Recent Garden Lodges built for our customers.

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Garden Lodges

At Garden Lodges we are very proud of the new projects we have worked on with our customers and love sharing them with you on our blog to demonstrate the type of garden studios you could have built in your garden.

This 5.5m x 4m garden lodge was built with a number of functions in mind, including a small gym and sauna! This lodge cost £26,000 to build including all groundwork, electrics and decorating. Cedarwood cladding has created a modern stylish exterior, with wide floor to ceiling windows and 2m French doors, providing plenty of light and connection to the garden.

Our garden lodges are used in many different ways and provide a truly versatile building that will be enjoyed for years to come. One unusual addition, being a sauna, was included in this lodge in Brackley. What a great way to warm up on a cold winter evening! This garden studio is destined to be the ultimate bijou gym and sauna offering the new owner a relaxing retreat in his garden for his family.

This lodge was designed with the view in mind, taking advantage of the owners wonderful garden and landscaping. A flat roof design meant that it was built within permitted development, so that no planning permission was required. We are always very happy to discuss with you the style and size of garden lodge we would recommend for your outdoor space. During our free site survey, we gain a good idea of your requirements and then our designers go to work to create a 3-D drawing to illustrate the design, a detailed floor plan so you can see where everything is going, and an itemised quotation so you know the exact price of your new garden lodge.

This next fantastic build was undertaken in Minehead, destined to be the perfect office getaway, it provides a private and peaceful place to work, next to the main house. French doors provide ample light and a small toilet and shower were also installed for extra convenience.

The interiors were fitted with oak laminate flooring in the office space and waterproof vinyl flooring in the shower area. When we build a new office space for our customers we always sit down and carefully discuss where you need your fittings and fixtures. The positioning of electrical sockets is quite important, and not something you want to get wrong in your new office space. We take great care to get all the little details perfect for you so that you are ready to move in as soon as building work is finished. Our quality of work is clearly on display in this photo and serves as a great testament to our team of craftsmen.

We can build your garden lodge with the possibility of having shower rooms and toilets installed, something that not many of our competitors offer. We have found that our customers like the added convenience of a showroom and toilet in their garden studio as it adds an extra dimension to how the space might be used. This also leaves it more versatile in the future and adds more value onto your home in general.

We offer a range of options for our bathrooms and use high-quality fitting and fixtures.

While its fresh in your mind why not book a free site survey today. CLICK HERE

Garden Studio Inspiration. Which garden lodge would suit your garden?

Posted on May 15, 2018May 22, 2018 by Garden Lodges

Garden Lodges have been building garden studios for our customers for over 10 years. We are extremely proud of the many different projects we have completed and know that our customers are just as happy with the end results.

What makes our garden studios special is the level of choice and bespoke options that are available. We can build a great range of garden buildings, including garden offices, gyms, art studios, music studios, garden annexes, pool houses and rentable accommodation for Airbnb, to name a few!

There are many companies on the market for building garden studios, but few with our level of experience, we have literally built hundreds of offices, studios and lodges for satisfied customers and are very happy to combine this level of expertise with our customer’s ideas and inspirations to build something that can truly transform your garden space.

Below are examples of some of the most popular lodges that we have built for our customers. They range in size and style and give a good demonstration of the sort of garden annexes we create. If there is a building that you feel would work well in your garden please let us know. We would be delighted to hear from you and discuss your new garden studio project.

Call us free on 0800 043 4821, or why not book a FREE SITE SURVEY (subject to location) to get started.

This is one of our smaller garden offices we built for a customer who wanted a quiet space in the garden to work from. This stylish build uses a form or white cladding, combined with dark grey, floor to ceiling windows. It has created a very contemporary and clean look that enhances the look of the garden while providing a very useful extra space.

Smaller garden offices can be built from as little as £17,322 including VAT. Key features of our contemporary, flat roof Garden Office range include a choice of uPVC doors and windows, selected because of their great value for money.

Another stylish smaller build, perfect for a garden office or studio. Although small the feeling of light and space is maximised through the use of glazing on two sides. An overhang provides shade in the summer so that the office remains naturally cool, while high performing SIP panel construction means that is it warm and inexpensive to heat in winter.

Bi-folding doors are increasingly popular and are a perfect way to bring the garden into your studio space. In summer they can be folded back to create a fantastic feeling of space and light. This example shows how a garden office could transform your work environment. When the weather is good your office space becomes part of the garden!

When we build a garden studio we first provide a free site survey and discuss with you your requirements. This is one of the reasons why the garden studios we build look so at ease in their surroundings. This sizable cedar clad studio fits perfectly in its garden, with the white wall acting as a platform to allow the studio to enjoy a more elevated position, great for surveying the garden. This size of building is perfect for a number of functions, including use as a gym, home studio or office, or as extra sleeping accommodation.

