Garden room with corner sliding door configuration
A Garden Spaces room for the owners of a Listed house, with two sets of sliding doors meeting at a corner with no post, carried by a low-profile steel frame within a 2.7m height limit.
Living in a Listed Building can limit opportunities for modern home renovations, but Garden Spaces’ clients overcame this by using their garden to create a contemporary, high-spec indoor-outdoor space. Their ambition was to construct a fully insulated garden room with expansive sliding glazing that opened onto a paved terrace, ensuring a smooth transition into a covered seating area. Crucially, they envisioned a corner without a supporting column-a detail that required exceptional engineering to uphold the roof and the weight of large sliding doors.
At a glance
- Built for: An indoor-outdoor family room, with a media wall and services ready for a future kitchen.
- Glazing: Two sets of three-section sliding doors meeting at an open corner, with low thresholds.
- Construction: A bespoke low-profile steel frame welded on site, within the 2.7m planning height.
- Finishes: Causeway Grey render, Norstone XLV in Charcoal and RAL7016 cement particle board.
- Company: Garden Spaces, who also ran water, waste and power to the rear wall.
Bespoke steel framework
Traditional corner glazing usually needs a supporting column. For this project, Garden Spaces designed an innovative solution to achieve a fully open corner without compromising structural integrity. To manage the load of the roof and the two sets of three-section sliding doors, a custom low-profile steel frame was engineered to fit within the 2.7m planning height restriction. This avoided using bulky I-beams that could have reduced interior space.
An expert welder joined the steel frame on-site to ensure robust connections, while the roof structure extended beyond the front wall to create a sleek canopy. This canopy, with recessed downlights, was supported by two steel posts welded to groundscrews and steel lintels. Such a meticulous approach not only secured the sliding doors but also assured their smooth operation for years to come.
To maximise precision, the project called for a delay in glazing installation until the main structure was completed. The fenestration supplier conducted a comprehensive site survey before manufacturing the large sliding doors, resulting in a four-week wait and a pause on plaster-boarding.
Seamless indoor-outdoor movement
Garden Spaces incorporated low-profile thresholds for the sliding doors to provide an uninterrupted flow between the indoors and the outdoor terrace. Detailed calculations and exact execution ensured that internal flooring and external tiles aligned seamlessly.
A raised platform over the SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) floor was filled with acoustic mineral wool, covered with thick plywood to support daily use while enhancing sound insulation. An external tiled terrace, to be constructed flush with the door thresholds, will further accentuate the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Covered outdoor seating area
In addition to the garden room, the client envisioned a covered area for outdoor entertaining. Garden Spaces frequently extend their designs with features that harmoniously blend indoor and outdoor living.
While Garden Spaces’ original design included a canopied area, planning requirements dictated a temporary structure. The client chose a design by Pergolux, which will be installed on the right-hand side in the next project phase, preserving the overall aesthetic and meeting local planning guidelines.
Sophisticated exterior finishes
The exterior of the garden room balances beauty and practicality, complementing the traditional red brick house with clean, modern lines.
The key feature is the combination of exterior finishes. The canopy and left-hand wall are covered in a Causeway Grey 3-coat silicon render, expertly applied for a crisp, refined appearance. Achieving such a seamless finish with render requires a high level of skill.
The right-hand wall features a striking section of Norstone XLV cladding in Charcoal, introducing texture and depth. The rear elevation, painted in RAL7016 cement particle boards, complements the roof trims and will align with the planned Pergolux canopy, ensuring cohesion throughout the design.
Tailored interior features
The interior reflects the client’s high-spec vision, enhanced by Garden Spaces’ commitment to bespoke detailing.
A custom multi-media wall with a floating fireplace sits between tall windows, allowing natural light and views of the garden to play an integral role in the room’s ambience. The plastered walls and ceiling were painted in a colour chosen by the client, with a professional decorator ensuring a flawless finish.
Anticipating future use, Garden Spaces pre-installed water, waste, and electrical services along the rear wall for a planned kitchen. This involved extensive groundwork and connections to mains services, demonstrating their comprehensive approach.
Learn more about Garden Spaces
Garden Spaces have proven their expertise in navigating intricate projects with skill and creativity. If you’re planning a garden room and need an experienced partner, contact Garden Spaces on 0845 387 9 387 or via email at info@gardenspaces.co.uk.
