MONARCH V LODDON STABLES CHOICE?

B

Black Rat

New User
Joined
2 July 2010
Messages
6
Visit site
I would be grateful for views from forum users as to assist me chosing which company to award a contract to supply and fit my new stables based on readers own experiences of both the companys products.

I have narrowed it down to either Monarch or Loddon as the chosen provider as I like both the companies quality and finishes, however what is the end product in pactical daily use really like?

I will be using either the traditional hardwood supplied by Monarch or a light coloured laminated compressed bamboo now being promoted by Loddon. The style is the lowered Victorian scalloped frontages. I had considered the new plastic materials but this is now ruled out as they do not suit the style of traditional appearance (even if they are more practical).

How often do you have to treat your hardwood and with which product so as not to darken the timber?

Anyone got any experience with the new compressed laminated bamboo? Is it strong enough?

Both companies are keen to do business but what are they really like once you have signed the contract and paid your money up front?

Do they deliver what they promise or do they come up short?
 
I can't speak for the quality of their stables, but I had a horse walker from monarch last year. I have found their customer service to be excellent, they were really friendly and helpful right the way through the process and even set up a visit with one of their existing customers so I could look at a walker and talk to some people who were using one. Well worth asking the question whether they have installed any stables near to you so you can go and see for yourself.

Their staff who both delivered and erected the walker were also really good, professional and helpful.

Personally I would use them again.
 
Bamboo is supposed to be harder wearing as I've discovered in the process of choosing flooring for the house currently lol have used both when i was at college and i would say both are very high quality but I think you get more options with Monarch but no personal experience dealing with either company
 
the only thing is that while I wouldnt mind bamboo for a floor, even in a floor the floor is made up of lots of very thin strips which means (i) a lot of chemical resin/glue holding it together (bamboo doesnt grow in big sheets) and (ii) we all know the razor sharpness of bamboo if it did receive a blow which caused it to splinter.

nah, hardwood for me...
 
I bought some secondhand Loddon stables, they have the hardwood fill. They are extreemly well made, who ever threated the stables used the wrong oil and it has sat on the surface so I may sand and refinish if I get the time so they match. Even with hardwood something has managed to crib and wear some boards.
I also rang Lodden for some advice about weight and parts and to say they where vague was an understatement, not a lot of help.
 
Thank you for the replies so far.

What a good thought about the bamboo. I had not considered it splitting if and when kicked. Yes it is in multiple layers and your right it has to have several chemicals used in the process of laminating. Mmm.... I am now having a rethink on the bamboo. pity really as the samples supplied were a good light sandy colour which I really liked.

Hardwood seems to be the obvious way to go. I wish to keep the wood a light colour but it seems most people use oils provided by the companies which seems to darken the wood too much. How often are people treating the wood?

IAE and all other suppliers I have contacted who do the reinforced plastic,(which I think is a great product) cannot supply a lighter wooden colour. It seems the options are Black Green or Dark Brown anyone using a different colour more akin to a light sandy/brown?

Any more info on the companies either positive or negative?

Any tips on how much can you haggle over the final price?
 
Hi,our yard had Loddon stables on it when we bought the house/yard. Full horse height metal grilles between stables,full metal front uppers to doors(with V shape/anti weave and V infill grills that can be lifted up) and a reddish dark hardwood infill to doors. Reckon stables have been up maybe 15/20yrs&look fab. We've lived here 5yrs & have never oiled/treated the hardwood. We clean with soapy wet cloth. Only bit that looks worse for wear is where one of mares leans over door&scrapes her teeth on wood of door...grrrr! Needs the infill up,the madam:-/ We will sand&oil that door.
 
I went with IAE for my stabling got the top of the range and made some of my own modifications to it. I own a livery yard and have a small yard where I put the wood and the main yard I used the recycled plastic, we are 3 years in now and the wooden yard looks tired and takes a lot more maintenance. The recycled plastic simply get power hosed and looks like new. I understand you worries about colour, I went for black on mine and it looks really smart with the silver fronts. Regards haggling on price IAE came in ALOT cheaper than monarch or Loddon so didnt feel the need to haggle that much as felt I was getting a much better deal. eg stable finial ends, swing feeders and lovely open front doors for same price as basic stable from the others.

I will PM you my website as there are pictures on there. But cant post on here as I did this before and got in trouble for advertising!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top