Different Foundation Beams

We offer four different foundation beams. The main type of foundation beams we offer are the standard beams, which are square in size.

The other beams offered are profiled beams, helping encourage water to filter away from the cabin.

Please see below to read more:

• Standard Foundation Beam - The standard foundation beams, come included with the cabins as standard, unless one of the profiled beams have been selected. These are pressure treated pieces of timber. With the standard foundation beams, these are a basic shape and will sit flush with the first log.

Alternatively, we have the option to upgrade to the profiled foundation beams, these have a slight slope to the front of these to allow the water to flow away from the cabin. Please see the difference of these options below:

• Tanalised Profiled Foundation Beam - The tanalised profiled foundation beams are pressure treated like the standard foundation beams, but these will have the upgraded profiled shape to these.
  
  
• Hardwood Profiled Foundation Beam - The hardwood foundation beams, would last longer than the tanalised options as this is a denser wood. 
  
  
• Composite Profiled Foundation Beam - The composite foundation beams are the best option for longevity as these are made from plastic, so they will never rot. Due to this, they are a good option if you have a concrete or paving slab base, as water can normally rest on this surface. 

If you are wanting to make the size of the base to the specific footprint size of the building. When using the profiled beams you will need to make the footprint size slightly larger to allow for the profiled shape that sticks out past the log of the cabin. 

Please see the blog below that shows how much larger the footprint size will need to be when using the profiled beams, as this does depend on the log thickness of the cabin:

• Installation tips for log cabin foundation beams

The purpose of the foundation beam is to keep the first log away from ground contact to protect it against damp and possible rotting if not treated correctly.

All beams are a standard in length and will need to be cut for your building and where necessary,  joining them by butting together.

It is not usually necessary to fix the foundation beams to your base and fixngs are not supplied for this, as this is not something you need to do. However, it is a good idea to fix the foundation beams to your base as this will help to keep the building level and square when installing.

Please see the article below for advise on how to fix the foundation beams to your base:

• https://support.tuin.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/115000564285-Fixing-Foundation-Beams-to-a-Base 

It finishes the building well if the corners are mitred in the case of the profiled beams.

If the base is not 100% smooth, which is sometimes the case with a concrete base as it will not always have a polished finish. Therefore, it maybe necessary to use a bead of silicone around the edge of the foundation beams. But using a damp proof course will also help with this, as a DPC sits on top of your base betweem the base and the foundation beam.

Please see this page for more details on their use: foundation beams

Also see the installation advice page: Log Cabin Installation Advice