Transform your garden into a comfortable, all-year-round haven with a beautifully crafted insulated summerhouse from 1st Choice Leisure Buildings. Our insulated summerhouses are designed to be enjoyed in every season and to serve a wide range of purposes.
Available in a variety of styles, finishes, and layouts, each one can be customised to complement your garden and reflect your lifestyle.
At 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, we believe your garden should work for you all year. Browse through our wide range of insulated summerhouses and choose the one that works best for you!
Investing in an insulated summerhouse from 1st Choice Leisure Buildings is more than just adding a garden structure — it’s enhancing your property and providing daily comfort. Some of the most important benefits you will gain include:
Year-Round Comfort: Unlike traditional summerhouses that are limited to fair-weather use, our insulated models are fully lined and designed for true year-round enjoyment. Quality insulation to maintain a stable internal temperature — warm in winter, cool in summer.
Versatile Usage: An insulated summerhouse offers incredible flexibility, adapting effortlessly to your work or leisure needs. It can serve as, for example, a garden office, art or music studio, home gym, guest accommodation, and more.
Enhanced Property Value: As more homeowners seek versatile outdoor spaces, having a year-round usable summerhouse in your garden is a significant selling point. It’s a feature that adds both lifestyle value and curb appeal.
Cost-Effective Expansion: If you’re running out of space at home, a summerhouse offers a smart alternative to expensive home extensions or loft conversions. Installation is quick and efficient, and many models don’t even require planning permission.
Personalised Retreat: Every 1st Choice Leisure Buildings summerhouse can be tailored to your needs. You can choose from various cladding styles, roof designs, internal finishes, etc., to create a space that is truly yours.
Energy Efficiency: Our insulated summerhouses are built using materials that trap heat effectively in colder months, reducing the need for electric heaters or costly portable units. In the summer, the same insulation works to reflect heat and prevent overheating, keeping your space naturally cooler without any additional devices.
Key Features of Insulated Summerhouses
Our insulated summerhouses are made with attention to every single detail to provide you an excellent combination of high functionality and visual appeal. Their most important features include:
Insulated Floors and Roofs
Floor and roofs are often where the most heat is lost in standard garden buildings. That’s why our designs feature their full insulation, using high-performance materials such as Celotex/Kingspan foil-backed PIR. These modern insulation boards help to:
Retain heat in winter, preventing cold from seeping through the floor
Deflect excess heat in summer, keeping the interior comfortably cool
Enhance soundproofing, ideal for workspaces or creative studios
High-Performance Wall Insulation
Many of our insulated summerhouses include fully lined and insulated walls, with the option to upgrade to thicker insulation for even greater thermal efficiency.
Internal walls can be finished with such materials as tongue and groove timber or MDF, depending on the building and your preferences. This not only enhances heat retention but also gives the interior a polished look.
Cladding Options for Function & Style
At 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, we offer a wide range of cladding styles, each with its own benefits:
Shiplap Tongue & Groove Timber: Our most popular option, known for its strength and durability. The interlocking boards offer excellent weather protection and a smooth, clean finish.
Loglap Cladding: Offers a more rustic, log cabin-style look. The rounded profile not only improves the aesthetic value but also contributes to improving insulation properties.
Feather Edge Cladding: A traditional, overlapping style that gives a countryside aesthetic and strong water run-off characteristics.
Double Glazed Doors & Windows
Our insulated summerhouses often feature double-glazed windows and doors, helping to get the most out of natural light and reduce heat loss.
This contributes to energy efficiency (no need for artificial light during the day), sound insulation, and all-round comfort.
Fully Lined Interiors
For an internal finish that feels more like a room than a shed, our summerhouses are available with a range of internal lining options, including:
Tongue and groove matchboarding for a natural timber aesthetic
Painted finishes for a light, airy feel
Types of Insulated Summerhouses
We offer various types of insulated summerhouses so that everyone can find exactly what they are looking for. You can find such variants as:
Fit neatly into the corner of your garden, saving space
Provide a cosy, efficient footprint for work or leisure
Ideal for relaxing, reading, or working in privacy
Maintain open lawn or patio areas while adding functional space
Painted Insulated Summerhouses
With a wide range of available colours, your painted insulated summerhouse can be a great improvement to your garden’s appearance.
Paint finish enhances weather protection and reduces maintenance
Perfect for those seeking a stylish, low-maintenance feature
Offered in various styles and sizes, with free assembly included
Insulated Summerhouses with Sheds
Insulated summerhouses with sheds cleverly combine the benefits of a cosy, year-round garden retreat and the convenience of secure, built-in storage, as they:
Only require one base/foundation, saving on groundwork and installation costs
Cost less than two separate structures
Eliminate the visual clutter of two mismatched buildings and save more space
Popular Sizes and Dimensions
Size Category
Example Dimensions
Best For
Small
8×8 ft, 10×8 ft
– Compact gardens with limited space
– Basic home office setups or hobby rooms
– Reading nooks or private retreats
Medium
12×10 ft, 14×10 ft
– Standard garden offices with desk and seating
– Small art or craft studios
– Combined use: workspace + light storage
Large
16×12 ft, 20×18 ft
– Spacious home offices or dual desks
– Multi-purpose spaces (e.g., office + gym)
– Guest accommodation or meeting areas
Customisation Options
Tailor your insulated summerhouse to match your needs, style, and budget. 1st Choice Leisure Buildings offers flexible options to help you create the perfect garden retreat.
