Add Character to Your Garden With a Summer House

Summer houses are an excellent way to add a room to a property and make the most of the garden. Planning permission is rarely a concern for timber sectional buildings unless you live in an area of outstanding natural beauty or the site for the summer house is within 20 feet of a public right of way. They provide an excellent retreat for all ages and allow you to enjoy your garden to the fullest extent.

Designs

There are several conventional designs used for summer buildings. The lodge design is characterised by a porch and roof overhang and leaded windows. The Lomond summer house sports Georgian style joinery and a roof tapered on all sides. The Nevis summer house is designed to fit into the corner of a garden; windows on the exposed sides are also leaded. The Balmoral summer house design is one of the most spacious designs as it is also one of the largest. The roof slopes upwards from the double central doors to maximise the height of the room inside. The octagonal design provides unrivalled light by incorporating windows on most sides including the doors. The shape makes for a very decorative structure and wide floor space. Chalet style designs are generally the largest of the standard designs. They are characterised by an L-shaped porch that surrounds two sides of the building. The roof also overhangs the porch completely providing a permanent awning. If you have special requirements or a bespoke design in mind manufacturers are often happy to help you get the exact garden building you are after.

Guarantees

Most summer houses include some sort of guarantee. These generally only cover rot and manufacturer defects within the specified duration. You should attempt to identify these problems as early as possible, preferably on delivery or during construction. Most manufacturers value their reputations for quality so there are rarely circumstances when these issues cannot be resolved.

Other Considerations

It is worth keeping in mind that the customer is responsible for checking if planning permission is required and obtaining it where necessary. If you order a garden building, make sure that there is a clear way for delivery with ample room and ensure that the base site for the summer house is level and solid. It is also important to check whether delivery and construction is included and once construction is complete, exterior wood may need additional weather protection and annual coats thereafter.