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Why Trust 1st Choice Leisure Buildings?
Choosing a garden building is an investment, so it's important to buy from a company you can rely on. At 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, we've been helping customers find the right garden sheds, summerhouses, log cabins, garden offices and workshops
since 1979 when
Robin Antill opened the doors. As a
family-run business, we believe in offering honest advice rather than a hard sell. We take the time to understand what you need and help you choose a building that suits your garden, your budget and the way you plan to use it.
Our approach is reflected in our
4.9 Trustpilot rating, where customers regularly mention our friendly, helpful service. We only work with manufacturers we trust, selecting buildings that offer good quality, durability and value for money. Most are made from
FSC®-certified timber and built to cope with the British weather. If you'd rather see a building before you buy, you're welcome to visit one of the
UK's largest garden building display sites. 1st Choice – Known For Quality – Loved For Design - Since 1979
Being able to compare different models and talk things through with our experienced team helps many customers make the right decision. Since 1979, we've supplied over 50,000 buildings across the UK, building our reputation on quality products, straightforward advice and customer service you can depend on. We are always available to meet your needs or requirements so
contact us NOW if you would like help or advice.
We live quite far away; is it really worth visiting our show rooms? Absolutely!
We strongly urge anyone looking for a new building – whether it's a new garden shed, summerhouse, workshop, garage, or a full garden room – to
visit and inspect the quality in person before committing to any purchase.
Seeing the craftsmanship, materials and finishes for yourself is the best way to make a confident and informed decision.
Whilst we cannot display everything we offer, we have carefully selected around 80 different buildings that allow us to demonstrate almost every feature, design option, and construction detail in one form or another.
This allows you to compare styles, sizes and specifications, ask any questions you may have, and find the building that best suits your needs.
So, yes, it is absolutely worth visiting.
Click here to see what buildings on display. If you are unsure then
why not walk through our site virtually using our walk through tour below (or
click here to open in a new full screen window). Royal vs Platinum Garden Rooms – Which Should You Choose?
Our Royal and Platinum garden rooms are both designed to provide comfortable, insulated space for working, hobbies, relaxing and other uses away from the house. Platinum provides an excellent route into a fully insulated garden room at a lower price point, while Royal offers a more premium specification, larger size options and a choice of distinctive designs.
| Feature | Platinum Garden Rooms | Royal Garden Rooms |
| Best for | Home offices, hobbies, studios and comfortable garden rooms | Premium garden offices, studios, leisure rooms and larger multi-purpose spaces |
| Price position | ££ – Excellent value | £££ – Premium range |
| Typical sizes | Selected fully insulated models from approx. 8×6 to 16×12 ft | Approx. 8×6 to 20×12 ft |
| Insulation | Fully insulated models available | Fully insulated |
| Glazing | Double glazing on fully insulated Fleet and Odiham models | Double glazing |
| Doors & windows | UPVC door and window options available on selected models | Designed as a higher-specification garden room with a choice of styles and configurations |
| Colour finish | Colour treatment options available | Colour paint finish options available |
| Installation | Professional assembly included on applicable orders | Professional assembly included on applicable orders |
| Why choose it? | You want an insulated garden room with a strong specification while keeping the overall investment lower | You want a more premium garden room, larger size choices and a building intended to feel more like an extension of your living or working space |
Specifications and available options vary between individual models and sizes. Always check the specification of your chosen garden room before ordering.
Why Choose a Platinum Garden Room?
Platinum is an excellent starting point if you want a comfortable garden room or office but do not necessarily need the additional specification and larger size choices available from the Royal range. Fully insulated Platinum Fleet and Odiham models provide a practical space for working, hobbies or relaxing throughout more of the year.
Reasons to Choose a Platinum Garden Room
- You want a fully insulated garden room at a lower price point than Royal.
- You need a dedicated home office away from the house.
- You want space for hobbies, crafts or creative work.
- You want a comfortable garden retreat or leisure room.
- You want double glazing on a fully insulated model.
- You want a choice between apex and contemporary pent roof styles.
- You do not require the larger sizes or premium positioning of the Royal range.
Why Might Platinum Be Right for You?
