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Frequently Asked Questions

By definition, a garden room is a single storey, stand-alone garden building, built for quality and generally finished in natural materials for a stunning addition to your home and garden, for uses like home offices, home gyms, summer houses, play rooms, secure storage, and in most cases even multipurpose.. Garden rooms are classed as outbuildings and built to less than 2.5m in height as standard, meaning they generally don’t require planning permission. We go through planning permissions in another video if you would like more information on that, please click the link below and hit the submit button.

Of course we live in England, so cold weather is to be expected, however, most garden rooms are insulated and fitted with heaters, so they are nice and cool in the summer and in the winter they are warm and cosy.

Yes, your garden room can be fitted with a toilet and/or kitchen but it will require planning permission and the installation of those components will need to be done by experienced professionals.

Yes, underfloor heating can be installed as an optional extra, although it is not necessary as garden rooms are so effective at retaining heat, that it is not essential.

In most cases planning permissions will not be required. But for some uses, it is required. If you were to use the garden room as extra accommodation, any uses that require running water, plumbing, or gas appliances will need planning. 

Please see our Garden Room Planning Permissions video for further information.

Find Out More.

In order to adhere to the permitted development rules, garden rooms up to 15m2 internal floor area, can be built a minimum distance of half a meter from any boundary. Garden rooms over 15m2 up to 30m2 should be built a minimum distance of 1m from any boundary.

You should clean out the area of any obstacles such as rocks, trees, shrubs. Also any current sheds or outhouses would need to be emptied and in most cases removed beforehand. But check this with your provider, as they may be able to do the preparation for you.

Technically some garden rooms might be possible to move but it would be very expensive and risky so we do not recommend it. Ask your provider for the best advice to suit your product.

A garden building can have a lot of uses but without proper planning permission, you cannot actually live in a garden room.

It is possible, however it is not recommended, as a hot tub creates a lot of steam and could cause condensation or even mould to build up. Some garden room companies can offer canopy sections, which are usually only 3 exterior walls, leaving a large opening section for airflow and a heat release for the hot tub.

Yes, it is possible to attach a garden room to a house but generally is not recommended. Instead, keeping the building detached is often the best solution to enjoy all the benefits of a garden building and avoid any additional building regulations or need for planning permissions.

Depending on the company you decide to go with you might be able to have a custom shape done but some companies offer only square and rectangular garden rooms.

As long as the room has permission to be a living space, It is possible to rent out a garden room provided it is built to the correct standards also. For any garden rooms classified as outbuildings, you must also apply for a change of use before renting it out.

As you will save on installation costs, it could be cheaper to build your own garden room. However, the result is unlikely to be as good as when hiring a specialist installer, plus building yourself means your work will not be covered by any guarantees which could be useful in the future.

It is estimated that building a garden room on your property can increase its value by up to 5% but speaking directly to your home advisor would give you more accurate information and figures.

Usually most companies take around 7 days but it depends on the size of your garden room and what design choice you make with regards to window and door choices, additional extras such as internal decoration, and external decking or landscaping. 

Most companies’ starting prices are around £15,000 for their smallest sizes full supplied and fitted. But the prices really depend on the company and your needs. However, the good news is, most places offer free no obligation quotations and even CAD designs, so we recommend requesting as many quotes as possible and be careful what is included in the price because some companies don’t include the full installation. For example, they might need an adequate base inplace before installation, or they might not complete internal works such as electrics and plastering. Its better to be safe than sorry so always ask questions!

The ideal choice for a roof when thinking about your garden building, is a flat, slightly pitched one, this will aid with drainage for rain water. 

With regards to materials used, EPDM, which is a synthetic rubber, is commonly the product of choice by most installers. However, there are other options such as bitumen shingles, felt, sedum, artificial grass roofs, and even meadow roofs.

There are many different kinds of insulation to choose from. Each material has its own unique benefits, from cost to performance or eco-friendliness.

Rockwool – Mineral wool is one of the most highly used insulation materials. Available as slab insulation or insulation rolls, it offers fantastic thermal performance, boasting exceptional u-values and great sound absorption. Mineral wool insulation is a fantastic option for garden offices in noisier areas, to ensure you can concentrate with some peace and quiet.

PIR insulation board – Rigid foam boards are the most common type of insulation used by garden room suppliers in 2022. They offer some of the best thermal performance relative to their thickness. For example, when insulating a wall cavity that’s 100mm deep, a PIR foam board will be twice as effective as mineral wool.

Multifoil insulation – is crafted from many layers of radiant foil barriers to create an incredibly effective form of insulation. Able to be used in any part of a structure, foil insulation can even be used in combination with other forms of insulation for maximum effectiveness. When installed in this way, the multifoil will even act as a vapour barrier, fighting excess moisture in the air.

