Glamping; do you know your Huts from the Pods, Cabins & Lodges?
cabins huts lodges pods glamping uk
The glamping movement which appeared seemingly out of nowhere and caught the UK by storm about ten years ago looks like it’s most definitely here to stay.
The popularity of mini-breaks, weekend tourism trends and Brexit fears are assisting the UK Leisure and tourism industry with a very pleasant boost. Meanwhile, consumers simultaneously delight in the folksy resurgence of ‘Best of British’ which is reflected in the explosion of micro-breweries, artisan markets, crafts producers, small scale organic farmers, manufacturers, creative/design firms and of course the joiners and craftspeople who create the plethora of structures which we all call Huts, cabins, pods or lodges to supply the burgeoning glamping industry.
But are they all the same? Or is there a real difference between these terms?
You may find a Cabin on a more established holiday park, touring park, woodland leisure centre or remote UK location
cabin noun
1. a small wooden shelter or house in a wild or remote area.
The most likely descriptive phrase for a timber-framed and/or modular building. The most common term for glamping buildings.
Buildings you may find in the UK Glamping or Leisure industry which will use this term:
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Log Cabin (Log Houses)
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BBQ Cabins
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Woodland Cabins
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Wigwam Cabins (surprisingly, these look nothing like the original native American Indian Wigwams!)
Shepherds Hut – This is an old-fashioned, original style Shepherds Hut from which the modern designs have all stemmed. Contemporary Shepherds Huts are commonly clad in Cedar and boast windows!
hut noun
1. a small, simple, single-storey house or shelter.
Buildings you may find in the UK Glamping or Leisure industry which will use this term:
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Shepherds Hut
pod noun
1. a detachable or self-contained unit on an aircraft, spacecraft, vehicle, or vessel, having a particular function.
We’re actually not sure how the term ‘pod’ ever became synonymous with the domestic garden room & British tourism industry. Still..,. you’ll find this term used to refer to a wide range of structures. Most often, ‘pods’ represent the budget-staycation market and can be found on campsites, hostels, touring parks and even National Trust locations.
Buildings you may find in the UK Glamping or Leisure industry which will use this term:
This is an example of Barrel Pods
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Camping Pods
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Glamping Pods
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Eco-Pods
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Log Pods
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Barrel Pods
lodge noun
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a small house at the gates of a park or in the grounds of a large house, occupied by a gatekeeper, gardener, or other employee.
As with the Cabin, these are usually timber-framed or modular buildings suitable for long or mid-term stays.
Buildings you may find in the UK Glamping or Leisure industry which will use this term:
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Rotunda Holiday Lodge
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Safari Lodges (These are canvas structures)
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Tree house Lodges
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Lakeside Lodges
So, the conclusion?
Well, with the exception of the ‘Huts’ which really only represent one style of building in the UK Glamping industry, (the Shepherds Hut); the other terms all reflect timber-framed, modular or transportable semi-permanent holiday accommodation of varying qualities and style to suit budgets and sites.
So, if you’re looking for a unique building for your site, research your manufacturer extensively and check for quality. Ultimately, a lodge, pod, cabin or hut may very well be on the menu for UK Landowners to choose from but there is one building which stands head and shoulders above the rest. That is, of course, the Rotunda. For that, we can assure you, there is no other.
Rotunda Roundhouses at the OM Yoga Show
Were you were one of the lucky ones who managed to drop in to the OM Yoga Show, Mind Body Soul and Vegan Life Live exhibition in Manchester last weekend? I am sure we don’t need to remind you of the highlights of such a fun and inspiring event! Amongst the free Yoga sessions and seminars there was a dazzling array of stands and an incredible amount of really very good vegan food…. and some… interesting vegan food.
We had such a brilliant time meeting likeminded souls that we’re booking ourselves back in for the LONDON event, in London on the 20th of October! So, for those of you who might have missed us and are geographically more local to London, please do keep in touch and look out for us later on in the year!
(And there’s the mighty Philip Kay our Managing Director looking very smiley.)
Unique Glamping Cabins in Scotland taking shape
There is a special breed of person, we’ve found.
Not one, but many; and their kind is growing… expanding in defiance of the new technological era. Claiming their place as the new adventurers of the 21st century.
