The PermaGroup Guide to Building a Garden Room

With many of us spending more of our working hours at home, it’s no surprise that people are increasingly looking to maximise their garden and outdoor spaces.

From a light and airy office set up to a cosy study area, gym pod, family cinema or simply a luxury retreat with a bar, the possibilities to create a stylish destination in your very own garden are endless.

To help you make the right choice, follow this handy advice from PermaGroup’s garden room gurus, PermaRoom…

What to consider when building a garden room

Decide what you will use it for – is it a workspace, for entertaining or simply to relax in? Once you’ve made your choice, there are many more considerations to take into account, including power supplies, lighting, choice of doors and windows, materials and whether to add patio steps, for example – and those all-important regulations. Here are our five top tips…

Tip 1 – Start with a strong frame

With the current issues facing the UK’s housing market, speedy and cost-efficient methods of construction are much in demand. It’s just one of the reasons that steel frame buildings have taken the home renovation market by storm.

It’s important to consider the longevity and performance of your building – and the latest steel versions offer a wide range of benefits, including strength and durability. Compared to timber, steel does not rot, is much stronger and is easier to insulate, allowing for fuller soundproofing.

Tip 2 – Check if planning permission is needed

It is always wise to contact your local authority planning department before embarking on your project. Outbuildings can generally be built under permitted development rights – but there are size and location restrictions.

Your installers should be able to provide you with detailed plans and specifications suitable for planning applications and submissions. It’s also worth mentioning your plans to your neighbours in advance to get them on board.

Tip 3 – Consider the necessary building regulations

Any plumbing, electrics, waterproofing and preparation of the area should be planned well in advance and then completed to a high standard. All building regulations must be adhered to and qualified, professional tradespeople will also provide guarantees and insurance.

Choose a trusted company with experienced fitters to ensure a smooth installation process that can also lead to reduced labour time and costs.

Tip 4 – Consider the location of your garden room

You need to be aware of the room’s orientation to make the most of natural light throughout the day – and the views from the building as well as from the main property.

Tip 5 – Create a stunning green roof

Green roofing is hugely popular in the UK – and what better place to create your own than on your new garden room? Use EPDM roofing to provide the perfect waterproofing layer for green roofs – and sit back and watch as your ‘wild’ space takes shape.

Our PermaRoom garden buildings

We stock a range of beautiful, affordable steel-framed buildings that are easy to erect and can be bought off-the-shelf in our online store or created to a bespoke design.

We offer a free detailed consultation at the start of every project to understand what you want to achieve, providing plans for your approval and swatch samples and 3D images for you to consider.

The key benefits of using a steel frame building

• All frames are made from galvanised steel
• All frames are manufactured in-house by our fabricators
• CAD design structures ensure strength and durability
• Quick installation – a typical garden building frame can be built in under an hour
• It won’t rot or lead to an infestation of woodworm
• All sizes in stock and ready for same-day collection
• Made from 60% recycled steel
• Fully recyclable

Why choose steel over timber for your garden building?

• Steel is one of the strongest materials used in the industry – and much stronger than timber
• Steel will not burn in a fire like a timber-framed building
• Steel does not rot or allow moisture to sink in
• Our system allows us to install better insulation, meaning we can fully soundproof your rooms

While a competent and skilled DIY team can erect a steel-framed building, we recommend a professional for the job. We can connect you with local, experienced steel-framed building fitters to give you extra peace of mind. We also offer full EPDM roof kits, insulation, roof lights, bi-fold doors and breather membranes.

Our PermaRoom team will support you through every aspect of planning, design and construction to fulfil your dreams and ensure you will soon be loving life in your new garden room. Call us on 01773 608 839 to make a start on your dream project.

PermaGroup has established links with some of the biggest names in our industry thanks to our reputation of excellence. Contact us to find out more about becoming a supplier or stockist of any of our products range.