Handmade Garden & Log Stores from the Heart of Dorset!
Creating Durable Garden Storage with Pressure Treated Timber
Introduction
The Dorset Log Stores brand is part of the Flyte so Fancy family (along with Framebow and Outwoodly) based in North Dorset.
We are a small British manufacturer of wooden outdoor storage units and animal housing, making eco-friendly products from sustainable resources.
The business started life as a small one man workshop in 2001. We now employ a small team of 7 carpenters, in our large solar-powered workshop, and then staff to manage our e-commerce websites and retail store.
We are proud of our quality and finish so when we say handmade - we mean it! We have designed all the garden storage units ourselves and build them from scratch - and please excuse me being forthright - we don't import whole panels from across the globe and call them UK made!
Our timber arrives in packs of planks, that are sorted, dried, cut, planed, sanded and finally put together to create your robust and very attractive Garden Storage unit.
The Quality of Timber Matters
All our products are made of Scandinavian Redwood that has been treated against fungal and insect attack by the Tanalith-E process (pressure treatment). This is a modern, environmentally friendly treatment to prolong the life of your wooden store.
We source the Redwood from Sweden because it is slow-grown and has a tight grain. This joinery-grade density makes it more reliable, prevents warping and means we can maintain quality and standards.
The source forests are sustainably planted and managed to protect the environment and wildlife so the timber we use is Certified.
The Tanalith-E treatment means that, because there are no harmful chemicals involved, the timber can be disposed of through landfill or as per the guidance of your local authority.
Although the timber is pressure treated and ready for life outdoors you should still care for it to ensure its good looks and the longest life e.g. removing moss, lichen or algae growth.
Pressure treatment preserves the wood for outdoor use, however, it does not make it waterproof and over time natural harline cracks will appear. These hairline cracks will not compromise the dense timber but we recommend that a waterproofing treatment like Protek Timber Eco-Shield is applied at least once a year.
We offer a 15-year Timber Warranty against fungal and insect attack, and rot. For details of the Flyte so Fancy Warranty visit Fair Care Warranty page.
How thick is the timber?
The sides and base of the Log Stores are made of planed, 21mm thick, timber on a sturdy 38mm x 50mm framework. Larger Log Stores are on a 50mm x 75mm frame. The base is also mounted on strong bearers that are designed to support the considerable weight of the logs. Timber roof options use 21mm Shiplap too.
For Log Stores there is a 2cm gap between each board to ensure adequate airflow. This airflow seasons your firewood and removes the moisture in the shortest possible period.
Our Garden Storage Sheds are built with the same frames, 21mm base boards, and 16mm (ex-19mm) Tongue & Groove for the walls/doors, and have various roof types.
The fixings we use
For all units we use good quality decking screws and Stainless Steel fixings during construction and assembly. The decking screws are double plated and then painted.
This protects the metal from galvanic corrosion that occurs with the copper salts in the pressure treatment. We don't use normal unpainted screws that are only plated because they will start corroding straight away. This would also occur in Cedar and Oak timber.
The fixings for our roof boards are also stainless steel to protect against corrosion. Galvanised nails and screws will corrode in Tanalised timber and the brown streaks you see on ordinary sheds and fences are evidence of this corrosion.
Roof Options for your Dorset Log Store
We have made sure the roof of your log store is designed at just the right angle to shed the rain and shelter your logs.
We offer different roof finishes to suit your home and the aesthetically pleasing look you want to achieve. Many of the Log Stores we offer can have an option and you can select this when adding it to your basket.
Here you can see close-ups of the roof types and you will find more images with each Log Store design to show the finished effect.
The Timber Roofs are 21mm thick Scandinavian Redwood tongue and groove shiplap. This is machined especially for us to our own profile specification and then, as mentioned above, pressure treated for longevity.
Our Slate-effect Tiled Roofs are made from a BBA certified polyester resin composite, approved for use on residential houses. These are screwed to a 12mm marine-grade plywood base. We think these are so effective and you really would not know they were not Welsh Slate until you touch them.
Our Cedar Shingle Roofs are Canadian Western Red Cedar, and again, BBA certified for use on houses and fully treated against insect and fungal attack. These are also secured to a 12mm marine plywood base. They will give a nice rustic effect to your log store.
For the Stronghold Range of Stores, we use Hand-Curved Steel Roofs that are produced specifically for our designs. The steel is galvanised and then polyester coated in dark grey-green to last for many years. We add a plastic trim to the edge of the roof to give a nice finish.
For the roofs of Never-Leak Tool Stores and Patio Stores, we have found a very tough recycled polypropylene option. 100% Recycled and 100% Recyclable. This is a very strong, yet lightweight, solid 9mm sheet in a silver-grey colour.
Where should I site my Store?
Your Garden Log Store should be placed in an area with good airflow to ensure the efficient drying of your firewood.
It should ideally be stood on a firm, well-drained surface; coarse gravel is an excellent surface for this. Failing this, a concrete base that is well-drained or paving slabs will also be fine.
Avoid placing the wood store on grass or soil surfaces if you can. However, if this is unavoidable you can put pieces of slate or concrete slabs, for example, between the bearers and the grass it will be very beneficial.
This will ensure that the bearers are not sitting in water or on wet grass for long periods of time. These supporting timbers on the base of the log store also need to be evenly supported across the whole base.
Placing the store on solid, level plinth is best. Your logs and the store may weigh several tons when full, and wet!
Your Dorset Log Store carries a 15-year warranty against rot and fungal attack to the timber; however, this does require you to follow our advice particularly pertaining to the airflow and drainage of the ground it is standing on (see our Fair Care Warranty).
Your logs should ideally be open to the elements at the front of the store to aid airflow and we recommend leaving at least a 5cm gap between the back of the log store and wall. The open side does not have to face the sun as it is all about air movement, not direct heat.
When using pre-seasoned or kiln-dried logs then an open front is perhaps not so essential. If we do make doors for your Log Store these could create another use for the store as a cupboard for tools, equipment, kindling etc.
Sturdy, galvanised Brenton Bolts are fitted to these doors so they can be padlocked if required. Adjustments to any bolts, hinges and fastenings may need to be made over time as timber will shrink and expand over the seasons.
Caring for your Timber Log or Garden Store
Flyte so Fancy are proud to be part of the Made in Britain Campaign.
When you receive your new Store you may see that the pressure-treated timber has a slightly green-blue finish in places.
Don't worry this happens when the wood is fresh, its just the copper salts, but after exposure to sunlight this will quickly tone down to a golden brown/silvery grey hue. It does not affect the longevity of the timber, it is a natural process.
If you wish to paint or stain your log store you can do so, we suggest the use of micro-porous stain or paint to ensure that moisture cannot become trapped in the timber structure and unable to evaporate.
We offer an Eco-Friendly Wood Stain Treatment from Protek which preserves the good looks of, and waterproofs, the timber. If you like the look of the fresh timber with a green hue then we recommend the Pale Green Wood Stain from Protek.
If you plan to paint the store to suit your outdoor decor, then we can also recommend good quality brands like Sadolin and Cuprinol for outdoor paints. We do advocate following our Timber Care Advice to ensure you get the best life from your timber products.
