View More Summerhouse Images
Click on images below to see larger versions of summerhouses
Click on images below to see larger versions of summerhouses
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Click on images below to see larger versions of summerhouses
Click on images below to see larger versions of summerhouses
Click on images below to see larger versions of summerhouses
Click on images below to see larger versions of sumerhouse shed combos
Click on images below to see larger versions of combination garden rooms with shed
We recommend OPTIONAL Demidekk Ultimate log cabin paint range which can be colour matched to suit. See examples in
our photo gallery.Please note that all colour shown are indicative only and will vary depending upon the light on the day the photo was taken. Additionally all screens will display the image differently. If exact colour is essential then please order a sample pot.
Which Summer House Range Is Right for You?
Choosing the right summer house depends on how you plan to use your new garden building. Diamond summer houses offer excellent value for traditional summerhouse use, Platinum buildings provide greater comfort and flexibility, while Royal summer houses are designed for customers looking for a premium, fully insulated garden room.
| |
Diamond |
Platinum |
Royal |
| Best for |
Traditional summerhouse use & value |
Greater comfort & flexibility |
Premium, year-round garden-room use |
| Why choose it? |
A well-built timber summerhouse without paying for features you may not need. |
A substantial step up when you want a higher specification and the option of insulation. |
Fully insulated construction aimed at creating a more substantial extra room in the garden. |
| Ideal uses |
Relaxing, hobbies, entertaining and enjoying the garden. |
Home office, hobby room, studio or extended seasonal use. |
Garden office, studio, entertaining room or year-round living space. |
| Insulation |
Best suited to conventional summerhouse use. |
Full insulation available on many models. |
Fully insulated models. |
| Why it might be right for you |
I want a quality summerhouse at a sensible price. |
I want something more substantial that I can make comfortable for more of the year. |
I want a genuine extra room in my garden that I can use throughout the year. |
| Price level |
£ |
££ |
£££ |
Reasons to Choose Each Summer House Range
Choose Diamond if Value Is the Priority
Diamond summer houses are a good choice for customers who primarily want somewhere attractive to sit, relax, entertain or enjoy their garden. They provide a practical combination of traditional summerhouse appeal, useful garden space and value for money, making them ideal when you do not require the additional specification of the Platinum or Royal ranges.
Choose Platinum for Greater Flexibility
Platinum summer houses make sense when your garden building needs to do more than a conventional summerhouse. With higher specifications and insulation available on many models, they can be particularly suitable for home offices, studios, hobby rooms, and customers who want to use their building comfortably for more of the year.
Choose Royal for a Premium Year-Round Room
Royal summer houses are the premium choice when you are looking for something closer to an additional room rather than simply a summer retreat. Their fully insulated construction makes them particularly attractive for garden offices, studios, entertaining spaces and other uses where greater year-round comfort is important.
A Simple Way to Choose
Diamond = great-value summerhouse • Platinum = more comfort and versatility • Royal = premium year-round garden room.
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).
More Information In Our Help Articles and Blogs
If you are still deciding which summer house is right for your garden, our help articles cover many of the questions customers ask before and after buying. From choosing the right style and understanding costs to planning permission, foundations, insulation, heating and condensation, these practical guides can help you make a more informed decision. You will also find advice on looking after your building and ideas for making your new summer house comfortable, attractive, and suitable for how you intend to use it.
How To Choose a Summerhouse Shed
Choosing a summerhouse shed involves thinking about much more than its appearance. The right building should provide enough space for how you intend to use it while also fitting comfortably into your garden. You may need to consider its size, position, construction, windows, doors and overall specification. Our guide explains key points to consider before you decide and can help you narrow down the many styles and options available. Read our guide to choosing a summerhouse shed.
Best Summerhouse Guide
With so many sizes, styles and specifications available, deciding which summerhouse is best for your needs can initially seem difficult. Your ideal choice will depend on your garden, available space, budget and what you want to do inside the building. Whether you are creating a space to relax, entertain, enjoy hobbies, or work from home, our summerhouse guide explains the key considerations that can help you compare options and choose a building that suits you and your garden. Read our best summerhouse guide.
How Much Does a Summer House Cost in the UK?
The cost of a summer house can vary considerably depending on its size, construction, specification and the features you choose. A straightforward garden retreat will naturally have different requirements from a larger insulated building intended for regular use throughout the year. It is also sensible to consider associated costs when planning your budget. Our detailed guide looks at summer house prices in the UK and explains some of the factors that can influence how much you should expect to spend. Find out how much a summer house costs.
Planning Permission Guide
Before installing a summer house, it is important to establish whether your proposed building is likely to require planning permission. Many garden buildings can be installed under permitted development rights, but restrictions and circumstances may apply. Factors such as the building's position, overall dimensions, and intended use can be relevant. Our planning permission guide provides useful information to help you understand the rules and identify when you may need to seek further advice before proceeding with your project. Read our summerhouse planning permission guide.
Heating Your Summerhouse Ideas
A little additional warmth can make your summerhouse considerably more comfortable during cooler weather and help extend the amount of time you can enjoy it throughout the year. The best heating solution depends on the size and construction of your building, whether it is insulated, how often you use it, and whether electricity is available. Our guide explores different ways to heat a summerhouse and highlights practical considerations when creating a warmer, more comfortable garden retreat. Explore ideas for heating your summerhouse.
Are Summer Houses Worth It?
A summer house can provide valuable additional space without changing the main structure of your home, but whether one is worthwhile depends on what you expect from your garden building. For some people, it provides a peaceful place to relax, while others use it as an office, hobby space, entertaining area, or multipurpose garden room. Our guide considers the practical advantages of owning a summer house and the points worth thinking about when deciding whether investing in one is the right choice for your household. Discover whether a summer house is worth it.
