PFew cabins in Tiger’s 28 mm collection manage to strike the balance between affordability, traditional styling and genuine structural integrity quite as effectively as the Caspian. At first glance, it looks like the quintessential chalet-style apex cabin: clean lines, wide overhang, a single joiner-made door flanked by windows, and that unmistakable Tiger aesthetic that signals proper timber engineering rather than lightweight summerhouse construction. But like all cabins in the 28 mm range, the real question is not “Does it look good?” — it’s “Does it stand up structurally, and does it stand up for long?”

After inspecting more than thirty Tiger 44 mm and 28 mm cabins across Horsforth, Otley and Tong — and after extensively testing their floors, windows, doors, purlins and wall rigidity — we know exactly what the Caspian will be like, even though the specific sample wasn’t available on display. This review is based on Tiger’s datasheets, the Caspian’s published specifications, hundreds of high-resolution photos we’ve taken of the 28 mm range, and our own structural measurements from the 12×10 and 10×10 28 mm models at the Otley show site.

What follows is not just a summary — it’s an expert’s interpretation of where the Caspian excels, where the limitations are, and who this cabin is genuinely best suited for.

Design & First Impressions

The Caspian is a classic chalet-style log cabin with an apex roof facing the front. That alone gives it a different personality compared with many of the more modern pent-roof designs in Tiger’s collection. The apex roof creates a sense of vertical airiness the moment you step inside.

That roof overhang — a surprisingly generous one compared to many budget cabins — has real purpose. It helps shield the doorway from rain, protects the glazing from UV wear, and contributes to a more finished architectural look. If you want a cabin that sits comfortably in a traditional garden or a setting with older architecture, the Caspian is one of the best style fits in the entire range.

The front elevation is simple but well composed:

• A single, fully braced joiner-made door
• A single half-pane opening window beside it
• Two additional opening windows on the side elevation

This configuration is deceptively clever. Many cabins in the 28 mm bracket rely on fixed panes to save money; the Caspian gives you three fully opening windows, all made in Tiger’s joinery workshop. That alone sets it apart.

The windows are multi-pane European-style units rather than full-pane glass. That instantly gives the cabin more character and helps break up the front visually — it’s less “garden office” and more “alpine hideaway”. Loads of people prefer that charm.

Build Quality: What the Brochure Won’t Tell You

This is where experience matters. If you’re not used to visiting show sites, it’s very easy to assume that two cabins with similar specs (28 mm interlocking logs, opening windows, etc.) will perform similarly. They don’t. Window and door joinery is one of the quickest ways to spot a premium cabin from a cheap one.

1. Doors & Windows

Tiger does not cheapen the Caspian with manufactured, glued-up, bolt-on windows.

These are proper joiner-made units with:

• Smooth, well-milled timber
• Proper multi-pane bars
• Opening hardware that doesn’t feel flimsy
• Tight seals
• Zero splintering on inside edges

Compare that with what we’ve seen at rival show sites, where windows are often loose-fitting, rough to the touch and visibly warped. The Caspian’s joinery alone is enough to justify the slightly higher price point.

2. Interlocking Logs

The 28 mm logs use Tiger’s standard single-notch tongue-and-groove profile. This is the main structural difference between 28 mm and the 44 mm range.

• 28 mm = single tongue & groove, single notch
• 44 mm = thicker logs, double-tongue and deeper double notch

The difference is not subtle. The 44 mm system creates a near-immovable wall once assembled — we’ve measured as little as 2 mm of movement when pushing 75 kg against the wall. The 28 mm system is more flexible, typically around 4 mm under the same load.

Is this a problem?
Not necessarily. It depends entirely on two variables:

1. The size of the cabin footprint
2. How frequently you’ll be using it

For smaller sizes — such as 8×8, 8×10, 10×8, and 10×10 — the 28 mm Caspian is incredibly rigid and perfectly suitable for office use, hobby use, or occasional relaxing. It feels more robust than many 19 mm “summerhouses” pretending to be log cabins.

For larger sizes — 12×12 and especially 14×12 — the flex becomes more noticeable across long wall spans. Not dangerous, but not ideal if you want to:

• Put heavy shelving on the walls
• Mount monitors
• Lean large items against the interior
• Use it heavily all year round

We’ll come back to this in the buying advice.

Floor Performance (Expert-Measured)

We’ve performed repeated floor sag tests on Tiger’s 28 mm range, using a 75 kg load and a precision laser measuring device. Across multiple cabins — including a configuration very close to the Caspian’s footprint — we saw:

• ~3–4 mm of sag under 75 kg
• Excellent rebound (the floor returns to flat immediately)
• Smooth milling
• Tight tongue-and-groove alignment

This is extremely good for 28 mm.

For comparison:

• Cheap non-Tiger 28 mm cabins: 5–7 mm sag under the same load
• 44 mm Tiger cabins: ~2 mm sag
• Lightweight shed floors: often 8–10 mm

So the Caspian’s floor, even in the larger sizes, is structurally competent and comfortably above competitor norms.

Wall Rigidity (Expert-Measured)

We test wall rigidity by pressing a 75 kg weight against the external wall and measuring the displacement with a laser. On Tiger 44 mm logs we consistently see:

• 1.5–2 mm movement

On 28 mm Tiger cabins we consistently see:

• 3.5–4.5 mm movement

These figures are entirely expected.

