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Wendy houses and garden sheds have been made using treated pine board cladding for centuries. But what is it and why is it such an effective way to finish the outside of timber framed structures?
Pine boards are treated in various ways to comply with SABS. These boards are then fastened to a timber structure so that each board overlaps the one below it. This means that water runs down the board and drips off to the ground, rather than all the water running straight down the building, or working its way up behind the boards.
And even treated wood takes on some moisture in damp conditions, meaning that the boards will expand in wet weather, making the structure even more weather tight (old wooden boats relied on being wet to stop them from leaking).
Traditional treated pine board cladding is a tried and tested technology. Its really shown that it can stand the test of time and produce some fine looking, long lasting structures. And there is no way to replicate that traditional pine look with any other material. Its also incredibly cost effective, so if you are looking to keep to a tight budget there is no better material.
Treated pine boards are:
These factors make it a perfect material if you want a traditional wendy house look, or need to build on a budget.
Treated pine boards, if maintained properly and regularly will last a life-time, but they are not as forgiving as a product such as a Nutec Wendy house. However, a pine clad wooden wendy house can be built at a much lower cost.
Any building is only as good as the foundations. With Wooden Wendy houses there are three main options-
Pallet floor: This is the traditional Wendy house floor- a wooden construction of layers of plywood boards and solid timber beams create a solid, rigid platform to build the rest of the structure onto. The resulting structure is either supported on brick columns or even a solid block wall and is considered non-permantent.
Concrete slab: A thick layer of concrete is poured on the prepared ground to create a solid, permanent foundation for the rest of the structure to be built onto. This is by far the most solid, stable, and rigid type of foundation. The resulting building is considered to be a permanent structure.
Wooden piles: Not as common as the other two but sometimes necessary in certain terrains and environments. Thick, treated, solid timber poles are driven deep into the ground to create a platform for the rest of the structure to be built onto. Especially useful on steep slopes, on ground prone to flooding, or to create space under the building for parking and storage.
We don't actually build 'wooden Wendy houses'. We build timber framed houses. The wood cladding is only the cladding that makes the structure weather tight and provides little to no structural strength or rigidity. That work is done by the timber frame that is built onto the foundations.
Timber frames are sometimes made using locally sourced, sustainable hard woods such as seligna, but the majority are made using locally grown treated pine. Either option will provide years of faithful service, however pine is considerably lower in cost. Both options are treated to meet SABS requirements.
Frames are constructed to comply with very strict SABS and local building requirements. Shortcuts cannot be taken or the resulting building will be weak and not very rigid, making it prone to warp and flex.
We ensure all our timber frames are fit for purpose resulting in solid, long lasting wooden Wendy houses.
wooden Wendy houses have two types of roof, pitched and flat.
A Flat Roof is not really flat, it slopes from one end of the wooden Wendy house to the other, so it has a much reduced pitch but isn't completely flat. Rain water still runs off the roof, but only in once direction. This type of roof makes for a simpler roof frame and easier waste water management (only needing a gutter and down pipe on one side of the structure) which makes for a reduction in cost. However, run off is not as good, and all the run off is concentrated in one location. Plus, a flat roof on a wooden Wendy house doesn't always look as attractive as a pitched roof. However, a flat roof is typically a lower profile than a pitched roof making it suitable in situations where building height really matter.
A Pitched Roof is a traditional roof structure often referred to as an 'A frame' because the required roof frames look like a capital A. The roof slopes up from both sides of the structure and meet in the middle. This is a superior performing roof in most circumstances, and it makes a wooden Wendy house look like a 'proper' house. However, the more complex roof frames, double guttering, and the need to create a weather-tight apex. Whilst a pitched roof does make for better looking wooden Wendy houses with better rain handling characteristics it does create a slightly higher structure.
All wooden Wendy house roofs are typically made using galvanized corregated steel sheets, although plastic can be used if required.
From a simple bulb to a full Distribution board installation- lighting a garden shed to wiring a full sized home. Our qualified electricians do a professional job that is compliant and all work is certified on completion.
Ground works, kitchen sinks, taps, basins, toilets, baths, and showers. Whether its for a studio, office, or home to live in our qualified plumbers will do it with aplomb. All work is compliant with SABS and fully certified on completion.
Make your Wendy house into a finished home or office. Plasterboarding, ceilings, cornices, flooring, painting, and decorating. Our professional team of decorators will take it from shed to chic with no fuss or funny business.
Below are some sample prices for our more popular wooden Wendy house sizes.
Prices are for indication purposes only. Electrical, bathrooms, ceiling and lining including divisions are charged extra. Please contact us for final quote.
