How well are our Garden Lodges insulated?

Posted on December 14, 2018December 14, 2018 by Garden Lodges

At Garden Lodges we are proud of the very high standards our buildings are constructed to. A question we are often asked, especially during the winter months, is how well insulated are our buildings? Well, the answer to that is extremely well!

Unlike many of our competitors, who often use simple insulated timber frames, we believe SIPs (structurally insulated panels) provide better insulation and improved structural integrity for our garden buildings. SIPs are built from 100mm expanded polystyrene board, sandwiched between two sheets of orientated strand board (OSB). Built to exact measurements in our own factory in Sandy Bedfordshire, we can guarantee that the Garden Lodge we build for you is precisely constructed, meaning that its U values are extremely low, down to 0.11w/m2K.

Ultimately this means you will have a warm lodge that is very cheap to heat in winter, and a temperate garden lodge in the summer months.

10 Benefits of using the SIP system

SIPs are produced off-site in our own factory facilities, meaning a guaranteed standard.
Off-site construction means less on-site construction. Typically this leads to a build time of between 3 -4 weeks, meaning our buildings are of excellent quality and fast to construct.
The materials used are all recyclable.
SIPs are environmentally friendly with a low carbon footprint.
Low U values, down to 0.11w/m2K.
Due to Panels being constructed in own premise we can offer our customers a bespoke design.
The structural strength of SIPs means less framed structures are needed, creating a light, spacious building.
Foundation requirements are lessened due to a stronger and lighter structure.
35% less raw materials used in the construction of SIP construction.
Sealed SIPs reduce cold spots and are better insulated.

Garden Lodges in winter

Due to modern advancements in construction, Garden Lodges, such as the ones we build, are usable all year round. you will probably find your cosy new Garden Lodge even warmer than your house. We can also offer optional extras that can help to further increase your comfort, such as heating, underfloor heating and air conditioning.

A Garden Lodge makes a perfect home office all year round. Not only will you find our garden buildings cheap to heat, but you could also save the cost of heating your main home during the day. If you work from home this could offer quite a large saving over the winter.

If you really want to make your Garden Lodge extra cosy then we can also offer bespoke options, such as a log burner. Not only will this fill your home office with a comforting warmth, but it will also provide a very cost-effective way to keep your garden room warm all winter.

For around £80 you will be able to buy a ton bag of seasoned logs, which should last all winter. Modern log burners are constructed in order to maximise efficiency and you can expect each log to last for around 1 hour. We can fit and install a log burner for an optional extra cost, with the burner itself costing anything from between £300 – £1500.

If you want to create a similar effect, but without the mess and effort of storing logs, then maybe an electric stove would work for you. These days it is possible to buy a realistic looking stove with flame effect that simply plugs into a socket. This can be a cost-effective way to add some cosiness to your garden lodge in winter.

Windows and doors

As standard, all of our garden buildings come with either French doors of sliding doors. You can also upgrade to bi-folding doors for an extra cost. All of our doors and windows come with thermally efficient double glazing that provides excellent warmth and sound insulation. As standard, our Garden Office range comes with UPVC French doors and windows, while our Garden Studio comes equipped with Aluminium powder coated frames.

The combination of SIPs construction and double glazed doors and windows means that your building is thoroughly protected from the elements.

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

How to personalise your Garden Lodge

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Garden Lodges

At Garden Lodges, we can offer our customers a range of styles and finishes that can truly make your new garden building bespoke and personalised to your own unique tastes. Our range of styles allows you to design how the exterior will look, with a great range of cladding or render to choose from.

We also offer the choice of developing the outside of the Garden Lodge with decking, that can further enhance the look of your garden building, whilst offering increased functionality during the summer.

Cedarwood cladding is an exceptionally popular look for many of our customers, paired with battleship grey bi-fold doors and windows it creates a modern and stylish look that sits well in a garden setting. Cedar cladding is very long lasting and needs minimum effort to maintain.

