This document serves as an instruction manual for assembling and maintaining a small summerhouse from Forest Garden, specifically designed for sizes ranging from 6x4 to 6x6 feet. It provides comprehensive guidance from initial preparation to final touches, ensuring a successful build and long-term enjoyment of the product.
Function Description
The primary function of this manual is to guide users through the step-by-step assembly of a Forest Garden summerhouse. It covers all stages, including base preparation, panel layout, window and door installation, roof assembly, and final fixings. Beyond assembly, it also provides crucial information on care and attention, ensuring the summerhouse remains waterproof and durable over time. The manual aims to empower users to build their summerhouse correctly, address common timber behaviors, and maintain the structure effectively.
Important Technical Specifications
The summerhouse is designed for small spaces, with size ranges of 6x4 and 6x6 feet. The fixing pack, identified by code MSUMFP1, includes a variety of screws and hardware necessary for assembly. These include:
- Screws: 4x 50mm screws (QTY: 44), 3.5x 30mm screws (QTY: 105), 3.5x 25mm screws (QTY: 71), 1.6x 30mm nails (QTY: 12).
- Felt Tacks: QTY: 48.
- Turn Buttons: QTY: 3.
- Cranked Hinges: QTY: 6.
- Z-Brackets (28mm): QTY: 8.
- Barrel Bolts: QTY: 2.
- Hotbed Handles: QTY: 2.
The manual details specific panel dimensions:
- 1ft Panel (A): 295 x 1603mm.
- 3ft Panel (B): 885 x 1603mm.
- 4ft Window Panel (C): 1180 x 1603mm.
Roof assembly involves OSB Roof Sheets (1196x1105x8mm) and various roof strips and beams, with specific measurements provided for positioning, such as 392mm and 429mm for roof beams. The door dimensions are 1645x575mm.
The timber used in the summerhouse is treated with a biocidal product to control wood-destroying organisms. Active ingredients include Propiconazole, Tebuconazole, IPBC, Permethrine, Benzyl-C12-16-Alkyldimethyl Chlorides (Dip Treated), Basic Copper Carbonate, DDA Carbonate, and DDA Chloride (Pressure Treated).
Usage Features
The manual emphasizes several key usage features to facilitate a smooth assembly and long-lasting product:
- Clear Step-by-Step Instructions: The assembly process is broken down into logical steps, starting from floor and panel layout, progressing through internal and external fixings, and concluding with roof and door installations.
- Visual Aids: Each step is accompanied by detailed diagrams and illustrations, showing component placement, screw positions, and panel orientation. This visual guidance is crucial for understanding complex assembly sequences.
- Pre-Drilling Recommendation: A consistent recommendation throughout the manual is to pre-drill all screw holes with a 2mm drill bit. This prevents timber splitting and ensures a cleaner, more secure assembly.
- Teamwork Requirement: Assembly requires a minimum of two adults, highlighting the need for assistance due to the size and weight of components.
- Base Preparation Guidance: The manual stresses the importance of a solid, level base (timber, concrete slabs, or solid concrete) to prevent structural issues like twisting, gaps, and misaligned doors/windows. It explicitly warns against using broken slabs, uneven surfaces, or soil as a base.
- Protective Film Management: Users are advised to keep the coloured protective film on door windows until assembly is complete to prevent damage. Instructions for safe removal using hand peeling, warm soapy water, or a Stanley knife are provided, with warnings about scratching and personal safety.
- Door and Window Alignment: Specific instructions are given for aligning door hinges, ensuring a 5mm gap at the top of the door, and securing windows with Z-strips and beading.
- Roof Felt Application: Detailed steps for measuring, overlapping, folding, and tacking roof felt are included, ensuring proper waterproofing.
Maintenance Features
The manual provides extensive advice on maintaining the summerhouse to ensure its longevity and waterproof integrity:
- Understanding Timber Behavior: It educates users on natural timber characteristics such as movement, twisting, warping, expansion, contraction, splits, and cracks due to moisture and temperature changes. This helps users differentiate normal timber behavior from actual defects.
- Mould & Blue Stain Prevention: The manual explains that mould and blue stain are common surface fungi that do not cause rot but can discolor timber. It advises keeping the building well-ventilated to prevent their growth.
- Annual Treatment: Users are recommended to treat their summerhouse annually with a high-quality preservative containing a mildewcide to maintain the wood and stabilize timber movement.
- Felt Handling Precautions: Specific instructions are given for handling roof felt, particularly in cold temperatures (above 5°C), to prevent cracking and damage. It advises against rolling or folding felt below 5°C and recommends storing it indoors above 10°C for 24 hours prior to use.
- 8 Top Tips for Waterproofing: A dedicated section outlines eight crucial tips to ensure the summerhouse is fully waterproof:
- Optimal Positioning: Avoid areas with water pooling or constant wetness; keep away from overhanging foliage.
- Raising Off Ground: Use a concrete or timber base that matches the summerhouse footprint and raise the structure 50mm above ground level.
- Sealing Bearers: Treat wooden bases and bearers with wax or oil to prevent moisture ingress.
- End-Grain Protector: Apply end-grain treatment to corners and panel joins.
- Sealing Panels & Windows: Use flexible silicone sealant around windows and where sections join.
- Adding Gutters: Install guttering to redirect rainwater away from the foundation.
- Ventilation: Ensure good airflow around and inside the summerhouse to prevent mould and mildew.
- Weatherproofing Stain/Treatment: Apply a weatherproofing treatment annually to maintain wood and prolong its life.
- Regular Fixings Check: Users are advised to check and tighten all fixings regularly to maintain structural integrity.
- Health & Safety: The manual strongly recommends wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as gloves, glasses, boots, fall restraint (when working at height), headgear, and masks during assembly and maintenance to prevent injuries.
- Treated Timber Handling: Specific warnings are provided for handling treated timber, including wearing gloves, avoiding sawdust inhalation, and not using it in contact with drinking water, food, animal bedding, or fish ponds. Proper disposal of treated wood is also emphasized.
Overall, the manual is a comprehensive guide designed to ensure both the successful construction and long-term care of the Forest Garden small summerhouse, making it a valuable resource for any owner.
To Next Page
Need help?
General
