What
is a garden room? How is it different from
a conservatory?
There
is some confusion about what a "garden room" actually
is and in certain parts of the world you will
see different descriptions and examples of
garden room styles. In the UK and Ireland most
garden rooms are glass extensions with solid
roofs. The "solid roof" is usually made in
one piece and most frequently in GRP.
The
benefits of GRP are an easy to maintain roof
complete with integral gutter. It is also easily "moulded" to
give the roof a traditional appearance with dental
mouldings and if specified a "vaulted" ceiling
internally. This "vaulted" ceiling has a "traditional
panelled" appearance with a "high gloss" finish.
UK garden rooms are usually "flat roofed" - but you can also find examples
with a pitched roof. These pitched roofs can be found finished in GRP, tiles
and slates. These versions are sometimes referred to as Sun Lounges.
Some manufacturers refer to garden rooms as "glass living rooms" - we think
this is a good description.
Garden
Rooms - The Advantages
Garden
room suppliers will most often refer to the "versatility" of
their product. For instance the flat solid roof
generally speaking produces a cooler room in the
summer while offering better insulation and a warmer
environment in the winter months. Other benefits
of garden rooms include:
A greater degree of privacy compared to the more traditional conservatory design.
Their low eaves height makes them ideal for bungalows.
Ideal in south facing situations or any situation with potential "heat problems" as their design eliminates the need for roof blinds.
Great for those who may have been considering a more traditional home extension. The garden room design combines some of the features of an extension with those of a conservatory. Its cost is usually lower than those of a brick built "home extension".
Building Regulations and Planning Permission
Garden rooms do not usually require planning permission - in much the same way that most conservatories do not require planning permission. See our Planning Permission section for more details on
this http://www.conservatoriesonline.com/planperm.htm.
Due to the fact that a garden room has a solid roof it will usually require "building regulation approval".
(To be exempt a conservatory needs to have a completely transparent or translucent
roof) On most occasions your supplier will obtain and get necessary consents on your behalf. Building regulations stipulates minimum standards for levels of insulation in "extensions". This usually means that in order for a garden room to conform that the structure will have to include an insulated dwarf wall and Pilkington K Glass double-glazing. While this may mean a greater overall cost there is no doubt that you will have a much better "four seasons" type of room because of this.
It is our understanding that only the smallest of garden rooms that may be better described as "rear porches" will be exempt building regulation approval. We advise you to discuss the whole building regulation and planning permission issues with your supplier in some detail.
Garden Rooms with a Pitched Roof
It is also possible with some suppliers to have a "Top Hat" placed on top of the flat roof to create a Victorian or Edwardian appearance while retaining the benefits of a solid roof in terms of insulation etc. This "Top Hat" is sometimes referred to as a "Wallace Roof". (so called because one of the people to pioneer this idea was a Mr Wallace) This is a particularly good idea if you are not restricted on roof height.
In conclusion
A garden room is an excellent alternative to the usual conservatory extension. You can have a room, which can be used all year round - remaining cool in summer and warm in winter. You can also add a "Top Hat" if the Victorian or Edwardian alternatives are more to your "taste".
The garden room offers a real alternative to people who may be more inclined to a brick built extension. To request an information pack on garden rooms complete the form found
here.
Thank you
We are very much obliged to Staybrite Conservatories for their help in putting this page on garden rooms together. In particular we thank them for their assistance in providing images. You may view the Staybrite Conservatory web site at
http://www.staybrite-windows.co.uk.
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