Platinum could be right for you if comfort, insulation and value are your main priorities. If you need a practical home office, hobby room or garden retreat and a building up to around 16×12 ft provides enough space, a fully insulated Platinum model may give you everything you need without moving into the Royal price bracket.
Why Choose a Royal Garden Room?
The Royal range is aimed at customers wanting to move further towards a premium garden room. Royal models such as the Bletchley, Buckingham, Denham and Marlow are fully insulated, double glazed and available in sizes up to approximately 20×12 ft, providing more scope for larger offices and multi-purpose garden rooms.
Reasons to Choose a Royal Garden Room
- You want a premium fully insulated garden room.
- You expect to use the building regularly as an office or leisure space.
- You want double glazing as part of the specification.
- You require more internal floor space.
- You want sizes up to approximately 20×12 ft.
- You want a choice of distinctive Royal designs.
- You want the garden room to feel like a more permanent extension of your usable space at home.
Why Might Royal Be Right for You?
Royal could be right for you if the building will become a regular part of your working or home life rather than somewhere used only occasionally. The larger size choices make the range particularly useful for substantial home offices, studios, gyms, hobby rooms and leisure spaces where additional floor area makes a genuine difference.
Which Garden Room Should I Choose?
| Your Priority | Recommended Starting Point |
| Lower initial investment | Platinum |
| Fully insulated home office | Platinum or Royal |
| Hobby or craft room | Platinum |
| Comfortable garden retreat | Platinum or Royal |
| Premium garden room | Royal |
| Larger room up to approximately 20×12 ft | Royal |
| Large home office or studio | Royal |
| Best balance of insulation and price | Platinum |
| Regular multi-purpose room | Royal |
Platinum or Royal: The Simple Choice
Choose Platinum if you want a well-specified, fully insulated garden room for working, hobbies or relaxing and keeping the overall investment lower is important.
Choose Royal if you want to move up to a premium garden room, need additional floor space or expect the building to become a substantial and regularly used part of your home and working life.
Both can provide excellent year-round garden space. The right choice depends on the room size you need, how frequently you expect to use it and whether the additional Royal specification and size choices provide worthwhile benefits for you.
See our garden rooms and garden offices to compare the available Royal and Platinum models, sizes and options.
Royal vs Platinum Garden Rooms – Which Should You Choose?
Our Royal and Platinum garden rooms are both designed for customers who want a quality garden building for working, hobbies, relaxing or creating extra usable space at home. Both ranges offer fully insulated models with double glazing and professional assembly, but there are important differences in construction, glazing, insulation and price.
The Royal range is our premium specification, designed for customers who want the closest feel to a permanent room, with insulation to the walls, floor and roof, residential-style 28mm PVCu double glazing and a choice of high-quality external finishes. The Platinum Fleet and Odiham are highly capable fully insulated garden rooms that offer excellent year-round usability at a lower starting price.
| Feature | Royal Garden Rooms | Platinum Fleet / Odiham |
| Best suited to | Premium home offices, studios and garden rooms intended for frequent year-round use | Home offices, hobby rooms and leisure spaces where year-round comfort and value are both important |
| Insulation | Fully insulated walls, floor and roof as standard | Insulated walls and roof as standard |
| Floor insulation | Included as standard with foil-backed PIR insulation between floor joists | Check individual model specification if floor insulation is important |
| Wall insulation | PIR insulation incorporated into the wall construction | Celotex/Kingspan-type insulation within the walls |
| Roof insulation | Foil-backed PIR insulation incorporated into a warm-deck roof system | Insulated roof construction |
| Double glazing | 28mm residential-quality sealed units | 14mm double glazing |
| Doors and windows | Residential-style PVCu double-glazed doors and windows as standard | Double-glazed timber doors and windows as standard, with PVCu upgrades available on selected specifications |
| External cladding | LP® StrongCore™ painted engineered cladding or pressure-treated timber options | Pressure-treated T&G shiplap or loglap timber options |
| Wall framing | Approx. 85mm x 34mm finished joinery-grade framework | Approx. 70mm x 34mm finished pressure-treated framework |
| Internal wall finish | Choice of T&G lining or white MDF lining depending on specification | Ply lining as standard, with T&G matchboard upgrade available |
| Floor | Heavy-duty timber floor with insulated floor construction; laminate flooring option available | Pressure-treated T&G timber floor |
