Tiger Amur Log Cabin (44mm) – Expert Review

Overview
Build Quality
Styling & Aesthetics
Practicality & Uses
Size Options
Customisation & Options
Expert Observations
Pros & Cons
Best Uses & Suitability
Summary

Overview

The first time we looked at the Amur, our immediate thought was how much it reminded us of something out of the Wild West. That integral veranda gives it the feel of a frontier porch cabin, and it instantly stands out from most other log cabins in Tiger’s range. It’s a design that mixes charm with substance: you can picture yourself sitting under the veranda with a coffee, but also stepping inside to a room that feels more like a small home than a shed.

The model we’re focusing on here is the 16×14 ft Amur, the largest in the range and weighing around 1,480 kg. It’s built with superior-grade 44 mm interlocking logs, a 19 mm tongue-and-groove roof and floor, and 58 × 44 mm tanalised bearers. That structure gives it the reassuring weight and solidity we’ve come to expect from Tiger’s 44 mm cabins.

The Amur comes in six sizes, from 12×10 ft up to 16×14 ft, so there’s plenty of flexibility depending on your garden space. As with all Tiger cabins, free UK delivery is included, and you can opt for professional installation if you’d rather not assemble it yourself. Every model is made in Britain from FSC®-certified timber and carries Tiger’s 20-year guarantee, one of the strongest in the industry.

We should note that this exact Amur wasn’t on display when we visited the show site, but we’ve spent time in many of Tiger’s 44 mm cabins and the build DNA is identical across the range. That means we can confidently describe what it feels like, how solid it is, and what you can expect — with the veranda and Georgian glazing being the defining differences here.

Build Quality

Walls: Built from 44 mm interlocking tongue-and-groove logs with a double-notch joint system. These are precision-cut, so you don’t get the daylight leaks we’ve seen in cheaper cabins. The fit is tight and smooth, and the timber quality is high — slow-grown European softwood with fewer knots and a clean grain.

Roof: A traditional apex using 19 mm tongue-and-groove boards over strong purlins. Internal ridge height ranges from 2.4 m to 2.8 m (depending on size), giving generous headroom and a sense of scale.

Floor: Matching 19 mm tongue-and-groove boards fixed to tanalised 58 × 44 mm bearers spaced for strength. In our experience, these floors never flex, even under uneven weight, making them suitable for desks, gym gear or heavy furniture.

Glazing & Doors: Joiner-made Georgian windows (two or three depending on size) with 3 mm toughened glass and a half-glazed Georgian-style single door fitted with a 5-lever lock and brushed-chrome handle. The hardware feels substantial and secure.

Overall, it’s a properly engineered garden building — the kind you assemble once and expect to last for decades, provided you treat it with a high-quality oil-based preservative after installation, as Tiger recommends.

WhatShed Data Insight

Based on WhatShed’s analysis of 645 log cabins across the UK market, the Amur ranks among the highest-performing models in its class:

• 44 mm walls place it in the top 15% for structural thickness.
• 20-year guarantee puts it in the top 1% of cabins for longevity — very few manufacturers offer this level of cover.
• Untreated timber is standard for ~67% of models, so this is normal — just remember to seal it after assembly.
• Weight ~1.48 t is roughly 30–40% heavier than the category average, reflecting higher material density.
• 19 mm floorboards are around 26% thicker than the market mean for similar-sized cabins.

In short, the data confirms what we’ve experienced first-hand — the Amur combines premium build quality with long-term durability that only a handful of cabins in the UK market match.

Styling & Aesthetics

The Amur is one of Tiger’s more characterful designs — it looks traditional, warm, and slightly nostalgic.

• Veranda: Its signature feature. The integrated veranda projects about ~1.1 m from the front and instantly changes the building’s personality. You lose a little interior space, but gain a shaded outdoor area that feels like part of the room.
• Windows & Doors: The Georgian bars give it cottage charm from the outside. Inside, they’re surface-applied rather than integral, which looks a touch less authentic — anyone preferring clearer views can choose Tiger’s full-pane European-style glazing.

• Roofline: A steep apex, with ridge heights between ~2.6 m and 2.8 m, ensures no sense of confinement. Compared with glassier cabins such as the Optima or Balinese, the Amur feels more enclosed and private — more “mountain lodge” than “garden studio”.

Practicality & Uses

The Amur’s proportions and solid specification make it suitable for a wide range of uses:

• Home office: Plenty of headroom and light for all-day comfort.
• Garden retreat: The veranda gives you a sheltered outdoor seat in summer.
• Family snug or hobby room: Large enough for shared use year-round.
• Gym or fitness space: Heavy-duty floors can handle serious equipment.

Installation notes: Assembly is straightforward for competent DIYers, but Tiger also offers Pro-Installation, where their fitters handle everything. The manufacturer’s guidance emphasises preparing a firm, level base (concrete, slabs, or EcoBase grid) and treating the cabin only after assembly to preserve snug log joints. It’s a two-person build — gloves, spirit level, and rubber mallet recommended.

Size Options

The Amur is available in six sizes, ranging from a compact 12×10 ft up to the spacious 16×14 ft model. Each retains the same 44 mm wall system and veranda layout — the difference is simply scale.

Note: Windows vary by size (two or three). Ridge heights increase with footprint. Weights are manufacturer-provided and reflect the Amur’s dense, high-material build.

Customisation & Options

• Glazing: Georgian (traditional) or plain (modern) panes.
• Roof coverings: Standard heavy-duty felt; upgrades include decorative shingles or EPDM rubber.
• Reduced height version: Keeps total height under 2.5 m for simpler planning compliance.
• Extras: Decking extensions, guttering kits, and interior upgrades such as insulation packs or bar units.

Expert Observations

• Floors: Rock-solid underfoot — no flex or bounce.
• Walls: Tight, clean joins with no visible gaps.
• Roof: Substantial purlins give strength and generous headroom.
• Glazing: Attractive from the outside; Georgian bars are surface-applied.
• Timber: Slow-grown European softwood with that fresh, clean, sauna-like aroma.

Pros & Cons

Pros: Integral veranda adds charm and practical outdoor cover. 44 mm walls and 19 mm roof/floor exceed market standards. FSC® timber, made in Britain, and backed by a 20-year guarantee. Six size options plus bespoke adjustments. Free UK delivery and optional professional installation. Excellent WhatShed data performance — top-tier durability and specification.

Cons: Veranda slightly reduces internal space. Georgian glazing bars are surface-applied. Less glass than ultra-modern designs like the Balinese.

Best Uses & Suitability

We’d recommend the Amur for:

• Homeowners wanting a traditional chalet-style retreat with a porch feel.
• Home workers seeking a private, insulated garden office.
• Families after a warm, characterful extra room.
• Anyone who wants a cabin that feels more like a small house than a shed.

Summary

The Amur combines Tiger’s proven 44 mm platform with the charm of an integrated veranda and Georgian styling.
It feels more like a miniature home than a shed, built from proper materials — thick interlocking logs, solid floors, and joiner-made glazing and doors.

Backed by WhatShed data confirming its above-market specifications — and Tiger’s own 20-year guarantee — this cabin delivers genuine long-term value. If you want a garden building that blends charm, substance, and longevity, the Tiger Amur 44 mm Log Cabin is one of the most reassuringly solid choices you can make.