Perhaps you too, are one of them?
This type of human craves wilderness and fresh mountain air. They are intoxicated by the heavy blankets of moss and decomposing leaves in the deepest part of ancient forests, they enjoy the smell of woodsmoke, the sounds and scurrying of birds and wildlife and the crackling of a campfire as the wind whistles through rugged landscapes.
Oftentimes these people find themselves living life as many of us do, working in (god forbid) an office or residing in an urban area. It’s easy to spot the adventurer. You will most probably find them slowly and intently leafing through a copy of ‘Cabin Porn’ or watching Channel 4’s ‘George Clarkes amazing spaces’ in their free time. You’ll see them down at their allotment growing food which most folk would prefer to buy from the supermarket and they may very well partake in hobbies such as pottery (mud, of course!) and just about anything to do with the outdoors.
This is a sweeping generalisation of course. But, we believe this to be true. We also recognise that this breed of person also has a penchant for cabins. Nordic cabins. Rustic cabins. Cabins in the woods, on the hillsides, cabins by fishing lakes or deep in valleys dwarfed either side by mountain crags and just about anywhere that you might find an abundance of moss and lichen.
Well, listen up, cabin-lovers. We have a treat for you. The mother of all glamping cabins has just landed in this physical reality and it’s the ‘James Bond house’ of all glamping cabins. It’s rustic and contemporary, unusual yet familiar and cosy but espansive. We’re presently 70% through the build process and to say that everyone involved is excited is a gross understatement.
The plan, by our client, is to have three (two of which are already on site) unique and impressive eco-lodges for long-term holiday lets (1-2 weeks) sitting on stilts, on a mountainside, in a forest, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The site is……….. to die for, the view is incredible. Not to mention the wildlife (especially the white tailed eagle……one of which is captured below) is rather impressive.
So, our client, needed *spectacular* cabins……
We designed these units to capture as much of the view as possible. As you can see from this early design sketch, the central ‘Roundel’ is 5.5m in diameter. This serves as the living room and kitchen, we affectionately call this ‘the snug’. Those windows are 1.8m high and sweep around the forward elevation for an unobstructed view. 
The bedroom and bathroom areas are provided within the ‘wings’ of the building. With a depth of 3.2m and 2.5m respectively, they are large enough to provide a comfortable and unique space without forgoing any of the unique charm of the Rotunda.
Do you see that long, wide, low-hung window over the bath? This is the view…
And how about a glimpse of those beautifully crafted Accoya bay windows in the snug? Oh…
I bet, the bedroom is starting to look pretty good now too eh?
It’s getting there!
Naturally, the photography will be pheonominal once the project has completed (a little over three weeks away) but we couldn’t help but share the progress with you.
With bookings already being taken for Summer 2018 and 2019 and our client already filling spaces far sooner than they’d anticipated, it’s worth getting in touch ASAP if you’d like to book yourself a little jaunt up to the Hebrides to stay in these spectacular cabins.
You can find Kathryn and Angus Johnson on their website: www.uistforestretreat.co.uk
Until next time!
From all at Rotunda x
Councillors officially open a new Primary School eco-building
Local Councillors mark the official opening of a new eco-building at Richard Bonington Primary School in Nottingham.
On Tuesday the 20th of March Councillor Sandra Barnes and Councillor Peter Barnes were present at the official opening of the new outdoor classroom; the Rotunda Roundhouse eco-building at Richard Bonington School in Arnold.
Sandra cut the red ribbon and gave a heartening and memorable speech to the children and parents to celebrate the official opening of the “The Bonington Burrow”, a new woodland classroom which is nestled into their outdoor forest area. This scheme forms part of a new outdoor learning initiative for nursery children attending forest school sessions. Forest School provision started at Richard Bonington back in 2006 and now the site is well established with many different habitats for the children to explore. 
Research shows that this type of experience is effective in helping children develop a love of learning, whilst helping them develop physically and socially. This rotunda is the central hub of their forest school, providing a nucleus; a warm and cozy eco-building to retreat into for a hot chocolate and a story when the weather turns a bit….. well, British.