| Roof covering | EPDM rubber roofing on pent models; alternative finishes available depending on roof style | Heavy-duty roofing felt as standard, with alternative roof coverings available on selected models |
| Apex and pent options | Yes | Yes – Fleet provides the apex option and Odiham the pent option |
| Painted finish | Painted StrongCore option available in a choice of colours | Optional lacquer, stain or opaque exterior paint finish |
| Bespoke design | Extensive bespoke options including sizes, doors, windows and layouts | Very flexible, with doors and windows movable to suit and bespoke options available |
| Standard size range | Approximately 8 x 6 ft to 20 x 12 ft, with other sizes possible | Approximately 8 x 6 ft to 16 x 12 ft on Fleet and Odiham models |
| Integrated shed / extra room | Available as a bespoke option | Available as a bespoke option |
| Assembly | Free assembly included within applicable delivery areas | Free assembly included within applicable delivery areas |
| Year-round use | Excellent – highest specification option | Excellent – designed for year-round use |
| Current starting price | From approximately £7,269–£7,869 depending on Royal model | From approximately £4,931 for Fleet or Odiham |
| Overall positioning | Premium specification | Excellent value fully insulated option |
Choose a Royal Garden Room If...
Choose a Royal garden room if you expect to use the building regularly throughout the year and want the highest specification available from these two ranges. The Royal is particularly attractive for a permanent home office, studio or hobby room where insulation, glazing quality and internal comfort are priorities.
The biggest technical advantages are the fully insulated walls, floor and roof and the residential-quality 28mm PVCu double-glazed sealed units. The insulated floor is particularly worth considering because heat can be lost through an uninsulated floor just as it can through the walls and roof.
Royal buildings also provide a wider standard size range, extensive bespoke possibilities and a choice between painted LP® StrongCore™ cladding and pressure-treated timber, depending on the specification selected.
Choose a Platinum Garden Room If...
Choose a Platinum Fleet or Odiham if you want a properly insulated, double-glazed garden room for year-round use but want to keep the initial cost lower.
The Platinum Fleet and Odiham include insulated walls and roof, an internal vapour barrier, internal lining and 14mm double glazing as standard. They are therefore very different from a basic summerhouse that has had insulation added as an afterthought.
The Fleet is the apex-roof version and the Odiham provides the pent-roof alternative. Both give considerable flexibility over door and window positions, timber cladding and exterior finishes.
What Is the Main Difference Between Royal and Platinum?
The main difference is how far the specification goes. Both can provide a comfortable insulated garden room, but the Royal adds a more comprehensive thermal specification with insulation to the floor as well as the walls and roof, together with thicker 28mm residential-style PVCu double glazing.
The Platinum Fleet and Odiham use 14mm double glazing and insulated wall and roof construction, making them an excellent choice where you want year-round usability without moving into the higher Royal price bracket.
Which Is Better for a Home Office?
Both ranges can make excellent garden offices. For occasional or regular home working, a Platinum Fleet or Odiham may provide everything you require. If you expect to work in the room throughout the year for long periods, particularly during colder weather, the additional floor insulation and higher-specification glazing of the Royal can make it the stronger choice.
Remember that insulation reduces heat transfer but does not generate heat. Whichever garden room you choose, a winter office may still require an appropriate electric heater or other suitable heat source, while ventilation and shading can be important during warmer weather.
Which Offers the Best Value?
That depends on the specification you actually need. The Platinum Fleet and Odiham currently start at around £4,931, whereas Royal garden rooms start at roughly £7,269 to £7,869 depending on the model. Prices vary with size, finish and optional features.
If your priority is obtaining a fully insulated and double-glazed garden room for the lowest initial investment, Platinum offers very strong value. If you intend to use your garden room heavily throughout the year and value floor insulation, residential-style glazing and a more premium overall specification, the extra investment in the Royal may be worthwhile.
Royal or Platinum – Our Simple Guide
Choose Platinum if you want excellent value, full wall and roof insulation, double glazing and a flexible garden room suitable for year-round use.
Choose Royal if you want our premium garden room specification, including insulation to the walls, floor and roof, 28mm PVCu double glazing, higher-specification construction and extensive bespoke options.
