MeRcia 03DTSHRA0808FGC42TW-V1 8 x 8 Vermont Wooden Summerhouse (2022) Instruction Manual
- June 4, 2024
- Mercia
Table of Contents
03DTSHRA0808FGC42TW-V1 8 x 8 Vermont Wooden Summerhouse (2022)
Instruction Manual
General Instructions
03DTSHRA0808FGC42TW-V1
DIP-TREATED SHIPLAP REVERSE APEX 8X8 FULLY GLAZED CONCERTINA 4, 2 TALL
WINDOWS- SUMMER HOUSE BEFORE YOU START PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
– Check the pack and make sure you have all the parts listed.
– When you are ready to start, make sure you have the right tools at hand (not
supplied) including a Phillips screwdriver, Stanley knife, Wood saw Step
ladder, Hammer, and a Drill with a 2mm bit.
– Ensure there is plenty of space and a clean dry area for assembly.
LOCATION FOR YOUR GARDEN BUILDING
A minimum of 60cm should be left around the perimeter of your garden building
to allow access for maintenance, and annual treatment and to allow airflow
around the building.
Where possible you should avoid placing your garden building underneath large
trees to prevent the tree from causing
damage to the building.
TIMBER
As with all natural materials, timber can be affected during various weather
conditions. For the duration of heavy or extended periods of rain, swelling of
the wood panels may occur. Warping of the wood may also occur during excessive
dry spells due to interior moisture loss. Unfortunately, these processes
cannot be avoided but can be helped. It is suggested that the outdoor building
is sprayed with water during extended periods of warm sunshine and sheltered
as much as possible during rain or snow.
Once your garden building has been installed it will need to be treated as
soon as possible and annually to prevent the timber from deteriorating and to
waterproof it. This is required to maintain the anti-rot guarantee.
Dip Treated buildings – Require a preservative treatment to protect against
rot and decay and a waterproof treatment to prevent water ingress Pressure
Treated buildings – Require a waterproof treatment to prevent water ingress
Log Cabins – Are supplied untreated and require a preservative and
waterproofing treatment.
BUILDING A BASE
When thinking about where the building and base is going to be constructed:
Ensure that there will be access to all sides for maintenance work and annual
treatment.
Ensure the base is level and is built on firm ground, to prevent distortion.
Referring to the diagrams for the base dimensions, The base should be slightly
smaller than the external measurement of the building, i.e. The cladding
should overlap the base, creating a runoff of water. It is also recommended
that the floor be at least 25mm above the surrounding ground level to avoid
flooding.
TYPES OF BASE
– Concrete 75mm laid on top of 75mm hard-core.
– Slabs laid on 50mm of sharp sand.
Whilst all products manufactured are made to the highest standards of
Safety and in the case of children’s products independently tested to EN71
level, we cannot accept responsibility for your safety whilst erecting or
using this product.
Please retain the product label and instructions for future reference
| All buildings should be erected by two adults
---|---
| For ease of assembly, you MUST pilot drill all screw holes and ensure all
screw heads are countersunk.
| For ease
of assembly, you will need a tape measure to check the dimensions of the
components.
| Winter = High Moisture = Expansion
Summer = Low Moisture = Contraction
| CAUTION
Every effort has been made during the manufacturing process to eliminate the
prospect of splinters on the rough surfaces of the timber. You are strongly
advised to wear gloves when working with or handling rough-sawn timber.
| To
identify the fixings required for each step use a measuring tape.
Protim Aquatan T5 (621)
Your building has been dip treated with Aquaman.
Aquaman is a water-based concentrate that is diluted with water, the building
has been treated by the correct application of Aquaman solution and then
allowed to dry.
Aquaman is a decorative finish to color the wood, which is applied
industrially to timber fence panels and garden buildings.
Aquaman undiluted contains boric acid, sodium hydroxide 32% solution, an
aqueous mixture of sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, and alcohols: 2, 4,
6-trichlorophenol.
REGISTER FOR YOUR ANTI-ROT GUARANTEE TODAY
https://www.mgplogistics.co.uk/
For assistance please contact customer care on 01636 821215
Mercia Garden Products Limited,
Sutton On Trent, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG23 6QN
www.merciagardenproducts.co.uk
03DTSHRA0808FGC42TW-V1
Overall Dimensions:
Width = 2438mm
Depth = 2488mm
Height = 2670mm
Base Dimensions:
Width = 2350mm
Depth = 2350mm 
Nail
Bag
There may be extra screws present in the nail bag
Pre Assembly
Before assembling remove the transportation blocks from the bottom of each
panel. Take care removing the blocks as to not damage the panels. Tap with a
flat headed screwdriver and hammer. Dispose of the blocks once
removed.
