read full analysis for window.
You Might Also Consider
We found 169 14′ x 11′ log cabins with comparable specifications. The Mercia 4.5m x 3.5m Home Office Log Cabin 34mm has an Expert Score that is 3% lower than average and is £22 less expensive than average. If you are looking for the best value or highest expert scoring log cabins out of the 169 with comparable specifications the following might be of interest.
Best value – If you are looking for something comparable that costs less, then you could save £3,959 with this Optional extra – Add Assembly Service – Belgravia 28 mm Log Cabin 12′ x 12′ – Assembly. It is priced at £1,416, this is 279% less than this and has an Expert Score of 77, 7 points less than the Mercia 4.5m x 3.5m Home Office Log Cabin 34mm.
Highest Expert Score – With an Expert Score of 97 vs 85 for this product, the Palmako Irene 4m x 4m Log Cabin Summerhouse is the best 14′ x 11′ log cabin with comparable specifications, and is priced at £4,479, that’s £896 less than the Mercia 4.5m x 3.5m Home Office Log Cabin 34mm.
High Wind Area – If you live in a particularly exposed or high wind area then having a log cabin with a thicker cladding and higher than average frame thickness can be preferable. We found at least 3 log cabins that have a combination of features that can make them more suited to higher wind areas.
Palmako Irene 4m x 4m Log Cabin Summerhouse
14’x10′ Blake | 44mm Log Cabin
Palmako Sally 3.9m x 3.9m Log Cabin Garden Room
Coastal Consideration – If you live in a particularly wet or harsher environment such as by the coast then you might want to consider something with a more robust pressure treatment or something made from metal or plastic, both materials that are particularly suited to such harsh environments. We’ve found at least 3 log cabins that have a combination of features that can make them more suited to higher wind areas.
Palmako Irene 4m x 4m Log Cabin Summerhouse
Forest Melbury 4m x 3m Log Cabin Single Glazed
Forest Chiltern 4m x 3m Log Cabin Double Glazed
Public-Facing – Extra security measures might be more of a concern if you’re placing your building in an area that is more public-facing than a garden. Features such as security windows or even having no windows at all, and the ability to lock all opening doors are usually much more important when you have something that is more public-facing. We found at least 3 log cabins that have options that you might find a better fit if this is a concern you have.
14’x10′ Blake | 44mm Log Cabin
Forest Chiltern 4m x 3m Log Cabin Double Glazed
Forest Melbury 4m x 3m Log Cabin Single Glazed
More Child Friendly – If you have children and you are looking for something that has that little extra in terms of durability then tougher glazing options might be a better option. Here we have at least 3 other options that will fill those needs.
Forest Melbury 4m x 3m Log Cabin Single Glazed
Forest Chiltern 4m x 3m Log Cabin Double Glazed
14’x10′ Gamma | 44mm Log Cabin
Product Details
Comparisons of Similar Sheds
 |  |  |  |  | |
| Expert Score | 83 | 80 | 83 | 88 | 80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,329.00 | £8,199.00 | £1,074.00 | £13,306.51 | £3,095.99 |
| Size | 12' x 8' | 10' x 10' | 7' x 5' | 10' x 10' | 20'x8' |
| Brand | Shire | Forest Xtend | Loxley | Marlborough Insulated Buildings | Tiger Sheds |
| Material | Wooden | Wooden | Wooden | Wooden | Wooden |
| Cladding Thickness | 12mm | 12mm | 64mm | 12mm | |
| Guarantee | 10 Years | 15 Years | 10 Years | ||
| Go | Go | Go | Go | Go |
Sources
Merchants Checked
12 different sources were used to research information on this product, and 1 contained information that we were able to use to compile the data used on this page.
The following merchants were checked on the 06 August, 2022 to see if they stocked this product.
Homebase – 35509 products checked, found 1 match.
Waltons – 231 products checked, found no matches.
Wickes – 19576 products checked, found no matches.
B&Q – 78905 products checked, found no matches.
ManoMano UK – 922302 products checked, found no matches.
Wilko.com – 21232 products checked, found no matches.
Buy Sheds Direct – 1635 products checked, found no matches.
sheds.co.uk – 1999 products checked, found no matches.
BillyOh – 1244 products checked, found no matches.
Garden Buildings Direct – 1284 products checked, found no matches.
Shedstore – 1373 products checked, found no matches.
Tiger Sheds – 635 products checked, found no matches.
1. Untreated: Any wooden structure that is left untreated will have its lifespan dramatically shortened. This is especially the case with Douglas fir or European softwoods such as Whitewood (spruce) or Redwood (Pine), most garden buildings sold in the UK are made from such wood.
The Wood Protection Association says that “the risk of attack increases significantly if the moisture content of wood, for any reason, rises above 20%” they also talk about how more lower durability cuts of wood (known as sapwood) are getting used to build with than in years gone by. They also say that “sapwood on the other hand is a source of food for many species of fungi and insects and is always vulnerable to attack.” This risk is particularly prevalent with European softwoods.
The BS 8417 code of practice (this advises on the choice of timber species and the use and application of wood preservatives) and BS EN 350:2016 (this advises on methods for determining and classifying the durability of wood and wood-based materials against biological wood-destroying agents) says the natural durability class of such European softwoods is between 3 and 5. With class 3 listed as moderately durable, class 4 listed as slightly durable and class 5 listed as not durable. All three classes have a service life of less than 15 years in a frequently wet environment (such as a UK garden). Yet the application of a preservative treatment or modification of lower durability species is designed according to BS8605 part1 (this is the British standards specifications for external timber cladding) to extend service life to 15/30 years or more.
Having a wooden garden structure supplied as untreated is relatively rare. The vast majority of wooden buildings are supplied with some form of basic treatment, usually a short term water based dip treatment. If you buy an untreated wooden building/structure then we strongly advise that you treat it annually with a solvent-based wood treatment. For full penetration it requires 2-3 coats. It is also recommended that you treat the inside of the structure as well.
If you are wanting something that will require much less maintenance throughout the products life cycle then we would strongly suggest looking at something that is pressure treated also known as tanalised timber.
By correctly treating timber you can take a sub 15 year service life for a not very durable European softwood and extend its service life to 15/30 years or more according to the Timber Decking and Cladding Association. ↩
2. FSC Certified Timber: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation that is “dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests.” When you see the FSC certification it means the forest where this wood was sourced from is being managed in a way that preserves biological diversity, while ensuring it sustains economic viability. FSC-certified forests are managed to strict environmental, social and economic standards. FSC certified timber is comparable to Certified Timber. ↩
3. Cladding types identified: interlocking boards, interlocking log, tongue & groove, wood ↩
4. Global cladding data sourced from: All interlocking boards log cabins ↩
5. Top cladding data sourced from: Top 89 interlocking boards log cabins ↩
6. 14′ x 11′ cladding data sourced from: 169 14′ x 11′ interlocking boards log cabins ↩
8. Global cladding thickness data sourced from: All 34mm log cabins ↩
9. Top cladding thickness data sourced from: Top 89 34mm log cabins ↩
10. 14′ x 11′ cladding thickness data sourced from: 25 14′ x 11′ 34mm log cabins ↩
11. Roof covering types identified: epdm synthetic rubber, heavy duty mineral felt, mineral felt, polyester felt ↩
12. Floor material types identified: osb, tongue & groove ↩
13. Floor thickness types identified: 16mm, 18mm, 19mm, 28mm ↩
14. Glazing material types identified: double glazed, horticultural glass, single glazed, toughened glass, toughened safety glass ↩