Preseli Lodges told us that they are a beam above the rest because they use Glulams (laminated beams) in all their lodge chassis and roofs, so we decided to explore their other lodge manufacturing differences too.
Far away from the madding crowd you will find the strategically placed Preseli Lodge factory. On the quayside of Pembroke Docks, Preseli Lodges, have easy access to the raw materials they need to build their modular builds that become lodges, garden rooms, offices and pods.
Preseli Lodges believe in supporting local trades, so don’t be surprised if you find an artisan feature within the interiors to complement the handcrafted units that include cedar clad ceilings, blacksmith wrought iron curtain rails and Masterclass Kitchens.
All UK lodge manufacturers have their own quirks on how to make their lodges stand out and for Preseli Lodges it is the use of the laminated beam or Glulam!
Always striving to find a new edge for their holiday home builds, Preseli Lodges and Garden Rooms owner Kevin Morgan, shares some insider secrets to highlight the differences in the way they build their luxury lodges, garden rooms and pod builds.
While conventional residential houses are built on-site, Preseli Lodges are constructed in two halves in their factory on Pembroke Dock. Each section of a Preseli Lodge weighs approximately 11 tonnes each and once the modular sections have been completed, they are transported to their location and joined on site.
Here we highlight 5 quality build essentials that set the Preseli Lodge a beam above the rest!
1.The Chassis – A Preseli Lodge starts with the chassis – the foundation of any modular build. Starting from the ground up, as with all builds, Preseli Lodges use massive 316mm single piece Glulam (laminated) beams, each spanning 15 metres long to formulate a lodge chassis.
Depending on the length of the modular build, 6 Glulam beams are used in the base and then between those, 200mm x 47mm timbers are added and evenly spaced to create a solid frame to support the huge weight of the Lodge and its components.
Once constructed, the chassis area is then filled with 200mm insulation to ensure minimal heat loss that complies with the BS 3632 residential specification classification.
Because the laminated beams create a rigid lodge foundation, Preseli Lodges include underfloor heating as standard, which is added to the chassis area before adding the lodge floor.
So what is a Glulam beam and why do Preseli Lodges use them?
Glulam (laminated beams) are the natural alternative to steel or concrete in the construction of buildings. It is a natural structural material that is economical, strong, and long-lasting, that offers an imposing attractive finish – perfect for rustic finishes, modular builds, and Lodges.
A Glulam beam is made by gluing together, under pressure and heat, laminates of timber that have been carefully planed. Laminated wood is strong because each thin veneer piece is glued in alternating directions, to make it stronger & resistant to warping and ideal for the constructional beams used in a Preseli Lodge chassis and roof. As the Glulam offer a strong, rigid stable and corrosion proof foundation and structure, upon which to build the walls and roof, they make the lodges very transportable as a modular building.
The Glulam beams used by Preseli Lodges also have eco credentials as they are constructed from wood grown in sustainable Scandinavian forests, which are renowned for being the best managed woodlands in the world, because of the Scandinavian’s continual reforestation programmes of replanting and rejuvenation, ideal in a time of climate change. The trees used in the manufacture of Glulam beams are spruce, redwoods or Siberian larch.
The manufacture, distribution, and treatment of a Glulam beam consumes less energy than any other building material, which adds another positive environmental consideration to the lodge manufacturing process. Preseli Lodges believe their luxury lodges are a beam apart from their competitors, especially as Glulams are long-lasting and easy to work with.
2. The Floor – With the chassis rigidity in place and the underfloor heating pipework laid over thick water resistant OSB boards, 18 mm Caberfloor Tongue & Groove boards are then securely screwed to the solid timber joists to complete the ‘foundation level’ upon which the external and internal walls will be built.
3. The Walls – Once the chassis and flooring have been completed, the exterior walls are put in place to form the main structure of the lodge. This will follow the agreed customer floor plan and specification sheet.