Internal Layout
A choice of internal linings and claddings
Optional floor insulation
Room divisions and partitions in accordance with your needs
A possibility to laminate flooring in a selection of colours
Various positions, sizes, and styles of doors and windows
Internal shelving upon request
Optional electrical packages available (apart from the standard installation)
External Finishes
A selection of external cladding, including LP Strongcore resin and engineered wood composite and pressure-treated
T&G Shiplap
Weatherboard
Timber
Painting the exterior with lacquer or coloured stain
An option to change from pressure-treated to quality Redwood with a full paint finish to the exterior
A choice of Apex and Pent roof styles
Green, red, or black decorative felt tiles on Apex roofs
Why Choose 1st Choice Leisure Buildings for Your Insulated Summerhouse
We are your best pick when it comes to insulated summerhouses in the UK. Some of the reasons why include:
Expert Craftmanship
With over 45 years of industry experience, we always provide expert craftsmanship and durable constructions.
Our insulated summerhouses are made using premium materials such as pressure-treated Scandinavian redwood or high-quality European timber to stand the test of time and meet all your needs.
UK-Manufactured Products
We cooperate with trusted manufacturers, also from the UK. Their summerhouses are designed specifically for the British climate and built with weather-resistant materials that stand up to the elements.
Choosing UK-made also means faster delivery times and supporting trusted local craftsmanship.
Customisable Designs
You can choose from various customisable options, including size, shape, cladding, colour, or door and window positions. What’s more, the layout can be personalised according to your needs and the desired purpose.
We are always open to your suggestions and do our best to create the summerhouse of your dreams.
Free Delivery
Enjoy free delivery and assembly across most of mainland England. We always offer complimentary installation for summerhouses delivered within the “Green Areas”, while “Yellow Areas” often benefit from special promotions that reduce or even waive standard charges.
Comprehensive Support
Leisure Buildings provides ongoing support from planning to installation and beyond. Our team offers expert guidance on foundations, insulation, ventilation, and weatherproofing, helping ensure long-term performance.
We can also arrange for qualified electricians to install power, lighting, and heating, and even offer a base-building service, as we want the whole process to be as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Honest Warranty
We do not try to deceive you with a ‘10-year warranty on all products’ typically offered by many other retailers. We want to be honest with you from the start, so we always advise you to check the warranty terms and conditions provided by the manufacturer on your chosen summerhouse.
For additional peace of mind, we also provide clear care instructions and responsive aftercare support should any issues arise.
👉 Make the most of your outdoor space with a beautifully crafted, fully insulated summerhouse. Browse our range today and let’s create your perfect year-round garden escape!
FAQs For Insulated Summer Buildings
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Can I install electricity and plumbing in my insulated summerhouse?
Yes. Electricity can be safely installed and is often included as a custom option.
Plumbing (e.g., for a sink or toilet) is also possible but requires professional planning and installation to meet building regulations.
Do insulated summerhouses require planning permission in the UK?
In most cases, insulated summerhouses fall under permitted development rights and don’t require planning permission, especially if they’re under 2.5m in height, within 2m of a boundary, not exceeding 15m² in size, and not used as living accommodation.
However, exceptions apply in conservation areas or for large structures, so always check with your local authority.
How effective is the insulation in insulated summerhouses in winter/summer?
Insulated summerhouses are highly effective year-round. With proper insulation and double-glazed windows, they retain warmth in winter and stay cool in summer.
Many models, like the Platinum Odiham, are built for year-round use. For optimal comfort, you can add electric heating or air conditioning.
How long do insulated summerhouses last?
A well-maintained insulated summerhouse can last 15 to 30 years or more, especially if constructed with pressure-treated timber and other high-quality materials.
The lifespan depends on factors like environmental conditions and upkeep, with longer durability achieved through regular maintenance.
What is the difference between an insulated summerhouse and a garden room?
While both can be insulated, summerhouses are typically simpler structures used for leisure.
Garden rooms often offer a higher spec, more insulation, and are tailored for more demanding functions.
What maintenance is required for an insulated summerhouse?
Regular maintenance is essential for longevity. This includes:
Treating timber every 2–3 years (even pressure-treated models)
Ensuring proper ventilation or using a dehumidifier
Sealing gaps to prevent moisture and heat loss
Inspecting roofs and gutters for leaks
Keeping the interior at a consistent temperature
Using a vapour barrier to reduce damp from the ground