Still unsure? Visit our Surrey garden building display site and compare the buildings and construction details in person, or tell us how you intend to use your room and we can help you decide which specification is most appropriate.
Create valuable extra space at home with a high-quality garden room or garden office from 1st Choice Leisure Buildings.
Whether you need a dedicated home office, an insulated garden room for year-round use, a hobby room, studio, games room or simply somewhere to relax, we offer a wide choice of timber garden buildings in different sizes, styles and specifications.
Established in 1979, we have more than over four decades of experience in garden buildings. Our experience covers manufacturing, design, installation and retailing, giving us the practical knowledge to help you choose a garden room that suits your garden, intended use and budget.
Our garden rooms are available in traditional and contemporary designs, with options including insulation, double glazing, painted finishes, apex or pent roofs, integrated storage and bespoke sizes on selected ranges.
You can also visit our Surrey garden building show site to see full-size buildings before making your decision.
Garden Rooms at a Glance
Uses: Home office, hobby room, studio, gym, games room, entertainment space or garden retreat.
Sizes: Compact garden rooms through to large multi-purpose buildings, with bespoke dimensions available on selected ranges.
Insulation: Uninsulated, optional insulation and fully insulated garden room options are available depending on the range.
Glazing: Depending on the building you choose, we offer toughened glass as well as double-glazed options for extra warmth and comfort.
Roof styles: There’s a choice of roof styles too, from a smart, modern pent roof to the classic apex design.
Finishes: Natural timber and factory-painted garden rooms are available across selected ranges.
Installation: Professional assembly is available, with FREE installation includedb> on qualifying ranges as stated on the individual product page.
Bases: A suitable prepared, flat and level base is required.
Base solutions may also be available depending on your location and chosen building.
Customisation: Bespoke sizes and configurations are available on selected garden room ranges.
Viewing: Full-size garden buildings can be viewed at our Surrey show site, subject to the models currently on display.
Specifications vary between ranges, so please check the individual product page for the exact construction, glazing, insulation, delivery and installation details of the garden room you are considering.
Which Garden Room Is Right for You?
The best garden room is not necessarily the largest or most expensive. It should be selected according to how often you intend to use it, the time of year you will use it, the available garden space and the level of comfort you require.
Garden Offices
If you regularly work from home, a dedicated garden office can provide valuable separation between your working and living spaces without the disruption and expense associated with extending your house.
For frequent or year-round working, we recommend considering an insulated garden office with good-quality glazing and suitable provision for electricity, lighting, internet connectivity and heating.
Think about the position of your desk and office furniture before choosing a building. Natural light can make a garden office a pleasant place to work, but positioning a computer screen directly opposite a large window can create unwanted glare.
Insulated Garden Rooms
An insulated garden room is usually the better choice when you expect to use your building regularly throughout the year.
Insulation helps reduce heat loss during colder weather and can help limit heat gain during warmer periods. For comfortable year-round use, however, insulation is only one part of the specification. The walls, floor, roof, glazing, doors, ventilation and heating should all be considered together.
Fully insulated garden rooms can be suitable for home offices, hobby and craft rooms, studios, games rooms, music rooms, reading rooms, garden gyms and entertainment spaces.
Check each model’s specification carefully because insulation systems, wall construction and overall building specifications differ between ranges.
Multi-Purpose Garden Rooms
Not everyone needs a dedicated office. A multi-purpose garden room can provide flexible additional space for working during the week while functioning as a hobby room, entertainment area, family room or quiet retreat at other times.
If flexibility is important, consider the position of the doors and windows as well as the internal dimensions. These can have a significant effect on how easily desks, sofas, exercise equipment, televisions and storage can be arranged.
Garden Rooms with Storage
If garden space is limited, a garden room with an integrated side shed or storage area can combine two useful requirements within one building.
The main room can be used as an office or leisure space while the separate storage section accommodates garden tools, bicycles, garden furniture or other equipment.
This can be particularly useful when you would otherwise need both a garden room and a separate garden shed.
Garden Room or Garden Office: What’s the Difference?
