Frequently Asked Questions about Jackleg Cabins
Q: What is a Portable Cabin?
A: Portable Cabins or Buildings are prefabricated relocatable small buildings from 6ft x 6ft to approximately 40ft x 12ft in size which are for temporary accommodation. Often used by builders on site as offices, mess rooms or welfare facilities. They are also used by many other businesses, individuals, local authorities and many more.
Q: What is a Jackleg Cabin?
A: Jackleg is a term generally used to describe Timber framed Portable Cabins because all Timber Framed Portable Cabins come fitted with Jacklegs. Jack-Leg referrs to the steel legs that are attached to some Portable Cabins and have many uses, they are secure lifting points, adjustable legs for use on sites with an uneven surface and they also act as a secure fixing point to allow for similar sized cabins to be stacked on top.
Q: Are there different types of Jackleg Cabins?
A: Yes, Timber Framed Jackleg Cabins which come with 2 different finishes - Textured or Plastisol. Some of the original Steel Cabins were also manufactured with fitted Jacklegs although they are now optional.
Q: What does Textured Finish mean?
A: The original Timber Framed Jackleg Cabins were manufactured with a Textured finish, the cabin is clad externally with plywood which is then coated with a hard wearing plaster substance similar to artex which is then painted. This must be re-painted approximately every 2 years to maintain the cabin and prevent deterioration.
Q: What does Plastisol Finish mean?
A: Plastisol is the modern alternative to the original textured cabins, still constructed in the same way using plywood to externally clad the Cabin. This plywood however is bonded with a thin coating of steel which is covered with a coloured plastic coating. This is much more durable and lower maintenance than the original textured finish.
Q: Do Jacklegs have to be used or can I remove them?
A: Jacklegs are designed primarily for use as lifting aids and for use as a secure fixing point when stacking cabins so if you have a single building you can remove the Jacklegs after the Cabin has been delivered. Jacklegs were only designed for temporary site positioning and for long term or permanent use all Timber Framed Cabins should be positioned on their heavy duty timber or steel skids (joists) underneath.
Q: What different types or styles of Portable Cabins are available?
A: There are 2 different construction types of Portable Cabins - Timber or Steel. There are then many options within each of these ranges including Steel Anti-Vandal and Timber Jackleg Cabins which are the 2 most popular types.
Q: What is a Portakabin Building?
A: Portakabin Ltd are a specific manufacturer within the Portable Building industry and not a generic term for portable cabins.
Q: What does the term Welfare mean relating to Cabins?
A: All employers have to provide welfare facilities for their employees, which includes that provision for Toilets and Canteens or Mess Rooms have to be made available for employees even if they are on a building site for example.
