Wendy House Projects
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'Wooden Wendy House' refers to a structure that is clad using pine boards treated to comply with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). It is essentially a timber framed structure that is clad in wood- pine is the main wood used because when treated properly it is economical, sustainable, and incredibly durable.
Traditionally a Wendy house would have no fixed foundations, being particularly used for garden sheds, storage, and site offices etc. This is still the main use for a Wooden Wendy house, however, advances in construction techniques and practices have seen the adoption of wooden wendy houses for more sophisticated uses, such as garden cottages, and backyard dwellings. This provides a low cost, easy to build solution to South Africa's low cost housing shortage.
And whilst helping aleviate South Africa's housing issues, the pine boards are also helping in the recovery of delicate, and endangered local ecosystems. The boards are mainly sourced from local initiatives to remove old pine plantations to allow the areas to return to indiginous fynbos biomes.
The drawback to using pine boards is that, whilst they are lower cost than alternatives such as Nutec, they do require a modicum of maintenence to prolong their life span. The good news is that the maintenence isn't hard, and replacing pine boards is super easy if required in a few years time. And its a fully proven technology- there are examples of this type of construction that are hundreds of years old.
Wooden wendy houses are:
If you are on a budget lets talk about your Wooden Wendy house.
Treated Pine Boards are only a cladding to keep the weather out. They should never be used to create strength and rigidity. All the strength and rigidity comes from our timber frame construction process.
There are many SABS set down to ensure that all timber framed structures are strong, rigid, and long lasting, and we adhere to all of them. We use properly treated timber, constructed using the correct methods, with frames made to correct dimensions and spacing. It is especially important to get this right with timber cladding because the boards, being a natural material, will change size with the seasons, and possibly warp slightly over time. A strong frame, properly constructed is essential in allowing for this movement.
For cost purposes we use locally sourced pine timber treated to SABS standards. When properly installed and clad it is going to give a life time of service. However, if required, frames can be made from hard woods such as seligna- an ethically sourced timber resulting from the clearance of invasive species such as australian gumtrees.
Timber frames are perfect for both permanent and temporary Wendy house style construction- they:
We pride ourselves on the quality of our timber frames.
We employ professionals because professionals do a professional job. Their efficiency and high standards mean they deliver a great product, at a fair price, on time, with minimum fuss. Standards matter to you, to them, and to us.
With every step of our process, and all the materials we use we strive to not just comply with SABS and local building regulations, but exceed them- giving you a top quality, long lasting Wendy house.
We pride ourselves on producing high quality work on time and on budget. If we say we are going to do it we will ensure it happens whilst being fully respectful of our client's homes and business premises.
All electrical and plumbing work is carried out by qualified professionals, guaranteed, fully certified, and complies to all SABS and local building regulations. Your safety and security is our primary concern.
For added piece of mind all work we undertake is fully guaranteed. In the unlikely event of something going wrong in the requisit time period we will make it our priority to fix it.
Sometimes called an 'A-frame' roof, this is a traditional shape of roof. It slopes upwards from two parallel sides of the Wendy house meeting at an apex usually in the middle of the structure.
A pitched roof allows for a steeper angle (or pitch). This means that water runs off faster, and the inside of the Wendy house can look like it has more space (though a ceiling can be created using rhino board). Pitched roofs also tend to be more aesthetically pleasing.
Whilst a better roof, they do tend to be slightly more costly than flat roofs.
This is a misleading term- it isn't a completely flat roof. A shallow angle is created by making one side of the Wendy house higher than the other creating a slope (pitch) so that water runs off one way.
A flat roof is somewhat easier to construct, relying on simple beams for support rather than complicated joinery to make a-frames. This makes a flat roof more economical- however, run off is not as efficient.
A lower pitch also makes for a lower profile building, which can be of immense benefit if you are trying to not block the view of surrounding building, or keep below height restrictions due to planning requirements.
A solid wooden frame is sandwiched between plywood or particle boards to create a strong, rigid pallet style of floor. This is then supported on brick columns.
This is by far the most common type of flooring for a Wendy house or garden shed as it is the most cost effective and the least permanent. This makes it easier for planning approval, and makes it possible to quite easily move the whole structure if required.
The downside is that structures are never as solid and rigid as with other types of permanent foundation- there will always be some kind of flex in the floor.
Large treated wooden poles are driven into the ground creating a 'stilts' type of foundation that a wooden pallet floor is put on top of.
This form of foundation is perfect for heavily sloped sites, if the ground is unsuitable for building on, or to elevate the Wendy house (to gain better views, or to avoid flooding, for example).
Wooden poles tend to be for specialist situations if required.
A thick, reinforced, concrete slab that complies with SABS is laid on the ground and leveled to create a solid base on which a timber frame can be built.
This is by far the most solid foundation type normally used for Wendy houses. It is recommended in applications where the Wendy house is to be used on a frequent basis- such as if it is a residence, studio, or home office.
However, it is more expensive, and creates a permanent structure, which has implications for planning applications.
