Building the Dutch / Belgian Two-Storey Shop in 20mm
By Sarissa Precision Ltd – Sarissa Precision Limited | Published: 2026-11-03
Category: How-to Guides
A step-by-step guide to assembling the Dutch / Belgian Two-Storey Shop in 20mm, from dry-fitting and gluing to painting and basing for wargaming terrain.
Quick answer
Build the Dutch / Belgian Two-Storey Shop by dry-fitting every part first, then gluing the shell square before adding the upper storey and roof. Keep the kit unassembled until you have checked the fit, and paint the sub-assemblies before final assembly for clean edges.
Why this kit suits 20mm Eurocentric tables
The Dutch / Belgian Two-Storey Shop is a laser-cut wooden kit scaled for 20mm games. Its two-storey shopfront design reflects architecture common in central European and Dutch towns for centuries, so it fits scenarios from the Napoleonic Wars through to the modern era. That broad period coverage means one building can serve several armies and rule sets without looking out of place.
Because the kit is supplied unassembled and unpainted, you control the final look. That is an advantage for matching an existing table, but it also means the build quality depends on your preparation. The sections below focus on the decisions that most affect a clean, durable result.
Preparation and tool choices
Laser-cut wooden parts can have slight charring on the edges and small tabs that need cleaning. Work on a cutting mat with a sharp hobby knife and a sanding stick. Test-fit parts before applying any glue; if a joint is tight, sand the tab rather than forcing it. Keep the instruction sheet nearby, as part layout can be less obvious on a two-storey kit.
Step-by-step assembly
- Dry-fit the main shell: Lay out the base, front, back and side walls. Push the tabs into the slots without glue to check alignment. If a joint will not close, lightly sand the tab or slot. Common mistake: forcing a tight joint and splitting the wood. If the shell rocks on a flat surface, identify the high corner before gluing.
- Glue the ground-floor box square: Apply a thin bead of wood glue to the tab joints and assemble the ground-floor walls and floor. Use a square or the corner of a building jig to check 90-degree corners. Wipe excess glue immediately with a damp cloth. Checkpoint: the box should sit flat without rocking. Let the ground floor cure fully before adding the upper storey.
- Add the upper storey: Test-fit the upper-floor parts and the second-storey walls. Glue them to the cured ground floor, keeping the front faces flush. Common mistake: misaligning the front facade, which throws off the roof fit later. Check the front overhang or flush line before the glue sets.
- Fit the roof and shopfront details: Dry-fit the roof panels and any shopfront parts such as the fascia or window frames. Glue the roof last so you can still adjust the walls. If the kit includes a removable roof, leave it unglued for interior access. Checkpoint: the roof should sit without gaps at the ridge. Decide on a removable roof before gluing if you plan to place figures inside.
- Paint before final assembly: Prime the sub-assemblies and paint the walls, roof and details separately. This keeps paint out of the joints and gives crisp edges. Common mistake: gluing everything first and then struggling to paint recessed areas. Mask or avoid painting the gluing surfaces so the final joints bond well.
- Base and seal: Glue the finished building to a base of MDF or plywood if you want a consistent table footprint. Add texture around the base, then seal with a matte varnish. Checkpoint: the base should not warp when the texture dries. Seal the wooden edges to reduce moisture movement over time.
Kit facts that affect your build
- Dutch / Belgian Two-Storey Shop (20mm): Supplied unassembled and unpainted in kit form. You choose the paint scheme and can finish sub-assemblies before final gluing, which keeps edges cleaner.
Dutch / Belgian Two-Storey Shop (20mm) - Dutch / Belgian Two-Storey Shop (20mm): Fully interchangeable with other multi-level Dutch / Belgian range kits. You can combine this shop with other kits in the range to create a larger street or block without scale mismatch.