Preseli Lodges insist on creating the best structure they can for their modular builds, so they install 89mm x 38mm stud walls in a frame format, spaced just 400mm apart. This adds additional rigidity to the modular lodge build for transport and longevity.
Preseli Lodges then complete their wall structures using Richmond Tongue & Groove wall boards for an upmarket finish. With a wide range of colours to choose from customers can really focus on how they want to finish their dream lodge decor.
Owner Kevin Morgan says, “We want to add durability to every modular lodge we build. We prefer this wall finish over plasterboard walls and wallpaper because we think it offers customers an easy-care option over a long period and appreciate they are investing in the lodge of their dreams”.
The external walls are then filled with a super insulated and noise reducing 75mm Celotex Insulation.
4. The Roof Structure – Once again, not happy with standard timber trusses and beams, Preseli Lodges use Glulams for the roof. This creates an extremely solid lodge shell. Once the roof is on, they fill the cavity spaces with 200mm insulation. This helps to create comfortable ambient temperatures whatever the weather – cosy and warm in winter and cool and airy in summer.
5. The Finishing Touches – Although every Preseli Lodge has a sound structure, it is the quality of finish that people see when they walk into any lodge, be it the finished flooring, feature walls, kitchen, interior decor and furnishings.
Flooring – To maximise the efficiency of the installed underfloor heating, Preseli Lodges use Malmo wide or narrow plank flooring. This is laid throughout the lodges as a good looking, durable flooring that offers warmth and practicality all in one. With extra rugs here and there it’s easy to forget about carpet and with so many colour options available it’s possible to be as expressive as you want with your interior décor finishes. So if it’s a wood effect or tile look finish you are after, there really is something for every taste.
Kitchen – Preseli Lodges include good quality kitchens, designed specifically for their customers in close consultation with local company Ratford Bridge, who supply Masterclass Kitchens for every Preseli Lodge.
Roof and Exterior – A Preseli Lodge is then finished off with exterior CanExel cladding. CanExel is a prefinished cladding produced from wood fibre, resin, and wax, fused together under pressure. As an engineered wood cladding, it is highly stable and resistant to moisture, as well as being UV stable, making it easy to maintain. Durable with the aesthetic beauty and nobility of wood, CanExel is a Canadian product and well known for its versatility. With 21 colour options available, choice is not a problem, but planning restrictions might be! Uplifts for exterior cladding for a Preseli Lodge include Cedar and Loglap.
Decra Tiles – stone-coated metal roofing sheets – are then used to complete the roof. With a range of colours to choose from and a UV protected coating, these roof tiles will offer peace of mind whatever the British weather, because they also have a class 4 weather impact rating.
Preseli Lodges are constructed to British Standards BS 3632 Residential Specification. This ensures maximum comfort levels for their holiday lodges.
They manufacture between two to three Luxury Lodges at any one time, which offers would-be-buyers the opportunity to book a factory visit and see the production processes for themselves.
In addition, when a Preseli Lodge is ordered, the new owner can visit to monitor the build in real time, while the Preseli team will provide regular updates via film and photos.
Find a lodge park in North Wales who are working with Preseli Lodges
Preseli Lodges are working with Peter and Louise Barlow of Maes Mynan Park to design a bespoke 2 and 3 bedroom lodge that will maximise the stunning views from the front windows. Peter and Louise are happy to work with their holiday homeowners to create a bespoke Preseli Lodge for any of the lodge plots at Maes Mynan Holiday Park. To find how to own a Preseli Lodge on Maes Mynan Park, call Peter on 07836522444 or email Louise at info@acornleisure.com.
If you would like to find out more about a Preseli Lodge or a Garden Room for your holiday lifestyle, then please contact Preseli Lodges & Garden Rooms directly on 01646 833895. Alternatively email them on info@preselilodges.co.uk. The Preseli Lodge team would love to hear from you and are more than happy to work on your bespoke dream lodge.