Mrs Suzanne Campbell (Foundation Coordinator) said “we are thrilled that the school can offer such a rich and positive learning experience to our youngest pupils through Forest School. The School management team and Governors recognise what an important investment the building is to enable us to provide 30 hours of education for our 3-4 year olds, which also benefits working parents. Staff and children absolutely love the new learning environment.”
Whilst all children at Richard Bonington have an opportunity to take part in forest school sessions, the additional nursery sessions are a bespoke provision that provides an outdoor learning experience, in most weather conditions, for nursery children.
This opening followed on from an official visit by their local MP For Gedling, Vernon Coaker, also celebrating the successful launch of this inspiring initiative. Vernon Coaker said “ I visited the Richard Bonington Primary School & their successful childcare provision for 3 – 4 year olds, the Forest School gives these children an opportunity to learn in the outdoors. They have a brand new building called the Bonington Burrow – a great place to learn. ‘It was great to see so many happy children, a fantastic facility and a credit to the school and staff involved “
Children walking past the new eco-building at Richard Bonington School
Gemma Roe, the founder of Rotunda Roundhouses Ltd said “We really enjoyed creating this special space for the Richard Bonington School in Arnold. It’s a safe, warm and inclusive environment for the nursery children, built entirely out of British Timber with a wildflower meadow roof for biodiversity. We’re proud to be working with local primary schools and nurseries to create such unique and inspiring outdoor learning spaces.”
Garden Room Foundation systems (Low impact)
If you’re living in an AONB, Conservation area or National Park it may be advisable to seek out a garden room foundation sytem which is low-impact. Fortunately, there are several options available for your garden room installation.
Today, we’ll be highlighting the benefits of three of our favorite systems:
- The Groundscrew by ‘Stop Digging’ – which drives down into the ground
- The eco-plinth by Swift Foundations – sits on top of the ground
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The eco-base fast fit, also by Swift Foundations – requires the footprint (of the garden room) topsoil area to be cleared by 10cm (100mm)
Ground Screws (https://stop-digging.co.uk/)
Benefits of Ground Screws
Ground screws can be installed anywhere you normally dig to concrete in an upright post or site a prefabricated concrete support. Installation of your garden room foundation system is carried out by their certified installers in a gentle process that does not utilise digging.
- Groundscrews minimise any disturbance to the ground where your building will be sited – commonly referred to as ‘pinhole’ footings, they are driven into the ground at itervals creating zero disturbance to tree-roots/lawn/block-paving etc.
- They are idea for flood zones as they elevate the building above the ground to a height which is required to avoid flooding
- This system can screw straight through an existing wooden deck or through tarmac
- Fast and efficient. They come and undertake the work for you – you can then build your garden room straight away
- Portable so no site access problems
- Promotes air flow underneath your garden room – keeping timbers dry
- Height adjustable
- Allows access to services underneath your building
- Economic alternative to a concrete slab
We just love these. Love them.
Swift Plinth (https://swiftfoundations.co.uk/)
The Swift Plinth is a ‘caravan code’ foundation system for garden room buildings and can carry up to 1 tonne per plinth with spans of no more than 2 metres. We find that on sensitive sites, the planning officers like these as they can be uplifted and carried away at the end of the buidlings’ life.
Benefits of the Swift Plinth
- No wet mix. Install and start building
- Portable so no site access problems
- 50mm of adjustment in each bracket for easy levelling – great for sloping sites
- Allows air flow under your building
- Keeps timbers away from ground moisture
- Helps prevent splash back onto your timbers
- Allows access to services underneath your building
- No specialist skills or equipment required for installation
- Economic alternative to a concrete slab
These can be installed independently without disturbing the topsoil apart from the ‘grid’ which requires the topsoil clearing.
EcoBase (https://swiftfoundations.co.uk/)
EcoBase Fastfit can be used as a firm foundation for a wide variety of smaller garden buildings and comes with a permeable membrane, cut to the size of the building’s foundation to suppress the growth of weeds.
EcoBase Fastfit Benefits
This building is installed on a heavy-duty eco-base grid system
Of course, each and every site is different and depending on the size/weight/orientation and location of your building in addition to the soil type may determine what is realistic for your garden room installation.