Cladding can be incorporated into the design of any Garden Lodge, creating a functional space that allows the garden to work perfectly with the design of the building. Our decked areas can be created from pressure treated timber or composite material for a long-lasting and attractive finish.

Another popular option is to have glazed timber frames for the gable end of a lodge. This has the beneficial effect of bringing a lot of light into the building. Great if you plan to use the lodge as an art studio, or just want to maximise the amount of light and warmth coming in, reducing heating bills and creating an enviable environment to relax or work in.

One of the key components of all of our garden lodges is the choice of windows and glazing that is on offer. Windows and bi-fold and French doors can be configured in such a way as to change the appearance and functionality of a building. Large bi-folding doors are great for maximising the use of the garden, bringing in plenty of light, and allowing for uninterrupted views during the summer.

Bi-folds are a fantastic way to make a garden lodge connect with the garden, working from home needn’t mean you are locked away in a stuffy office, with a bespoke garden lodge you can enjoy the benefits of a home office, whilst also enjoying the garden and your surroundings.

The options for personalisation don’t just stop at the exterior of the building. It is also possible to choose many options for the interior of the building. We provide a complete turnkey service, including all decorating and finishes. Our garden buildings come fully plastered and decorated, with a choice of laminated floor finishes. It is also possible to choose from a range of colours for the interior if white is not to your taste.

Further personalisation is possible with the functionality of your garden studio. We don’t just build a ‘box in your garden’, but a bespoke building designed for a purpose. We can install a shower room, toilet or extra rooms, to suit your unique requirements. This can be very useful if you plan to use your building as a gym, or office and would like to convenience of such facilities close by.

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

Best ways to create extra space in your home. Garden lodges vs conservatories or extensions.

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Garden Lodges

It’s a common fact that our houses are not always providing us with the space that we need. With the cost of moving house very expensive, now currently estimated at an average of £8900, it is no wonder that people are looking for alternative ways to increase the living space in their current homes. Now instead of moving to a larger house, building a garden lodge, conservatory or extension might be the most cost-efficient way to improve your habitable space.

In the past, an extension of conservatory might have been one of the only options available, but with the development of construction methods such as SIPs panels (Structurally Insulated Panels) building a bespoke garden office or lodge has certainly opened up more possibilities.

Garden Lodge Vs Extension

If you just want to add extra room to your existing space then you might find an extension is the best bet for you. An extension will allow you to enhance the size of your kitchen or living area. The most popular extensions are usually those that increase the size of a kitchen to create a kitchen-diner or family room. These are certainly popular on people’s wish lists when searching for a new home.

Garden lodges can work better when the extra space you require would benefit from being away from the main house. Good examples of this might be a garden office, music room, gym or art studio. In these cases, it might well be an advantage to be away from the main house where concentration and quietness would be appreciated. Also, many people see a psychological advantage of having their garden office separate from the main house as it allows them to detach work from home and set a clear physical boundary between the two.

Because a garden lodge can be constructed in its own space it is also less restricted than an extension that is obviously reliant on the positioning of the main house. This means that a garden lodge can be constructed anywhere where space allows giving more scope for its dimensions. Also, people might find that an extension is simply not viable, either there is not enough room to build or perhaps there are caveats put on the building such as it being grade 2 listed.

Garden Lodge Vs Conservatory

Conservatories were very popular in the 80’s and 90’s and can be a great way to add extra space to the ground floor. However, they were not without their drawbacks. People have found they do not always use their conservatories as they are sometimes too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter.

Also, a conservatory is almost always attached to the main house, which would make them not suitable for a home office or gym, especially if the temperatures were hard to control. With the modern building materials we use in our garden lodges, temperature is very easy to control. SIPs panels are extremely good at insulating, meaning that our buildings are cheap to heat in winter and remain cool in the summer, perfect for a garden office.

These days traditional white conservatories look a little bit dated and it’s now a common home improvement to replace a conservatory with an extension or possibly a separate building in the form of a garden lodge.

