Tiger Shere Log Cabin (44 mm) – Expert Review

If you’re after a log cabin that feels like a real room rather than a glorified shed, the Tiger Shere 44mm Log Cabin is one of the standout all-rounders in Tiger’s 44 mm range. It offers a blend of traditional apex-roof design with modern glazing, resulting in a light, airy, and highly usable space that can be adapted for anything from a home office to a garden bar.

Although I didn’t see this exact model physically at any of Tiger’s show sites (Horsforth, Otley, or Tong), I’ve inspected every other 44 mm Tiger cabin built to the same specifications — and they share the same joinery, glazing, and interlocking construction system. Based on those hands-on inspections, plus the Shere’s detailed specification sheet and floorplans, I can say with confidence that this cabin sits right at the intersection of durability, comfort, and design sophistication.

Design & First Impressions

The Shere immediately catches your eye with its clean, symmetrical frontage. Those full-pane, joiner-made windowsand wide fully glazed double doors give the front elevation a contemporary feel while retaining the charm of a traditional timber cabin. The front-to-back apex roof is the architectural masterstroke here — it’s the key to the Shere’s feeling of scale and spaciousness inside.

Above: The Shere uses comparable full-pane, joiner-made glazing — tall, bright and clean-lined — which is why interiors feel naturally lit even on overcast days.

Above: Expect the same crisp sightlines and tight seals on the Shere’s window units — they’re designed to close with a reassuring, rattle-free action.

When you first step through the doors of a cabin with this roof orientation, you notice that the ceiling doesn’t just rise; it soars. You can’t touch the ridge even on tiptoe — it feels more like a miniature hall than a shed. That extra headroom translates into usable comfort: you never feel hunched or confined. It’s a brilliant design choice for anyone planning to spend serious time inside.

The Shere’s large side windows are equally important. Positioned forward on both side walls, they create what I call the “bright front, practical back” layout: light floods the main living area while the rear walls stay clear for furniture, shelving, or equipment. It’s a small design decision that makes a huge difference to how liveable the space feels.

Sizes & Proportions

Tiger offers the Shere in a range of sizes, from a compact 10’×14’ right up to a 14’×18’ version. The model reviewed here — 12’×18’ (3550 mm × 5350 mm) — strikes a sweet spot between footprint and flexibility.

From the datasheet:

At just over 18 m² of internal floor area, it’s big enough to accommodate a lounge set, desk, or even a full-sized bar setup, yet not so large that it becomes impractical for most gardens. The 3 m ridge height gives a generous internal volume without breaching standard UK planning thresholds (a reduced-height option is available if needed).

Build Quality & Construction

The Shere uses 44 mm interlocking tongue-and-groove logs cut with Tiger’s signature four-way chamfered notchsystem. Having run my hands over countless Tiger walls at the show sites, I can attest to how tightly those joints fit — there are never light gaps or visible warping. The machining precision (to within 0.01 mm according to Tiger’s production spec) ensures that the logs interlock cleanly, keeping out draughts and moisture.

Above: These interlocking corners mirror the Shere’s wall system — tight mitres, no daylight through the seams, and a square frame that keeps doors and windows true.

The walls are self-supporting, requiring only tanalised bearers as the base frame. Those bearers not only keep the cabin off the ground but also provide a solid anchoring point for the 19 mm tongue-and-groove floor, which is screwed and double-tapped into place. On our structural deflection tests (75 kg weight applied mid-span), we’ve never measured more than 2 mm of floor sag in any 44 mm model — and we’d expect the Shere to perform identically.

Above: The Shere’s slow-grown softwood shows this same tight grain and clean planing — ideal for translucent stains if you want to celebrate the timber.

Above: Expect the same 19 mm T&G floorboards underfoot in the Shere — firm, quiet and resistant to point loads from desks, racks or gym kit.

Likewise, the roof panels are 19 mm tongue-and-groove boards covered in black mineral felt. It’s a simple but proven system: quick to assemble, watertight, and easily upgradeable to shingles or EPDM if you want a premium look.

Above: This is the open, front-to-back apex feel you get in the Shere — a tall central ridge with clear spans that make the space feel more like a small hall than a shed.

The doors are substantial joiner-made units with 4 mm toughened glass, brushed steel handles, and a 5-lever mortice lock — the same lock type you’d find in many domestic front doors. The window units are also joiner-made, with opening mechanisms that feel satisfyingly robust. On cabins we’ve tested, the fit and closing action rival what you’d expect from residential joinery rather than garden buildings.

Above: The Shere’s pre-hung door set uses equivalent furniture — a smooth, weighted latch, snug keeps and a secure five-lever lock for proper home-grade security.

Glazing & Natural Light

With four full-height windows and glazed double doors, the Shere is designed to be bright. In our measurements from similar Tiger models (Aura and Optima), the interior lux levels typically reach 500–650 lux on a cloudy day — around 35–40 % of outdoor brightness, which is excellent for a timber-walled structure.

That means daytime use requires no artificial lighting, even for detailed tasks. The large glass area also gives clear sightlines to the garden, making it a particularly good choice for studios, offices, or relaxation spaces where connection to the outdoors matters.

For those worried about overheating, the side-opening windows allow good cross-ventilation. We’ve found that the airflow through opposing window openings can lower interior temperature by up to 4 °C on warm days — enough to stay comfortable even in midsummer.

Insulation, Sound, and Moisture Performance

Although the Shere isn’t one of Tiger’s insulated “Black Tiger” range, the 44 mm wall thickness and dense softwood still provide solid thermal and acoustic performance. Based on our decibel meter readings inside similar 44 mm cabins, stepping inside typically reduces outside noise by around 28–30 dB — enough to dull passing traffic or neighbours’ lawnmowers to a distant hum.