We’re often asked what the difference is between a garden room and a garden officea>. In truth, there’s quite a bit of crossover. The main difference is usually how you plan to use the building, and what you’ll need from it day to day.
A garden room is a broad term for an additional room situated in the garden. It could be used as an office, gym, studio, hobby room, games room, entertainment area or general leisure space.
A garden office is a garden room specifically selected or configured for working from home.
That distinction can be important when choosing the building specification. A garden room used occasionally for relaxation may not require the same level of insulation, glazing, heating, electricity or internet connectivity as an office occupied for several hours every working day.
For occasional use: A general garden room may provide everything you need without requiring the specification of a dedicated year-round office.
For year-round use: Pay particular attention to insulation, glazing, ventilation and heating.
For regular office use: Consider electricity, lighting, reliable internet access, desk positioning, storage and the internal working environment before choosing the building.
If you expect to work in the building throughout the year, concentrate on comfort and construction specification rather than appearance alone.
How Much Does a Garden Room Cost?
The cost of a garden room varies considerably according to its size, construction, insulation, glazing, finish and installation requirements.
A compact garden building intended mainly for seasonal leisure use will normally cost less than a fully insulated, double-glazed garden office designed for regular year-round occupation.
When comparing garden room prices, check exactly what is included rather than comparing the headline price alone.
Can You Use a Garden Room All Year?
Yes, a suitably specified garden room can be used throughout the year.
For regular winter use, particularly as a home office, we recommend looking carefully at insulation, glazing, draught resistance, ventilation and heating.
Insulation slows the movement of heat but does not generate heat itself. An insulated building may therefore still require a suitable heat source during cold weather.
Likewise, ventilation and shading can be important during warm summer weather, particularly in buildings featuring large areas of glazing.
If year-round use is your priority, compare our fully insulated garden rooms and garden offices rather than choosing solely according to external appearance.
What Size Garden Room Do I Need?
Start by considering what will actually need to fit inside the building and how you intend to move around the space.
For a garden office, measure your desk, chair and storage furniture and allow sufficient room to work and move comfortably.
For a garden gym, consider the space required to safely use exercise equipment rather than simply the dimensions required to store it.
For an entertainment or family room, think about seating, tables, televisions, cabinets and other furniture.
You should also consider the external space required around the garden room. Access may be needed for installation, maintenance and timber treatment, and the roof can project beyond the nominal wall dimensions.
Drawing a simple floor plan to scale before ordering can help prevent an expensive mistake and make it easier to choose the correct size.
Choosing the Best Position for a Garden Room
The location of your garden room can affect its appearance, practicality and how enjoyable it is to use.
Sunlight
A highly glazed elevation facing strong afternoon sun can become warm during summer. Consider how the sun moves across your garden before deciding on the position of windows and doors.
Views
Position windows and doors to take advantage of attractive areas of your garden rather than automatically positioning the main elevation towards the house.
Privacy
Consider sightlines from neighbouring properties as well as from your own house, particularly if the garden room will be used as an office, gym or relaxation space.
Access
Suitable access will normally be required for delivery and installation, and you should also allow reasonable access around the completed building for future maintenance where possible.
Trees and Vegetation
Avoid positioning the building where overhanging branches could cause damage or excessive leaf debris could collect on the roof. Vegetation should not be allowed to grow permanently against timber walls.
Drainage
Water should not collect around or beneath the garden room. Good drainage and a correctly constructed foundation contribute to the long-term performance of the building.
Electricity and Internet
If electricity or a wired internet connection is required, consider the practical route from the house before deciding on the final location of the building.
What Base Does a Garden Room Need?
A garden room needs a firm, flat and level base capable of supporting the building correctly.
An unsuitable or uneven base can cause doors and windows to operate poorly and may affect the appearance, structural alignment and long-term performance of the garden room.
Depending on the garden room and site, suitable solutions may include a professionally constructed concrete base or another approved foundation system.
The correct base depends on the building’s size, weight, construction and manufacturer’s requirements.
Do not assume that an existing patio, paving or area of compacted ground is automatically suitable for a substantial garden room.
If you are unsure, discuss the base requirements before the garden room is delivered or installed.
Do Garden Rooms Need Planning Permission?
Many garden rooms can be installed without making a planning application because they may fall within permitted development rights. However, this is not automatic.
