Garden Rooms - The Ultimate Guide
A garden room could be
A garden room really is the most versatile of buildings. They can be used for so many different things. They have always been popular as home offices. And, today, they are being kitted out as gyms, entertainment spaces sometimes complete with a bar and cinema screen, art studios, and the correct permissions an extra bedroom.
Fully insulated for comfortable year-round use, a garden room is fully wired electrically, with heating and the option of data cabling for a reliable internet connection. To extend the room's versatility, many buyers choose to add a toilet or full shower room.
A garden room is an easy way to add extra space to your home. Very often, an outdoor room can be built without applying for planning permission. You can have a lot of input into the design, layout and features of your room, and with short lead and build times, you could be enjoying your new space in just a few months time.
Because the majority of ranges are prefabricated off-site, building a garden room is a quick and clean process without the mess of traditional building systems. Because you are working with one company from design through to handing over the keys of the new building, it is a hassle-free process too. You can just sit back and watch your new room take shape.
Explore garden room projects by use
Make informed decisions, not costly mistakes
This site aims to offer those interested in buying a garden room as much background information as possible so that they make informed buying decisions, not expensive mistakes.
We have been sharing our knowledge of the industry since 2009. Prior to that, we had been designing and building insulated garden buildings ourselves, but an accident called for a change in direction. Today, we use our unique place in the industry to signpost buyers towards experienced companies who will take their garden room ideas and transform them into reality.
If you have a question about buying a garden room, you can always email us.
We have a lot to share about buying a garden room, so this is a long article. Use this table of contents if you want to jump to a section quickly.
So, what is a garden room?
So, what is a garden room? If you think it is just an insulated shed or summerhouse, you are wrong. They are so much more than a shed could ever dream of being! Garden rooms are constructed using multiple layers of material, utilising the same materials and building techniques as used in modern timber frame house building - you know, the type of systems you see used on an episode of Grand Designs.
This multi-layer build-up creates a building that will be comfortable to use all year round and stand the test of time, with a lifespan of several decades.
While some garden rooms can be attached to the house to create a modern extension, in the main, they are standalone buildings situated away from the main home. This separation from the distractions of the house and the unique connection that a garden room has with the garden it sits within, that so many buyers love!
We'll let you into a secret
As you research your buying options, you will see terms like garden pod, huts, dens, cabins, lodges, studios and offices. We will let you into a secret; they are all garden rooms. While there are design differences between each company that builds them, there is no fundamental difference between a garden studio, pod or den and a garden room.
Companies use the different terms to make them stand out in the crowd and to name different ranges, but be clear you can safely buy a garden den and use it as an art studio, just as successfully as if you had chosen a design that is marketed as a studio.
Garden rooms are designed for year-round use
A garden room, unlike a shed or summer house, is designed for year-round and use. You can comfortably use the space on a hot day and also on a wintery day.
This is because garden rooms have a multi-layer build-up that includes insulation and specialist membranes that keep the building dry.
It is important that there is insulation in the floor, wall and roof structures. The types of insulation and the thicknesses used differ between companies. The best-insulated garden rooms meet or exceed the targets set out in the Building Regulations for new houses.
Mix this multi-layer build-up with double glazing and a heating source, and a garden room can be as comfortable to use as a room in your house.
There are lots of choices when it comes to garden room heating. Traditionally, the basic option is an oil-filled portable radiator, but these have widely been replaced with slimline, wall mounted electric panels which convect heat around the room, as the standard heating option.
You often have the choice to upgrade the heating in your garden room. Underfloor heating is a popular upgrade as it frees up wall space in the room. The underfloor heating systems used allow you to programme the timer, so the heating can be set to come on before you want to use the space. Some systems can be operated remotely via a smartphone app.
Air conditioning is also an option, and more and more buyers are choosing to add it, even though it is a significant expense. Air conditioning allows you to set the perfect temperature all year round, both cooling and heating the room.
Modern air conditioning systems can be operated via a smartphone app. Some designs have movement sensors fitted so if the room is left unoccupied; the aircon unit will power down, saving energy.
