Making the Right Choice for Your Outdoor Space
When it comes to enhancing your outdoor space, the decision is crucial. Choosing between a specially designed garden room and a traditional summer house or shed matters. While summer houses and sheds have their uses, a bespoke garden room offers unparalleled benefits. Functionality, aesthetics, and long-term value all improve significantly.
Here’s why investing in a custom-designed garden room is the smarter choice. We’ll also cover key questions to ask manufacturers. Additionally, we’ll share tips for conducting your research effectively.
The Advantages of a Specially Designed Garden Room
1. Year-Round Usability
Unlike summer houses and sheds, which are often seasonal, garden rooms work differently. Garden rooms are designed for year-round use. With high-quality insulation, efficient heating, and advanced construction techniques, they deliver comfort. Garden rooms provide a comfortable environment regardless of the weather.
Our 100mm insulation in walls, floors, and roofs ensures consistent temperature. WiFi-controlled heating maintains perfect comfort. Whether it’s freezing January or sweltering July, your space remains usable.
2. Complete Customisation
Garden rooms can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Your preferences matter at every stage. Whether you need a home office, a gym, a studio, or a relaxation space, customisation is key. A bespoke garden room can be designed to fit your lifestyle perfectly.
At My Garden Studio, we offer extensive customisation options:
- Size and layout configurations
- Window and door placement and styles
- Cladding colours and finishes
- Interior finishes and materials
- Electrical layout and fixtures
- Heating and connectivity solutions
3. Enhanced Durability and Quality
Specially designed garden rooms are constructed with superior materials. Precision engineering ensures excellence. This ensures longevity and durability over decades. They become a worthwhile investment compared to the often lower-quality construction of summer houses. Sheds simply cannot compete.
Our studios feature:
- Galvanised steel base frames (decades of durability)
- Recycled composite cladding (won’t warp, crack, or fade)
- UPVC windows and doors (maintenance-free)
- 40-year roof warranty
- 10-year structural warranty
- 10-year cladding warranty
4. Aesthetic Appeal
Garden rooms offer modern and stylish designs. They can enhance the overall look of your property significantly. Their bespoke nature means they can be matched to your existing home’s style. This creates a seamless and attractive addition to your garden.
Summer houses often look dated or out of place. Sheds are purely functional with little aesthetic consideration. Garden rooms, however, become architectural features. They complement and enhance your property’s appearance.
5. Increased Property Value
A well-designed garden room can add significant value to your property. Potential buyers often see garden rooms as a valuable asset. They offer additional usable space and modern amenities. Research suggests a high-quality garden room can add up to 10% to your property value.
Summer houses and sheds rarely add comparable value. In fact, old or poorly maintained sheds can detract from property appeal.
6. Energy Efficiency
With features like high-quality insulation, LED lighting, and low-wattage heating, garden rooms are energy-efficient. This leads to lower utility costs year after year. Additionally, it creates a reduced environmental footprint.
Our studios use sustainably sourced materials and energy-efficient design. Running costs remain minimal throughout the year. Compare this to poorly insulated summer houses that are unusable in winter.
Questions to Ask Manufacturers
When considering purchasing a garden room, asking the right questions is important. Ensure you’re making an informed decision by asking manufacturers these key questions:
1. What Customisation Options Are Available?
Ensure the manufacturer offers a range of customisation options. These should meet your specific needs and preferences. Can you choose sizes, layouts, finishes, and features? Or are you limited to standard models only?
2. What Materials Are Used in Construction?
High-quality, sustainably sourced materials are crucial. They ensure durability and reduce environmental impact. Ask specifically about:
- Insulation type and thickness
- Cladding materials and warranties
- Window and door quality
- Roofing materials and guarantees
- Base frame construction
3. What Is Included in the Price?
Understand what is covered in the initial cost clearly. This should include design, manufacturing, delivery, and installation. Are electrics included? What about heating? Are there hidden costs for delivery or site preparation?
4. What Insulation and Heating Options Are Available?
Ensure the garden room will be comfortable year-round. Appropriate insulation and heating solutions are essential. Ask about insulation thickness and heating control options. Can you control heating remotely via WiFi?
5. What Is the Warranty and Support Policy?
A comprehensive warranty and reliable customer support are essential. They provide long-term satisfaction and peace of mind. What does the warranty cover? How long does it last? What is the process for warranty claims?
6. How Is the Garden Room Installed?
Check if professional installation is included in the price. Understand the process and timeline clearly. How long does installation take? What site preparation is required? Do you handle groundwork or is that separate?
7. Do You Have Examples of Previous Work?
Ask to see photos or visit completed installations. This gives you a realistic expectation of quality. Can they provide customer references? Do they have testimonials from satisfied customers?
Research Tips for Choosing the Right Garden Room
To make the best decision, conduct thorough research. Do this before committing to a purchase:
1. Read Reviews and Testimonials
Look for reviews and testimonials from previous customers carefully. This helps gauge their satisfaction with the product and service. Check Google Reviews, Trustpilot, and social media. Are customers consistently satisfied?
2. Compare Quotes
Obtain quotes from multiple manufacturers to compare effectively. Look at costs and what’s included in the price. The cheapest option isn’t always the best value. Consider quality, warranties, and what’s included.
3. Research Materials Thoroughly
Research what materials different manufacturers use carefully. Understand the positive and negative features of each. For example, some manufacturers use roofing felt for the roof. Depending on conditions, this might need replacing every couple of years.
At My Garden Studio, we use metal-coated shingles. These come with a 40-year manufacturer’s guarantee. Similarly, composite cladding lasts decades without maintenance. Cheap timber cladding requires regular treatment and eventual replacement.
4. Check Planning Compliance
Ensure the manufacturer designs to meet permitted development requirements. This avoids planning permission issues later. Do they have experience obtaining certificates of lawfulness? Can they guide you through the process?
5. Visit Showrooms or Installations
If possible, visit a showroom or completed installation. This allows you to assess quality firsthand. Photos can be misleading. Seeing and touching materials provides better insight. Check construction quality, finishes, and attention to detail.
6. Ask About Lead Times
Understand how long from order to installation takes. Some manufacturers have long waiting lists. Others can deliver quickly. At My Garden Studio, our typical lead time is 8-10 weeks. Installation then takes just 2 days.
Why My Garden Studio Stands Out
At My Garden Studio, we deliver on all the advantages mentioned above:
- Year-round comfort: 100mm insulation and WiFi-controlled heating
- Full customisation: Extensive options for size, layout, finishes, and features
- Superior materials: 40-year roof warranty, composite cladding, UPVC windows
- Modern design: Contemporary aesthetics that enhance property value
- Transparent pricing: Everything included—no hidden costs
- Professional installation: Expert delivery and installation in 2 days
- Proven track record: 4.8/5 rating with satisfied customers nationwide
Make the Smart Investment
Investing in a specially designed garden room offers numerous benefits. These far exceed traditional garden summer houses or sheds. Year-round usability, customisation, enhanced durability, aesthetic appeal, increased property value, and energy efficiency all matter.
By asking the right questions and conducting thorough research, you ensure success. You can choose a high-quality garden room that meets your needs. It will add lasting value to your property for decades.
Ready to explore bespoke garden room options? Get a free quote today. Discover how our superior garden rooms can enhance your outdoor living space.