Another key consideration for a garden lodge Vs an extension might be planning permission. A garden lodge can often be built within permitted development, meaning that no planning permission would be required, whereas usually, an extension to the main building will require planning permission. If you are in hurry to have your new space available to use this could be a consideration or if you live in a conservation area then you might be wise to have different options available to you.

At Garden Lodges we are also able to build our customers extensions connected to the main house, as opposed to a separate garden building. This has all the advantages of SIPs construction, but with the added benefit of extending your existing kitchen or living space. We would be very happy to discuss with you any plans you have for creating extra space in your home and go through the different options that we feel could best benefit you.

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

How to create a hobby room in your Garden Studio.

Posted on June 15, 2018June 15, 2018 by Garden Lodges

Hobbies are a great way to relax and unwind, especially after a hard day in the office. However, once a hobby starts taking over the house things can get far from relaxing! Building a garden lodge can be a great way to design your own perfect space so your hobby can grow with your own creative development.

A garden lodge opens up many possibilities to take your hobby to the next level, whether you are interested in arts and crafts, yoga, model building, sowing, music production, fitness or photography, we have a garden building that can work for you.

This summer, why not treat yourself and your hobby to the space that you deserve by building a bespoke garden lodge. We are always happy to discuss with you your ideas and start to design your perfect new hobby space in your garden.

Benefits of a garden hobby room.

Building a bespoke hobby room in your garden means that everything can be stored in one place, you will no longer need to have everything spread all over your house, instead, your hobby equipment can be confined to one built for purpose space. This means no more packing up at the end of your session or tidying everything away, you can just leave everything in place and start again from where you left off.

Your own personal space means that you can truly concentrate on your hobby, with interruptions from family members, pets or the telephone a thing of the past, you can close yourself off to the outside world and immerse yourself in your hobby.

With all your hobby clutter safely stored in one place, more free space is created in your house. That spare room can once again become useful for guests or a brand new office space, or perhaps room for a new arrival.

Creativity

Sometimes creativity needs a helping hand. It is all too easy to become distracted by the internet, social media, pets and family. We have all started an evening or weekend with the best intention to crack on with reading a book, painting a picture or getting on with some other creative past time. But one thing leads to another and before you know it you have just spent the last 3 hours looking at cat videos on Youtube. However, replacing wasting time with a creative hobby has many health benefits.

You will find that you can concentrate easier, feel more relaxed, reduce negativity and relieve you of the addiction of scrolling through social media. All great ways to feel an improvement in your life.

How to create your perfect hobby space

When designing your perfect hobby garden room it is important to consider some important factors. A hobby space for art will require plenty of light, enough room for a large desk or easel, plenty of storage options and perhaps areas to display your work.

A music room might require soundproofing, electrical sockets in the correct positioning and enough room for a variety of equipment.

Garden gyms tend to require a bit more space as equipment can be quite large and bulky and will not fit into a small space, also you might want to consider a shower or toilet in your gym, so that you can workout and then wash in the same building. A shower and toilet also makes a garden space more versatile and opens it up for other uses later on as well as adding more value to the property.

All of our customers have their own unique story for building their own bespoke garden office and we are always happy to discuss with you your next grand design hobby space.

When we build a new garden office for our customers, first we sit down and discuss how you will use your new garden space, we offer all our customers (subject to location) a free site survey.

During this process, we are able to see the exact location of where your garden lodge will be built and then advise you on what building would suit the location and the size and the proportions that would work.

After the site survey, we will create a 3D image of the proposed building so that you can truly visualise how it will look, create a floor plan so that you can see where everything will go, and provide a detailed quote so that you can see how much everything will cost.

We offer an entirely turnkey service meaning that we take care of everything from start to finish. This also includes all plumbing, electrical work, foundations and decorating. When we hand you the keys you will be able to enjoy a superbly finished and built garden lodge, perfect for you to take your hobby to the next level!

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

Garden Lodges – Improve your work life balance with a bespoke office garden building.