With lots of glazing, it can be helpful to have a way to control the light in a garden room - most companies offer the option of blinds at the windows and doors. The sleekest ranges have the blind fitted within the double glazing; a magnetic system opens and closes the blinds.
Work with an experienced garden room company
We currently feature the work of 50+ different companies, including many of the leading names in the business. Exploring this site, you will find a mix of modular and bespoke garden room companies. We suggest you start by looking at the buildings offered by these experienced names:
Contemporary garden rooms
With large expanses of glazing, sharp straight lines, and low maintenance exterior cladding options such as Western Red Cedar, there is a lot to like about contemporary garden room design.
Examples of contemporary garden rooms designs
If this is the style of garden room you like, you are in luck as contemporary garden room designs dominate the market. This is because the flat roof cubist buildings are easy to design to be 2.5m tall, meaning they can be built under the Permitted Development rules rather than requiring planning approval.
There are both modular and bespoke designers who focus on contemporary garden room design. Some are more cutting edge in their approach than others. Both design routes offer an extensive palette of options for you to personalise your building.
Large expanses of glazing are the hallmark of contemporary garden room design. The floor to ceiling glazing creates a wonderful connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Bi-fold doors that slide back to open up a large section of wall are very desirable, but they are also your most expensive option. A similar look and feel can be achieved with sliding doors or by mixing outward opening French doors and tall fixed pane windows.
Examples of garden rooms with lots of glazing
It is wise to combine floor to ceiling glazing with a smaller opening window so you can easily let air into the room. Rectangular windows, sometimes called lozenge or letterbox windows, are a popular way to do this. They can be positioned high in a wall which is ideal if the views beyond aren’t great, or at desk height which perfectly frames a view as you work.
Examples of garden rooms with desk height windows
Western Red Cedar cladding is the finish of choice for many contemporary garden room designers. It is loved because of its rich reddish-brown colouring and its natural resistance to rot and fungal attack. It is a low maintenance choice for a modern garden room.
Cedar cladding is an expensive choice, and if you are looking to maximise your budget, you might want to take a look at other timber claddings, such as Thermowood or Siberian Larch. They are equally durable and offer an extended maintenance-free lifespan.
Timber claddings will change colour to a silvery grey as they age. For this reason, some designers offer alternative finishes like composite boards and render that maintain their new appearance in the long term.
Popular garden room exterior cladding options
Inside, contemporary style garden rooms have the feel of a room in a newly built house. High spec designs have a plastered and decorated interior mixed with wooden flooring. Modular designs tend to have white wallboards. These boards are easy to keep clean and bounce light around the room, but you will be aware of the joins as one panel butts up to another.
Contemporary garden room interiors
On the whole contemporary style, garden rooms have flat rooflines (rest assured they do have a shallow slope for water to run off), so they come in under 2.5m high. There are, however, a few contemporary pitched roof ranges too.
Examples of contemporary pitched roof garden rooms
The vaulted ceiling that a pitched roofline creates adds a lot to the feel of garden room. It obviously increases the headroom, which can be helpful if you are tall or planning to use the space as a gym, but the vaulted ceiling also opens up the possibility of a mezzanine floor. The Malmo by Garden2Office has the option of a mezzanine.
Contemporary pitched roof garden room interiors
Garden rooms in the UK
Combined, the companies we showcase on this site install garden rooms in every corner of the UK. Many companies offer a nationwide installation service, while others focus their work on a particular area.
It is wise to ascertain early on in your communications with a supplier if there is a delivery charge on top of the building cost. Some companies include the delivery costs in the overall price they quote. Other companies offer free delivery within 100 miles of their HQ and then charge by the mile thereafter. We have seen prices of £6+ per mile quoted, so this can soon add up to a significant extra cost.
Several companies have show buildings on display at their workshops. You need to make an appointment to view so that social distancing can be maintained. The majority of garden room suppliers keep their overheads low by not having show sites. Instead, they will organise for you to view one of their past projects near to where you live, if you like.
In many cases, a garden room can be built without Planning Permission
Do you need planning permission to build a garden room?
This is a question you should ask early on in the buying process. In many cases, a garden room can be built without planning permission; some garden room companies have messages on their websites that say "planning permission not required". Really they should say "Permitted Development friendly", as whether you need to apply for Planning Permission depends on where you live, the height of the building and its proximity to the boundaries of your garden.
While you may not need to make a planning application, you will need to follow the rules laid out by Permitted Development.
The Permitted Development rules tell us where a garden room can be positioned, how big it can be in relation to the overall garden and how tall it can be.
Generally, garden rooms are designed to offer the maximum flexibility in positioning the building in your garden. 2.5m high garden rooms, for instance, can be sited within 2m of any boundary. Taller mono-pitch and dual pitch roofed buildings would need to be positioned at least 2m from any boundary.
2.5m high garden room Permitted Development
Mono-pitched garden room Permitted Development
Dual pitched garden room Permitted Development
Don’t worry if you do need to apply for Planning Permission
If your circumstances require you to apply for Planning Permission or you want to have more flexibility when it comes to the overall height and positioning, the process is not daunting as it sounds.
Experience garden room designers will handle the process for you as part of their overall service. Alternatively, they will put you in touch with a specialist planning consultant.
If you wish, you can handle the application process yourself. Your designer will supply you with the detailed drawings and specifications you will need for the application.
The need for planning approval does extend the project lead time. Applications typically take 8 to 12 weeks. Normally, your chosen supplier will ask for a holding deposit to reserve your place in their installation diary. This means once your planning approval has been granted, work on manufacturing your room can start.
Garden room Building Regulations
Will your garden room need to comply with Building Regulations? You need to ask this question at the design stage.
In many cases, a garden room can be built without Building Control sign off, but if you plan to sleep in the room, even only occasionally, it must be constructed to Building Regulation standards.
The size of your building is important in relation to Building Regulations. The Planning Portal says:
If you want to put up small detached buildings such as a garden shed or summerhouse in your garden, building regulations will not normally apply if the floor area of the building is less than 15 square metres and contains NO sleeping accommodation.
If the floor area of the building is between 15 square metres and 30 square metres, you will not normally be required to apply for building regulations approval providing that the building contains NO sleeping accommodation and is either at least one metre from any boundary or it is constructed substantially of non-combustible materials."
Source: Planning Portal
Many buyers choose to maximise the space in their garden, so position their building within 1m of the boundary. This means they have to follow the rule of being constructed substantially of non-combustible materials.
How to build a garden room
There are two possible routes to building a garden room. By far, the most popular is to work with a company that will handle the project for you from design to installation. The second option is to buy a garden room kit and assemble it yourself. You will find that you have far more choice and can choose more elaborate design features working with companies who work on a complete installation basis than with self-build kits, which are commonly standard sizes and designs created for easy of assembly.
When building a garden room, you typically work directly with the manufacturer. There are a few marketplaces, but you really don’t need to go through a 3rd party. Working directly with the manufacturer allows you to have more input into the design and layout. You will also benefit from improved customer service as you will deal with one company throughout the build, and perhaps most importantly, save money as no middlemen are taking a cut!
After you have placed your order, the materials will be ordered and components manufactured. The on-site installation will typically occur 8 to 12 weeks after ordering. This can be a little longer if a planning application is required.
An installation team will be sent to assemble your building; they will work intensely until your building is complete. With some small designs, the build can be completed in just a day. A garden room build typically takes 7 to 10 days, with the team working Monday to Friday.
Features a quality garden room will include
Comparing your options, you may find that several companies offer similar garden room designs. While they may look similar, garden rooms are not all built equal. Several construction systems are used, and while some designers offer house quality build-ups, others have pared down the structure to create thinner walls that are more cost-effective to build.
Whatever system you chose, there are features that every garden room should include; otherwise, it is just a posh shed or summerhouse.
These must-have features are:
- Suitable foundation for the building size and ground conditions
- Insulated floor, walls and roof
- Breathable membrane to protect the core structure
- Durable cladding material
- Durable roof covering
- Double glazing
- Multi-point locking system on the doors and windows
- Electrics including the consumer unit, lights & power points
- Heating
- Rainwater guttering system
A quality garden room adds value to your house
Estate agents widely agree that a quality garden room adds to a house's desirability and value. A highly insulated specification with low maintenance finishes will add more value than a more basic log cabin or modular composite design.