Concrete – Concrete slabs have been used for many years and are often still the foundation of choice when building a garden room.

Ground Screws – Using ground screws for building foundations is a fairly new technique, however is rapidly growing in popularity since it replaces the need to dig up your garden and lay down concrete. This makes it a less disruptive and time-consuming method in comparison to concrete slabs.

Plinths – this is also a popular type of garden room foundation. A plinth is typically made from reinforced concrete and helps distribute the weight of the garden room across a larger surface. The great thing about plinths is that they are fairly simple to install and, unlike concrete slabs, do not require any setting time.

Cedar Cladding –  has a long maintenance free lifespan of 25+ years. Having said that, if you want to maintain the new, reddish brown colour you will have to have a UV-oil applied and keep it topped up

Composite Prime Cladding – It has an extra layer of insulation as well as ventilation holes in between the layers and you don’t need to worry about UV-oil or anything like that as it is maintenance free.

Metal Cladding – this option has a wide range of styles and finishes and it is durable however the edges can rust as when the sheets are cut to size the edges are not re-coated to protect them from rusting. 

  1. Home Office
  2. Home Gym
  3. Guest Room
  4. Games Room
  5. Kids Room
  6. Entertainment Room
  7. Home Studio
  8. Home Cinema
  9. Extra Space
  10. Home Bar

The best heating option for a garden room is hands down an electric heater it’s easy to install, you don’t need any plumbing, its efficient and the heat that electric heaters produce is long lasting since they don’t just heat up the air but they warm up the surfaces which then give off heat of their own.

Most of the electric heaters you can purchse nowa days are wifi enabled which means you can control the temperature from outside of the garden room. Which is a great benefit for our English winters, when you can ensure the room is nice and toasty before entering.

LED Ceiling Light – LEDs are great for brightening up those darker areas, cupboards, storage rooms and so on as they give instant bright light in that one spot

Spotlights – Spotlights are great is you are going to be using your garden room for exercise or as an office however, they won’t be quite the right choice if you are looking for a room to relax in, they won’t give you that warm glow that a room of this use will require.

Lamps – A lamp can really help to transform a room and if you have the space, you could easily fill your garden room with a variety of them.

Most companies use vans so they would require parking and you will need access to the site via a side gate, garage or possibly through the house, some panels could be removed to assist. In some cases, for pre-built  garden rooms, cranes can be used. It’s best to ask your company of choice directly for this information.

Book Your Free Quotation Here

With A Local Retailer and Installer of Any Of The Top 10 Garden Rooms

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Lets Talk Planning Permisson And Building Regulations

Thinking of adding a garden room to your property? You might wonder if it involves complex planning permission. In most cases, garden rooms can be built without this fuss. Let’s break it down and make it easy to understand. What Are Permitted Development Rights? Permitted Development Rights (PDRs) are your friend. They let you make

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Annexes: A Comprehensive Guide

Annexes, also known as granny flats or garden annexes, are self-contained living spaces located within a property’s garden or backyard. They offer a practical solution for extended family living, guest accommodations, or rental purposes. Planning Permission Local Regulations: Before construction, check with local authorities to determine if planning permission is required. Regulations vary by location

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Garden Rooms – Unlocking the Potential of Multi-Use Spaces

In the modern world, the concept of work-life balance has taken on new meaning. With more individuals embracing remote work, the line between professional and personal spaces has blurred. Enter the multi-use garden room, a versatile oasis that seamlessly transitions from work to play, offering a myriad of possibilities. A Home Office Like No Other

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Steel Vs Timber Frames

Introduction In the quest to enhance living spaces and adapt to changing lifestyles, the addition of a garden room has become an enticing prospect for many homeowners. One crucial decision in this journey is selecting the right building material, and two contenders stand out: steel and timber. Let’s unravel the characteristics of each to help

Read More »

Frequently Asked Questions

By definition, a garden room is a single storey, stand-alone garden building, built for quality and generally finished in natural materials for a stunning addition to your home and garden, for uses like home offices, home gyms, summer houses, play rooms, secure storage, and in most cases even multipurpose.. Garden rooms are classed as outbuildings and built to less than 2.5m in height as standard, meaning they generally don’t require planning permission. We go through planning permissions in another video if you would like more information on that, please click the link below and hit the submit button.

Of course we live in England, so cold weather is to be expected, however, most garden rooms are insulated and fitted with heaters, so they are nice and cool in the summer and in the winter they are warm and cosy.