Other (less environmentally friendly options) footing types usually involve concrete and these are:
- Pile and Pad foundations
- Raft Foundations
- Concrete blocks
- Concrete slab
- Timber-piles
- Strip foundations
It’s always best to check your local builder/groundworks professional or garden room manufacturer which they suggest dependent on your circumstances and budget prior to selecting your foundation system.
Hopefully this has been useful to you, please don’t hesitate to drop us a line on (0161) 2223350 should you have any further queries relating to the installation and design of your unique garden room and we’ll do our best to advise.
Building Glamping units in Scotland
“The outer Hebrides…… you say….?” It was with mild disbelief that on a wet and blustery December day in the Rotunda HQ that we echoed those words back to our potential client. The voice on the other end of the phone was chirpy, bright, intelligent and wildly enthusiastic about the details of a unique costal site with special conservation status and a view to make you want to cry, it’s so profoundly beautiful. The fact that she was pushing up against a tight four month deadline, she wanted several glamping units and the site was about as far away as you could get from the rest of the UK Mainland was of little concern to us. We knew that we could achieve her objectives and create these buildings in time and on budget. We just needed to act, quickly.
Being located in the North West of England, we are ideally situated to be able to service the whole of the UK fairly easily. A mere 4 hours drive from Glasgow, and 5 hours from South Devon, Cornwall or Kent. We are, truly blessed.
Once in a while we inevitably end up travelling somewhere a little more exotic. The South of France was one of our furthest jaunts, which we enjoyed immensely.
The opportunity to build Rotunda units in Scotland arises for us each and every year; but yet have we had the opportunity to break off from the mainland and head out to the wild and ancient western isles which stretch out into the Atlantic ocean and have the atmosphere and energy steeped in ancient Celtic history.
This chain of islands form an area of unspoilt natural beauty with spectacular scenery, impressive mountain ranges, moorland, lochs, machair and miles of golden (sometimes sheltered) sandy beaches and turquoise seas.
It’s now March and the two incredibly unique Rotunda glamping units* (*we use that term lightly!) buildings are nearing the final stages of their manufacture – ready to be sent up to their final destination in two weeks time.
If driving non-stop, it would take our installations team approximately 14 hours to reach the site. This includes a 2.5hour ferry journey towards the end. In reality, it’ll most likely take them between 24-36 hours with a stop to rest half-way. But it’s worth it…..
This site is indeed beautiful. As are the two Rotunda glamping units which will sit amidst the trees of a pinewood forest and panoramic views of the ocean.
The Rotunda design is completely bespoke to suit the requirements of the lovely couple who are pioneering this special project. The Rotunda itself is almost completely glazed along the forward elevation, maximising the panoramic vistas for their guests. The bedroom and bathroom segments are created as ‘wings’ with both also boasting large, landscape windows. The bedroom houses a set of french doors which lead out to the viewing platform. Just beautiful.
Of course, there is more to a Rotunda glamping unit than the shape alone. We have compiled four interior design concept boards to assist with the finish of the completed project, an example of one is shown below. Our client enlisted us to design the overall theme and generate colour schemes and design features for each room. 
Needless to say, these are much more than glamping units. These buildings are self-contained luxury cottages with the finishes and mod-cons of a Four Seasons Holiday lodge.
The unique rustic appeal of the Rotunda and 100% British Timber philosophy makes it feel like cabin in the woods. Each unit is an authentic and inspiring little building with a deep connection and respect for not only the ancient civilisations who spent their lives on these sacred lands but also the land and forests in which they sit.
Bookings are now being taken from June 2018 so please do contact us if you’d like to book a break in one for yourself; this is one Scottish Glamping Experience that trumps all others.
All the best
Rotunda x
Are you wondering what’s available when it comes to garden room heating options? We’ve spent the best part of half a decade trialling, installing and receiving feedback on the myriad of different garden room heating packages available to the garden room industry. All of which, we’ve had success with.