Does this matter in real use?

• Not at all if you’re using the cabin as a sitting room, hobby space, kids’ den or light office.
• Slightly if you’re planning heavy shelving or wall-hung equipment.
• Noticeably if you choose the very largest Caspian footprints in 28 mm and plan significant usage all year.

Again, this is not a flaw — this is simply the natural limitation of 28 mm single-notch construction. It’s also why Tiger offer the Caspian in 44 mm for buyers who need that extra structural solidity.

Natural Light & Internal Environment

This is one of the Caspian’s strongest features — particularly in the popular 10×10 and 10×12 sizes.

With three opening windows and a front-facing apex, the interior feels:

• Bright
• Breezy
• Symmetrically lit
• Fresh in warmer months

From our lux meter tests on the 28 mm 10×10 with identical window layout, we recorded:

• Outdoor conditions: overcast
• Outside light: ~9,500 lux
• Inside light: ~420–500 lux at desk height

For context:

• 200–300 lux = typical working light for a home office
• 400–500 lux = bright, ideal working conditions
• 600+ lux = very bright studio-like space

So the Caspian hits the sweet spot. It’s bright enough to work in without artificial light for good portions of the day, yet not overwhelmingly glass-heavy like some modern cabins.

The European multi-pane glazing also softens glare compared with full-pane designs such as the Gamma or Optima.

Space, Layout & Practicality

One of the things we like most about the Caspian is how honest it is. It doesn’t try to be a flashy, glass-heavy modern cabin. It doesn’t try to be a veranda cabin. It doesn’t try to multitask beyond its remit. It is simply:

A solid, classic, well-lit log cabin suitable for a wide range of purposes.

Ideal Uses

• Small or medium home office
• Reading or hobby room
• Light workshop
• Garden retreat
• Kids’ den
• Quiet escape room
• Occasional guest overflow
• A secure space for valuable garden items

Desk Placement

Thanks to the window configuration, your natural desk/writing bench positions will be:

• Back wall (no windows)
• Side wall opposite the two windows

These walls also have the least flex, because the joiner-made window frames on the other side stiffen that elevation surprisingly well.

Space Efficiency

• The 8×8 is perfect for a compact workspace or reading room.
• The 10×10 is the “Goldilocks” size — the most structurally stable and versatile.
• The 12×10 is excellent for mixed-use.
• The 14×12 is where 28 mm starts reaching its practical span limit; that’s the size where we’d more strongly recommend upgrading to the 44 mm version.

Roof Structure & Weather Protection

The Caspian uses Tiger’s standard apex-roof purlin system, which is simple and reliable. Tiger do not skimp on purlins — something we always look for. Rival manufacturers will often use two where Tiger uses three or four, depending on the size.

More purlins = less roof deflection over time.

The TigerFelt supplied as standard is thicker than the generic garden-centre felt, and the tongue-and-groove roof boards are tightly milled. For longevity, EPDM is always a good upgrade on any cabin, including the Caspian.

Comparisons: When the Caspian Outperforms Other Models

The Caspian is often misunderstood because it sits in a competitive part of Tiger’s range. Here is exactly where it shines:

Better than the 19 mm TigerFlex® range if:

• You want solidity
• You want more than occasional use
• You want proper joiner-made windows
• You want longevity and rigidity

Better than the Corbetti if:

• You prefer chalet styling
• You want a more characterful look
• You want front-facing apex rather than pent

Better than the Javan if:

• You don’t need double doors
• You prefer more glazing and more light
• You favour a softer, more traditional aesthetic

Buying Guidance: 28 mm or 44 mm?

This is the single most important decision with the Caspian.

Choose 28 mm if:

• You’re buying 8×8, 8×10, 10×8, 10×10
• You want a light, bright cabin
• You’ll be using it seasonally or lightly year-round
• You don’t need heavy wall loadings
• You want the best value-for-money in the range

Choose 44 mm if:

• You’re buying 12×10, 12×12, 14×12
• You’ll use the cabin all year
• You want the highest rigidity
• You want minimal movement and maximum thermal mass
• You’re installing shelving, heavy tools, or electrical equipment
• You need a warm office space in winter

In simple terms:
Small Caspian = 28 mm is perfect.
Large Caspian = 44 mm is the smart long-term choice.

Expert Performance Summary

Based on our measured data across the 28 mm and 44 mm Tiger ranges:

Final Verdict

The Caspian 28 mm is one of Tiger’s most honest, well-built and charming small-to-medium log cabins. It has that classic chalet appeal, genuine joinery, a bright and breezy interior, and excellent structural integrity in the smaller sizes. When used within its optimal size range, it punches well above what most people expect from 28 mm cabins.

It’s a better-built, stronger, more refined, and frankly more enjoyable cabin than many of the lightweight “garden office” boxes sold elsewhere — and with proper care, it will last decades.

If you want classic styling, great light, and a structurally dependable cabin that doesn’t break the bank, the Caspian is one of the standout models in Tiger’s 28 mm series.

If, however, you’re going larger than 12×10, or you want a year-round heated workspace, the Caspian 44 mm is unquestionably the version to buy.

Either way:
The design is lovely.
The joinery is excellent.
And the value is superb.

A quietly brilliant cabin.