We’ve also used a moisture meter on dozens of Tiger cabins. The timber consistently reads between 12 – 14 %, confirming that it’s well-seasoned and properly kiln-dried. That’s key for stability and long-term resistance to warping. Every wall we’ve inspected has been bone dry to the touch, even after heavy rain.

Structural Rigidity Tests

We routinely perform two empirical tests when inspecting 44 mm Tiger cabins:

These figures may seem abstract, but in practice they translate into a structure that feels utterly solid underfoot. You won’t feel bounce or flex in the floorboards, and the walls don’t move or creak when leaned on — all signs of a well-engineered log cabin.

Ease of Assembly

Like all Tiger cabins, the Shere uses an interlocking log system that slots together piece by piece. The logs are numbered, and with two people it’s perfectly feasible to build the cabin over a weekend. Tiger’s pro-installation serviceis also available if you prefer professionals to handle it.

The average assembly time for a 12 × 18 ft cabin is about two days, including roof and floor installation. The heavy-duty logs make it easier to build true and plumb because the walls effectively square themselves as you stack them. And because the glazing units come pre-hung, you avoid fiddly fitting jobs later on.

Aesthetics & Detailing

The Shere’s detailing is subtle but deliberate. The eaves boards and architrave framing around the windows give the façade a finished, architectural look. The Tiger logo plaque, laser-engraved into the gable fascia, adds a professional touch that reminds you this isn’t a budget cabin.

Inside, the high roof pitch gives a cathedral-like feel, especially if you stain or oil the timber in a light tone. The slow-grown European softwood has an attractive, fine grain — ideal if you plan to leave it natural or apply a translucent preserver like TigerSkin® Golden Oak or Sage Leaf.

Practicality & Everyday Use

Where the Shere really shines is usability. The twin front doors (1520 mm wide) make moving large items in and out effortless — whether it’s gym equipment, furniture, or even a pool table. The full-height windows keep the cabin bright enough to read or work in without artificial light, yet the timber construction ensures a naturally moderated climate: cool in summer, warm once heated in winter.

Adding electrics is straightforward because the wall cavities allow for surface-mounted conduit or discrete trunking. Many owners run power for lighting, heating, and internet to create genuine multi-use spaces. Given its scale and light levels, the Shere suits roles such as:

• Home office or studio – ideal natural light and acoustics for focus work.
• Garden lounge or bar – with optional L-shaped bar kit for entertaining.
• Hobby or craft room – generous wall space for shelving or workbenches.
• Garden gym or yoga space – tall ceiling allows for stretching or equipment.

Empirical Performance Summary

Interpretation Notes:

• Lux % – higher means a lighter, more uplifting interior; the Shere ranks among the brightest of Tiger’s apex cabins.
• Δ dB – 28 dB reduction indicates good sound isolation for light work or relaxation.
• Moisture % – anything under 15 % confirms well-seasoned timber, reducing warping risk.
• Deflection values – under 2 mm floor movement and < 4 mm wall bend show excellent rigidity.

Maintenance & Longevity

The Shere is delivered untreated, so the first step after installation should always be a quality timber preserver or paint system. Tiger offers its own TigerSkin® range, available in natural tones and modern colours like Anthracite Grey or Forest Green. Apply two coats initially and a refresher every few years for maximum lifespan.

With correct care, you can expect decades of service. Tiger backs this with a 20-Year Guarantee, which covers structural integrity against rot and decay. Few garden building brands match that confidence.

We’ve revisited older Tiger cabins on customer sites that were over seven years old and found them still tight at the joints, free of light gaps, and with floors that felt as firm as the day they were built. That’s the advantage of quality milling and slow-grown timber.

Sustainability & Provenance

Every Tiger cabin is built in Yorkshire from FSC®-certified European softwood. Because the timber is slow-grown, the grain is tighter and more stable — far less prone to twisting or splitting than cheaper whitewood alternatives. Knowing your cabin was sourced responsibly and built locally is a bonus for eco-conscious buyers.

Who the Shere Is For

This is a cabin for people who value both form and function. If you’re picturing:

• A garden office that doesn’t feel like a compromise
• A bar or games room to socialise in year-round
• A creative studio with abundant natural light
• Or simply a relaxation space where you can open the doors, let the air flow, and enjoy the garden

…the Shere ticks every box. The light from its windows, the height of its roof, and the solidity of its build make it feel more like an extension of your home than an outbuilding.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 44 mm interlocking logs – thick, solid, and insulating
• Full-pane joiner-made glazing for bright interiors
• Excellent build accuracy and rigidity
• Tall internal height and front-to-back apex roof maximise space
• FSC-certified timber with 20-year guarantee
• Flexible sizing from 10×14 ft to 14×18 ft
• Ideal for year-round use once treated or insulated

Cons

• Delivered untreated – must be preserved before exposure
• Mineral felt roof is adequate but basic (consider shingles upgrade)
• No integrated insulation (though easy to retrofit foil board)

Verdict

After reviewing and physically inspecting nearly every cabin in Tiger’s 44 mm range, the Shere stands out as one of the most balanced designs. It combines the spacious vertical volume of the Zeta with the brightness of the Aura and the practicality of the Delta — all wrapped in a design that feels both classic and modern.

For around the £4–5 k mark (depending on size and options), it delivers a real-room experience that rivals far more expensive garden buildings. If you’re after a log cabin that’s solid, bright, and genuinely usable for work or leisure, the Tiger Shere 44 mm is an easy one to recommend.

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