This timber framed garden lodge, shows how a traditional look can be combined with a contemporary feel. The oak frame and cladding creates a timeless design that is becoming increasingly popular. This style of studio is especially popular in conservation areas, where planning restrictions could apply. Terracotta tiles finish the building, creating a stunning garden studio. This design is also perfect for creating a light and spacious feel, with the combined effect of a vaulted roof and floor to ceiling windows.

Our garden studios come in a range of shapes and sizes. This stunning build shows what can be achieved in a larger garden. Cedar cladding gives it a contemporary feel and a large sliding door brings in plenty of light while providing excellent insulation and visibility to the garden. This size of build we recommend for gyms or larger offices, where extra space might be needed. The flat roof allows it to usually be built within permitted development law as long as the building is situated less than 2.0m from the boundary of the property and is no more than 2.5 metres in height from the existing ground level.

Dark grey bi-folding doors give an elegant simplicity to this thoughtfully designed studio. The popular combination of dark grey window frames and cedar cladding look great in this garden setting, especially when the landscaping has been incorporated into the look of the new building. A beautiful decked area creates an easy to maintain outdoor space, that works perfectly with the more modern design.

If gravel and decking are not your thing, then a perfectly manicured lawn works just as well. The flowing stone path creates softer lines, contrasting nicely with the modern shape of this contemporary garden studio. With over 60m2 this garden building has transformed how the owners use their garden and is now set up for a number of uses, including a gym, home studio and spare sleeping accommodation.

A similar look and feel is achieved with this garden lodge, nestled in the trees it looks perfect in its location, allowing the owners to work from home while enjoying their garden at the same time. All of our garden studios are made from highly insulated SIP panels. Structural insulated panels (or SIPs) are the number one choice for garden studios, as they provide excellent insulation in winter and are quick to erect. Meaning that we can build a garden office in your garden in between 4 – 5 weeks.

Often a lodge is a brilliant way to take advantage of a spectacular view. This garden studio certainly makes the most of its surroundings, with floor to ceiling windows on all sides. Currently used as a garden gym, what better way to exercise and relax?

A vaulted ceiling can add a second dimension to a garden studio. With extra headroom, you really increase the feeling of space and light. Extra height can also increase the functionality of the building, with larger gyms or storage possible.

Spring and summer are the best times for building garden studios, it is possible for us to complete a build in 4-5 weeks, meaning you could be enjoying your new garden building much sooner than you might think.

While its fresh in your mind why not book a free site survey today. CLICK HERE

SIP’s! What are they?

Posted on May 26, 2017May 26, 2017 by Garden Lodges

SIP’s in the UK have only in recent decades become a noted method of construction, most commonly used in the construction of residential properties and small commercial projects, despite having existed since the 1930’s. The first instance of a SIP’s building was in Wisconsin, USA, 1937 and was even dedicated by the First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The building survived the harsh Wisconsin climate and ultimately stood the test of time with its removal to make way for a larger building in 1998. Since 1937 like most things developments have been made and more modern materials used resulting in panels with better insulation and structural integrity.

Wisconsin, Forest Products Laboratory, stressed skin panel building.

A SIP’s panel, simply put, is a form of insulated foam core sandwiched between 2 pieces of OSB this provides a very strong building material which has insulation built in.

There are many benefits to using SIP panels when it comes to construction, a few of those are:

Reduced build time: Due to the format of using large panels wall sections can be erected very quickly, often once a foundation has been placed and the walls ready to be put in place, the shell of a SIP building can be completed in a matter of days. One of our Garden Lodges can be completed in a matter of weeks, depending on size usually between 4-6 weeks of construction time.

Better Insulation: The panels, as it says in the name, have the insulation at the core of the building and because they can be slotted together very precisely there are much less cold bridges and the buildings are very air tight allowing for a better control over temperature.

Less wastage: SIP’s are often prepared in a factory before they are then sent to site, this allows for less wastage on site and very minimal wastage during manufacturing.

Green: The insulation for SIP’s is built into the structure, removing the need to add insulation at a later date, providing a very well insulated home reducing heating bills etc. The OSB used to construct the SIP’s is also sourced from young fast growing trees, which makes for a very renewable source and young trees can process carbon dioxide better than older trees therefore, reducing the overall CO2 emissions created.

We have now worked with SIP’s for a considerable time, and we are always comforted when visiting customers and they tell us how warm and cosy their new garden rooms feel, because of the insulation very minimal levels of heating are required to maintain a comfortable temperature in the lodges. They are also often taken aback at how quick the process is, from when the materials turn up on site to when they are able to move into the annexe. If you want to build at a specific time of year through us, then the best thing to do is book a site survey a month or 2 before you would like to build.

