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Rowlinson 3.4m x 3.0m Garden Retreat Log Cabin

First Added - August 4 2022
Last Updated - August 4 2022 - 0 Data Points Updated - 32 Data Points Added
Reviewed & curated by a panel of garden building experts. Using methodology 1.1

Product ID: SKU: BUNDLE-LBRETREAT

Size: 11' x 9'

Merchants Checked: 12

Available From: 2

Mano Mano
£2,467.94
See Deal
Sheds.co.uk
£1,939.00
See Deal

Support WhatShed: by making a purchase after clicking a link above, a portion of the sale supports this site.

88
Good Ranked in the Top 32% of Log Cabins.
Position 287 of 910 Log Cabins - Up 287 places from previous update.
Quality of materials
Construction quality
Ease of construction
Value for money

See how our panel of industry experts helped create the impartial judging criteria used to calculate the Expert Score.

Our verdict on the Rowlinson 3.4m x 3.0m Garden Retreat Log Cabin

The Rowlinson 3.4m x 3.0m Garden Retreat Log Cabin comes with an apex style roof, fit with double doors, and makes use of certified sustainable materials. The 2 windows used on this particular 11′ x 9′ use a toughened glass glazing material (Thickness was not specified).

Base material: pine

Certifications this product meets:

FSC certified timber[1]

Our experts say this has 8 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. When looking at cladding material used on the top 10% of all log cabins, interlocking log is used on 98% of them.

2. The tongue & groove construction used for the roof is the same kind you’ll find used across 100% of the top 10% of log cabins.

3. 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.

4. A 19mm thick cladding like the one used on walls of this log cabin is one of the best rated by our experts.

5. A 14mm thick roof construction as thick as this is something our expert rate to be one of the best available on log cabins.

6. The heavy duty mineral felt roof covering found on this log cabin is rated to be one of the best by our experts.

7. A floor that is 14mm thick is something our experts say is one of the best available for this kind of log cabin.

8. This toughened glass 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

Great, our experts say most of the cladding options used are among the best.

The interlocking log cladding(walls) used here is the best 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 72% (639 of 893) of all log cabins analysed [3], as well as being used on 98% (87 of 89) of the top 10% of log cabins [4]. Even though the Expert Score of this particular log cabin is 1 point below that of the average interlocking log clad 11′ x 9’s (they have an average Expert Score of 88), with it being on 98% of the top 10%, its use here is a reassuring sign of a high quality cladding. You’ll also find the interlocking log cladding showing up on 68% of 11′ x 9′ log cabins (71 in total) [5].

The walls are 19mm thick and we rate this one of the best thicknesses out of the 5 found on same-size log cabins [6]. It is used on 18% of all log cabins [7] and is also used across 3% of the top 10% of log cabins [8] we analysed. 25% of 11′ x 9′ log cabins (26 in total) use 19mm thick walls [9], and when taking the average Expert Score of those 11′ x 9′ log cabins (85), the Rowlinson 3.4m x 3.0m Garden Retreat Log Cabin is just above the average with an Expert Score of 87.

Read full analysis for cladding.

Roofing

Tongue & groove is the cladding used for the roofing, our experts rate this the best form of roof material and is the only type we’ve found on same-size log cabins [10]. This roofing material is used on 64% of all log cabins analysed, and 100% of the top 10% of log cabins. 59% of 11′ x 9′ log cabins (61 in total) use tongue & groove construction for the roof, and when taking the average Expert Score of those 11′ x 9′ log cabins (87), the Rowlinson 3.4m x 3.0m Garden Retreat Log Cabin is the same with an Expert Score of 87.

A 14mm thick roof boarding was used on this log cabin which is one of the best thicknesses used for a roofing material out of 7 thicknesses identified on same-size log cabins [11]. It’s used on 1% of all log cabins with a further analysis of the top 10% of log cabins (89 in total) showing us that none of them use a roof of this thickness. Our data on all 11′ x 9′ log cabins shows us this is the only one to use a 14mm roofing solution.

