Quick answer
Log cabin wall thickness is the thickness of the solid, interlocking logs that form the walls, and it usually runs from 19mm to 70mm. 19mm and 28mm cabins suit storage, hobbies and summer use, 34mm and 44mm are the all-rounders for garden rooms and workshops, and 70mm is for large, heavy-duty cabins. Thicker logs make a stronger, quieter, more stable building, but for winter comfort an insulated roof and floor matter more than extra wall thickness.
By Craig Davison, Director, Lichfield Garden Buildings · 14 years selling garden buildings and involved in more than 1,000 sales
The first number on any log cabin listing is the wall thickness. It's the one customers ask me about most, and it's the one most often chosen for the wrong reason. This guide explains what each thickness is really for, using the thicknesses we actually sell, so you can match the cabin to the job.
What the number measures
A log cabin has no frame. The walls are built from solid timber logs that slot together with a tongue and groove along their length and notched joints at the corners. The wall thickness is simply how thick each log is.
That makes it different from a shed. A shed has thin cladding, usually 12mm to 20mm, nailed to a timber frame. So a 19mm log cabin and a shed with 19mm cladding are not the same thing. In the cabin, the logs are the structure.
The thicknesses we sell, and what each is for
| Wall thickness | How it's sold | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 19mm | Ready-designed cabins | Storage, playrooms, small summer rooms |
| 28mm | Ready-designed cabins, including workshop versions | Summer houses, hobby rooms, light workshops |
| 34mm | Made to order on many models | Larger summer rooms, spring-to-autumn garden rooms |
| 44mm | Ready-designed cabins, garages and garden rooms | Offices, gyms, workshops, cabin garages |
| 70mm | Made to order on many models | Large cabins and the most solid build |
On our made-to-order cabins, the wall thickness is a choice on the product page, typically 28mm, 34mm, 44mm or 70mm. The options on each page show exactly what is available for that model. Browse them all in our log cabins collection, or see the chalet log cabins.
What extra thickness gets you
Strength, and bigger buildings
A thicker log is stiffer. That lets a cabin have longer walls, wider spans and bigger glazed doors without bowing or twisting. It's why the largest cabins, and cabin garages, are built in 44mm or more, and why 19mm cabins are kept small.
Warmth
Timber is a natural insulator, so a thicker log holds heat better and slows the room warming up and cooling down. But even a 70mm log wall does not insulate like a modern house wall. More heat is lost through the roof, the floor and the glass. If you want to use the cabin in winter, read can you use a log cabin all year? before you decide.
Sound
Thicker walls let less noise in and out. That matters for a music room, a gym, or video calls with a busy garden outside.
Feel
This is the one people don't expect. A 44mm or 70mm cabin feels solid when you shut the door. The doors are heavier, the walls don't flex, and the whole building feels more like a room than a shed.
What extra thickness costs you
- Price. More timber means a higher price for the same footprint. Compare the same model in different thicknesses on the product page to see the difference.
- Weight. Thick logs are heavy. A 44mm or 70mm cabin needs at least two strong people to build, and more for the bigger sizes.
- Base. Every cabin needs a firm, level base, but a heavy cabin is less forgiving. If the first course of logs isn't level, every course above it will be out. See what base do I need?
- Treatment. More timber still needs treating. Most cabins arrive untreated or with a basic treatment, so budget for a good preserver or stain on day one.
How to choose: match the thickness to the job
| How you'll use it | Thickness I'd look at |
|---|---|
| Storage, bikes, garden tools | 19mm or 28mm |
| Summer room or children's den | 19mm or 28mm |
| Hobby room or light workshop, spring to autumn | 28mm or 34mm |
| Home office, gym or studio used most of the year | 44mm, with floor and roof insulation |
| Cabin garage or large garden room | 44mm or 70mm |
| The most solid cabin you can get | 70mm |
My honest rule of thumb: if you'll sit in it for hours at a time, go 44mm. If it's mainly for storing things or sunny afternoons, 28mm will do the job and leave money for a better base and a good treatment.
Thickness is only part of the story
Two cabins with the same wall thickness can be very different buildings. Before you buy, also check:
- Roof and floor. Thin roof and floor boards lose heat and can feel bouncy. Look at their thickness as well as the walls.
- Insulation. Insulating the floor and roof is the biggest single upgrade for comfort. It is much easier to do while the cabin is being built. For example, there is a floor and roof insulation kit with DPC for several of our 44mm cabins. Our log cabin insulation guide explains how to do it.
- Glazing. Single glazing loses heat fast. Double glazing is standard on some cabins and an upgrade on others.
- Height. Wall thickness doesn't affect planning, but height does. Read do I need planning permission? and, for bigger cabins, building regulations for garden rooms and log cabins.
- Movement. Solid logs swell and shrink with the seasons, whatever their thickness. Never screw shelves or panelling across several logs, as it stops them moving.
Delivery and building
Delivery and installation are handled by each maker, and the terms differ by range, so check the product page. As a guide:
- Power Sheds log cabins (28mm and 44mm) come with free delivery. The cabin arrives on a pallet, is lifted off by a HIAB crane on the lorry and set down at your kerbside, and is a self-assembly kit.
- Shire log cabins include delivery to Shire's standard area, with a surcharge for some areas further afield that we confirm before you order. They come flat-packed, or you can choose the Assembled by Shire option where it's offered.
Lead times vary by range and season, and each product page shows the current estimate.
See them in person: nothing explains timber thickness like standing inside a building and shutting the door. Visit our Display Site at Buzzards Valley, between Lichfield and Tamworth (B78 3EQ). What's on show changes, so ring 01543 398778 before you come. Garden buildings in Lichfield, Tamworth and Staffordshire.
FAQs
What is the best wall thickness for a log cabin?
For most garden rooms and workshops, 44mm is the best all-round choice. It is strong enough for larger sizes and big glazed doors, and it holds warmth well. Choose 19mm or 28mm for storage and summer use, and 70mm for large cabins or the most solid build.
Is a 28mm log cabin worth buying?
Yes, for the right job. A 28mm cabin makes a good summer room, hobby room or storage building for less money than 44mm. It is less suited to a large cabin or a room you want to use through the winter.
Is 70mm worth the extra over 44mm?
Only if you want a large cabin or the most solid feel. A 70mm wall is stronger and holds heat better, but it costs more, is heavier to build and needs a very good base. For winter use, 44mm with an insulated floor and roof is usually better value.
Can I use a 19mm log cabin as a home office?
For the warmer months, yes. 19mm logs lose heat quickly and let more noise through, so for an office you will use all year, 44mm with an insulated floor and roof is the better choice.
Does wall thickness affect planning permission?
No. Planning rules look at height, position and use, not wall thickness. Check the height and boundary rules before you choose a size.