Friday, 5 June 2015
Wednesday, 3 June 2015
Colours for your log store
It is fair to say that most of the log stores in our gallery on the website are Blackfriars light brown. The variations in how they look are I think due to what time of year and what time of day they are taken.
These are pretty close to the actual colour, but, as screen monitors can make colours look different, it may not be shown to you as exactly the same colour!
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| Dark Brown (Blackfriar Goldstar) |
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| Cedar (Blackfriar) |
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| Light Brown (Blackfriar) |
There are other colours available in different makes, for example Sadolin Classic. I would say that most colour charts usually show the
colours as darker than they actually come out, but Sadolin is a nice oil stain so
the wood grain still shows. You can see the colour chart here, and you can
request a sample pot from them to check a colour out (it says allow up to 4
weeks but they are much quicker than that).
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
Arbour seat
This is the Arbour Seat, delivered and in place, to a very happy couple who were celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary and had this as their gift to each other :)
Sunday, 24 May 2015
Garden Seat
The new Apex log store has been adapted! We have had two orders where they want a seat added, to use as a sort of Arbour garden seating! They can probably use it to store logs in the winter too, and I suspect it might be a nice seat for smokers with a bit of shelter :) Photos to come, we are still busy making them! They will be like this one but with a wooden seat put in.
Saturday, 23 May 2015
Living Roof Wood Stores
We have been very busy making wood stores,
many being bespoke, and have delivered them to some very beautiful
places. And it hasn't been just log stores that we have been busy with, for example this pretty log store
with a living roof!
I suggested to another customer who had already bought a log store from
us and wanted a bin store to match, that perhaps we could put a living
roof on. This is the end result, and as you can see she has made it look
beautiful.
Of course this could also be used as a log store, or even for general garden storage.
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| Posh wood store with living roof |
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| Living roof log store |
Friday, 10 April 2015
Spring is here and with it a few different coloured bespoke log store orders, one lilac another blue, both using Sadolin, and this lovely one in brown with a touch of black. I think this would look lovely with a shelf too. I'm secretly hoping someone wants one in green, I think that would look lovely in pale green with a touch of black.
Another lady wanted totally enclosed with doors, so had a tongue and groove very posh log store, it looked really nice when finished.
More in the gallery on my website
Friday, 23 January 2015
Unusual uses for a log store.
Today someone said they would like one of our wood stores, but not to store logs :)
No, she wanted it for the tools that need a bit of shelter, and are used more during the summer months so a log store would provide just enough cover and make for easy access to her tools.
Sounds like a good idea to me, in fact another lady had us build something similar, but with different heights of shelves, she wanted it to store different sized plant pots on. We meet some lovely creative people (and get some great ideas for our own garden).
When we deliver and little ones are about, they invariably get inside and have a good jump about, or sit inside (looking very pleased with themselves). I like to think the parent don't fill it straight away, give the little ones a few days of fun with it. (Not just human little ones either, Ive seen cats and dogs giving them the once over, checking for potential comfy hiding places.
No, she wanted it for the tools that need a bit of shelter, and are used more during the summer months so a log store would provide just enough cover and make for easy access to her tools.
Sounds like a good idea to me, in fact another lady had us build something similar, but with different heights of shelves, she wanted it to store different sized plant pots on. We meet some lovely creative people (and get some great ideas for our own garden).
When we deliver and little ones are about, they invariably get inside and have a good jump about, or sit inside (looking very pleased with themselves). I like to think the parent don't fill it straight away, give the little ones a few days of fun with it. (Not just human little ones either, Ive seen cats and dogs giving them the once over, checking for potential comfy hiding places.
Thursday, 22 January 2015
Standard sizes
Our standard size log stores are very popular. The 6' x 4' will store a cubic metre of logs, and can go fully constructed and ready to use on a standard pallet for delivery. It comes either 6ft tall or 6ft long.
