FAQs

Not in all circumstances. If an existing hard standing area is in place then this can be used, providing it is the right size. If you have no existing area, a flat level surface such as a deck, patio or area of hardcore will be required. Our Timber Floor can be purchased alongside your building and it is ideal for ensuring you have an appropriate base in keeping with your new garden building. Any slopes will incur additional costs due to the additional work required, please don't hesitate to call us if you have any queries.
Please note it is not recommended that gazebos are installed straight onto grass. Please see our Base Requirements document for further details.

Planning permission is generally not needed. These buildings are 'free standing' and require no foundations. Non permanent structures require no planning permission if installed at least 2 metres away from boundary fences. It is however the customer's responsibility to check planning issues.

The main structure of our Premium Gazebos and our Contemporary Gazebos is made from Redwood timber. Our Classic Gazebo is made from a softwood and our Lapas are made from Eucalyptus Grandis, a natural hardwood. 

Yes. It is completely normal for wood of all types to split as it contracts and changes in response to the weather, and it is common for many splits to appear over time. It would be highly unusual for a split to reach the centre of the pole over a long distance and therefore to affect the structural integrity, but if you have any concerns please get in touch and we can provide further guidance.

We are pleased to offer a variety of roof finishes for our gazebos, Thatch Tiles for a more rustic feel or Cedar Shingle Roof Tiles for a more refined look. For our commercial buildings we recommend Endureed Synthetic Tiles which have fire retardant properties. Our Lapas are typically finished with a traditional thatched roof.

Our buildings are made using high quality materials, designed to last. The wood is treated with a Tanalith E treatment to preserve the wood against rotting, infestations and more than finger-size cracking. This treatment is guaranteed for 10 years*.
Our Cedar Shingle Roof Tiles are very hard wearing and are suggested to have a lifespan of over 20 years. Our Thatch Tile option has a 5-7 year lifespan.

*Please note all timber can split and crack over time and this is not a structural problem. Please see full details in our General Warranty.

Yes, both Thatch Tiles and Cedar Shingle Roof Tiles are made from a natural product and as such the colour will alter over time, becoming a silvery-grey. This does not affect the longevity of the tiles.

We are able to produce bespoke buildings to your specifications. Please give us a call on 01732 884030 to discuss what you are looking for and we will work with you to design the ideal structure for your needs. Flooring, seating and other options are available.

Each of our buildings has a recommended/suggested capacity. Please see the individual product pages for more details.

An installation will typically take from 1-3 days depending on the size of building ordered (most are installed within a day). Premium Oval Gazebos will take 2-3 days to install. We use our own team of skilled carpenters to install the buildings. 
For any bespoke building or Lapa, an installation timescale will be advised by your project manager.

Our canvas panels and cushions are made from a UV resistant acrylic canvas, a material used in marine activities because of its strength and great properties. The panels are 100% waterproof, will not fade in colour over time and are mould resistant. They are not only used as a shelter from the rain, but also block the sun on certain sides and help protect the building in the winter months. You can choose from over 30 different colours and these options are shown in our Colour Selector.

Absolutely, there is no restriction to the number of colours you can choose. Many people like to choose different colours for their bench cushions versus their side panels.

A suitable 13amp external supply. We are not able to connect any heaters as we are not qualified electricians however we can provide full wiring instructions on request.

All accessories except the timber floor or roof accent can be purchased at a later date.

To order any of our products please call our customer service team on 01732 884030 or email info@thelapacompany.co.uk
Our offices are open 8.30am - 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. 
Alternatively please fill in a 'This is the One for Me' order form and we will call you back to confirm an installation or delivery date and arrange payment.

We can accept payment by BACS, debit card, credit card or cheque.
For non-installation products, we require full payment at time of order. 
For installations, we require a 50% deposit at the time of ordering, with the balance due on the day of completion.

For both non-installation and installation products, the lead time is typically 3-4 weeks from when the order is confirmed. This is the point at which the full payment or deposit is received.

Lapas and bespoke products may have a longer lead time which will be confirmed at time of order.

All purchases from The Lapa Company will appear as TheLapaCo on bank statements.