What is a Traditional Garden Room
Before the planning rules changed, nearly every garden room was based around a pitched roof design. Changing the look revolved around the orientation of the roof, and the layout of the doors and windows. Modern looking buildings featured French doors, whilst cosy outbuildings had Georgian or cottage windows to create a cute look.
Nowadays, a modern appearance has a flat roof to keep within the 2.5m rule so that more internal headroom is achieved. This certainly works well for houses with small gardens, especially if they are on a modern estate. But not everybody wants this type of look, and that’s where the traditional garden office scores.
Blessed with an apex roof and sympathetic overhangs, this design looks and feels like a small house. From the tiled roof on the outside to the vaulted ceiling on the inside, the airy feeling of a true garden room works best when 3m to the ridge.
So if your garden is packed with plants, and full of features, then this style of garden room should certainly be on your shortlist.
Traditional Garden Rooms
Starting from £10,250 – or just £125 per month
- 1 x UPVC Georgian style personal door
- 2 x UPVC Georgian style windows
- Choice of Cladding
- Choice of Roof Material
- Fully Insulated with either Rockwool or PIR insulation
- Internal Spotlights, Consumer Unit, 3 Double Sockets & Switch
- Choice of Laminate Floor
- Traditional Garden Room assembled by our fully trained staff
- Finance available – click for more details
What’s Included
- 5 layer roofing system with insulation, felt tiles and breathable membrane
- 4 layer wall system with insulation, vapour barrier and pressure treated cladding
- 4 layer floor cassettes with insulation, laminate floor and air flow battens
- Cavity fitted integrated wiring – inclusive of flush fitting switches, sockets and lights
- Pitched roof with vaulted ceiling and guttering
- UPVC Doors and windows with insurance recognised locks
- Delivery and Assembly (subject to distance from CV47 9QZ)
Case Study
Shed & Breakfast
During a pretty dramatic renovation of their home which included taking off the roof, ripping up the floors and knocking down every single internal wall!
Daisy & Jon revelled in shed dwelling during the two years it took to rebuild their home, and are delighted to show you what eventually became a main source of income.
What do Garden Rooms Cost?
My budget is £10,000 – what can I buy?
Great news…. there is a fully insulated traditional garden room for you.
Starting at 2.6m wide x 2.4m deep, you can spec a building under £10,000, by removing one of the inclusive windows.
Alternative options are in the Micro Pod range, although the designs are based on a flat roof.
Other ways of getting the price under £10k would be to change the roof covering to felt, or reduce the depth to 1.8m.
Both alterations are a simple change, however you’d need to contact us to confirm the cost saving as the configurator is unable to provide this detail.
My budget is £15,000 – what options do I have?
The traditional style garden room and the garden studio both offer a great number of options in this price bracket.
If the complete project package is £15,000, then the smaller sized buildings will allow you to add in the groundwork and any internal decoration. You will probably have enough to add in some vintage or modern furniture too.
If £15k is the budget for the building then upgrades on the cladding and roof covering could well tempt you to take a quality smaller building up into the luxury bracket.
My budget is £20,000 – What’s the best garden room?
That will be the Studio range then. Beautiful cedar cladding and the full length doors and windows give this building a stunning look.
The pitched roof design sets the building apart from the modern box designs.
TOP TIP: If you have enough space, make the most of the permitted development rules and increase the building height to approx. 3m high. Providing you can be 2m from the boundary and in the back garden, the building can be taller than 2.5m high. This is surprisingly easy to do for those with larger garden spaces.
The Garden Studio Range
How do I get a price for the garden room that fits my requirements?
Traditional Garden Room Price Builder
Please use the button below to start designing your Traditional Office. In the configurator, you will be able to choose all the optional extras you require.
Once you have designed your Traditional Garden Room this will give you a total cost that is inclusive of VAT, Delivery & Installation (if selected).