It may surprise you that even with these huge beneficial factors of using SIP’s, brick and mortar is still a more commonly used format of which to build and one of the simple answers to this is because it is still functional and it is the most widely known format for building a home. For large homebuilding companies to retrain would provide a fairly substantial cost and ultimately why fix something that isn’t broken? but we ask why not have something a bit better?

We’re on the Green Art blog – ‘Trend-setting Garden Design’

Posted on May 10, 2016May 10, 2016 by Garden Lodges

From the Blog: Inside and out

The first is the merging of inside and outside; the flow from the house to the garden using the same materials to create an extension of the home outside. We’re seeing a real increase in demand for outdoor kitchens,garden gyms and garden offices as testament to this. Whether this involves new, purpose built buildings or dedicated open garden areas depends on the scope and ambition of the project (or client).

Not only new, but also older, existing re-purposed structures can form part of the extension of the home to outside. The Grottage is the latest conversion of the often redundant, cluttered garage into a garden room that can be a clever, low cost alternative to a purpose-built building.

Read the full Trend-setting Garden Design blog on the Green Art website.

Garden Lodge Aylesbury

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Garden Lodges

This garden lodge in Aylesbury, is being used as an art studio. The customer has placed a veneer on top of the wooden flooring installed by us to give a faux tiled flooring to the garden lodge, this is here as personal preference and to protect the original flooring. The space inside the lodge is large at a size of 17.46m²

The customers decided against having decking added to the lodge for now, if you would like to see examples of this please view some of our previous builds. The customers are going to construct steps in the future to get in and out of the lodge.

This particular lodge has a storage room at the far end, with an internal space of 5.51m² this is a great space to keep garden equipment, or any outdoor equipment.

The interior of the build is finished in matt white emulsion, with chrome down lights, polished chrome double power sockets and wood laminate flooring. All electrics are installed and tested by us. We always make sure to clear our on-site rubbish, as well as give the new garden room a good clean before handing over the keys.

Garden Lodge Portsmouth

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Garden Lodges

This garden lodge in Portsmouth, is being used as an office/meeting room, as well as an art studio. The customer has partitioned the room using the large wooden dividers, though this has separated the room it hasn’t particularly had much of an impact on the feel of space in the room.

The lodge at the front has decking at the front which has been put together very well, and the customer should be commended here as they constructed this. At Garden Lodges we do build and place decking if requested; see some of our previous builds. The entry to the lodge located at the front with the large set of bifold doors, allowing the lodge to open out into the garden, and to what should soon be a lovely decked and flowered area once the planters have been completed. Inside the lodge dividers have been placed to split the room and create some storage space behind them. The lodge also houses a small bathroom with toilet and vanity unit.

Our garden studios take just a few weeks to construct, weather permitting a build can be finished within a month from the start date, this is capable due to our construction method using SIPs panels. The lodge does not require planning permission due to its size. The build is constructed on top of the existing patio already on site, starting with timber bearers then the sips panels constructed at our warehouse are placed on top. The SIPs panels are are custom made for each build at our ware house then transported to site. The roof of this build is EPDM-lined and installed at a pitch to allow rainwater drainage, this build also has a sedum roof installed this is not only a visual addition to the build, the roof can provide better insulation both sound and temperature, it can also provide an important micro-climate for birds insects and other possibly rare species.

Garden Lodge in Norfolk

Posted on February 2, 2016February 2, 2016 by Garden Lodges

This garden lodge in Norfolk sits in the family garden, and is primarily being used as a gym. The lodge is suitable for year round use as we use SIPS panels, these provide great insulation, so once you have heated the lodge it will retain the heat for a long time.

The front of the lodge here has the french doors for the entry and two windows either side, because of the white finish on the inside of the lodge and the large windows and doors the room lights up very well during the day. The doors and windows on this build are aluminium, the benefit of this is that they should have a longer life due to the harder materials used to construct them. The aluminium due to its stronger materials allows for a thinner frame allowing for more glass.

Our garden studios take just a few weeks to construct and most of the time do not require planning permission due to their sizes. Our construction method allows for the garden studios to be completed quickly, usually within a 3-6 week period depending on size and shape. The build sits on concrete pads with timber bearers, then the SIPS panels constructed at our warehouse are custom made for each build, allowing them to slot together and quickly create the shape of the building.

