So we finally replaced our Beach Hut

Hut in the workshop beginning to take shapeHi to those that dont know me, I'm Ian and I have put togther the website for the Beach Hut Association. When we first were lucky enough to get our name onto the Beach Hut waiting list we looked around for information around Beach Huts in Bournemouth and struggled to find any supporting information. Once we had been lucky enough to get to the stage of owning our own hut down on the beach we were beach hut novices and still didnt know where to get the best advise. After a couple of years of using the hut and striking up a conversation with Ann I offered to help as I dabbled with websites in my spare time and wanted to put together a resource for Hut 'Virgins' where knoweldge of what to do and when could be assembled. We have had our inherited hut for a period of time and it was getting to the stage of very tired, we thought about replacement and then the pandemic hit and this left us in limbo as we couldnt use the hut for a while and then materials were on such long lead times we left it for a year.

UPVC Cladding to protect the hut and save painting the sides2022 we have finally bitten the bullet and started looking around for options to replace the hut, it was then when we realised the impact of the pandemic had changed the options and we struggled to find 3 quotes to make our choice. Living local in Southbourne we knew that there was a gentleman around the corner who repaired and replaced Beach Huts, but hadnt seen him outside for a while. I contacted Tony at AJ Beach huts who was extremely helpful and we decided that we wanted to stay local and asked Tony and Mark to replace our hut.

No Bricks, Plastic FeetI asked Tony to take some images as he and Mark built the hut up so members could see the construction of the Huts he builds and tried to make notes of all of his knowledge around maintenance of the hut to make sure that we look after our investment but also so I could share it with members in the community. In our discussions around what we wanted from the hut and the colour and designs it became apparent that Tony and Mark now have a dedicated workshop for building the huts, this allows all of the work to be completed without exposing the material (or Tony and Mark) to the weather that we sometimes get in the uk, this explains why we dont see him outside his house putting them together anymore too.

Marine Grade PadlockTalking to Tony about the weather and how we prevent the annual WD40 and hacksaw job on the locks AJ Beach Huts Suggested that a marine grade padlock with give us great security, combined with a lock which would stand up best to the harsh environment down on the sea front. Recommendation was Its called Nothingbutpadlocks.co.uk.  You need to order weatherproof keyed alike (if you have more than one). Expedition range 45mm. The rest of the fittings used are marine grade stainless steel, The hut is supported on heavy duty plastic adjustable legs that help reduce damp rising into the floor joists and we have chosen a Sadolin Superdec opaque Red Pepper colour for the doors.

We wanted to try and keep the internal cupboards and countertop but were advised against the countertop, when Tony and Mark checked out the cupboards they too needed to go, but we have managed to keep our older upper storage unit. We are going to follow the advise and not lay down vinyl on the floor keeping with a rug on the floorboards and again following their recommendation we are not going to paint the interior of the hut as all of the timber is pressure treated. We can't wait for the weather to improve so we get down to the hut and give it a good test.

The Hut on site and ready to use

Hopefully you find the information in the article useful and if you want any work doing on your hut then I would recommend to give Tony a call, on 07966 476199 he knows his stuff, is extremely helpful and friendly.