Yes, your garden room can be fitted with a toilet and/or kitchen but it will require planning permission and the installation of those components will need to be done by experienced professionals.

Yes, underfloor heating can be installed as an optional extra, although it is not necessary as garden rooms are so effective at retaining heat, that it is not essential.

In most cases planning permissions will not be required. But for some uses, it is required. If you were to use the garden room as extra accommodation, any uses that require running water, plumbing, or gas appliances will need planning. 

Please see our Garden Room Planning Permissions video for further information.

In order to adhere to the permitted development rules, garden rooms up to 15m2 internal floor area, can be built a minimum distance of half a meter from any boundary. Garden rooms over 15m2 up to 30m2 should be built a minimum distance of 1m from any boundary.

You should clean out the area of any obstacles such as rocks, trees, shrubs. Also any current sheds or outhouses would need to be emptied and in most cases removed beforehand. But check this with your provider, as they may be able to do the preparation for you.

Technically some garden rooms might be possible to move but it would be very expensive and risky so we do not recommend it. Ask your provider for the best advice to suit your product.

A garden building can have a lot of uses but without proper planning permission, you cannot actually live in a garden room.

It is possible, however it is not recommended, as a hot tub creates a lot of steam and could cause condensation or even mould to build up. Some garden room companies can offer canopy sections, which are usually only 3 exterior walls, leaving a large opening section for airflow and a heat release for the hot tub.

Yes, it is possible to attach a garden room to a house but generally is not recommended. Instead, keeping the building detached is often the best solution to enjoy all the benefits of a garden building and avoid any additional building regulations or need for planning permissions.

Depending on the company you decide to go with you might be able to have a custom shape done but some companies offer only square and rectangular garden rooms.

As long as the room has permission to be a living space, It is possible to rent out a garden room provided it is built to the correct standards also. For any garden rooms classified as outbuildings, you must also apply for a change of use before renting it out.

As you will save on installation costs, it could be cheaper to build your own garden room. However, the result is unlikely to be as good as when hiring a specialist installer, plus building yourself means your work will not be covered by any guarantees which could be useful in the future.

It is estimated that building a garden room on your property can increase its value by up to 5% but speaking directly to your home advisor would give you more accurate information and figures.

Usually most companies take around 7 days but it depends on the size of your garden room and what design choice you make with regards to window and door choices, additional extras such as internal decoration, and external decking or landscaping. 

Most companies’ starting prices are around £15,000 for their smallest sizes full supplied and fitted. But the prices really depend on the company and your needs. However, the good news is, most places offer free no obligation quotations and even CAD designs, so we recommend requesting as many quotes as possible and be careful what is included in the price because some companies don’t include the full installation. For example, they might need an adequate base inplace before installation, or they might not complete internal works such as electrics and plastering. Its better to be safe than sorry so always ask questions!

The ideal choice for a roof when thinking about your garden building, is a flat, slightly pitched one, this will aid with drainage for rain water. 

With regards to materials used, EPDM, which is a synthetic rubber, is commonly the product of choice by most installers. However, there are other options such as bitumen shingles, felt, sedum, artificial grass roofs, and even meadow roofs.

There are many different kinds of insulation to choose from. Each material has its own unique benefits, from cost to performance or eco-friendliness.

Rockwool – Mineral wool is one of the most highly used insulation materials. Available as slab insulation or insulation rolls, it offers fantastic thermal performance, boasting exceptional u-values and great sound absorption. Mineral wool insulation is a fantastic option for garden offices in noisier areas, to ensure you can concentrate with some peace and quiet.

PIR insulation board – Rigid foam boards are the most common type of insulation used by garden room suppliers in 2022. They offer some of the best thermal performance relative to their thickness. For example, when insulating a wall cavity that’s 100mm deep, a PIR foam board will be twice as effective as mineral wool.

Multifoil insulation – is crafted from many layers of radiant foil barriers to create an incredibly effective form of insulation. Able to be used in any part of a structure, foil insulation can even be used in combination with other forms of insulation for maximum effectiveness. When installed in this way, the multifoil will even act as a vapour barrier, fighting excess moisture in the air.

Concrete – Concrete slabs have been used for many years and are often still the foundation of choice when building a garden room.

Ground Screws – Using ground screws for building foundations is a fairly new technique, however is rapidly growing in popularity since it replaces the need to dig up your garden and lay down concrete. This makes it a less disruptive and time-consuming method in comparison to concrete slabs.

Plinths – this is also a popular type of garden room foundation. A plinth is typically made from reinforced concrete and helps distribute the weight of the garden room across a larger surface. The great thing about plinths is that they are fairly simple to install and, unlike concrete slabs, do not require any setting time.