The roof is EPDM-lined and installed at a pitch to allow rainwater drainage, this particular build does though have a slanted roof going from 2.86 at the front to 2.49 at the rear, due to the height the building did not have to go through planning. The interior of the build is fitted and finished with laminate oak flooring, chrome downlights, plug sockets, plastered and painted in matt white emulsion, the exterior has western red cedar cladding which should eventually fade to match the main house. All the electrics are installed by us, tested and checked. We always make sure to clear our on-site rubbish, as well as give the new garden room a good clean before handing over the keys.

Garden Lodge in London

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Garden Lodges

Width: 9.00m
Depth: 5.00m
Height: 2.86m
External Area: 45m2

Donhead school was looking for a Garden Lodge to use as extra space for their students, and to have a relaxed area that combines the outside with the comfort of the indoors. The front of the annexe is fitted with a 3.2m wide bifold door, light fills the lodge making it bright and airy. The outside of the lodge is finished in our Western Red Cedar, this finish is one of our most popular.

This lodge has a considerably large interior at 40.01m2 used for lunchtimes, and the odd lesson. The interior is painted in white, with chrome down lights, plug sockets, and the laminate flooring has an oak finish. The school have made a few additions I.e emergency lighting etc, this would be to comply with regulations required for a school building.

Overall the lodge took just a few weeks to construct, a concrete slab was laid first, a slab was used here due to London clay soil conditions. Then the framework ( our own warehouse produced SIPs ) of the build would have been erected atop the slab, quickly and carefully put together by our professional build team.

The flat rubber EPDM-lined roof is then installed at a slight degree pitch to allow for rainwater drainage, and the windows and doors are fitted. Finally the walls are fully plastered, painted in matt white emulsion and the flooring is fitted. The electric and light fittings are also installed and tested. We always make sure to clear our on-site rubbish away, as well as give the new Garden Lodge a good clean before handing over the keys.

Click on our image gallery below for a better look at the Garden Lodge:

Garden Lodge in Winchester

Posted on October 23, 2015December 3, 2015 by Garden Lodges

Width: 7.00m

Depth: 4.00m
Height: 2.49m
External Area: 28m2

Our customers from Winchester went for this wonderfully styled Garden Room which has the 4.8m bifold doors on the front this allows light to pour into the spacious room. The customer wanted a garden room for extra space, simply for winding down and listening to music, and occasionally a little bit of guitar practice, whilst looking out onto the very inspiring and scenic Winchester landscape. The outside of the lodge is finished in our popular Western Red Cedar, with a matching decked area.

Inside the Garden Room they wanted a very open and bright room so the large 4.8m aluminium bi-fold doors allow for plenty of light and in the summer it will allow the room to really open up onto the great outdoors. Finished with a laminate flooring with oak finish, with chrome down lights, plugs and sockets.

Overall, the Garden Studio took just a few weeks to construct and didn’t require planning permission, due to its height and overall size. Concrete pad foundations are installed first, where the structurally insulated panels (SIPs), which make up the shell of the Garden Building, are fitted on top of timber bearers.

The flat rubber EPDM-lined roof is then installed at a slight degree pitch to allow for rainwater drainage, and the windows and doors are fitted. Finally the walls are fully plastered and painted in matt white emulsion and the flooring is fitted. The electric and light fittings are also installed and tested. We always make sure to clear our on-site rubbish away, as well as give the new Garden Room a good clean before handing over the keys.

Click on our image gallery below for a better look at the Garden Lodge:

New Garden Lodge built in Brighton

Posted on September 18, 2015November 23, 2015 by Garden Lodges

Width: 5.00m
Depth: 4.00m
Height: 2.49m
Internal Height: 2.07m
External Area: 20m2

The stylish Lodge sat in the corner of the garden to a lovely Brighton home is being used for extra space and a bit of office space. Finished with vertically placed Western Red Cedar gives a rustic but modern style to the annexe and it compliments the space nicely. The large doors and windows on the front of the lodge allow for plenty of light to fill the room, also giving more of a connection to the outside space.

The inside of the lodge has been painted in white, decorated by the customer with a minimal style glass coffee table and desk and some lovely cream coloured sofas which really add to the contemporary feel of the build and helps to give it a modern feel.

Concrete pad foundations are first installed, on top of that timber bearers holds up the structurally insulated panels or SIPs, make up the shell of the garden building. The SIPs panels provide superior thermal performance which will last the life span of the building, and be cheaper to heat then a standard brick build.

The rubber EPDM-lined roof is installed at a slight pitch to allow for drainage,and the windows and doors are fitted. Finally the walls are fully plastered and painted with a matt white emulsion and the floor is fitted. light fittings are installed and electrics which is all tested. We clear the on-site rubbish as well as a clean before the keys are handed over.

Click on our image gallery below for a better look: