Erecting a Wendy house in your back garden – be it a garden shed, a playhouse, cabin, or a home for your “Wendy” – should not be a costly exercise, at least not in the long run.
Whether you’re paying someone to build it for you, or tackling it as a DIY project, it is essential not to skimp on the quality of the materials to ensure it stands the test of weather and time.
According to Timbacore, a leading local timber specialist, many buyers only discover problems after it’s too late, often due to a lack of clear specifications for wooden cabins or Wendy houses.
This can result in unfavourable deals with limited recourse.
Why Quality Is Your Best Friend (And Cheap Is Your Worst Enemy)
It’s essential to see and understand the product before you buy, but how familiar
are you with the standards for Wendy houses?
To help you make an informed decision and avoid costly mistakes, Timbacore outlines the key specifications you should consider:
- Roof sheets: “Not all roof sheets are created equal. Some products, sometimes called ‘one-year roof sheets’, are only 0.3 mm thick and last about a year. “At Timbacore, we use high-quality Colorbond and Zincalume sheets that are 0.47 mm thick, backed by a 15-year guarantee. We can also accommodate other preferences depending on your needs.
- Roof structure: “Quality timber should be CCA pressure treated to at least H2, but we prefer using H3 for greater durability. “Our typical pitched roofs feature purlins spaced approximately 600 mm apart, supported by robust rafters for enhanced strength.
- Timber frames for walls: “Similarly, the timber frames should be CCA pressure treated to H3. Our frames include vertical studs spaced at 600 mm intervals, with top and bottom frames providing additional support.
- Wall cladding: “You can choose between timber or fibre cement cladding. Timber cladding must be CCA pressure treated to H3 for exterior use and can be painted or sealed for added protection. “We offer a variety of timber cladding options, including Loglap, Halflog, Shiplap, Flat weather board, and Rustic cladding. Our fibre cement boards are fixed with stainless steel screws to ensure durability.
- Floors: “Our 22mm tongue and groove flooring is CCA pressure treated to H3 and fixed onto floor joists spaced no more than 600mm apart. “This ensures a solid and long-lasting foundation for your Wendy house.”
Your Partners in Bringing Dreams to Life
Timbacore is dedicated to providing exceptional quality and value for all their clients. “Whether you choose us to manufacture and install your Wendy house, handle the installation yourself, or embark on a DIY project with our premium timber and supplies, we’ve got you covered.
“We partner with reputable sawmills and suppliers to ensure that our timber products come with a 20-year SABS-approved warranty against rot and beetles. Our experienced team is committed to providing expert advice and high-quality service to help you get it right the first time.
“We’re here to assist you in making the best choice for your Wendy house.”
Ready to Start Your Backyard Transformation? Visit the Timbacore showroom in Stikland at 15 Farad Street or explore possibilities or visit at www.timbacore.co.za.
Lost between H0 and H5? Wood treatment and its classifications explained
CCA (copper-chrome-arsenic) is an industrial wood preservative that protects wood against insects and rot caused by fungi.
Source: South African Wood Preservers Association
CCA treated timber is odourless and the final product can be easily painted.
The purpose for which the wood will be used, along with exposure conditions, defines the required treatment.
This is classified according to the international H-class system for treating wood:
H0-i: A mild treatment process offering protection against common insects, for interior use only – mouldings, ceilings, flooring boards and joinery.
H2: Interior use – roof trusses, laminated beams, internally used structural timber, ceiling boards, flooring, panelling, doors,
cupboards, skirting, window frames and plywood.
H3: Exterior above ground – balustrades, fencing bearers and slats, outdoor decking
and beams, garden furniture, laminated beams, weather board, steps, cladding, stairs, log homes, gates, fascia boards and plywood.
H4: Exterior ground contact – playground structures, fencing, pergolas, carports, flower boxes, decking, bridges and stakes, as well as electrical, distribution, telephone and lighting poles.
H5: Fresh-water contact – timber exposed to continual wetting or planted in wet soil, like jetties, drains, walkways, retaining walls and slipways.
H6: Marine water contact – jetties, slipways, retaining walls and walkways.
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