Step 1
Parts Needed
-No.1 QTY 1
– No.10 QTY 2
– No.19 QTY 6
Lay the Door Panel (No.1) on a flat surface framing facing upwards. Attach the
plain doors (No.10) to the inside framing of the door panel (No.1) using 3x
butt hinges (No.19).
*Fix the hinges to the inside of the door panel.
Fix the door using 3x25mm screws & 3x30mm screws to the framing per hinge, and
ensure the doors open freely, folding back into the building unrestricted.
18x25mm Screws
18x30mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 2
Parts Needed
– No.8 QTY 1
– No.9 QTY 1
– No.19 QTY 8
Turn the door panel (No.1) over so the framing is on a flat surface. Fix the
master (No.8) and secondary door (No.9) to the attached plain doors with butt
hinges (No.19) , using 6x25mm screws per hinge.
*Ensure the doors open freely, folding back into the building unrestricted.
48x25mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 3
Parts Needed “
– No.20 QTY 2
– No.21 QTY 6
– No.24 QTY 1
Secure the barrel bolts (No.21) to the top & bottom of each side door and the
secondary door using 6x10mm screws.
Attach the press lock (No.24) to the master door with 4x25mm screws, aligning
the barrel with the keyhole.
*Ensure the key turns and locks properly before fixing to the door.
Fix the door handles (No.20) to the outside of the master and secondary door
using the 35mm bolts provided.
36x10mm Screws
4x25mm Screws
4x35mm Bolts
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws
Step 4
Parts Needed
– No.3 QTY 2
– No.7 QTY 2
Fix the Window Panel (No.7) and Side Panel (No.3) together by screwing through
the framing using 6x50mm screws.
Ensure to stagger screws to avoid colliding.
Repeat this with the second Window and Side panel but the opposite way round,
as shown in the diagram.
12x50mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 5
Parts Needed – No.6 QTY 2 Secure the floor (No. 6) to the Floor Blocks (No.12)
using 8x30mm screws per floor.
Repeat this for one other floor panel with 16x30mm Screws
– No.12 QTY 8 IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 6
Parts Needed – No.6 QTY 2
Secure the floor (No. 6) to the assembly from Step 5, using 8x30mm screws per
floor.
Repeat this to create two assembled floors
16x30mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 7
Place the assembled floor panels (No.6) upside down onto a firm and level
base. Ensure the base has suitable drainage, free from areas where standing
water can collect.
Secure the floors together using 8x50mm screws through the floor bearers in
an alternating pattern.
Once fixed together turn the floor back the right way up.
8x50mm Screws IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 8
Parts Needed
– No.3 QTY 1
– No.4 QTY 2
– No.7 QTY 1
Fix the Back panels (No.4) side by side using 3x50mm screws, fix the corners
or the back panel (No.4) and the Side Panel (No.3)
Do not secure the building to the floor until the roof fitted.
6x50mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 9
Parts Needed
– No.1 QTY 1
– No.3 QTY 1
– No.7 QTY 1
Fix the side panels (No. 3 and No.7) and the door panels (No.1) corners with
50mm screws as shown in the illustration.
Do not secure the building to the floor until the roof fitted.
9x50mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 10
Parts Needed – No.5 QTY 2
Place the gable tops (No.5) onto the window panels, ensuring the board’s
interlock.
Secure in place using 4x50mm screws per gable top (No.5), screwing in an
alternating pattern.
8x50mm Screws IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 11
Parts Needed
– No.11 QTY 1
– No.25 QTY 2
Attach the “L” brackets (No.25) to each end of the ridge bar (No.11) with
2x25mm screws per bracket.
*Ensure the brackets are flush with the ends of the ridge bar.
Align the ridge bar (No.11) between the gables and secure to the central
uprights with 2x25mm screws per bracket (No.25) as shown in the illustration.
8x25mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 12
Parts Needed – No.17 QTY 4
Place the panel framing (No.17) along the top of the panels at the front and
back of the building and secure using 2x50mm screws per framing piece.
8x50mm Screws IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step
13
Parts needed – No 2 QTY 2
Place the Roof Panel (No. 2) on top of the building making sure the framing in
the roof panels sits firmly within the Gables (No. 5) and on top of the Ridge
Bar (No. 11).
Make sure that you have got the roof panels the correct way around with the
recess at the top of the apex as shown in the diagram.
From the top, fix directly through the roof panels (No. 2) into the ridge bar
(No. 11) below using 5x60mm screws per roof panel.
It is essential that the ridge bar (No. 11) and roof panels (No. 2) framing
pull together when fixed with 60mm screws. You may require another person to
push the ridge bar (No. 11) up from below to achieve this.