Heavy duty mineral felt is used as the roof covering, and out of 2 types identified on same-size log cabins [12], is said to be the best roof covering material. It comes fitted on 1% of log cabins and when it comes to the top 89 log cabins that make up the top 10% we find none of them make use of this kind of roof covering. According to the data we have on all log cabins, out of the the 11′ x 9’s this is the only one to use a heavy duty mineral felt roof covering.

Read full analysis for roofing.

Flooring

Outstanding, 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 and is the only type found on this size of log cabin [13]. 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. 61% of 11′ x 9′ log cabins (63 in total) use tongue & groove construction for the floor. Additionally when taking the average Expert Score of those 11′ x 9′ log cabins (87), the Rowlinson 3.4m x 3.0m Garden Retreat Log Cabin is the same with an Expert Score of 87.

A 14mm thick floor boarding is used here, this is one of the best floor board thicknesses according to our experts out of 7 found on same-size log cabins [14]. It’s found on 1% of all log cabins with none of the 89 log cabins that make up the top 10% using a floor of this thickness. Out of all 11′ x 9′ log cabins it turns out that this is the only one to use a 14mm flooring.

Read full analysis for flooring.

Window

Toughened glass windows come installed on this log cabin. As a glazing option, we rate it the best out of the 3 glazing types found on 11′ x 9′ log cabins [15]. This particular type of glazing is used on 23% of all windowed log cabins and 54% of the top 10% of log cabins with windows we analysed. 24% of 11′ x 9′ log cabins with windows (21 in total) use toughened glass windows, and when taking the average Expert Score of those toughened glass 11′ x 9′ log cabins (86), the Rowlinson 3.4m x 3.0m Garden Retreat Log Cabin is just above the average with an Expert Score of 87.

Read full analysis for window.

Height

The height of this log cabin is 2360mm (8′) which is 6% less than the average 11′ x 9′ log cabin, giving you 133.5mm (0.4′) less headroom.

Read full analysis for height.

You Might Also Consider

We found 104 11′ x 9′ log cabins with comparable specifications. The Rowlinson 3.4m x 3.0m Garden Retreat Log Cabin has an Expert Score that is 1% higher than average and is £49 less expensive than average. If you are looking for the best value or highest expert scoring log cabins out of the 104 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 £1,423 with this Optional extra – Add Assembly Service – Avesbury 19 mm Log Cabin 10′ x 10′ – Assembly. It is priced at £856, this is 166% less than this and has an Expert Score of 77, 10 points less than the Rowlinson 3.4m x 3.0m Garden Retreat Log Cabin.

Highest Expert Score – With an Expert Score of 97 vs 87 for this product, the 10’x10′ Blake | 44mm Log Cabin is the best 11′ x 9′ log cabin with comparable specifications, and is priced at £3,238, that’s £959 more than the Rowlinson 3.4m x 3.0m Garden Retreat Log Cabin.

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.
12’x8′ Blake | 44mm Log Cabin
10’x10′ Blake | 44mm Log Cabin
Redlands 3.6m x 3m Erin Log Cabin

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.
Shire Maulden 2.7m x 3.5m Log Cabin Summerhouse
Shire Montford 3.2m x 3.2m Log Cabin Summerhouse
Belgravia 28 mm Log Cabin 10′ x 10′

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.
10’x10′ Blake | 44mm Log Cabin
12’x8′ Blake | 44mm Log Cabin
12’x8′ Capetus | 44mm Log Cabin

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.
12’x8′ Aura | 44mm Log Cabin
Shire Barnsdale 10 x 10ft Double Door Log Cabin with Assembly
Shire Gisburn 12 x 8ft Double Door Log Cabin

