“Do You Know Why Mobile Log Cabins
are so Popular?”
Why mobile log cabins have become so widely used is largely down to one word: Planning! In Europe especially less space and more stringent planning regulations make obtaining planning permission for a log cabin quite difficult in a number of situations. By being classified as “mobile”, even if the units never move over their life span, it can be way easier to get permission granted than for a permanent log cabin. This is primarily why mobile log cabins can be found in large numbers in Europe. They also have the advantages that they can be delivered ready to use and often require little ground works or foundations. However mobile units are usually restricted by maximum dimensions and are usually built to an inferior specification to a typical log cabin. Neither are they often finished in wood at all, but just a plastic made to look like wood! So weigh up your options carefully!
Lets find out more on why mobile log cabins are being used
Mobile log cabins - Planning
Planning laws are the most significant reasons why mobile log cabins have been widely used in recent years. It can be a little bit of a grey area in planning law in some countries, but the simple fact is in many situations planning permission would not be achieved for a permanent log cabin! This loophole has therefore been greatly exploited over the last couple of decades, especially in the holiday chalet market which uses many thousands of these types of unit. Unless planning laws change in the future it is unlikely that this trend of more mobile units being used, is going to change in the foreseeable future!
Do not assume that this means obtaining planning permission is a formality for mobile log cabins, but it certainly open doors in a lot of situations where more traditional cabins will not get approval. Now each country has their own planning laws, so it is important to investigate these properly. From my experience mobile log cabins are largely similar in size and application across most of Europe, but things are quite different in the U.S. and Canada.
Mobile log cabins - Usage
So why mobile log cabins might be right for you, depends on what you want to use them for and where you are located. In Europe, by far and away their biggest use is in holiday parks. I have stayed on large holiday parks in more than one country in Europe where there are literally hundreds found on a single holiday park! In today’s society a lot of people want to enjoy the atmosphere of a more outdoor or camping environment, without all the downsides. A mobile cabin can provide that solution, whilst allowing holidays businesses to charge considerably more and boost their turnover. It is of course a much larger investment, but supplying mobile units is not very disruptive to the site and can quickly be done out of season.
In Europe the reason why mobile log cabins have been used by some, is to live in a location where they would otherwise not be allowed. This does involve a certain amount of compromise, but the overall costs should not be too high and this could swing the decision for some. My advice would be if you are using it as your primary residential dwelling, consider how well insulated your particular unit is, if you have to endure low temperatures in the winter. The insulation properties of most mobile units, is significantly inferior to a traditional log cabin and I have heard a few people complain about the cold in the winter in the UK. The size restrictions placed on mobile units in many countries is probably why mobile log cabins are not so widely used a houses. In basic terms the width, length and height are all subject to maximum sizes and this can make mobile units more compact and bland in terms of their overall design. Discover more on this in our design section.
In North America mobile log cabins are not found in any significant numbers and this is largely due to planning law and the amount of space that is available here. In fact mobile units are often vastly bigger here, as they are not restricted in the same way, as bigger roads means it is possible to transport much larger units than would be possible in Europe. In the U.S. I have stayed in a great triple mobile home, which was a primary dwelling and it was much closer to a normal house specification and it’s much larger and more open design, gave it a nice feel. So this is why mobile log cabins can be such a different prospect if you are in North America, compared to Europe. It is also why they would be more popular for homes in North America than in Europe too!
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