What is a Portable Cabin? An Expert’s Guide
Portable cabins, are everywhere, from schools to construction sites. But what is a portable cabin, what are they made of, and how are they used?
In this expert guide, the team at Midlands Portable Buildings breaks down everything you need to know about portable cabins, from uses to benefits. Keep reading to learn more, or to speak with an MPB expert today.
What is a Portable cabin?
A portable cabin is a portable, prefabricated building made largely from steel. They are designed to be used as temporary spaces to cope with short-term needs such as during construction or in emergency situations.
What is a Portable Cabin Used For?
Portable cabins are versatile by design, and can be used for a vast range of applications from education to healthcare.
Offices
Whether your office is being renovated or your headcount has expanded quickly, portable cabins offer an ideal temporary space to house extra staff and work areas. They also make perfect meeting rooms or break out spaces.
Schools and Education
Many school buildings in the UK are old and commonly face issues with ageing materials, leaky roofs or infrastructure problems. Some schools simply face higher pupil numbers than they have space to deal with. Portable cabins are the solution to any of these issues, serving as temporary classrooms, canteens, staff rooms or even sports facilities.
Construction Sites
One of the most common uses of portable cabins is as site offices or welfare cabins on construction sites. They can easily be adapted to suit almost any need and provide comfortable, well-equipped facilities for workers from project to project.
Healthcare and Medical Use
It’s no secret that hospitals and medical facilities in the UK are often pressed for space at the best of times, let alone during repairs or renovations. With portable cabins, healthcare facilities can be easily and quickly expanded to cope with changing demand.
Portable cabins are also ideal during emergency situations, providing extra space when patient numbers spike.
Other Common Uses
Portable cabins have a range of other uses too, including:
- Retail – Their portability makes portable cabins ideal for use as pop-up shops, marketing activation spaces, showrooms and marketing suites.
- Events – Portable cabins can easily be moved from site to site and deployed as offices, media hubs and first aid stations.
- Storage – If you’re short on storage space, a portable cabin is an easy way to get more.
What Are Portable Cabins Made Of?
Portable cabins are made from a range of materials, giving them exceptional durability and making them comfortable for a wide selection of uses.
Structure and Frame
Portable cabins are usually built using a steel frame. This provides excellent rigidity, keeping the structure intact not only during use in all weather conditions but also while in transit.
Walls, Insulation and Roofing
The materials used for the walls, insulation and roofing may vary between manufacturers. However, at MPB, we use a blend of materials including premium C24 timber and non-combustible Multi-Pro board in the walls and roofs of our portable cabins. For the roofs, we use Firestone Building Products roof blankets, and the walls, floors and roofs are thoroughly insulated.
Internal Fixtures and Finishes
Internal fixtures and fittings in portable cabins can also vary depending on what they’re needed for. Portable cabins can be fitted out with an almost infinite array of equipment and furniture.
However, it’s universally important that internal fixtures and finishes are safe and legally compliant, like the Lot20a heaters we install in our cabins.
What Sizes Do Portable Cabins Come In?
Portable cabins come in a wide range of sizes, designed to be adaptable across a selection of environments.
Standard Portable Cabin Sizes
It’s possible to find portable cabins in almost any size you might need, but there are a few standard footprints that are the most common:
- 8’ x 10’ (2.4 m x 3 m)
- 9’ x 20’ (2.8 m x 6 m)
- 32’ x 10’ (9 m x 3 m)
Custom and Modular Options
Because the construction of portable cabins is relatively quick and straightforward, they can also be made in custom sizes to meet specific requirements.
Alternatively, there are a range of modular options, allowing you to essentially chop and change your space as needed. This is perfect for evolving projects where requirements differ over time.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Portable Cabin?
Portable cabins have become such a widely used solution because they offer several benefits:
- Fast to install – Portable cabins can be installed and prepared for use very quickly, making them ideal when space is needed quickly.
- Cost-effective – Quick construction and setup makes portable cabins far more cost-effective than permanent installations.
- Flexible – Portable cabins can be equipped for use in almost any circumstances, from healthcare and education to offices and retail.
- Temporary and long-term use – While portable cabins are often used as a short-term solution, their durability and practicality make them just as useful for long-term requirements.
- Minimal disruption – Installing a portable cabin requires minimal disruption to your site, often taking just a few hours
- Relocatable and reusable – Portable cabins can easily be relocated from site to site and repurposed and reused as needed.
- Comfortable – High-grade insulation and modern amenities make portable cabins comfortable, even for long-term use.
Are Portable Cabins Permanent or Temporary?
In short, the answer is both. Whether your project is just a few months or a few years, portable cabins offer an ideal solution.
Temporary Buildings
Thanks to their portability, portable cabins are primarily used as a temporary solution. It’s common to find them set up as site offices or welfare facilities on construction sites, for example, where they will be used for a few months and then moved to a new location.
Long-Term and Permanent Use
Modern portable cabins, however, are also more than durable and comfortable enough to be used for long-term or even permanent requirements. They are far faster to construct and install than brick and mortar extensions, and can last just as long with the right maintenance.
Is a Portable Cabin Right For Your Project? Speak to an Expert
So, what is a portable cabin? The answer is pretty much whatever you need it to be. Whether you need an office, classroom or site cabin, a portable cabin is perfect. They’re flexible, cost-effective and durable, suitable for both long- and short-term needs. Chances are, whatever your project or requirement, a portable cabin is the ideal solution.
For expert guidance and advice or a free portable cabin quote, just reach out to our friendly team today. Call us on 01889 271 406, email us at admin@mpbltd.co.uk or fill out our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a portable cabin last?
Typically, with routine maintenance, portable cabins can last anywhere between 20 and 50 years. They’re built with durability in mind, and can survive even heavy use in environments such as construction sites.
Can portable cabins be insulated for year-round use?
Yes. In fact, our portable cabins are fitted with insulation in the walls, floors and roofs as standard, keeping internal temperatures stable and comfortable no matter the season.
Can you stack portable cabins?
Most portable cabins are designed to be stacked, allowing you to create multi-level structures and make use of vertical space. Their robust steel frames keep the cabins structurally sound even under load.
Do you need planning permission for a portable cabin?
Whether you need planning permission for a portable cabin will depend on how long you intend to use it, as well as its size. If it will be onsite for less than 28 days and the floorspace doesn’t exceed 100 ㎡, you won’t need planning permission. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to speak to your local planning authority.
How much does a portable cabin cost?
The cost of portable cabins varies widely based on size and specification. Larger or more highly specced cabins will inevitably cost more than smaller or more basic units. To get a free portable cabin quote, just contact the team at MPB.