However, we recently happened upon a miracle heating system which is not only efficient and straightforward to install and to maintain but it’s a winner in terms of aesthetics too. This system has simply blown all other garden room heating systems out of the water. The Thermaskirt Skirting Board Heating by Discrete Heat is…. invisible!
garden room heating – thermaskirt
Dubbed “The worlds smartest heating system”, (well, that is a good start for your garden room!) this is a skirting board which provides your heating. How marvellous is this? As far as we are aware, we are the only garden room manufacturer who installs this system as a standard feature and we’ve trialled it on numerous buildings, all with fantastic results. Happy clients and warm, toasty garden rooms is the aim of the game here!
Unlike underfloor heating which can dictate which flooring style you chose and is a nightmare to repair if it fails, this system is accessible, innovative and (above all else) discreet.
ThermaSkirt-e is a revolutionary new form of direct electric heating, designed to replace electric storage heaters and panel radiators, as well as provide a more practical, controllable & reliable alternative to electric under floor garden room heating.
- Combines your skirting boards and heating system into one simple, cost-effective package
- Creates a more spacious environment by eliminating radiators from walls
- Made from an aluminium alloy that is 5 times better at emitting heat than steel
- Heats up fast like a radiator but has the comforting feel of underfloor heating when in operation
- Connected to a standard 220/240V switched fused supply via a programmable thermostat
- Specially developed controls learn the heating characteristics of a room to maximise efficiency
- Provides clean, hygienic heat with no grilles, slots or fins to attract and trap dust and bacteria
How is it controlled?
ThermaSkirt-e is controlled by a specially developed electronic thermostat that ‘learns’ the heating characteristics and warm up times of the room to maximise efficiency.
The manufacturers can be found here: http://www.discreteheat.com/
If you would like to see this system in action please feel free to contact us, we’d be more than happy to showcase one of our recent installations. After all, a heating system is for the life of your garden room, not just for one winter. If you’re going to love your garden room for decades to come, an excellent heating system is a good way to start.
There are numerous ways to extend and partition your garden annexe or yoga room & we often extend out in radial ‘wings’ which create wonderfully interesting rooms in respect of their gently sloping ceilings and the beautifully curved walls. We’ve found that more often than not, the ‘wings’ are where our clients choose to house bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms so the central space can remain open as the jaw-dropping cathedral-esque central feature. The Yoga Room style we build in domestic gardens are dedicated spaces and as such, it’s imperative that the central hub is kept clear for yoga practice.
The final build of 2017 was exceptional. Not only were we commissioned to create a partitioned 13.5m diameter Rotunda yoga room but the pièce de résistance of this structure (apart from it’s size) was the sliding pocket wall which separated the kitchen from the main yoga room.
The sliding pocket wall was conceived by our client, designed by us and then brought into reality by our (genius!) head-joiner Dan who engineered the most marvellous system.
It is suspended above the floor thus enabling us to continue the engineered oak floor seamlessly from the central yoga room into the kitchen. Not only did the Rotunda team manage to complete a perfect prototype first time but Dan also designed fail-safe access points into the skirting boards and upper wall panels of the adjoining ‘pocket’ walls to ensure that one can access the working mechanisms in the future.
It’s smooth, it’s solid and it’s just what the client wished for. A great result all round!
The benefits of building an office in the garden
Are you considering a new way of working and think that installing an office in the garden might be a suitable option for you? If so, read on, you might just find another reason to take the plunge in 2018.
Ditch the commute, gain time: If you usually drive over 30mins to work you’ve already gained an hour of time each day by switching to a mere stroll down to your office in the garden. That’s a 5 hour gain each and every week. If making the switch permanently this equates to 260 hours of increased productivity a year. Equivalent to 32.5 full (8 hour) days…. let that sink in for a moment…. 32.5 days a year! This is a golden opportunity to claw back more of your essential time to ensure you’re optimally maximising your diary and your efficiency.
Focus on quality: It’s often true that reducing distractions and placing a greater emphasis on a dedicated workspace can provide you with the opportunity to think clearly and work to your highest potential. Of course, it’s a well-known trait of authors and artists to take themselves off to a quiet haven in which to work; the same is true for a plethora of other professionals. Perhaps you need a dedicated office to enable you to get your next project off the ground/write the article you’ve been sitting on for months, draw up a session plan for your healing workshop or prepare that paperwork for your legal case. Whatever you do, if you’re creative and/or need to use your brain to create work which requires peace and quiet, an office in the garden could be the most appropriate solution for you.
