joints especially should be well protected against the influence of the weather.
The profile sections must be dry before assembling. (NOTE! Avoid applying
excessive paint to joints in posts and tongue and groove joints).
Once assembly is complete we advise the following treatment:
• Apply a 2nd coat of stain or paint, with a high level of UV protection. Colour-
less or transparent varnishes and stains provide less protection against UV
radiation compared to coloured stains. The darker the stain, the better the
protection.
• Follow the stain or paint manufacturer's instructions.
• Seal the joint between the lower profile and the foundation beams. (Where
applicable)
Tools and materials
Even though most of the wooden parts have been smoothly finished there is
still a chance of splinters, so be careful when taking hold of the parts. Always
wear gloves, eye protection and long sleeves while assembling the log cabin or
when carrying out maintenance.
Always cut away from yourself when using a knife or chisel. Do not hold your
fingers behind the wooden part that you are cutting or sawing.
Be careful with the tools that you use when assembling the log cabin. Make sure
that you know how to handle any electrical tools used.
Do not proceed with the assembly of the cabin if components are missing, as
weather damage may be caused if the cabin is left partly assembled.
Renovation and maintenance
Proper maintenance will extend the life of your cabin. Just as with your own
house, the paintwork is a crucial element of maintenance. All timber elements
require maintenance. In the long run you will get more pleasure from your
purchase if you maintain it properly.
We would advise the following treatment for your cabin:
Carry out maintenance before the old coat of stain or paint is badly weathered.
Depending on its condition, the surface may require one or two coats of stain
or paint. If most of the stain or paint has already weathered away, the surface
should be well sanded.
Roof: roofing shingles/roofing felt
Do not walk on the roofing shingles or roofing felt during hot, sunny weather,
to prevent footmarks.
With a flat floor it is commom that a small amount of water remains on the roof,
the structure is calculated to, and does not harm your garden house.
The following Terms and Conditions determine the circumstances in which Uni-
verso Consumer Products BV (hereinafter referred to as "Universo") will provide
a guarantee, and the level of that guarantee, without prejudice to the rights or
claims accruing to the consumer by virtue of legislative provisions.
Universo provide a time-limited guarantee on Bear County log cabins, in ac-
cordance with the following conditions:
1. Defective products which are demonstrably attributable to faults in ma-
terials and/or the assembly instructions will be replaced or repaired follow-
ing assessment by Universo and taking account of the following terms and
conditions, provided the defects are reported to Universo within 2 months of
their discovery. Where a defect is revealed within 6 months of delivery, it will
be deemed already to have been present on delivery, unless the nature of the
defect militates against this interpretation.
2. The guarantee does not cover variations inherent in a natural product like
spruce timber, such as:
• Knots up to 20 mm which come loose and fall out of the wood;
• Knots which have grown into the wood;
• Knots which have fallen out of the edges of boards, but which are concealed
in the finished structure;
• Staining and or discoloration of the wood;
• Short cracks (in cross-cut ends);
• Shrinkage cracks;
• Resin inclusions;
• Bending and deformation of timber;
The foregoing shall apply to the extent that there are no negative effects on the
structure and its stability. Holes caused by knots falling out should be sealed
with plastic wood.
3. Defects arising from the following causes do not fall within the guarantee:
• Foundations which are not level;
• The lack of a moisture-regulating coating of paint, stain or a suitable impreg-
nating agent;
• The lack of wind anchoring or roof anchoring;
6
Care
Maintenance
Guarantee: Terms and Conditions
• Seal the glass in its glazing bead.
If these instructions are followed no further maintenance should be required for
an extended period. If you notice the wood beginning to "sweat", then repeat
the treatment with stain or paint.
Required Tools
Ladder, stain or paint, brush, tape measure, knife, hammer, rubber mallet, cross
head and flat head screwdrivers, spirit level, saw, hand held drill, drill bit, safety
glasses.
Working on ladders and roofs
Care is required when working from a ladder or on a roof. Ensure that the ladder
has a sound footing and rests against a solid object of adequate strength. Do
not leave heavy or sharp objects in places where they may be dislodged.
Weather conditions
Avoid erecting the cabin in strong winds or heavy rain.
Children
Keep children away from the working area, and keep ladders, tools and cabin
components out of their reach. Do not allow them to climb on the cabin.
Useful tips:
• Arrange insurance for your cabin.
• Ensure adequate ventilation.
• Lubricate the lock annually with graphite powder.
• Do not use abrasives to clean the glass, use detergent instead.
• Check the structure of the cabin periodically for solidity, and make sure it
still stands level.
• Avoid storing hot items like recently used barbecues or garden flares in the
cabin.
• Avoid placing heavy objects against the walls, to prevent deformation of
the structure.
• Keep the doors and windows closed to avoid wind damage.
• Check the security of the wind anchoring, which may be affected by the
expansion and contraction of the timber.
Roof loading
Keep the roof free of snow and leaves. A large amount of snow on the roof may
present a risk of collapse.
• Failure to adequately heat roofing shingles or roofing felt during construc-
tion of the roof covering;
• Fixed or sticking profile elements, angle posts and/or windows or doors due
to nails, screws, glue or paint. This may mean that the profile elements can
no longer move freely, causing cracks to appear.
• Windspeeds of Beaufort scale 7 or above;
• Natural disasters or other destructive external effects, such as lightning,
rainstorms or whirlwinds.
Roofing felt, roofing shingles, acrylic or glass glazing and/or other accessories
are not covered by the guarantee.
4. No claim will exist under the guarantee where the defects in the cabin are
attributable to improper use, inadequate or incorrect maintenance, or failure to
comply with the assembly instructions. The guarantee shall lapse in the event
that any repairs or modifications are carried out by persons not appropriately
authorised by Universo or Bear County, or where the cabin is provided with
spare parts, expansions or accessories other than original components, causing
a defect.
5. Guarantee claims will be handled in such a way that unsound components
will be repaired or replaced by sound components, according to Universo's
judgement. The guarantee is provisional on the submission of the purchase
receipt, showing purchase and/or delivery date. Any components replaced will
become the property of Universo.
6. All other or more extensive claims, and in particular claims for compensation
for damage caused to items outside the cabin itself, are excluded, to the extent
that the liability does not flow from legislative stipulations of mandatory law.
7. A guarantee claim shall not lead to an extension of the guarantee period,
nor shall it constitute the commencement of a new guarantee period. The
guarantee period for replacement or repaired components shall terminate at
the same time as the guarantee period for the cabin as a whole.
8. The guarantee period will commence on the day of purchase (the date
stated on the purchase receipt) and will have a duration of 10 years. The guaran-
tee specified under 1. above is issued in accordance with the table below: