The Scandinavians are well known for the quality of their design and for their timber buildings which have to withstand the extremes of their climate, and these two skills have been combined to create a range of contemporary, modular garden rooms.
contemporary design
Sanctum Garden Studios
Sanctum Garden Studios build modern, contemporary studios which would be a fine feature in any garden.
Sanctum Garden Studios have designed their buildings to be maintenance free, this is achieved by choosing high performance materials such as western red cedar for the external cladding, EPDM rubber membrane for the roof and vinyl wrapped UPVC doors and windows.
The garden studios have their own foundation system of mini piles and pre formed ground beams, so other than removing vegetation from the site, no groundwork’s are required before construction starts.
Sanctum Garden Studios use a traditional timber frame system, creating a sandwich of timber, insulation and protective membranes – the wall panels are typically 175mm thick. The framework is highly insulated, between the studwork mineral wool batts are fixed, this type of insulation protects the building from heat loss by convection, over the mineral wool a combined vapour barrier and multi layer reflective foil is fixed, this prevents heat loss by radiation, and it also prevents the garden studio becoming too hot in the summer months.
The garden studios are clad in western red cedar which is one of the best thermally performing timbers available; it also has a natural resistance to moisture and fungal and insect attack. Western red cedar starts out a reddish brown colour but will weather to a silver grey with time.
The garden studios have a modern white interior and commercial grade laminate flooring. The garden studios are pre wired electrically and come with a consumer unit and brushed steel sockets, switches and spotlights.
The flat roof is covered in EPDM rubber membrane; this is a high performance roof covering with a life expectancy in excess of 50 years.
The French doors and windows are black foil wrapped UPVC so no painting is ever needed! The doors and windows have insurance approved multi point locks with chrome fittings as standard, and are glazed with Low E glazed units which are toughened for safety.
Sanctum Garden Studios offer a range of optional extras including double glazed units with built in blinds, folding sliding doors, additional windows, external lighting, air conditioning and under floor hearting.
On site time is as little as a day for small studios, whilst larger garden studios can be completed in four days. Sanctum Garden Studios use their own construction team rather than sub contractors, and all the customer needs to do is instruct an electrician to connect the garden studio to the mains electricity supply.
Prices range from £6,550 for a 1.8m x 2.4m garden studio to £16,850 for a 3.6m x 6m garden studio – these prices are fully inclusive, the only extra is the connection of the electricity to the mains.
So if you are looking for a garden sanctuary, visit the Sanctum Garden Studios website .
Click on the photos below for a slide show.
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Warwick Garden Offices
Warwick Garden Offices are part of the Warwick Buildings Group which has over 20 years experience producing quality timber buildings.
Whether you are looking for a traditional or contemporary design, bespoke or budget garden office, Warwick Garden Offices have a model to fit the bill.
Their traditional style garden offices have a pitched roof with an asphalt shingle covering which looks like a conventional tiled roof, and features quality doors and windows which are double glazed and have security locks.
The contemporary range has glazed feature walls comprising of opening French doors and fixed sidelights which gives the building a modern feel. The contemporary range of offices can either have a pitched roof or mono pitched roof depending on the style and feel of building required.
If the standard size buildings on offer don’t fit the bill, Warwick Garden Offices are able to offer a bespoke service, this offers customers the opportunity to mix and match features to create their perfect garden office. This bespoke service is particularly useful if you have an awkward site.
Warwick Garden Offices all have a traditional timber framework with treated shiplap forming the external cladding; this type of finish has a 25 year rot resistance. Under the cladding bitumen based breather membrane stops moisture entering the building, 50mm polystyrene insulation is fitted between the framework and the interior is lined with 12mm grooved plywood. The floor of the garden office also has a plywood finish which is fixed over the polystyrene insulation into 38 x 75mm treated joists.
The roof of the garden office is constructed with 9mm plywood forming the internal ceiling, between the rafters, polystyrene insulation is fitted, and on top of this 12mm sterling board (also known as OSB) creates a deck for the roof covering, which takes the form of under felt and asphalt shingles which give the appearance of a tiled roof, and come in a red/brown, clay tile effect and a grey slate effect. The roof is finished with a brown rainwater guttering system.
Warwick Garden Offices come pre wired with consumer unit, 3 lights and 3 sockets as standard but more can be purchased to suite your needs. The electrical system is ready for a qualified electrician to connect to the mains once the building has been installed.
Warwick Garden Offices require the customer to install a 150mm concrete base or heavy duty slabs incorporating a damp proof membrane before installation of the building, which can take as little as one day.
Warwick Garden Offices are a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen which gives a benchmark for quality workmanship. Prices start at £4500 including VAT for a 2.4 x 2.6m office, so are a very affordable way to gain extra space.
For more information visit the Warwick Garden Offices website.
Click on the photos below for a slideshow.
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