HINT – Follow the nailing line of the framing on the roof panel so that you
are more likely to fix into the ridge bar below.
10x60mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 14
Use 40mm screws to fix the roof (No. 2) down the sides, front, and back of the
building.
Be sure that the screws attach to the framing below.
18x40mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 15
Secure the building internally to the floor using 9x50mm screws on each side.
*Ensure to screw through the framing into the floor bearers.
36x50mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 16
Parts Needed – No.26 QTY 1
Cut the felt (No.26) into 3 strips of 2500mm length and place it onto the
roof, as shown in the illustration.
*Ensure there is approximately a 50mm overhang of felt around all sides of
the building.
Fix into place using 110x felt tacks at 100mm intervals.
110x Felt Tacks
Step 17
Parts Needed – No.13 QTY 7
Screw the cover trims (No.13) to each corner of the building and across the
joins of the panels with 3x30mm screws per trim.
21x30mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 18
Attach the fascia (No.14) and finials (No.18) to the the sides of the building
using 12x40mm screws.
Parts Needed
– No.14 QTY 4
– No.18 QTY 2
12x40mm Screws IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 19
Parts Needed – No.16 QTY 1
Place the Door support bar (No. 16) to the inside of the door panel as
displayed in the pictures. The 44mm side of the framing should sit against the
inside of the door panel.
This framing will meet at each side panel as shown in the image and should be
level with the door panel framing.
Secure the framing using 4x60mm screws externally through the front panel, and
a further 2x60mm screws through the side panels and into either end of the
framing.
6x60mm Screws IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 20
Drill 3x6mm holes into the framing in line with the barrel bolts, these will
act as the catch for the barrel bolts.
*You will need to unsecure the barrel bolts at this point.
Step 21
Parts Needed – No.23 QTY 2
Fix the rain guards (No.23) above each window, securing in place using 2x50mm
screws per guard, ensuring to screw through the framing.
4x50mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 22
Parts Needed – No.22 QTY 2
Attach the two turn buttons (No.22) to the secondary door at the top and
bottom using 2x30mm screws.
*These turn buttons help to keep your doors straight during high & low levels of moisture content in the air.
2x30mm Screws
IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Step 23
Parts Needed – No.15 QTY 2
Attach a strip (No.15) to the hinged side of the Master and Secondary doors.
Each strip should overlap with the plain doors to ensure the gap is covered.
*These strips allow you to adjust the doors allowing for moisture absorption and reduction.
6x30mm Screws IMPORTANT: Pre-drill before fixing screws.
Please be
aware you may need to adjust the doors once the building is fully
constructed.
MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDATIONS
All our garden buildings have been designed and manufactured with care and attention to be the perfect addition to your outdoor space. To ensure you do get the best out of your new garden building and to increase its longevity we advise that you follow the product instructions and our manufacturer’s recommendations as detailed below. Thank you for choosing a Mercia Garden product!
-
Choosing the most suitable location for your garden building…
A minimum of 60cm should be left around the perimeter of your garden building to allow access for maintenance, and annual treatment and to allow airflow around the building. Where possible you should avoid placing your garden building underneath large trees to prevent the tree from causing damage to the building. -
Preparing the base for your garden building…
All our buildings must be built on a firm, level base to ensure the longevity of the building and prevent the wood from distorting. We recommend either concrete, concrete slabs or a wooden base, such as our ‘Portable’
The base should be slightly smaller than the external measurement of the building, i.e. the cladding should overlap the base, creating a runoff for water and preventing water from pooling underneath the building. We also recommend that the floor of the garden building is a minimum of 25mm above the surrounding ground level to avoid flooding. -
After installation…
Once your garden building has been installed it will need to be treated as soon as possible and annually to prevent the timber from deteriorating and to waterproof it. This is required to maintain the anti-rot guarantee. Dip Treated buildings – Require a preservative treatment to protect against rot and decay and a waterproof treatment to prevent water ingress Pressure Treated buildings – Require a waterproof treatment to prevent water ingress Log Cabins/Insulated Garden Rooms – Are supplied untreated and require a preservative and waterproofing treatment
We also recommend using a silicon sealant on the inside and outside of the windows as soon as possible after assembly and treatment to fully seal the windows. Roofing felt/covering should be checked annually and replaced or fixed accordingly. -
General maintenance and wood characteristics
As wood is a natural material it may be affected by the following: Shrinkage and warping – The timber used in the construction of your garden building will have retained some of its natural moisture content. The moisture content of the timber will vary, depending upon prevailing environmental conditions, which will result in the components either naturally expanding or contracting. As the components dry out shrinkage may occur. A good waterproofing treatment from the start is the best protection to minimize the effect of moisture loss/intake. In extended periods of very warm weather getting some moisture to the building will help the overall balance. You can do this by spraying it down lightly with a garden hose. In contrast after snowfall try to remove the snow as best as possible from the roof to prevent moisture intake and to remove the extra weight.