Whether planning permission is required can depend on the building’s height, its position within the property, its relationship to boundaries, how much land around the original house is already covered by buildings and the intended use of the garden room.
Additional restrictions can apply if your property is listed or located within a conservation area or another designated area.
The rules can also vary according to individual circumstances, so you should check the current requirements applicable to your property with the appropriate planning authority before proceeding.
Planning permission and Building Regulations are separate matters, and satisfying one does not automatically mean that the other does not apply.
Does a Garden Office Need Planning Permission?
Using a garden room as a home office does not automatically mean that planning permission will be required.
However, the nature and intensity of the business use can matter.
Normal home working by a resident may be very different from operating a business that brings regular employees, customers, deliveries, noise, traffic or other significant activity to the property.
If the proposed use could materially change the residential character of the property, obtain advice from your local planning authority.
Do Garden Rooms Need Building Regulations Approval?
Planning permission and Building Regulations are different systems.
Whether Building Regulations apply to a garden room can depend on factors including the building’s size, construction, position and intended use.
Electrical work must also comply with the relevant requirements.
If you are uncertain whether Building Regulations apply to your proposed garden room, obtain appropriate professional or local-authority advice before work begins.
Do Garden Rooms Come with Electricity?
Unless specifically stated in an individual product specification, you should not assume that electrical installation is included with your garden room.
Many customers want electricity for lighting, computers, internet equipment, heating, televisions, exercise equipment, sockets and charging points.
Plan these requirements before installation wherever possible, as it can make cable routes, socket positions and the overall installation easier to organise.
Electrical work should be designed and completed by an appropriately qualified person and should comply with applicable regulations.
How Do I Get Internet in a Garden Office?
There are several ways to extend an internet connection to a garden office, including Wi-Fi, mesh systems, suitable network cabling and other networking solutions.
The best method depends on the distance between the garden office and the house, the construction of both buildings, the required connection speed and how important reliability is to you.
If reliable video calls, cloud services or large file transfers are important to your work, consider your internet connection before choosing the final position of the garden office.
Are Garden Rooms Secure?
A garden room can contain expensive computers, televisions, exercise equipment, musical instruments or other valuable items, so security should be considered when choosing and positioning the building.
Look at the quality of the doors, windows, glazing and locking arrangements provided with the particular model you are considering.
You may also consider suitable external lighting and integration with your existing home security arrangements.
Avoid leaving expensive equipment clearly visible through windows when the garden room is unattended.
Timber Garden Rooms
Timber remains one of the most popular materials for garden rooms because it provides a natural appearance that suits many gardens and can offer considerable flexibility in design.
However, timber is a natural material and needs to be looked after correctly.
Depending on the building and its factory finish, periodic maintenance may be required to protect the external timber from weathering.
Good maintenance also includes keeping vegetation away from the walls, maintaining suitable drainage around the building and inspecting the roof and exterior periodically.
Always follow the maintenance instructions supplied for your particular garden room.
Painted Garden Rooms
A factory-painted garden room can provide a more finished appearance from the outset and reduce the need to apply an initial decorative treatment yourself.
Painted buildings are available in a variety of styles and colours depending on the selected range.
Like all external timber finishes, painted surfaces will eventually require maintenance. The appropriate maintenance interval depends on the coating system, exposure, location and local weather conditions.
Bespoke Garden Rooms
A standard-size garden room is suitable for many gardens, but sometimes the available space or intended use requires something different.
Selected garden room ranges can offer bespoke sizes or configurations.
A bespoke garden room can be particularly useful where the available garden space is unusual, a specific internal layout is required, door or window positions need changing, the building must accommodate particular furniture or equipment, or a garden office and storage area need to be combined.
Discuss bespoke requirements before ordering because the alterations available depend on the individual range and manufacturer.
Why Buy Your Garden Room from 1st Choice Leisure Buildings?
Garden buildings have been our specialist area since 1979.
That experience is important because choosing a garden room involves considerably more than selecting an attractive photograph.
We can help you consider the practical details including construction, intended use, insulation, size, glazing, base preparation, installation and long-term maintenance.