Configure your Traditional Garden RoomThe Many Uses of Our Traditional Garden Rooms
The cosy look of our traditional garden room design will help it to blend within your outdoor environment, regardless of the size you choose. A garden building can be designed for a specific use, such as an office, an entertainment room, or a gym. Alternatively, you could look to combine some of these uses within a single garden room, creating a multipurpose space.
A Rustic Garden Room Office
With increasing numbers of people working from home across the UK, many find themselves unable to create a suitable work environment, dealing with space limitations, noise, and other distractions. Our traditional garden rooms can be the ideal design for a home office, building a dedicated working area, wired for power and electricity and insulated for year-round work, while capturing natural light. Your garden office can be small enough for a desk and chair, or large enough for multiple people to work from. Whatever size of the building is right for you, our high-quality products are built to stand the test of time
An Entertainment Room
Our traditional garden room design can be used to create your own entertainment room, fitted out with sofas, a bar, a television, and more. Whether you’re looking for a space to entertain friends and families, or a relaxation area all for you, our design process allows you to alter the dimensions, layout, and look of your outdoor room. You can create a games room, a garden bar, or a home cinema. Even better, you can combine these ideas, for instance installing a smaller bar to the side of your games room. You can position windows and doors to better capture light or avoid glare.
A Garden Gym
Your traditional garden room can allow you to get a full workout while looking out over your outdoor spaces. Garden home gyms allow you to exercise around your schedule, large enough to feature multiple pieces of equipment, a weight station, and space for a yoga mat. Our fully insulated and double-glazed garden rooms will let you exercise even in the depths of winter, without the hassle of travelling to a gym.
View The Traditional Gallery
What about the inside
Tell me more about the building and what's needed
Groundwork Requirements
For the last 30 years, we have tested the various options that are available for the garden building groundwork – remember… this is not a garden shed. The available solutions are a concrete or paving slab base, ground-screws with a timber frame, suspended floors on piles, or timber decks above ground level.
The conclusion is… the best solution for the building is a ground supporting base.
A ground supported base is either a concrete pad or a paving slab base, and requires the soil to be dug out, and shuttered around the perimeter. The shuttering has a damp proof membrane, half filled with compacted hardcore, and finished with either concrete or smooth slabs. The slab needs to be flat and level, constructed to the same size as the building, and can either be done by your local builder or by one recommended by us.
The easiest solution is often a ground screw base, as this requires less man power, machinery and raw materials. It is also something that we can provide as a option for majority of cases. This would only be suitable on sites that are clear of debris, solid surfaces, and level within 200mm.
Windows & Doors
The Traditional Garden Room comes with Georgian style doors and windows. UPVC doors and windows are available in 7 different colour options with 4 choices of colours for the handles and hinges.
The doors are fitted with a multi-point lock that is insurance recognised. The windows are fitted with standard residential locks.
The windows and doors for the Traditional Garden Room come as standard with 28mm thick double glazing but can be upgraded to triple glazing at an additional cost.
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Black
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Anthracite Grey
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Agate Grey
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Chartwell Green
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Irish Oak
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Cream
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White
Options
Internal Lining
All Traditional Garden Rooms come with the choice of either unpainted* T&G lining boards or unpainted* 12mm plywood boards with joining strips.
*Please note, these buildings have been painted by the customer after installation.
If you would prefer to plaster your Traditional Garden Room after installation we would recommend choosing the non-insulated, non-lined and no electric option on the configurator. Alternatively, you can add your own plasterboard on top of the lining provided.
Flooring
All Traditional Garden Rooms come with a 15mm plywood floor which sits on floor joists. The floor is insulated with 70mm PIR insulation and has a DPM built-in. We offer 4 different colour options of laminate floor included within the main price on this range.
Roofing Options
Traditional Garden Rooms come with Grey or Brown felt tiles as standard. Tapco Slate are available as optional extra. All roof materials of our Traditional Garden Rooms sit on underfelt and boarding.
2.5m High Studio Ceilings
Ceilings for the 2.5m high versions include spotlights in a panel that spans the width of the gable end. The panel is fixed to the underside of the ridge beam and to the roof slope on both sides. Internal headroom for this model is 2.15m from the floor level.