Cedar Cladding –  has a long maintenance free lifespan of 25+ years. Having said that, if you want to maintain the new, reddish brown colour you will have to have a UV-oil applied and keep it topped up

Composite Prime Cladding – It has an extra layer of insulation as well as ventilation holes in between the layers and you don’t need to worry about UV-oil or anything like that as it is maintenance free.

Metal Cladding – this option has a wide range of styles and finishes and it is durable however the edges can rust as when the sheets are cut to size the edges are not re-coated to protect them from rusting. 

  1. Home Office
  2. Home Gym
  3. Guest Room
  4. Games Room
  5. Kids Room
  6. Entertainment Room
  7. Home Studio
  8. Home Cinema
  9. Extra Space
  10. Home Bar

The best heating option for a garden room is hands down an electric heater it’s easy to install, you don’t need any plumbing, its efficient and the heat that electric heaters produce is long lasting since they don’t just heat up the air but they warm up the surfaces which then give off heat of their own.

Most of the electric heaters you can purchse nowa days are wifi enabled which means you can control the temperature from outside of the garden room. Which is a great benefit for our English winters, when you can ensure the room is nice and toasty before entering.

LED Ceiling Light – LEDs are great for brightening up those darker areas, cupboards, storage rooms and so on as they give instant bright light in that one spot

Spotlights – Spotlights are great is you are going to be using your garden room for exercise or as an office however, they won’t be quite the right choice if you are looking for a room to relax in, they won’t give you that warm glow that a room of this use will require.

Lamps – A lamp can really help to transform a room and if you have the space, you could easily fill your garden room with a variety of them.

Most companies use vans so they would require parking and you will need access to the site via a side gate, garage or possibly through the house, some panels could be removed to assist. In some cases, for pre-built  garden rooms, cranes can be used. It’s best to ask your company of choice directly for this information.

Book Your Free Quotation Here

With A Local Retailer and Installer of Any Of The Top 10 Garden Rooms

Frequently Asked Questions

By definition, a garden room is a single storey, stand-alone garden building, built for quality and generally finished in natural materials for a stunning addition to your home and garden, for uses like home offices, home gyms, summer houses, play rooms, secure storage, and in most cases even multipurpose.. Garden rooms are classed as outbuildings and built to less than 2.5m in height as standard, meaning they generally don’t require planning permission. We go through planning permissions in another video if you would like more information on that, please click the link below and hit the submit button.

Of course we live in England, so cold weather is to be expected, however, most garden rooms are insulated and fitted with heaters, so they are nice and cool in the summer and in the winter they are warm and cosy.

Yes, your garden room can be fitted with a toilet and/or kitchen but it will require planning permission and the installation of those components will need to be done by experienced professionals.

Yes, underfloor heating can be installed as an optional extra, although it is not necessary as garden rooms are so effective at retaining heat, that it is not essential.

In most cases planning permissions will not be required. But for some uses, it is required. If you were to use the garden room as extra accommodation, any uses that require running water, plumbing, or gas appliances will need planning. 

Please see our Garden Room Planning Permissions video for further information.

In order to adhere to the permitted development rules, garden rooms up to 15m2 internal floor area, can be built a minimum distance of half a meter from any boundary. Garden rooms over 15m2 up to 30m2 should be built a minimum distance of 1m from any boundary.

You should clean out the area of any obstacles such as rocks, trees, shrubs. Also any current sheds or outhouses would need to be emptied and in most cases removed beforehand. But check this with your provider, as they may be able to do the preparation for you.

Technically some garden rooms might be possible to move but it would be very expensive and risky so we do not recommend it. Ask your provider for the best advice to suit your product.

A garden building can have a lot of uses but without proper planning permission, you cannot actually live in a garden room.

It is possible, however it is not recommended, as a hot tub creates a lot of steam and could cause condensation or even mould to build up. Some garden room companies can offer canopy sections, which are usually only 3 exterior walls, leaving a large opening section for airflow and a heat release for the hot tub.

Yes, it is possible to attach a garden room to a house but generally is not recommended. Instead, keeping the building detached is often the best solution to enjoy all the benefits of a garden building and avoid any additional building regulations or need for planning permissions.

Depending on the company you decide to go with you might be able to have a custom shape done but some companies offer only square and rectangular garden rooms.

As long as the room has permission to be a living space, It is possible to rent out a garden room provided it is built to the correct standards also. For any garden rooms classified as outbuildings, you must also apply for a change of use before renting it out.

As you will save on installation costs, it could be cheaper to build your own garden room. However, the result is unlikely to be as good as when hiring a specialist installer, plus building yourself means your work will not be covered by any guarantees which could be useful in the future.