Posted on May 25, 2018May 25, 2018 by Garden Lodges

Working from home is increasingly being seen as one of the best ways to improve your work-life balance. These days more and more people are frustrated with commuting to work, over half of the people working in the UK spend more than an hour per day travelling to and from work, with 10% of those forking out £90 – plus for the privilege. If those figures don’t seem bad enough, 38% of us spend an extra 15 minutes waiting in traffic, delayed by public transport, or simply waiting for a bus or train. Shockingly 21% have to wait for between 30 – 45 minutes per day!

Imagine now the scenario, you wake up, make a coffee and walk 15 seconds to your beautifully constructed, warm spacious office garden building. Compared to 50% of the workforce you have just saved your self 1 hour in the day. What would you do with that time? Be more productive? Do more exercise? Spend more time with the children? Time is the most valuable commodity in the world, and working from home in an office garden building is a simple way to claw back more of it for yourself.

Garden offices needn’t be large or expensive. Our smaller builds start from £17,322 inc. VAT. This price includes UPVC windows, a flat roof style and thermal efficient SIP panel construction. This smart office fits perfectly at the bottom of the garden and provides a quiet and spacious area to work from. SIP panel construction provides excellent insulation meaning that our garden offices are inexpensive to heat in winter, while the large folding doors mean that when the weather is hot, you can throw open the doors and enjoy your garden while working.

This photo typifies the view that is enjoyed by our customers as they start their day. Large folding doors are now an extremely popular way to bring in light and air and lets you bring your garden into your workspace. Imagine sitting and enjoying this view instead of waiting on a train platform or sitting in traffic. Many of our customers have told us how much improved their work-life balance has become since making the move to become self-employed and working from a garden studio.

This is the same office garden building, viewed from outside. It uses timber cladding and dark grey window frames to create a clean and contemporary look that would suit most urban gardens. A slate terraced area further enhances the look and feel and allows the new owner to enjoy the garden with ease. Why not also add a water feature or pond? Water is proven to reduce stress and provide a relaxing atmosphere. Perfect for getting over the stresses of your old commute.

Connectivity is an obvious necessity for any garden office. Garden Lodges will be able to connect your new office with your house’s electricity so that you will be up and running in no time. We would also suggest investing in a separate wifi router, connected to your home wifi so that you can enjoy uninterrupted internet connection. There are many options when it comes to office fittings and furnishings. In this example, a large desk is situated so that it makes the most of the large floor to ceiling windows. Fitted shelving adds to the upmarket feel.

The floor plan above shows the sort of layout and dimensions that is common for one of our office buildings. 2 convenient cupboard areas provide some additional garden storage plus storage for the office. The building is accessed via large sliding doors and the desk sits in the corner enjoying plenty of light. With an internal space of around 8 metres, it provides a generous multi-purpose area.

Of course, it’s not all about the interior, one of the key benefits of building an office in the garden is to enjoy your garden and outdoor space while working. Making the most of this connection can be achieved in a number of ways. Here the owner has created a brilliant decked area that flows from the office and incorporates trees and shrubs within the design. By connecting the 2, the office space seems larger and creates a truly relaxing Zen-like environment from which to work.

Working from home might not just mean being a pen pusher. Many of our garden offices are destined for more artistic purposes. We have built many sound insulated music studios and light-filled art studios for our customers over the years.

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

£750 Selfridges gift card with your order before 31st May 2016.

Posted on May 5, 2016May 5, 2016 by Garden Lodges

Build your Garden Lodge with us and enjoy £750 to spend on anything you like at the world renowned department store Selfridges & Co.

Perhaps you could use it to furnish your Garden Lodge or even treat yourself to something special . . .

Discover our amazing offer today.

Find out more

Get your Garden Lodge built this Summer* and £1,250 off . . .

Posted on March 1, 2016February 29, 2016 by Garden Lodges

with any Garden Lodge ordered before 5pm on 31st March 2016.

If you’re planning any garden parties this summer or simply want a room to relax or even a home office, we want to make your ideas a reality and give you a little extra to add the finishing touches . . .

