The pandemic ushered in a trend that’s not slowed down some six years later – garden room construction. 

The demand for additional living, working or leisure space in homes has grown in recent years, with garden rooms offering homeowners opportunities to extend their usable space and achieve a healthy return on their investment.

For construction and building professionals, understanding the intricacies and nuances of garden rooms – a broad umbrella term in itself – will help you capitalise on this still incredibly popular and lucrative trend. 

What is a Garden Room and What Can It Be Used for?

A garden room is an insulated outbuilding separate from a property which, as the name suggests, is situated in a garden.

When discussing bespoke garden rooms, however, we’re talking about more than a place to store gardening equipment and supplies. These rooms now encompass multi-functional spaces, including (but not limited to):

• Home offices: With many homeowners working remotely, dedicated garden home offices separate from the main house create a separate sanctuary for productivity, empowering homeowners to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Firms like Dunster House provide end-to-end home garden office design and installation services, having recognised the opportunity in this market.
  
• Exercise spaces: Home gyms and studios are becoming popular, with homeowners opting to create a personalised workout space in favour of using commercial gyms. Businesses like Crown Pavilions provide garden gym rooms, having adapted their service range to meet this demand.
  
• Special facilities: Garden rooms can be purpose-built to suit a range of lifestyles, hobbies and interests, from at-home recording studios to pottery or art studios for aspiring artists. Companies like Golf Swing Systems are capitalising on this trend, providing customised garden rooms specifically designed for golf practice with custom dimensions, flooring, and integrated simulation systems for at-home practice.
  

Looking at the stats, robust and functional garden rooms can add at least 5% to an average property’s asking price, depending on specification and quality. This can make them attractive investment prospects for homeowners and investors. 

Planning Requirements for Garden Rooms

Before building a garden room, homeowners must review whether their project falls under permitted development rights and complies with UK building regulations.

Most garden rooms fall under UK permitted development rules, provided they:

• Are single-storey with maximum eaves height of 2.5m and overall height not exceeding 4m for dual-pitched roofs (3m for other roof types)
• Occupy less than 50% of the land around the original house
• Are not situated forward of the principal elevation
• Do not include verandas, balconies, or raised platforms over 300mm

Building regulations will normally apply if:

• The floor area exceeds 15 square metres
• The structure will be used for sleeping accommodation
• The building is situated less than one metre from the property boundaries

Furthermore, energy efficiency rules, ventilation and structural integrity must be heavily considered even when formal written approval isn’t required. 

Garden Room Structural Considerations

To ensure a garden room is as resilient and structurally stable as it can be, consider the following factors.

• Foundations: Consider soil conditions, budget, and desired garden room size. Larger buildings should have a concrete pad base for higher load-bearing requirements, while smaller ones can have reinforced ring beams as suitable foundations.
  
• Insulation: Carefully choose the right insulation level for the garden outbuilding. The minimum recommended U-value of 0.24 W/m²K for walls is a good place to start, if using mineral wool insulation or modern SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels). Roofs should achieve U-values of 0.18 W/m²K or better, while floors should be insulated with suspended timber or insulated concrete, depending on the chosen foundations.
  
• Services: Most garden rooms will require a supply of power, heating and water. As such, consumer units should be specified to appropriate load calculations, and there should be a firm connection to the incumbent drainage system for wastage. For heating and cooling, consider installing underfloor heating panels or air-source heat pumps for effective climate control.

It’s wise to consult with a structural garden room specialist who can advise on the correct structural specifications to ensure your building can withstand all the elements year-round.

Garden Room Design Considerations

When considering the garden room’s appearance and perimeter, give thought to the following:

• Pre-fabricated modular systems to reduce on-site construction time, timber frame cladding or SIPs
• Cedar or composite cladding for minimal maintenance and upkeep, and natural weather resistance
• Rendered finishes that can complement existing property architecture
• Glazing aspects and orientation with appropriate U-values (1.4 W/m²K or better)
• Bifold, sliding and noise-cancelling doors

Making a Garden Room Truly Unique

Once the purpose of the garden room has been determined, it’s important to begin by outlining all required planning compliance documentation (if necessary) and establish a clear timeline and pathway towards achieving the customer’s goal. 

Preparing the site, installing the foundations, erecting the structural framing, waterproofing and fireproofing the exterior, establishing water mains and electrical connections, and installing insulation and heating systems, before then adding wall, floor and ceiling panels will be the expected route.

Creating a bespoke garden room represents a chance to deliver technically interesting, diverse and premium projects that achieve a high level of satisfaction. Not only will building professionals see an expanded portfolio, but customers will end up with a functional space that serves them well, and gives them a tangible return on their investment. 

By approaching garden room projects with the same technical rigour as main building works, construction professionals can establish themselves in this growing market segment.