LED panels can be surface mounted to the internal board if you prefer to have this type of lighting instead of spotlights. Unfortunately this model is unable to have LED panels in the angle of the roof as the boarding will still be fitted to the underside of the beam.
Should you wish to remove the panel and fit your own lights, please contact us for details on how you can finish after assembly.
Ceilings on Taller Height Buildings
Standard ceilings on the taller height model are the same as the low height model. There is however, scope to remove the ceiling board and either have no lights or LED panel lights.
If choosing the LED panel, they can be located in the roof panels that slope from wall to ridge (see our current show model for details).
Alternatively, we can leave a single (or couple of) cable(s) so that you can supply & fit your own pendant lights. This has the benefit of the ridge beam looking as per the picture.
Roof Trusses
Buildings over 5 wide from gable end to gable end will require a truss to support the roof. This is the case for all buildings regardless of ridge height.
The low height buildings have the trusses clad on both sides with plywood, as do the taller height buildings by default.
On the taller height buildings, should you wish to have an open roof truss please let us know, as this can be provided instead of the lined trusses.
Such is the beauty of the open truss, it could be that you wish to add it as a feature on smaller buildings. Please ask us for details if this is the case, as the amount and position will impact on the additional costs involved.
Traditional Garden Rooms - Dimensions
External Height (To Ridge Point) | 2.5m or 3.0m |
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Internal Height (To Ridge Point) | 2.1m or 2.6m |
External Depths | 2.4m - 4.2m |
Internal Depths | 2.2m - 4.0m |
External Widths | 2.6m - 6.2m |
Internal Widths | 2.8m - 6.0m |
Delivery & Installation
You can find out your delivery costs by entering your postcode on the configurator. If the website cannot provide you with a delivery cost please still submit your configuration and we will be in touch.
Installation is included within the overall cost of your Traditional Garden Room. However, we can offer a supply only discount should you choose to erect the building yourself.
FAQ's
Do you have any recommendations for the additional electrical work?
Andy Punnett – A.S.P Electrics – 01926 428228 / 07880 717018 (Warwickshire)
info@aspelectrics.co.uk
George Whyman Electrical (also on CheckaTrade) – Stratford on Avon – range 25 miles
07938 952253 – www.whymanelectrical.co.uk
Andy Wood – Hertz Electrical Contactors – 01788 541403 / 07875 146350 (Midlands)
Blaby Electrical Systems – Leicester – 01162 883493 (Leicester / Nottingham / Warwickshire / Northants)
Luke Robbins Electrical – within 1 hour of Warwick – 07886 182379
lukerobbinselectrical@gmail.com
Robert Williams – Riviera Electrical – 01327 317210 – Daventry / Banbury
sales@rivieraelectrical.co.uk
DCM Electrical – Matt – Kenilworth – 07931 353717
Berkhamsted Buckinghamshire – Andrew Berkleigh – 07919 160663 – andrewberkleigh@sky.com
Do you have any recommendations for groundwork contractors?
Daron Langford – Warwickshire – 07739 695442
Dave Bashford (Elite Builders) – Solihull/West Midlands – 07899 893815
Paul Oliver – West Midlands – 07778 215889
Chris Woolmore – Rugby – 07828 437903
Tim Pearman – Worcestershire – 07831 477585
Woolliscroft Groundwork – Worcestershire – 07961 668971 – https://woolliscroftgroundworks.co.uk/
Kelvin Hughes – Evesham – 07973 361143
Ben Harwin – Cambridgeshire – 07960 033476
Scott Mccue – Leicestershire – 07916 138164
Urban Diggers – Hemel Hempstead – 07846 430271
Shadow Environmental Services (Removal of existing buildings/asbestos) – London, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire – 0207 226 6990 / 07918 070210
What groundwork is required for garden offices?