The 6' x 6' wood store holds around 1.5 cubic metres of logs. This shows untreated, you can choose the colour from light brown, dark brown, cedar, green or ebony.
The 6 x 4, tall or long, are £285, and the 6 x 6 £395. We also do a long design with 3 bays, approx 10ft long for £410. Delivery is usually £35 in England and Wales.
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| Tall log store |
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| Long log store |
The 6' x 6' wood store holds around 1.5 cubic metres of logs. This shows untreated, you can choose the colour from light brown, dark brown, cedar, green or ebony.
The 6 x 4, tall or long, are £285, and the 6 x 6 £395. We also do a long design with 3 bays, approx 10ft long for £410. Delivery is usually £35 in England and Wales.
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Nearly February, thankfully no sign of the very cold snap we have been
promised this month, so we are on course to finish all orders and get them delivered on time.
We have a some lovely new designs of bespoke log stores, from building very small to fit where space is tight right up to the very large 5m ones.
In a funny shaped space, under a window or out in a field, size really doesn't matter :)
We have a some lovely new designs of bespoke log stores, from building very small to fit where space is tight right up to the very large 5m ones.
In a funny shaped space, under a window or out in a field, size really doesn't matter :)
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Which way will the roof slope?
We have just made another large 3 bay backwards sloping roof log store. This design will store more wood than the normal roof slope, and you're less likely to bang your head when filling it or collecting logs to burn. That isn't such an issue with the smaller or less deep log stores, but when you have very large amounts of wood to season then a backwards sloping roof can be very useful.
It can be just as good if you are short on space to maximise storage space, like this one at just 3ft wide. This couple wanted to maximise storage of kindling. The shelf is strong enough to take logs if needed, it is as strong and sturdy as the base.
This one looks so nice with the heart decoration. We constructed this one in situ, it looked really lovely when it was completed. They sent me this photograph after putting some logs in and had added that lovely rustic heart making it looks even more attractive.
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| 15 foot log store |
It can be just as good if you are short on space to maximise storage space, like this one at just 3ft wide. This couple wanted to maximise storage of kindling. The shelf is strong enough to take logs if needed, it is as strong and sturdy as the base.
 |
| 3ft by 6ft log store |
This one looks so nice with the heart decoration. We constructed this one in situ, it looked really lovely when it was completed. They sent me this photograph after putting some logs in and had added that lovely rustic heart making it looks even more attractive.
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| Wood log store 8ft x 4ft x 6ft 6in |
Monday, 19 January 2015
Wood stores with different shaped side bars
Andrew cuts the side bars to shape by hand, so if you would like a different shape on your log store he will make it.
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| Straight |
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| Curved |
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| Single arch |
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| Long arch |
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| Small curve |
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| Large curve |
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| Small straight |
Sunday, 18 January 2015
Buying a log store
There are so many things to look for when buying a log store it can
get very confusing. Different sizes, different types of wood, delivery
options, can you choose a colour, will you have to build it yourself,
and so many differing costs for what appears to be the same thing.
We believe it should be as easy as possible to get a Log Store to suit you and your home.
The first thing to establish is the size you want, and the size you need. The size you want will be based on what room you have and where. Some find a larger log store further from the house and a smaller one near the door works very well. The advantage is, the small one can be used in the summer for the BBQ charcoal and Chimnea wood.
Generally for a single open fire or log burner, about a cubic metre of wood will last you a fairly long time. It will last longer if the wood is 'hard wood', so if you can get hard wood or a 50/50 mixture of soft and hard wood that is ideal. For very large log burners, or multiple log burners, you might need 2 or more cubic metres. As an example, one of our customers with 2 large log burners, has 4 of our Long Log Stores, which he fills up in Spring to season over summer, and burns over winter, that is 4 cubic metres which he can buy when wood is at its cheapest and use when he needs it (yes the wood suppliers do put the price up in winter, because wood gets more scarce!). Last winter was long and bitter, so he had to buy an extra cubic metre of logs.