How To Build the Foundations and Base
A suitable base is one of the most important preparations when installing a new summer house. The base needs to provide a firm, level and stable surface capable of supporting the building correctly over the long term. Poor preparation can cause problems with doors, windows, and the overall structure once the building is installed. Our foundation guide explains different summerhouse base options and provides useful information to consider when preparing your garden before your new building is delivered and installed. Read our guide to summerhouse bases and foundations.
How To Control Condensation
Condensation and excess moisture can affect garden buildings, particularly during colder or damp periods when differences between internal and external temperatures become greater. Good ventilation, sensible heating, and appropriate building maintenance can all help control moisture levels. Understanding why condensation develops makes it easier to take practical steps to reduce it and protect your summerhouse and its contents. Our guide explains common causes of condensation and offers helpful suggestions for maintaining a drier, more comfortable environment inside your building. Learn how to control condensation in your summerhouse.
How To Insulate Your Summer Building
Insulating a summerhouse can help create a more comfortable internal environment and may be particularly worthwhile if you plan to use the building beyond the warmer summer months. You can incorporate insulation into areas such as the walls, floor, and roof, although the best approach depends on your building's construction. Our insulation guide explains the principles involved, the areas you should consider and why insulation can make such a difference when creating a garden office, hobby room or year-round retreat. Read our guide to insulating a summerhouse.
Colourful Summer House Paint Ideas
The colour you choose for your summerhouse can completely change how the building looks within your garden. Traditional natural shades can help it blend into surrounding planting, while brighter colours can transform the building into an attractive focal point. You can also use contrasting colours on doors, windows and trim to create a more individual appearance. Our summerhouse paint guide explores different colour schemes and inspires you to choose a finish that complements your garden, personal style, and the character of your summer building. Explore colourful summerhouse paint ideas.
An 18×8 summerhouse from 1st Choice Leisure Buildings offers durability, elegance, and practical features to enhance your outdoor space. Constructed with robust materials, these summerhouses are insulated for comfortable use in any season.
The generous interior adapts to multiple uses, such as a garden office, retreat, or studio. Its refined design elevates any garden style.
1st Choice Leisure Buildings streamlines your experience with straightforward assembly and attentive customer support. Enjoy your new summerhouse with ease.
Choosing A 18ft x 8ft Summer House From 1st Choice Leisure
When choosing a summer building, you need to check the specifications to ensure it will have the strength to withstand the elements. So always check the thickness of the timber, whether it’s made from redwood or the cheap, inferior whitewood, and how thick the framing is, etc.
Are the doors and windows‘ joinery made, meaning they will last a long time? Does it have toughened glass for safety, or is it imperfect horticultural glass, plastic, or perspex? These are all important questions.
Free Installation Included As Standard On All Diamond & Platinum Buildings.
On many of the buildings available on the web, you will find that they will deliver them to your house and leave them for you to build. You can save a little money this way, but you must assemble it yourself. That’s OK if you are a good DIYer, but it will still be hard work.
Choose 1st Choice’s complimentary assembly service for Diamond and Platinum buildings. Our team manages construction and can, if needed, prepare a level base for you.
This ensures your new building is set up properly, so you can simply enjoy it.
Insulating My Summer Building
To enjoy your new 8×18 building all year, consider having it lined and insulated. This helps keep it cool in summer and warm in winter. If you’re comfortable with DIY, you can do this yourself.
Alternatively, let us insulate your Platinum building for you. This upgrade feels indulgent, but you’ll value its comfort through hot days and cold mornings. Request your free quote today.
This 18×8 Summerhouse Can Be Bespokely Made Just For You
We offer many sizes and styles of summerhouses, but we also specialise in making them just the way you want. If you need a taller building, more or fewer windows, or want the doors and windows in different places, we can help.
Find a building that matches your needs and lifestyle. Call (01483) 237550 or visit our showroom to discuss your ideas—we offer pressure-free, tailored quotes.
Can I Have Different Paint Finish On My New Building?
All our buildings come with a protective treatment, but you can also choose one painted with Sadolin for Diamond Buildings or Valtti for Platinum Buildings. Both offer a range of colours, so you can pick the one you like best.
Be Careful When Buying A New Building
Before you choose a new 18×8 summer house, it’s important to do some research. It’s easy to be swayed by a glossy website or brochure, so if you can, visit our showroom to see the buildings in person.
You can then make an informed decision. Explore our large collection of wooden buildings in person. We welcome your questions and happily provide quotations.
Another thing to do is to take a look at the feedback from previous customers, which can be enlightening.
We can make any 1st Choice summer building in the size you need. Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll give you a quote. Choose what’s right for you; it’s the smart choice.
These sunrooms can include internal partitions and extra doors, creating distinct spaces for relaxation, storage, or children—tailored to your needs.
Why Not Consider An Integrated Shed Or Additional Room With Your Summerhouse?
Our Diamond and Platinum Buildings are available with an extra room to suit you. Whether it’s at the back, the side, or accessed from the front, we can make a summerhouse shed combo for you. Don’t settle for less than you envision. Contact us now to discuss your requirements or visit to explore our examples firsthand.
Explore More Summer House Styles
Every garden is different, which is why we offer a wide range of summer houses to suit every space, budget and lifestyle. Whether you're looking for an insulated summer house that can be enjoyed throughout the year, a stylish contemporary summer house, or a practical summer house with integrated storage, you'll find plenty of options to explore. We also stock pressure-treated models for lower maintenance, traditional tongue-and-groove construction, painted finishes, and corner designs to make the most of smaller gardens and summer houses in a wide range of sizes. Browse our specialist collections below to find the perfect timber summer house for your garden.