More Than 45 Years of Garden Building Experience
1st Choice’s roots in garden buildings go back to 1979, when Robin Antill began manufacturing timber garden buildings.
That hands-on manufacturing background means our experience comes not simply from selling garden buildings online but from understanding how timber buildings are designed, constructed, delivered and installed.
Over the decades, our involvement has included manufacturing sheds and garden buildings, designing buildings, retailing them and helping customers select products suitable for their individual requirements.
Today, that experience is used to help customers compare garden rooms from established manufacturers and choose specifications appropriate for their intended use.
Garden Room Advice from Robin Antill
Robin Antill has worked in the garden-building industry since 1979, with experience encompassing manufacturing, design, retailing and customer service.
One of the most important lessons from that experience is to decide how you intend to use your garden room before choosing the building.
A garden room purchased mainly because it looks attractive may not have the right specification for somebody who later decides to work in it for eight hours every day.
1. How often will you use it? A building used occasionally during warmer weather may have very different requirements from one used every working day.
2. Will you use it throughout winter? If so, insulation, glazing, heating and general comfort become considerably more important.
3. What furniture, equipment and services must fit inside? Plan the internal space, electricity, internet, heating and storage requirements before deciding on the building size.
Once these questions have been answered, decisions about size, insulation, glazing and layout become considerably easier.
See Garden Rooms Before You Buy
Photographs and specifications are useful, but seeing a full-size garden building can give you a much better understanding of its construction, proportions and internal space.
Customers can visit our Surrey garden building show site to inspect display buildings and discuss their requirements.
Seeing garden buildings in person can be particularly helpful when comparing different sizes, pent and apex roofs, door and window configurations, timber finishes, internal headroom, construction quality and insulated versus non-insulated options.
If there is a particular garden room or range you would like to inspect, check our current display information before making a special journey.
Professional Garden Room Installation
Correct assembly is important to the appearance and long-term performance of a garden building.
Professional installation is available with our garden rooms, and assembly is included with qualifying ranges where stated on the individual product page.
Your site and base must satisfy the requirements for the selected building before the installation team arrives.
Always check the individual product description for delivery area, installation arrangements, access requirements and base specifications.
Garden Room Buying Checklist
Purpose: What will you actually use the garden room for?
Frequency: Will it be used occasionally or every day?
Season: Do you intend to use it primarily during summer or throughout the year?
Size: Will your furniture and equipment fit comfortably while leaving enough room to move around?
Position: Have you considered sunlight, privacy, views, drainage and access?
Insulation: Is the insulation specification appropriate for your intended use?
Glazing: Is the window and door specification suitable for regular use and the position of the building?
Electricity: Where will the electrical supply come from and where will sockets and lighting be required?
Internet: Will your existing connection reach the garden room reliably?
Heating: Will you require a suitable heat source during winter?
Base: Is there a suitable flat, level and correctly prepared foundation?
Access: Can the building materials and installation team reach the proposed site?
Planning: Have you checked whether planning or other restrictions apply to your property?
Maintenance: Don’t overlook the upkeep. Timber needs protecting from the weather, so check how it’s been treated and what you’ll need to apply in the years ahead. A little regular maintenance goes a long way and will help you get many more years out of your garden room.
Installation: Always check what’s included before you buy. Some garden rooms include professional installation, while others are supplied for self-assembly or require fitting to be arranged separately. It’s much better to know this upfront than get caught out later.
Taking a little time to answer these questions before ordering can make the difference between simply buying a garden building and creating a space you enjoy using for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Rooms
What Is a Garden Room?
A garden room is a standalone building situated within a garden and designed to provide additional usable space separate from the main house.
Depending on its construction and specification, a garden room can be used as a home office, hobby room, studio, gym, games room, entertainment area or general leisure space.
What Is the Difference Between a Garden Room and a Summerhouse?
There is considerable overlap between the two terms.
Traditionally, a summerhouse is associated primarily with seasonal leisure use, whereas the term garden room is increasingly used for more substantial or versatile garden buildings, particularly insulated models intended for more frequent use.
The actual construction specification is more important than the name given to the building.
Can I Use a Garden Room as an Office?
Yes. A garden room can make an excellent home office.
For regular use, consider insulation, glazing, heating, electricity, lighting and internet connectivity as well as the building’s size and appearance.