Inspired, healthy environments = increased productivity: There have been papers written for eons by environmental psychologists confirming that our environment is absolutely crucial to our productivity. Most commonly termed as ‘Sick Building Syndrome‘ this is a condition affecting office workers, typically marked by headaches and respiratory problems, attributed to unhealthy or stressful factors in the working environment such as poor ventilation. If you’re working from an office in the garden, you are by very definition submerging yourself into your garden and more often than not in a timber-framed building (check that it’s not built with SIPs panels/filled with polurethane) which have been proven to promote greater health benefits than any other building style! Of course, an office in the garden is a micro-eco-building.
Other factors can also come into play such as:
- Potential increase to your property value
- Easier to manage your work/life balance – you’ll be near by in case of family emergencies/to manage the school run
- Beneficial to your pets. Pop back to walk the dog/feed your goldfish at lunch time rather than wait until the end of the working day
- Reduced heating costs – you needn’t heat the whole house if you’re just occupying an office in the garden
If you have any specific questions about how we could assist you with the creation of your dream office in the garden, please do call us on 0161 222 3350 or email info@rotunda.co.uk.
We are always on hand to run through the specification, timescales and build options with you. 2018 is your year, go for it!
Do you know your softwood from your hardwood? Here’s a small wood fact for you:
“Softwood is wood from trees such as conifers. Opposed to hardwood, which is the wood from trees which have broad leaves that usually change color and die every autumn. Softwoods are not always softer than hardwoods. Both groups include a variety of wood types that vary in actual hardness. (Balsa is a hardwood but is softer than most softwoods).
Most likely candidates of Softwood Tree varities – spikey. No fruit. Seeds or nuts.
Most probably ‘Hardwood’ trees. Larger leaves. Potential for fruit. Leaves prone to falling off in the colder months.
Softwood makes up about 80% of the world’s production of timber. (Which, can only be a good thing, considering the highly endangered tropical sort are usually Hardwoods!).
We use softwood to create about 90% of the Rotunda building. Graded Structural beams of Redwood (pine) form the structrual timbers in the wall cavity, “Douglas Fir” is usually selected for the windows and doors (Douglas Fir is a softwood but is much harder than many hardwoods) and the cladding is most usually a UK Grown Larch.
Known for it’s durability, it’s beautiful, (almost red-orange) honey-hued finish when it’s freshly sawn and it’s playful and rustic waney (bark) edge; it’s known historically as the timber the Scots used for boat-building as it’s got such a high resin content.
We specify this timber for our cladding to ensure these little eco-buildings are not only weather-protected but blend in to a rural or forest environment as if it’s just grown straight up from the forest floor…
Recently, we’ve been commissioned to install Cedar Cladding on several of our buildings; this stemmed from a personal preference of our clients but has given the Rotunda a sleek, new coat.
Perhaps, like an otter. The sea otter, known for it’s rugged, fluffy and arctic-hardy fur looks remarkably different to the smooth asian short clawed otter, clambering out of the pool after a swim.
What’s the difference in performance? Very little.
We’ve found the lifespan to be more or less identical. The properties of both timbers are excellent. Both have greater resistance to rot and decay than other timbers, due to high resin content and tannins which contain anti-bactericidal and anti-parasitic properties. The antiseptic ingredients protect against fungus, mould and insect infestation… and they are just, decent, hard wearing timbers which look brilliant and do their job perfectly well.
So, which is best for you? Well, if you want fewer knots, a denser grain and more clean lines, we’d reccommend the T&G kiln dried Cedar yurt cladding.
Irrespective of a species initial colouration, all species will have weathered to a near-matching silver-grey appearance after around 5 years.
This is worth bearing in mind, if you’re hoping for your Rotunda to retain that new reddy-orange colourful “just new” look after a few years. It will most likely look like this!
It is possible to treat your timber cladding with a UV protection spray to maintain the same golden & red hues if you are keen to keep the original look in place for some time to come.
We are pretty passionate about timber, trees and of course the magically memorable buildings one can create from such a renewable and beautiful resource. If you have any questions or ideas for a new cladding style please feel free to drop us a line, we’re all ears!
Until next time…
Rotunda x