Some Log Stores are manufactured in sections abroad and imported by UK companies ready to be sent out in a flat pack, some are manufactured in the UK using imported wood, these will usually be tanalised, or may come untreated and be tanalised or otherwise treated here. Tanalised means chemically pressure treated, often with a poison which can contain copper and arsenic. You should never burn tanalised wood, it is toxic. Extra care should be taken when handling tanalised wood, wear gloves. If sawing or working on it in any way take care and wear protection from inhalation.
Some, like our log stores at Woodstores will be treated by hand. Some wood has a natural preservative which also protects from wood boring insects, even some pines have this, so when combined with regular treatment (painted yearly) will last a lifetime. Even wood with limited natural preservative will last for decades so long as they by a yearly coat of preservative. If you grow fruit or veg, or have an organic garden, this is in my opinion the best type of wood treatment to use (if any). Larch or Pine will last for about 10 years WITHOUT any treatment (so long as it is not in contact with the soil). With treatment done yearly (and it only takes an hour or two) you can double or triple this life span.
When we say UK handmade we mean it. We are a small family firm, but we get our wood locally, we also mill wood ourselves, plane it, and measure and cut each piece by hand. We do not mean we nail together already manufactured pieces, or flat pack for you to nail together. Check with your supplier how their stores are put together, ask if they have a rigid frame, make sure you are not getting a 4 piece structure nailed together, or cheap wood that won't look good.
Andrew uses 3 x 2 for the basic structure, 12 sectioned fitted together then screwed in place with 3 inch anti corrosion gold colour screws. The sides and back are 3/4 inch, each piece nailed on with sheradised corrosion-resistant ringed nails, builders use it for where very strong joints are required. The rings keep that nail in place. The roof is 1/2 inch overlapped board, has the angle set for maximum falloff of rain, and underneath (out of sight) a sheeting of protective membrane. Keeps the store visually nice without the need for an ugly roof covering because it is underneath.
Delivery, there is no way around it, delivery costs. Petrol and time costs combine to make delivery seem expensive, but when you think the cost is going towards making sure a very large log store arrives safely, often hundreds of miles away, in one piece and ready to use, it doesn't seem so bad.
We use Hickmans because they are a local family firm, and we know they will treat our consignments as if they were their own. We have never been let down by them in all the time we have been in business. We work with our customers, every order is important to us, so delivery is at your convenience not ours; to be able to offer this customer service we do need time to make each log store.
I've tried here to cover some of the things we have been asked by our customers, and I am sure there will be other things I think of later to add. If you have any questions feel free to ask, we are always happy to help. You can find contact details on the website. We are happy to talk about wood burning in general because we understand it is a new experience for some, and are happy to share our knowledge.
Sadie
We believe it should be as easy as possible to get a Log Store to suit you and your home.
The first thing to establish is the size you want, and the size you need. The size you want will be based on what room you have and where. Some find a larger log store further from the house and a smaller one near the door works very well. The advantage is, the small one can be used in the summer for the BBQ charcoal and Chimnea wood.
Generally for a single open fire or log burner, about a cubic metre of wood will last you a fairly long time. It will last longer if the wood is 'hard wood', so if you can get hard wood or a 50/50 mixture of soft and hard wood that is ideal. For very large log burners, or multiple log burners, you might need 2 or more cubic metres. As an example, one of our customers with 2 large log burners, has 4 of our Long Log Stores, which he fills up in Spring to season over summer, and burns over winter, that is 4 cubic metres which he can buy when wood is at its cheapest and use when he needs it (yes the wood suppliers do put the price up in winter, because wood gets more scarce!). Last winter was long and bitter, so he had to buy an extra cubic metre of logs.
Some Log Stores are manufactured in sections abroad and imported by UK companies ready to be sent out in a flat pack, some are manufactured in the UK using imported wood, these will usually be tanalised, or may come untreated and be tanalised or otherwise treated here. Tanalised means chemically pressure treated, often with a poison which can contain copper and arsenic. You should never burn tanalised wood, it is toxic. Extra care should be taken when handling tanalised wood, wear gloves. If sawing or working on it in any way take care and wear protection from inhalation.
