Memories of spending time in a static caravan or park home are common to many of us. Having a beach on the doorstep; alongside stunning views of rolling countryside or nestled into a clearing of a sun-dappled wood evokes a warm feeling of happy childhoods and relaxing breaks.
While these static caravans were originally designed to be used in summer, the Mobile Homes Act of 1983 provided a number of rights and protections to park home owners who occupy that home as their main residence. Simply put, it created opportunities to live all year round on a site that had been given a permanent residence license.
From this point, there was a demand for static caravans that were equipped to cope with UK winters. The summer caravan designed for July to September use in holiday parks were no longer practical.
Manufacturers now started to add layers of insulation into floors, walls and ceilings to improve the thermal properties of each unit throughout the course of a year. Additionally, as these were static caravans that could be permanently lived in, redesigns of space and structure, particularly around the kitchen and social areas became necessary.
In spite of these changes, the construction of a static caravan or park home is still relatively flimsy in comparison to a bricks and mortar home. The timber baton frame is not particularly strong on its own and relies on the ‘sandwich’ of inner and external materials to provide a level of rigidity. Most frames only carry horizontal framing at the window and doors meaning the internal walls are not capable of carrying a heavy load. While that might not seem an issue – wait until you try adding a series of kitchen cabinets or anchoring a bunk bed to the wall!
To provide a robust home, lodges are now very much of their time. Taking the static caravan or park home to the next level, manufacturers are designing far more durable and long-lasting homes.
Key to this is the development of building materials that allow for a high-quality finish, but also provide strength over time. For instance, most lodge manufacturers have moved away from traditional wooden finishes that can buckle, warp and crack over its life span. For example Omar now use a synthetic resin which is applied over a cladding board. E-spaces Design and Create Ltd. use composite materials that are manufactured from 100 % recycled wood and plastic.
The all important roof has evolved and in many cases carries roof trusses to enable a steel exterior which copes well with wind load – and if necessary, snow loads. Most manufacturers use a steel sheet roof or steel shingles, all of which provide a level of rigidity needed for a more permanent home.
However, this evolution from static caravan to lodge does not come cheap. For a fully-fitted two-bedroom lodge, you can pay in excess of £200,000 and that is before site fees. As always, location is key, with some lodges commanding three to four times that price depending on which part of the country it is situated.
If the lodge way of life does appeal to you, there are companies that can build a bespoke lodge to meet your needs for far less than the traditional manufacturers. E-spaces Design and Create Ltd. can provide a fully fitted lodge with separate bathroom, bedroom and kitchen for just £45,000. Careful shopping around always reveal those smaller companies that provide a much better return on your investment.
The static caravan has certainly changed from its humble beginnings. With an estimated 365,000 park homes across the UK (The NCC) there is a clear trend for those looking to live permanently in this type of home. With the current cost of living crisis, it will be interesting to see if the quality of these next generation lodges can encourage traditional home owners to a different lifestyle.
