A garden home can be a perfect place to meet or an ideal storage space. It could be a tool shed or an outdoor kitchen that is beautiful or a serene work space at home, building materials high-quality and a well-constructed construction are essential.
What are the things to be thinking about when you are designing a house? Here are some helpful suggestions for those planning to purchase a garden home.
1. The acquisition of planning permission is the top priority (where necessary)
Outbuildings are considered to be permitted development and do not require planning permission. This is subject to the following limitations and conditions:
A building should not be constructed on land that is located in front of a wall which is the main elevation.
Garages and outbuildings are to be single-storey in height, with an upper limit at eaves of 2.5 meters and an overall height of 4 metres when using a dual pitched roof, or three metres with the other roofing.
A maximum height can be set of 2.5 meters in the case of an enclosure, building or container within 2 metres of to the curtilage area of the house that is the main residence.
No balconies, verandas, or raised platforms are allowed (a platform should not be more than 0.3 meters in the height).
Not more than 50% of the land area around the original house could be covered with additions or other structures. *
For National Parks, the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as World Heritage Sites, the total area covered by enclosures, structures containers, or pools that are more than 20 metres away from the home is restricted to 10 square meters.
On land designated for development, structures enclosures, containers and swimming pools on the sides of property will require approval for planning. **
Within the boundaries of listed structures Any outbuilding that is built will require permission for development.
* The phrase “original house refers to the home in its original form or stood on July 1, 1948 (if it was built prior to the date). Although you might not have constructed an extension to the property, a previous owner might have done it.
*Designated land comprises national parks, those in the Broads, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and conservation zones, and World Heritage Sites.
2. Select a foundation that is suitable for your wooden shed summerhouse
You can build an outdoor summer house on any type of soil; but, selecting the right foundation for the house is crucial. Because wood is a living, natural material for building, it may be subject to slight deformation, swelling and shrink or curvature in time. But, these characteristics aren’t a problem if the summer home constructed of wood is constructed on a strong enough foundation and the normal settling process is permitted (no other obstructions are put in place).
Types of foundations that are recommended for use:
Blocks or slabs that are set on an sand base or gravel base
Paving stones
A post-and beam foundation
A slab that is monolithic and reinforced concrete
It is important to choose the kind of foundation that is appropriate for the size of your garden house, soil conditions, as well as the function of the building. The Types 1 and 2 foundations work suitable for small and medium gardens. It is possible for most people. It is necessary to dig 25-35cm of soil, then fill it with gravel and sand and then place the tiles or blocks. For more than average-sized garden homes and wooden summer houses saunas, and other saunas, types foundations of 3 or 4 are the best choice. The construction of these types of foundations require specialized expertise and is recommended to hire a professional.
Whatever the kind of foundation used, it is important to recognize that a well-level foundation is essential to ensure longevity and stability of the summer house made of wood.
It’s impossible to construct sturdy walls with a shaky foundation, and neither will the windows and doors work correctly. Also the factory warranty of five years will also be null and void.
3. Summer garden house installation. Self-assembly, or hiring a building firm?
The construction of small and medium-sized garden houses can be done by a skilled DIY enthusiast. The statistics we have compiled show that 9 out of 10 customers do the assembly themselves or engage a local expert to assist them. To complete the assembly, you’ll require at minimum two people with tools (hammer saw, hammer and drill, screwdriver measuring tape, ladder knife and a spirit-level) as well as between one and three days of your time according to your skills and the size of the project.
If construction and gardening isn’t your cup of tea or you simply are not able to do it you can always opt to purchase a home with an assembly service. The purchase of a house with an expert assembly service will guarantee the highest high-end quality and a flawless outcome.
In making your choice We recommend to evaluate your capabilities and seek advice from experts.
4. Everything you should know about transport and packaging when purchasing an outdoor summer home or garden home
Summer and garden houses are shipped in rainproof and waterproof packaging. Thus, a garden house can be kept outside for weeks prior to assembly. Depending on the dimensions of the house the box can weigh between 700 to 2,500 kg. A variety of lorries, including those equipped with forklifts, or conventional trucks for hauling (provided that the equipment to unload is in place at the location) are utilized for the transportation of summer gardens houses. The wooden parts are all ready to be assemble.
A typical set of timber houses includes:
Impregnated foundation beams
untreated wall beams as well as other wood parts
Floor and roof boards
Doors and windows with glazed glass
fasteners (screws, nails, etc.)
storm braces
Instructions for building the summer garden home
Every wooden part is marked with numbers or are clearly identified for an easy and quick assembly.
5. What is the best way to choose the appropriate wall thickness?
The most popular wall thicknesses that are used in garden houses include 28mm, 40mm 44mm and 50mm. In the case of bigger-than-average saunas, summer homes, and saunas in gardens, walls ranging from 50 and 70mm thick are most commonly used.
Wall beams that measure 28mm typically feature a tongue and groove. These walls are sturdy and long-lasting enough for garden sheds , as well as smaller and medium-sized garden houses (a wood structure with more than 10 square meters in the total area of floor). They’re available at a low cost.
The 40-50mm wall beams come with two tongues and grooves. They are suitable for medium-sized garden as well as summer houses (covering an area of 8 to 20m2). When compared to 28mm walls these walls aren’t just stronger , but also have more insulation.
In essence 28mm wall beams are going to be sufficient for the construction of sheds for garden and smaller gardens (between four and 10m2.). For summer gardens that are larger than 10m2, it is suggested to choose an exterior wall thickness of 40mm or more, especially when you plan to add insulation and make use of your house year-round. It is essential to purchase an outdoor summer house that has an exterior wall thickness of at least 44mm, and with windows with insulation for all-year-round use. When it comes to insulating homes the the roof and floor must be given the greatest attention since about 35-40% of heat is lost from the roofing. Uninsulated floors are the primary entry point to cold air.
6. Windows with single panes or insulated ones?
If you are buying an outdoor summer house to be used for seasonal purposes it is safe with a smaller walls and windows with single panes. If you are buying a summer home you should consider buying affordable single-pane windows. It is not possible for you to put in insulated windows in summer gardens with the thickness of a wall that is 28mm. Since walls with thinner thickness provide lower amounts of insulation the installation of windows that are insulated is irrational.
If you plan to keep your summer home made of wood all year long the windows that are insulated are essential. The house must be also insulated, however you must definitely purchase an outdoor house that has windows that are insulated.
Most summer houses made of wood with a wall thickness 40mm and up have windows that are single-pane. Homes that have the that is thicker than 44mm are equipped with windows that are insulated.
7. What size garden home do I need to buy?
A well-designed multi-purpose garden house will help you save money as well as area in your garden. The purchase of a wooden summer home that has the option of a veranda or terrace is less expensive than purchasing the summer garden house and bower on its own. This is also true in comparing the costs of a shed and a wooden summer house with the expense of buying each item each.
We recommend to pay close attention on the area of the home prior to making the purchase.
The purchase of a summer home
When purchasing a summer home It is best to get the whole family members to share their thoughts and wishes and then figure out the appropriate dimensions of the garden structure to ensure there is enough space for other activities and hobbies. A garden home can be a long-lasting investment for a long time to become.