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What is a garden room and why do you need one?

We’re all pretty used to conservatories — over the years, they’ve gradually become staples of British home design, with a reputation for comfort and versatility. However, there are a few other glass-based designs that can add comfort, value and variety to your home. 

Orangeries are a sturdier variation on ordinary conservatories, with a low wall around the perimeter and a more solid design. They have their origins in the Renaissance, where they were used by the aristocracy to grow expensive citrus plants all year round. Solariums take the opposite approach, with a sleek design aimed at creating an enclosed patio, with a more “outdoor” feel.

This article, however, is about a close relation of all three — the garden room. Though still uncommon in the UK, garden rooms are becoming increasingly popular as people catch on to their good looks, manifold uses and unique, close-to-nature feel.

Looking to find out more? Read on.

What is a garden room and why do you need one?

What is a garden room?

A garden room is a space created by building an additional structure in your property’s garden, usually with a glass roof, natural building materials and a completely “indoor” feel — it’s not a shed, and certainly not a simple summer house.

The resultant space, when done right, is a testament to the power of good design. A quality, modern garden room offers a well-insulated, comfortable hideaway in a pleasing natural setting, and should feel comfortable at any time of year. 

 

What are the benefits of a garden room?

A garden room’s potential benefits are as wide-ranging as its possible functions. Looking for a home office, a space for reflection and relaxation, or a space to host friends on lazy summer evenings? A garden room can just as easily accommodate all three at any point in the year. 

Much of the beauty of garden rooms arises out of their separation from the rest of your home. Especially over the last year of the Covid-19 catastrophe and the long winter lockdown, many of us have longed for a space outside the home — even as the rain has beaten down. 

Time and space away from your home’s four walls in a garden room can give perspective and a little breathing room, with associated health benefits. The list of musicians, artists and creatives who have benefited from a garden-based studio or workspace is too long to recount! 

Children and young people in particular also appreciate space away from the hustle and bustle of the home. A garden room offers a quiet, secure and beautiful place to work through homework or bring friends to play. It can also be an excellent place to put children (and adults) who like to make plenty of noise! Teenage drummers, electric guitarists and brass players can benefit from unselfconscious practice, while you can benefit from some well-deserved peace and quiet! 

Finally, garden rooms benefit from British planning law, which stipulates for most areas that only especially large or unsympathetic designs require planning permission in advance from a local authority.

 

How much does a garden room cost?

The cost of a garden room varies greatly from design to design and installer to installer. At Britannia we fit Ultraframe garden rooms, which are manufactured to be hard-wearing, brilliantly energy efficient and quick to install. As a result, they come at a slight premium compared to other designs. 

However, installing a garden room bought from a less well-regarded supplier can frequently cost more over time due to poorer quality materials, increased energy bills, maintenance costs and the initial few days’ labour required to install it. Ultimately it’s your call, but at Britannia we pride ourselves on providing serious quality at a still-competitive price.

Interested? You can get a quick online quote on the Ultraframe website, or contact our team.

 

Are garden rooms insulated?

At Britannia we fit Ultraframe garden rooms, which come with extremely insulative walls and the company’s patented LivinRoof as standard. A well-designed garden room should be perfectly inhabitable in any season, giving you freedom to use it as and when you like.

 

Got another question?

Please feel free to get in touch with our team to talk through your options. At Britannia, we’re always happy to discuss the finer details of our products with potential customers.

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