Composite garden room designed for indoor-outdoor living
A large composite-clad building in three parts: two insulated rooms either side of an open-fronted shelter, so the bi-folds open the main room straight onto it.
Insulated garden rooms have become increasingly popular because they are a true extension of our homes – spaces designed for comfortable use in every season, not just on warm summer days.
Some buyers take this a step further by incorporating an open-sided shelter with one or more solid walls and a roof. This creates a halfway house between being indoors and completely outside – somewhere you can sit, dine or relax in the fresh air while still being protected from wind and rain. In the unpredictable UK climate, that extra layer of shelter can make all the difference.
This large bespoke project by Bridge Timber Garden Rooms showcases how this type of indoor-outdoor garden living space can be thoughtfully designed and tailored around a client’s lifestyle.
At a glance
- Layout: A main insulated room, a covered open-fronted shelter in the centre and a second insulated room with French doors.
- Built for: Everyday use and entertaining, with the bi-folds open onto the shelter or closed against the cold.
- Construction: SIPs walls, roof and floor, with double glazing, insulated roofing panels and breathable membranes.
- Finishes: Black/Charcoal composite cladding and grey frames outside; plastered walls and laminate floors inside.
- Company: Bridge Garden Rooms, who offer composite cladding as an upgrade in eight colours.
A cohesive three-zone design
Rather than a single insulated room, this building has been divided into three distinct yet connected areas.
On the left sits the main insulated garden room, built using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) at the heart of a multi-layer construction. SIPs provide excellent thermal performance and structural strength, creating a highly insulated envelope that performs like a room in a modern house.
This main room features two sets of aluminium bi-fold doors in a corner configuration. When fully opened, they connect directly onto a centrally positioned open-fronted shelter area.
To the right of the building sits a second fully insulated garden room with French doors to the front elevation. Together, the three spaces work as one cohesive design.
With the bi-fold doors open, the insulated interior and the covered outdoor area merge into a generous entertaining space. When the temperature drops, simply close the doors and the insulated structure maintains comfort inside. It is a flexible arrangement that works just as well for quiet evenings as it does for hosting family and friends.
Built for comfort in every season
At the core of Bridge Timber Garden Rooms’ buildings is their SIP panel construction system. These high-performance panels are factory manufactured and form the insulated walls, roof and floor structure.
Combined with double glazed doors and windows, insulated roofing panels and breathable membranes, the result is a garden room designed for year-round use.
Internally, the walls and ceilings are plasterboarded and skimmed to create a smooth finish, ready for decorating. Laminate flooring and neat skirting boards complete the look. The overall feel is very much that of a room inside the main house. That level of finish changes how the space is used, encouraging it to become part of everyday life rather than an occasional retreat.
Zero maintenance composite cladding
Externally, the owners selected composite wood cladding in the Black/Charcoal finish, paired with grey doors and windows. The combination looks smart and contemporary, and importantly, it will maintain its appearance without the ongoing maintenance associated with traditional timber.
Bridge Timber Garden Rooms offer composite cladding as an upgrade across their designs. Made from recycled wood content and recycled plastic polymer, the material offers:
- A natural timber look
- Resistance to rot, twisting and splitting
- No requirement for painting
- Minimal ongoing maintenance
An occasional clean is typically all that is required to keep it looking its best.
The composite range is available in a variety of colours, including Teak, Coffee, Light Grey, Stone Grey, Black/Charcoal, Ivory, Redwood and Olive Green – allowing the building to be tailored to suit both contemporary and more traditional garden settings.
A sheltered outdoor area – positioned where you need it
What particularly stands out in this project is the positioning of the sheltered outdoor area.
We often see covered spaces placed to the side of an insulated room or projecting forward from the front wall. Here, it has been positioned centrally, between two enclosed rooms. It acts as a natural gathering point and visually anchors the design.
This layout demonstrates the flexibility of a Bridge Timber Garden Rooms approach. The sheltered area can be positioned exactly where it works best for your garden layout and how you intend to use the building.
Bridge Timber Garden Rooms also offer several designs that excel at creating year-round indoor-outdoor living, including the Red Tarn Outdoor Living, Redmires Garden Room and Rhodeswood Garden Room. Each can be adapted to suit individual requirements.
Learn more about Bridge Garden Rooms
If you are considering creating an indoor-outdoor garden room that can be enjoyed throughout the year, it is worth speaking to the team at Bridge Timber Garden Rooms about your ideas. Chat with the team on 01422 832 863 or by emailing info@bridgetimber.com. Explore www.bridgegardenrooms.co.uk to see all the design possibilities
Their bespoke design service allows you to tailor the layout, specification and finishes to create a space that works for your lifestyle – whatever the season.