Product Details

Building Type
Garden Offices, Garden Rooms, Log Cabin Garden Offices, Log Cabins, Summer Houses, Wooden Summer Houses
Metric Size (Meters)
11' x 9'
Material
Wooden
Roof Style
Apex
Number of Windows
2
Door Type
Double Door
Cladding Type
Interlocking Log
Cladding Thickness
19mm
Treatment Type
Untreated
Height (Imperial)
2360mm
Height (Metric)
2360mm
Depth
3.03 m
Height
2.36 m
Width
303 cm
Environmental Certification
FSC
Window Size (Metric)
nan x nan
Floor Material
Tongue & Groove
Glazing Material
Toughened Glass
Roof Covering
Heavy Duty Mineral Felt
Floor Thickness (Imperial)
14mm
Floor Thickness (Metric)
14mm
Persons To Assemble
2 Persons Recommended
Roof Material
Tongue & Groove
Roof Thickness (Imperial)
14mm
Roof Thickness (Metric)
14mm
Accreditations
Certified Sustainable

Comparisons of Similar Sheds

aste1208dl-1aa_12x8-shire-aster-combination-summerhouse-insitu2-min_12tanalised-features-angled-panel_4_1tanalised-features-garden-studio-interior-blankloxley-8-x-8-chalford-sumerhouse_09_17-x-5-fully-insulated-apex-summerhouse-64mm-walls-floor-roof-12mm-tg-40mm-insulated-ecotherm-12mm-tg-long-double-glazed-safety-toughened-windows-4mm-6mm-4mmepdm-roof-free-install-L-8776375-50712815_1
Expert Score 8393908390
Price £2,329.00£5,474.00£4,734.00£1,074.00£9,331.89
Size 12' x 8'15' x 7'11' x 7'7' x 5'7' x 5'
Brand ShireRedlandsRedlandsLoxleyMarlborough Insulated Buildings
Material WoodenWoodenWoodenWoodenWooden
Cladding Thickness 12mm16mm16mm12mm12mm
Guarantee 10 Years15 Years15 Years10 Years
GoGoGoGoGo
Joel Bird

Joel Bird

Profile

Our resident shed building expert Joel was the 2014 winner of Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year having beat over 10,000 applicants to win. He returned to the show the following year as a judge. He is also the author of The Book of Shed and has designed & built over 50 small bespoke garden builds. Joel has appeared on various TV or Radio shows include George Clarkes Amazing Spaces, Alan Titchmarsh Love your Garden, Chris Evans Breakfast Show and BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live.

Meet the experts

Sources

Merchants Checked

12 different sources were used to research information on this product, and 2 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.

ManoMano UK – 922302 products checked, found 1 match.
sheds.co.uk – 1999 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.
Wilko.com – 21232 products checked, found no matches.
Homebase – 35509 products checked, found no matches.
Buy Sheds Direct – 1635 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 log log cabins 

5. Top cladding data sourced from: Top 89 interlocking log log cabins 

6. 11′ x 9′ cladding data sourced from: 104 11′ x 9′ interlocking log log cabins 

7. Cladding thickness types identified: 19mm, 28mm, 34mm, 44mm 

8. Global cladding thickness data sourced from: All 19mm log cabins 

9. Top cladding thickness data sourced from: Top 89 19mm log cabins 

10. 11′ x 9′ cladding thickness data sourced from: 26 11′ x 9′ 19mm log cabins 

11. Roof material types identified: tongue & groove 

12. Roof thickness types identified: 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 18mm, 19mm 

13. Roof covering types identified: heavy duty mineral felt, mineral felt 

14. Floor material types identified: tongue & groove 

15. Floor thickness types identified: 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 18mm, 19mm 

16. Glazing material types identified: double glazed, horticultural glass, single glazed, styrene, toughened glass 

Product ID: SKU: BUNDLE-LBRETREAT

Size: 11' x 9'

Merchants Checked: 12

Available From: 2

Mano Mano
£2,467.94
See Deal
Sheds.co.uk
£1,939.00
See Deal

Support WhatShed: by making a purchase after clicking a link above, a portion of the sale supports this site.