Concrete Pad or Paving Slab Base
150mm compact hardcore: DPM: 100mm concrete: or
150mm compact hardcore: 50mm paving slabs on cement sub base
Garden rooms and offices require a flat & level pad of either concrete or paving slabs.
The base will need to be at least the same size as the building you are looking to have, and you
will require 400mm clearance to objects such as fences, trees or other buildings.
We can work within a 10mm tolerance (which a competent builder can easily achieve).
Alternatively, if you are within our standard radius we are able to offer the option of a ground-screw base (on certain models).
What access do I need in to my garden for you to install the building?
We require a minimum of side access of a minimum width of 600mm and a height of 1950mm to allow us to install your building. Should you be concerned about access in to your garden please email us pictures of the access and we will be able to confirm whether it is suitable.
What size vehicle are the buildings delivered on?
For the majority of our buildings, they are delivered on a 7.5 tonne lorry. This is the typical size of a concrete mixer lorry and will take up the equivalent space of 2 standard vehicles. We will require parking for our vehicle as close as possible to your property.
Is my garden room/office suitable for year round use?
The Garden Rooms and Offices are fully insulated for year round use. They are designed to be warm in the winter and cool in the summer, however the location in your garden will have an impact on how warm / cool the building is.
North faced gardens will have buildings that are naturally cooler throughout the year, whilst south facing garden will be naturally warmer throughout the year.
A building in the shade or in a north faced garden, will need a small heater during the winter months, but will remain cosy when the building is up to temperature.
A building in direct sunlight or in a south facing garden will benefit from more ventilation and blinds between the glass to keep the building cooler.
How long will my building take to build on site?
Garden Rooms are usually constructed within 1-2 days (up to 6.2m x 3.6m sizes) depending on the final specifications.
Garages up to 6.1m x 6.1m are usually constructed within 1 day. Larger buildings will often take 2 days on site.
Commercial Buildings usually take 1 week on site – depending on the final specification.
How long will my building last?
We regularly have customers that have buildings re-roofed at 15 and twenty years old – who are quite confident that their buildings will last double that time if they get general maintenance and care.
This building was taken by a customer and we have worked out that it was 18 years old, and was still original. The customer has painted the building regularly with Protek Woodstain.
This garden office is 12 years old and has been regularly treated with Dark Oak wood protector. It features timber doors and windows, along with brown felt tiles.
This garage is 24 years old and still has it’s original layer of green mineral felt.
What is the lead time?
The lead time for a building can vary between 2 – 6 months.
You are welcome to book in advance to secure a delivery slot, and still make adjustments to the design up to the point that the base has been constructed.
(Please note that items that have been specifically order for you will still need to be paid for)
Is tanalised timber waterproof?
Tanalised timber is not waterproof, so it is still subject to the natural expansion and contraction as the moisture content in the surrounding atmosphere changes. It advised that a water repellent (clear or colour) treatment is applied to not only maintain the appearance of the building but also to help to exclude moisture being absorbed by the timber surfaces.
Are all hardwoods more solid than softwoods?
Somewhat confusingly this is not always the case – Balsa wood for example is an extremely ’soft’ wood as is Cedar however both are classed as hardwoods. The high quality softwood used by Warwick Buildings is in fact a ‘hard’ wood and it is this quality which stands out particularly to those who visit the Warwick Buildings Show Site to view the buildings in person – one simply cannot mistake quality construction and materials when seen first hand.
Can my garden room be used as a music studio?
We can provide RWA45 Rockwool acoustic insulation in place of the standard insulation and the option to upgrade to triple-glazed doors and windows.
RB Studios in Birmingham have utilised 5 of our garden offices as music studios. These studios have been used by many famous Artists and Bands, and are Birmingham’s longest established recording and rehearsal studios.
How do I get internet to my garden room/garden office?
There are two ways to get internet to the new Garden Office.
Option 1 is to have a CAT 5 cable coming from a router in your house, down the garden and into the back of the building.
