The buildings on a dacha are no less important than the crops they grow. They can serve as temporary housing while the house is being built, a kitchen, or a storage area for gardening tools and preserves. Portable cabins are the ideal option for summer living or for organizing storage space.
The main types of portable cabins
Summer residents install on their plots:
- metal cabins.
They consist of a wooden or metal frame, clad on the outside with sheet metal. The trailer can be of any size. The interior walls of the utility building can be finished with wood trim or left bare. A metal utility building can be insulated at any time with modern materials, easily dismantled, and transported to another location. Galvanized iron and steel pipes are used in the construction of metal buildings for domestic purposes.
Metal cabins are characterized by:
- high fire safety class;
- resistance of materials to temperature changes and precipitation;
- ease of installation and repair;
- durability;
- possibility of transformation;
- absence of additional work to maintain the premises.
The disadvantages of metal cabins include high indoor temperatures on hot days and freezing in winter.
- wooden cabins.
Wooden buildings are timber-frame structures. Steel pipes or timber are used as the framework. The exterior of the outbuilding is clad with boards, clapboard, or OSB panels. Depending on the construction purpose, the walls of the wooden trailer can be insulated with modern materials. The interior surfaces of the structure are either left unfinished or finished with wood.
Wooden cabins are characterized by:
- environmental friendliness;
- speed and ease of construction;
- favorable microclimate for people to live or relax.
A disadvantage of wooden utility buildings is the need to treat the wood to protect it from fungus, mold, and moisture. Wooden buildings also have a higher fire hazard rating and require fire retardant treatment. Wooden buildings are more difficult to disassemble and relocate. Wood darkens and warps when exposed to precipitation and temperature fluctuations.
Wooden or metal utility shed – which one to choose for your summer house?
A summer cottage can be built for any purpose. It could be a rest area after gardening, a boiler room, or a shower and toilet area. Buildings for domestic use are classified by purpose and duration of use:
- temporary for people to rest or for storing tools;
- for permanent residence;
- mobile buildings.
The lifespan of a wooden portable cabin is 5 to 10 years. A metal portable cabin can last up to 50 years.
The decision on which utility room to choose for your summer house must be made depending on its intended purpose.
| Permanent residence | Temporary residence or vacation | Tool storage | Organization of the bathroom | Summer kitchen | |
| Metal | Requires good insulation | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wooden | Yes | Yes | Yes | In the short term, wood is damaged by moisture. | Yes |
Metal utility buildings are a convenient and practical option. Metal structures will last much longer than wooden ones. Iron outbuildings can be retrofitted, insulated, and adapted for any purpose. Wood requires more labor and investment to extend its lifespan.
Layout of the utility room
The layout of the rooms in a summer cottage should be planned based on its purpose and the size of the structure. The most popular layout options are:
- No floor plan. The room has no partitions, one door, and can be equipped with windows. This layout is suitable for storing garden tools, organizing a summer kitchen, or for summer residents to relax.
- Two adjoining rooms. The structure has a single entrance door. Most often, the utility room is divided into an entrance hall and a room. This is useful to prevent cold air from entering from outside. A utility room with an internal partition can be converted into a summer kitchen, guest house, or bathhouse.
- Three rooms inside, or a "swing-through" apartment. Most often, this consists of a central vestibule and two rooms, separated from each other. One room can be a kitchen, the other a relaxation room. It can also be a steam room with a washroom or a shower room with a toilet.
There are numerous options for planning a summer cottage. Depending on the building's purpose, partitions can be added or removed, insulation can be installed, plumbing and sewerage systems can be installed, and so on.