Can I Use a Garden Room in Winter?
Yes, provided the building has an appropriate specification.
For frequent winter use, a well-insulated garden room with suitable glazing and heating will generally provide greater comfort than a basic seasonal garden building.
Are Your Garden Rooms Insulated?
We offer different specifications, including garden rooms with insulation options and fully insulated garden rooms.
Check each product page carefully because the precise wall, floor, roof and insulation construction varies between ranges.
Do You Install Garden Rooms?
Professional assembly is available, and installation is included with qualifying ranges where stated.
Check the individual product page for the precise delivery and installation arrangements applying to your chosen garden room.
Does a Garden Room Need a Concrete Base?
Not every garden room necessarily requires the same type of base.
The appropriate foundation depends on the building’s construction, dimensions, weight and manufacturer’s requirements.
Whatever system is used, the base needs to provide suitable support and must be correctly prepared, flat and level.
Do Garden Rooms Need Planning Permission?
In most cases, you won’t need planning permission for a garden room. They can usually be built under permitted development rights, as long as the building meets the relevant size, height and positioning rules. There are exceptions though, so it’s always worth checking the rules for your property before you get started.
However, there are exceptions, and requirements depend on your property, location, building dimensions, position and intended use.
Always check the current requirements applicable to your property before installation.
How Close Can a Garden Room Be to a Boundary?
The position of a garden room in relation to a boundary can affect planning and Building Regulations considerations, particularly in relation to the building’s height, size and construction.
There is not one distance that can safely be applied to every garden room and every property. Check the requirements applying to the particular building and location before ordering.
Can I Sleep in a Garden Room?
Using a garden room as ordinary leisure or working space is different from creating separate sleeping or residential accommodation.
If you intend to use a garden building for sleeping accommodation or as a separate dwelling, planning, Building Regulations and other requirements may apply. Obtain appropriate advice before proceeding.
Can I Put a Toilet or Bathroom in a Garden Room?
It may be technically possible, but introducing a water supply, drainage and sanitary facilities creates additional practical and regulatory considerations.
Discuss the project with appropriately qualified professionals and check any relevant planning and Building Regulations requirements before proceeding.
How Long Does a Garden Room Last?
There is no single lifespan applicable to every timber garden room.
Longevity depends on construction quality, materials, base preparation, installation, exposure to the weather and ongoing maintenance.
Keeping the timber protected, maintaining the roof and ensuring water drains away from the building are particularly important.
Do Timber Garden Rooms Require Maintenance?
Yes. Timber is a natural material and external timber buildings require appropriate ongoing maintenance.
The exact treatment schedule depends on the timber and factory finish used, so follow the maintenance instructions supplied with your chosen garden room.
Can Garden Rooms Be Made to Measure?
Bespoke dimensions and alterations are available on selected garden room ranges.
If you require a particular size, door position, window arrangement or configuration, contact us before ordering so we can establish what is possible for your preferred range.
Can I See Your Garden Rooms Before Ordering?
Yes. We have a garden building show site in Surrey where customers can view examples of full-size garden buildings.
Check which buildings are currently on display before making a special journey if you want to inspect a particular model or range.
How Do I Choose the Best Garden Room?
Start with the intended use rather than appearance.
Determine how frequently and during which seasons you will use the garden room, then establish the necessary internal space, insulation, glazing, electricity, internet connectivity and other requirements.
After that, compare garden rooms that meet those requirements within your available budget.
Need Help Choosing a Garden Room?
With so many sizes, specifications and styles available, choosing a garden room can initially seem complicated.
Our experience with garden buildings goes back to 1979, so if you are uncertain about size, construction, insulation, installation or which range is most appropriate, talk to us before ordering.
Tell us what you want to use the room for, approximately how much garden space you have, whether you want to use it throughout the year, your preferred size, whether you require insulation and your approximate budget.
We can then help you narrow down the available options and identify garden rooms that are more closely suited to your requirements.
Alternatively, visit our Surrey show site and see full-size garden buildings in person before making your decision.
Browse the garden rooms and garden offices above or contact 1st Choice Leisure Buildings for advice on choosing the right garden room for your home.
From £4931