We have heard of 5% to 17% being added to the value of a house because of the presence of a quality garden room.
With the UK's work habits changed by Coronavirus, we hear that a home office is high on prospective buyers wish list, so a quiet room in the garden would fit the bill!
What is included in the price of a garden room
A garden room is a big purchase, and you will want to be clear on what is included in the price you are being quoted.
Often referred to as turnkey projects, some companies keep it simple and give you a price for the whole project right down to the final electrical hookup. This is great as you are working with one company throughout the project and know what you are paying from the get-go.
More commonly, companies will price for the building and the installation. They will then make additional charges for delivery, the foundation (if not included in the overall building price) and the electrical hookup.
These extra costs can quickly add up, particularly the electrical hookup, which you typically arrange with a local electrician. This connection involves digging a trench for the armoured cable between the garden room and the main house, so the cost depends on how far the room is from the house. The electrician will also test the electrical circuit and issue a certificate, which you will want to keep in a safe place, as it may be asked for when you sell your house.
Other additional costs you need to consider are the application fee if planning permission is required. Some companies offer deposit protection insurance; they may pass the premium for the cover on to you, the customer. There may also be the option of an insurance backed warranty for your building. This cover protects you should there be a problem with your room, and the company who built it is no longer trading; the insurance company will arrange to have the problem rectified.
Exploring the market, we have found that most companies list their prices inclusive of VAT; though, several companies list their prices plus VAT, so you need to keep an eye on that when comparing your options!
An installation team will be sent to assemble your building; they will work intensely until your building is complete. With some small designs, the build can be completed in just a day. A garden room build typically takes 7 to 10 days, with the team working Monday to Friday.
You can choose the size of garden room that works for you
We are often asked about garden room sizes: what size they come in and what is the smallest size you can buy, and what is the biggest.
While there are companies that only offer standard sizes such as 3m x 3m or 5m x 4m, the truth is a garden room can be the size that works for your needs and garden. Modular garden room designers work in either 500mm or 600mm (20inch or 24inch) increments, which offers greater flexibility than whole meter standard sizes.
If you need a more precise size garden room to maximise the space you have available, a bespoke designer will be able to help. They can manufacture their buildings to the centimetre; for instance, they could create a structure of 4.71m x 2.93m.
Pre-built garden rooms
Building a garden room is one of the quickest ways to extend your home, if not the quickest. There are ranges that can be installed in just a day, while more complex buildings can be up and ready to use in 7 to 10 days.
The speed of installation is because most garden rooms are pre-built before they ever arrive on-site. A handful of companies will fully build the room in their workshops and then deliver it to you on the back of a lorry with a crane then lifting it into place.
More commonly, the core structure of the building is constructed in a factory and then delivered to you in modules that go together quickly, with the final finishes added by the installation team while on-site.
There are a few companies that build the room from scratch on-site. They have the timbers delivered and build the framework in your garden. You would expect a complete on-site build to take longer to build than a comparable prefabricated garden room would.
A quick way to extend your home
You may well be comparing your garden room options against building a traditional house extension or adding a loft conversion. You will find that building a garden room is the quicker way to extend your house.
Depending on the time of year, an outdoor room can be installed and ready to use within 2 to 3 months of confirming your order. Once on-site, build times can be as little as one day for some designs, with 7 to 10 days a typical build time for medium-sized buildings. Larger, more complex structures can take 14 to 21 days to fully complete.
Depending on the package you choose, your garden room will either be ready to use as the installation team leaves the site or you will just need to organise a local electrician to come in and connect the electrical system in your new room up to the mains supply in your house. This will usually take an electrician a day to complete.
This is a lot quicker than building a traditional house extension or loft conversion. You will also experience less disruption in installing an outdoor room than adding a brick house extension, as there are no wet trades, and the installation of your new room takes place away from the main house.