We can supply a back box specifically for a CAT 5 cable. Usually the cable is better to be unbroken – hence we don’t internally wire with a CAT 5 cable to pug into
Option 2 is to purchase a WiFi extender kit or a mobile data dongle.
Please explain the electrics?
Garden Rooms and Offices include the first fix wiring, along with the consumer unit, lighting and the faceplates.
All wiring is installed within the cavity and is ready for an electrician to connect the tail ends of the wiring at the consumer unit and the faceplates.
The electrician will need to provide and install a power feed from your house / garage to the new building – usually a 6mm armoured cable is used. The wiring provided is 1.5mm cables for lighting on a 6 Amp fused circuit, and 2.5mm cables with a 32 Amp breaker for the sockets – on a ring main.
There is space for a 3rd breaker if it is required for another feed.
It usually takes half a day for the internal connections, plus the time required for the electrician to install the cable that you require.
Our electrician can offer customers in Warwickshire and Worcestershire with installation and certification independently – please contact him directly (Andy Punnett) via his website www.aspelectrics.co.uk If you live in Berkshire or Hampshire, please contact Ben Thorp on 07917 131984
Please explain the cladding options available?
Shiplap – 16mm x 125mm Scandinavian Redwood machined to our unique profile, with an extra long rebate to allow for natural movement of timber. It is pressure treated to a light green colour to protect against rot & decay for 15 years and is the ideal choice for customers who like a smooth finish and little maintenance.
Feather Edge – 25mm x 150mm home grown spruce with a sawn finish, that provides a much thicker and heavier look to the shiplap. Again it is pressure treated in a light green colour, and is the ideal cladding for customers looking for a traditional looking building that is full of character. The size and weight of the feather edge along with the manufacturing processes mean that this board is a more expensive option over the shiplap cladding.
Cedar – 12mm x 100mm Tongue & Groove cladding machined to create a modern looking finish. Each board is unique as this beautiful cladding naturally ranges from a dark hardwood to a light pine in colour thus creating a fantastic looking natural building. The hardwood properties of Cedar mean that it hardly expands or contracts during changes in weather, whilst it also has it’s own unique protection against rot, decay and insect infestation. Whilst the Cedar will fade in the sunlight, it is a must for customers looking for that wow factor on a garden room or garage, and it will continue to offer that feeling especially if protected against UV rays with Restol Oil.
How much clearance do I need around my building?
We require a minimum of 600mm around the building to be able to fit the cover strips and guttering on the outside of the building.
If you have less space available please contact us on 01926 815757, as we will discuss the options available on an individual basis – it may be that we can still accommodate your project.
What can I have without planning?
Buildings close to a boundary will need to be 2.5m high. If you require a taller building without planning you will need to be more than 2m away from your boundary.
You will need to locate your building either to the side or to the back of the house – buildings in front of the house will need planning permission.
Please note that the customer is responsible for planning permission, and may need to contact the council for full clarification of their permitted development rights.
If you require planning permission, you will need a local planning consultant or architect to prepare the drawings required for a planning application. We can provide the information for you to allow the drawings to be produced. You can then either submit the application yourself or employ someone to do so on your behalf.
Our recommended contact for this service is Keenan Project Designs Ltd (RIBA)
Mobile: 07507 355 997
Telephone: 0800 233 5787
Email: Luke@kpdltd.com
Website: www.keenanprojectdesigns.com
What maintenance is required?
The weather, location and the sun can all have an effect on buildings, however throughout our 35 years we understand how our product works and how it stands up to the test of time.
Your maintenance schedule should be:
- To clean the gutters out to keep free from debris
- Adjust doors and windows that have expanded or contracted through weather conditions
- Remove debris from the roof
- Treat the outside of the building as required to maintain an attractive appearance. (This provides a waterproof coat to the timber and keeps the moisture content of the wood consistent – which in turn improves the stability of the timber, and reduces the expansion & contraction of the timber)
Our guarantee is in respect of design and manufacturing faults, corrosion and rot for 10 years from the date of installation.