Top tip – using a garden brush will help you to reach the highest part of
the building to remove snow and any debris left from bad weather.
Damp and mold – During the winter months, cold and damp conditions can
result in an increased amount of moisture within your garden building,
especially when used infrequently. Condensation can form on the timber and
other items stored within your garden building. If left this moisture is
likely to cause mold and mildew. To prevent the build-up of moisture, we
recommend leaving the door or windows of your building open from time to time,
to allow the fresh air to circulate. We also advise against storing wet or
damp items in your garden building as this will also increase the level of
moisture in the building. If mold or mildew does start to form within your
building we recommend using an anti-mold cleaner to remove it and to prevent
it from spreading, which if left untreated could permanently damage your
garden building.
Splits, cracks, and knots – You may notice small splits and cracks in
some components or holes may appear where knots shrink and fall out. This will
not affect the structure of your Garden building however if you wish to fill
them this can be easily done using any good quality wood filler. ”
Sap – is naturally occurring in wood and may appear in some boards of
your garden building. If you wish to remove the sap, we advise waiting until
it is dry and then using a sharp knife to carefully remove it. If the removal
of the sap causes a hole in the timber, we recommend using a good-quality wood
filler to fill it. For more handy hints and tips on how to care and maintain
your garden building please refer to the MGP Customer Portal at
www.mgplogistics.co.uk
Any further questions? Contact our Customer Service Team on 01636 821215
WARRANTY AND GUARANTEE
Manufacturer’s Warranty
All Mercia Garden Products are supplied with a 1-year warranty on all parts
against manufacturing defects. This warranty does not cover the movement,
warping or splitting of timber products over time.
This warranty will be voided if any of the following occur:
- The building has been customized or modified/adapted in any way.
- The person claiming is not the original purchaser of the building.
- Any damage has been caused by or as a result of misuse.
- The building has not been maintained and cared for in accordance to our advisories and manufacturer’s recommendations.
- The building has not been treated annually or as per the manufacturer’s recommendations, please ensure receipts are kept to validate this claim.
- The building has not been erected, fitted or installed as per the supplier’s instructions.
- The building has not been erected on a suitable-sized firm flat, solid-level concrete/slab base or placed on pressure-treated bearers
- The building is or has been placed with 2 feet (60cm) of any obstructions (walls, trees, plants, fences, etc.) which can allow moisture to penetrate the timber.
- The roofing felt has been incorrectly fitted or damaged allowing water ingress, or not properly maintained.
- Any windows and joints have not been sealed, inside and out, with silicone or another watertight sealant.
- Any timber has been cut, pierced, or drilled without a subsequent application of approved cut-end treatment.
Anti-rot Guarantee
Mercia Garden Products offer a 10-year anti-rot guarantee on all dip treated
(a preparatory treatment) and 15 years on all pressure-treated products. This
guarantee covers solid timber against rot, decay, blue stain, and insect
attack. To validate the guarantee the building must be treated with a
recognized wood preserver/waterproof top coat (as detailed within the
manufacturer’s recommendations) as soon as possible after assembly and
annually thereafter. This guarantee does not cover the movement, warping or
splitting of timber products over time.
This guarantee will be voided if any of the following occur:
- The building has been customized or modified/adapted in any way.
- The person claiming is not the original purchaser of the building.
- Any damage is caused by or as a result of misuse.
- The building has not been maintained and cared for in accordance with our advisories and manufacturer’s recommendations.
- The building has not been treated annually or as per the manufacturer’s recommendations, please ensure receipts are kept to validate this claim.
- The building has not been erected, fitted or installed as per the supplier’s instructions.
- The building has not been erected on a suitable-sized firm flat, solid-level concrete/slab base, or placed on pressure-treated bearers.
- The building is or has been placed with 2 feet (60cm) of any obstructions (walls, trees, plants, fences, etc.) which can allow moisture to penetrate the timber.
- The roofing felt has been incorrectly fitted or damaged allowing water ingress, or not properly maintained.
- Any windows and joints have not been sealed, inside and out, with silicone or another water-tight sealant.
- Any timber has been cut, pierced or drilled without a subsequent application of approved cut-end treatment.
Mercia Garden Products Limited
Sutton On Trent, Newark, Nottingham.
www.merciagardenrxoducm.co.uk