You can get your Garden Lodge built this Summer* and £1,250 off with our Exclusive Offer this month.

Discover More

Selected customers only. Terms and conditions apply.

Lovely working environment… On a Sunny Day

Posted on June 30, 2015June 30, 2015 by Garden Lodges

We were delighted to hear that our customers are enjoying their garden room on a sunny day! They even shared a photograph with us on Twitter.

Our Garden offices with bi-fold glazing offer a light and airy working environment throughout the summer.

Rather lovely working environment we have, especially on a sunny day! @GardenLodges #GreenRoof #GardenOffice pic.twitter.com/uRKYB9TBlJ

— 2B Landscape (@2B_Landscape) June 11, 2015

He shed… She shed… Naming your garden room

Posted on April 28, 2015October 6, 2015 by Garden Lodges

‘She Shed’ was coined in April 2015 to describe a wooden structure used as a retreat for its female owner. The term was first used in the fun article on “The Lighter Side of Real Estate” called “Introducing “She Sheds”: Women’s Answer To The Man Cave”.

The term ‘Man Cave’ has come to be known as a place where the male owner can go to enjoy his favourite activities away from day to day life. ‘She Shed’ has come to be the term used for the equivalent for women, and ladies looking for somewhere special we have been busy sharing lovely examples of ‘She Sheds’ online.

‘She Shed’ isn’t one of our favourite names, garden rooms are so much more than sheds. Whilst reading through some of the commentary on the latest ‘She Shed’ trend we have come across some great names, which could be considered instead of ‘She Shed’.

‘Shedquearters’ – for a garden office, we love this! Also someone suggested ‘Snuggery’, commenting on the Houzz article on ‘She Sheds’. The Houzz user explains why they like this gender neutral suggestion, conveying a warm and cosy place for relaxation. Another reader comments “I might call mine an ‘Imaginarium’” we loved this too!

For our customers, ‘garden buildings’ is popular name, ‘garden studios’ and ‘garden office’ are also frequently used. Many of our customers call their building an ‘annexe’, other names reflect the usage of the space, gym, dance studio, yoga studio, play room, etc.

Whatever your preferred name for your garden room, we thought this was a great opportunity to scan our archives to find some of our favourite buildings a.k.a. ‘She Sheds’ constructed for female clients. We have designed some wonderful rooms for female owners, the majority have been designed to enable the owner of the ‘She Shed’ to work from home. Another popular choice for our female clients has been for a studio for practical work, such as painting, sculpture, upcycling and much more.

She Shed from Garden Lodges — “She Shed” has been recently coined as a name for a garden building for female customers

We have a range of standard garden buildings, and we can also design a bespoke “She Shed” to meet your requirements. Or how about this month’s special offer, a perfect contemporary summer house! If you would like a site survey, please contact us and we would be happy to help.

Garden Studio built in South London

Posted on January 28, 2015January 28, 2015 by Garden Lodges

Studio
Width: 6.20m max
Depth: 4.20m max
Height: 2.49m
External Area: 23.04m2

Mr and Mrs Baker from South London first came to see us at Grand Designs Live 2014, where we spoke to them about our bespoke Garden Studios and service. Five months later their dream Garden Studio had been built and finished, ready for Mr Baker to use as a Garden Office.

The custom-designed Garden Studio measured 6.20m x 4.20m and was 2.49m in height, which meant planning permission wasn’t required. Mr Baker also chose to have an en-suite toilet and 2 separate storage units attached to the Garden Studio, so that he can store garden items such as a lawn mower.

The flat roof Garden Studio was clad in Western Red cedar timber panels and features a set of French grey UPVC doors and a fixed frame, floor to ceiling window, plus a small decked area outside. The Garden Studio was then fully plastered and decorated in matt white emulsion, with white gloss skirting boards. Mr Baker also chose to upgrade to hard-wearing, engineered oak flooring. In total the Garden Studio took around 3 weeks to complete, ready for the customer to start moving in.