Some, like our log stores at Woodstores will be treated by hand. Some wood has a natural preservative which also protects from wood boring insects, even some pines have this, so when combined with regular treatment (painted yearly) will last a lifetime. Even wood with limited natural preservative will last for decades so long as they by a yearly coat of preservative. If you grow fruit or veg, or have an organic garden, this is in my opinion the best type of wood treatment to use (if any). Larch or Pine will last for about 10 years WITHOUT any treatment (so long as it is not in contact with the soil). With treatment done yearly (and it only takes an hour or two) you can double or triple this life span.
When we say UK handmade we mean it. We are a small family firm, but we get our wood locally, we also mill wood ourselves, plane it, and measure and cut each piece by hand. We do not mean we nail together already manufactured pieces, or flat pack for you to nail together. Check with your supplier how their stores are put together, ask if they have a rigid frame, make sure you are not getting a 4 piece structure nailed together, or cheap wood that won't look good.
Andrew uses 3 x 2 for the basic structure, 12 sectioned fitted together then screwed in place with 3 inch anti corrosion gold colour screws. The sides and back are 3/4 inch, each piece nailed on with sheradised corrosion-resistant ringed nails, builders use it for where very strong joints are required. The rings keep that nail in place. The roof is 1/2 inch overlapped board, has the angle set for maximum falloff of rain, and underneath (out of sight) a sheeting of protective membrane. Keeps the store visually nice without the need for an ugly roof covering because it is underneath.
Delivery, there is no way around it, delivery costs. Petrol and time costs combine to make delivery seem expensive, but when you think the cost is going towards making sure a very large log store arrives safely, often hundreds of miles away, in one piece and ready to use, it doesn't seem so bad.
We use Hickmans because they are a local family firm, and we know they will treat our consignments as if they were their own. We have never been let down by them in all the time we have been in business. We work with our customers, every order is important to us, so delivery is at your convenience not ours; to be able to offer this customer service we do need time to make each log store.
I've tried here to cover some of the things we have been asked by our customers, and I am sure there will be other things I think of later to add. If you have any questions feel free to ask, we are always happy to help. You can find contact details on the website. We are happy to talk about wood burning in general because we understand it is a new experience for some, and are happy to share our knowledge.
Sadie
Saturday, 17 January 2015
Happy new year! After an incredibly busy Summer with a 6 week lead time we then had an even busier Autumn and ended up having a 12 week lead time by Winter. Thank goodness for patient and pleasant customers. Even with 3 of us working flat out it seemed as if we would never get to the end of the list. January and February are usually a bit quieter, so we are down to 4-6 weeks (and getting the odd day off), still double the usual lead time but we are very much looking forward to being able to book a holiday some time soon!
We had a lovely customer from Ireland, he knew exactly what he wanted which is always good, and was very happy with it. I think his spec combined with Andrews skill and design made a really beautiful Cedar wood log store, and the base he made is perfect for it.
The doors have a slight arch shape, with 10" black hinges and hand carved handle, the same as our wheelie bin stores
We used clear Blackfriars to treat it, then our customer used Osmo on top, which gave it the lovely golden colour. I must admit I had not heard of Osmo, and am very impressed with the finish.
This is another bespoke 4 bay wheelie bin store, again in Cedar wood, for two full size wheelie bins, shelves for smaller recycling bins and a storage cupboard. This is finished in light brown Blackfriars.
We had a lovely customer from Ireland, he knew exactly what he wanted which is always good, and was very happy with it. I think his spec combined with Andrews skill and design made a really beautiful Cedar wood log store, and the base he made is perfect for it.
We used clear Blackfriars to treat it, then our customer used Osmo on top, which gave it the lovely golden colour. I must admit I had not heard of Osmo, and am very impressed with the finish.
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