Tiger Optima Log Cabin (44mm) – Show Site Review

Jump to:
Walking Up
Build Quality
Windows & Doors
Interior Experience
Customisation & Extras
Finance
Pros & Cons
Final Verdict

Walking Up to the Cabin

Walking across the show site to the Tiger Optima 44mm Log Cabin, my first impression was how much it looks like a genuine garden room rather than a shed. The frontage is bold, with tall panes and wide double doors, and the corner log joints looked smooth and tightly cut. Running a hand along the 44mm logs, the interlock felt snug with no gapping — always my first tell of careful machining and decent timber selection.

The Optima is offered in six sizes (14×12 up to 18×14 ft). During my visit I noted guide prices from ~£5,400 for the smaller footprint to ~£7,300+ for the largest. Prices do change, so visit the retailer for the latest pricing.

Build Quality & Construction

The first thing I test is the floor. Putting full weight through one foot, the 19mm tongue-and-groove floor felt rock solid — no flex or bounce. In WhatShed’s market analysis, only ~8% of cabins step up to 19mm flooring, so this sits in the top bracket for strength and long-term performance.

Looking up, the roof is also 19mm tongue-and-groove, carried by substantial, neatly fitted cross-struts. The covering is Tiger’s polyester-backed TigerFelt®, noticeably tougher than the thin mineral felt I often see on mid-range models.

Walls are 44mm interlocking logs — WhatShed class this as the best construction form for cabins, present on roughly 19% of models we analyse. The benefit isn’t just rigidity; thicker walls insulate better in winter and help moderate summer heat, which is why the Optima feels like a genuine four-season room with a small heater.

Windows & Doors

I opened and closed the full-height double doors several times — smooth swing and a reassuring clunk on closure. Doors and windows are joiner-made and glazed with 4mm toughened glass. Leaning gently against a pane, there was no flex or rattle. WhatShed class toughened glazing and tall door sets as premium features that sit above the category average for usability and security.

Frames felt chunky and true, not the thin surrounds common on budget builds. There’s a proper mortice lock (5-lever upgrade available). The front mixes fixed and opening panes, so you can ventilate without sacrificing light or security.

Interior Experience

Even on a dull afternoon, the interior was flooded with natural light. The slow-grown European softwood used here showed a clean, pale grain with very few knots. Some walls on the display model had been given a light treatment, which showed how crisp and modern the space looks once finished.

Standing centrally, I pictured three realistic setups:

• Home office — desk to the side, garden view ahead, bright enough to work all day without artificial light.
• Garden gym — the 19mm floor easily copes with cardio kit or free weights on mats.
• Games / hobby room — generous headroom and daylight make it ideal for crafting, music, or a family den.

With doors closed the space felt snug and draught-free, which tallies with the precision interlock and tight corner notching. This is why, in person, the Optima feels more like a home extension than a shed.

Customisation & Practical Extras

• Reduced height option (under 2.5m) to help with planning limits.
• Optional extras: decking, guttering, roof shingles/EPDM, additional openings.
• Finishes: Tiger’s Protek eco-friendly paints and preservatives in a wide colour palette (UV-resistant, water-repellent, child/pet-safe).
• Professional installation available if you’d rather not DIY.

Finance & Practicalities

With guide prices typically ranging from ~£5,400 to £7,300+ depending on size and options, the Optima is a considered purchase. Tiger offer Klarna and Novuna finance (including interest-free periods and longer pay-monthly plans), which can make budgeting easier. For the most accurate figure, check the retailer’s product page at the point of ordering.

Every purchase includes a Welcome Pack and is backed by Tiger’s 20-Year Guarantee plus Tiger Club membership for ongoing offers and maintenance perks.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 44mm interlocking logs — premium build & insulation (seen on ~19% of cabins in WhatShed data).
• 19mm floor & roof boards — top-tier spec (present on <10% of cabins we analyse).
• Joiner-made frames with 4mm toughened glass; proper mortice locking.
• Bright, modern frontage; feels like a true garden room.
• Six sizes, reduced-height option, broad colour and extras range.
• Backed by Tiger heritage, 20-Year Guarantee, aftercare and installation options.

Cons

• Premium pricing bracket; costs vary by size and options.
• Glazed frontage may need blinds for privacy in overlooked plots.
• Requires a solid base and either confident DIY or paid installation.

Final Verdict

Spending time inside the Optima confirmed my expectations: this is a solid, well-engineered mid-market cabin that delivers where it counts — 44mm walls, 19mm boards to floor and roof, and proper joinery with toughened glazing. In WhatShed’s structured scoring the Optima lands at 95/100 (“Above Average and solid”), which is fair: it isn’t a luxury insulated garden room, but the build quality and detailing make it one of the safer mid-range buys for long-term, everyday use.

If you want a bright, versatile space for working, training, hobbies or relaxing — and you value sturdier construction over gimmicks — the Optima 44mm is easy to recommend. For up-to-date pricing on the six sizes, check the retailer’s page before you buy.

My score: 9.5/10 — a dependable, light-filled cabin that genuinely feels like an extension of the home.