It is estimated that building a garden room on your property can increase its value by up to 5% but speaking directly to your home advisor would give you more accurate information and figures.

Usually most companies take around 7 days but it depends on the size of your garden room and what design choice you make with regards to window and door choices, additional extras such as internal decoration, and external decking or landscaping. 

Most companies’ starting prices are around £15,000 for their smallest sizes full supplied and fitted. But the prices really depend on the company and your needs. However, the good news is, most places offer free no obligation quotations and even CAD designs, so we recommend requesting as many quotes as possible and be careful what is included in the price because some companies don’t include the full installation. For example, they might need an adequate base inplace before installation, or they might not complete internal works such as electrics and plastering. Its better to be safe than sorry so always ask questions!

The ideal choice for a roof when thinking about your garden building, is a flat, slightly pitched one, this will aid with drainage for rain water. 

With regards to materials used, EPDM, which is a synthetic rubber, is commonly the product of choice by most installers. However, there are other options such as bitumen shingles, felt, sedum, artificial grass roofs, and even meadow roofs.

There are many different kinds of insulation to choose from. Each material has its own unique benefits, from cost to performance or eco-friendliness.

Rockwool – Mineral wool is one of the most highly used insulation materials. Available as slab insulation or insulation rolls, it offers fantastic thermal performance, boasting exceptional u-values and great sound absorption. Mineral wool insulation is a fantastic option for garden offices in noisier areas, to ensure you can concentrate with some peace and quiet.

PIR insulation board – Rigid foam boards are the most common type of insulation used by garden room suppliers in 2022. They offer some of the best thermal performance relative to their thickness. For example, when insulating a wall cavity that’s 100mm deep, a PIR foam board will be twice as effective as mineral wool.

Multifoil insulation – is crafted from many layers of radiant foil barriers to create an incredibly effective form of insulation. Able to be used in any part of a structure, foil insulation can even be used in combination with other forms of insulation for maximum effectiveness. When installed in this way, the multifoil will even act as a vapour barrier, fighting excess moisture in the air.

Concrete – Concrete slabs have been used for many years and are often still the foundation of choice when building a garden room.

Ground Screws – Using ground screws for building foundations is a fairly new technique, however is rapidly growing in popularity since it replaces the need to dig up your garden and lay down concrete. This makes it a less disruptive and time-consuming method in comparison to concrete slabs.

Plinths – this is also a popular type of garden room foundation. A plinth is typically made from reinforced concrete and helps distribute the weight of the garden room across a larger surface. The great thing about plinths is that they are fairly simple to install and, unlike concrete slabs, do not require any setting time.

Cedar Cladding –  has a long maintenance free lifespan of 25+ years. Having said that, if you want to maintain the new, reddish brown colour you will have to have a UV-oil applied and keep it topped up

Composite Prime Cladding – It has an extra layer of insulation as well as ventilation holes in between the layers and you don’t need to worry about UV-oil or anything like that as it is maintenance free.

Metal Cladding – this option has a wide range of styles and finishes and it is durable however the edges can rust as when the sheets are cut to size the edges are not re-coated to protect them from rusting. 

  1. Home Office
  2. Home Gym
  3. Guest Room
  4. Games Room
  5. Kids Room
  6. Entertainment Room
  7. Home Studio
  8. Home Cinema
  9. Extra Space
  10. Home Bar

The best heating option for a garden room is hands down an electric heater it’s easy to install, you don’t need any plumbing, its efficient and the heat that electric heaters produce is long lasting since they don’t just heat up the air but they warm up the surfaces which then give off heat of their own.

Most of the electric heaters you can purchse nowa days are wifi enabled which means you can control the temperature from outside of the garden room. Which is a great benefit for our English winters, when you can ensure the room is nice and toasty before entering.

LED Ceiling Light – LEDs are great for brightening up those darker areas, cupboards, storage rooms and so on as they give instant bright light in that one spot

Spotlights – Spotlights are great is you are going to be using your garden room for exercise or as an office however, they won’t be quite the right choice if you are looking for a room to relax in, they won’t give you that warm glow that a room of this use will require.

Lamps – A lamp can really help to transform a room and if you have the space, you could easily fill your garden room with a variety of them.

Most companies use vans so they would require parking and you will need access to the site via a side gate, garage or possibly through the house, some panels could be removed to assist. In some cases, for pre-built  garden rooms, cranes can be used. It’s best to ask your company of choice directly for this information.

Book Your Free Quotation Here

With A Local Retailer and Installer of Any Of The Top 10 Garden Rooms

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