Avoid Regrets: Crucial Considerations Before Buying a Summerhouse
Must-Know Factors for Making an Informed Summerhouse Choice
When typing in ‘garden summer houses near me’ or ‘how to build a garden summerhouse then you need to be a little careful, no very careful, about your intended purchase. With the large range of prices available which reflect the different retailer’s choice of buildings, you can be bamboozled into thinking that the cheapest garden summer building is the best value. As in most other things in life, this is not always true, cheapest prices do not mean the best value.
The most important thing is to determine how long you want your new building to last. If you only want it for a couple of years then one of the cheaper ones may do the job for you. With their chipboard or OSB (oriental strand board) board floors and roofs, they SHOULD last a couple of years even if they get wet. However, when you come to move on the fact that you have a garden summer house with a disintegrating floor or roof will put prospective buyers off, so still might not be a good option.
Something to look out for is when these cheap manufacturers describe their building floors and roofs as SHEET materials. They do this so that you are not aware they are using chipboard or OSB materials which, I think is a little misleading. Strictly speaking, chipboard and OSB are sheet materials but considering the weakness of these types of materials outside surely you should have the right to know beforehand what you are getting. You really should give this some serious thought when you take this in and consider what will be best for you.
Experience the Wow Factor: Visit a Stunning Display Site Today
This is where visiting a display site is priceless. You can see the garden summerhouses in situ near you and can walk in and out as well as examine how well, or bad, they are put together. You can often see different ranges of buildings at these display sites, certainly at sites such as 1st Choice’s display areas where you can see these buildings for sale and hopefully near you.
By taking a look you can make your mind up as to the quality, you can see the type of wood used, as well as the height of the sheds. Many cheap buildings sold on the web are very low. They might look OK on the colourful dancing, all singing websites but when they arrive in your garden you will find out the truth.
Check The Quality of The Doors and Windows
Another thing to look out for is whether the doors are made from joinery quality timber which ensures the best life for the building in your garden. Some might only be ‘knocked ‘together and in that instance you need to check if they have diagonal braces on them. This is essential if you want to ensure the doors won’t drop. If the door drops then it sticks and you won’t be able to slide your padlock on or lock the door properly. Do they have glass or cheap scratchable plastic, perspex or acrylic? These cheap materials will discolour in time and rattle about in the wind. Very irritating!
Even if you are unable to visit a showroom near you then the fact that a company has one is reassuring. You know they have nothing to hide and are quite happy for their products to be scrutinised closely. You could also see whether they have any INDEPENDENT feedback from their customers. This again is a good source of unbiased information and can give reassurance about them.
Other Places To View
Another area where you may see garden summer houses ‘in the flesh’ is at the ‘County Shows’ around the country or at garden shows, such as the Chelsea Flower Show or Hampton Court Flower Show. However, be aware that at the large national shows, you are only likely to see the very expensive garden summerhouses. These are at the other end of the spectrum and again don’t always offer the best value. They will be exquisitely made with wood as smooth as a baby’s bottom but you are paying top dollar for this level of finish.
You sometimes find garden summer buildings near you in other exhibits as well which was the case at The Museum of the San Ramon Valley. One had become the focal point of this exhibit praising the virtues of family gardening and its effect on family life.
The exhibit also displayed some 1940’s kitchens as well and combined with it reflected the increasing trend of families utilising their gardens and growing their produce. The 1940 theme reflects earlier times during the Second World War when ‘digging for freedom’ was second nature.
The museum stresses that growing one’s food during the war was crucial.
Besides these buildings, the garden and kitchen on display were various equipment from that period. This highlighted the differences in growing produce then and now.
Vital To View Before Buying: Don’t Take Risks Buying Blind
However, as important as these shows and exhibits are a garden building display site is worth visiting before you spend your hard-earned money. By examining these garden summer buildings and summer house sheds you can ensure that your choice which you select will last more than just a couple of years.
It may be more expensive but you will often find that the better manufacturers will assemble them for you as well. This will save you time, which you can spend doing other things, and you will know that it has been erected correctly and this will help to ensure a long life in your garden.
Or you may feel that building your own summer house in your garden will be the best option or that visiting 1st Choice display site is the best first option before you order that building for your garden.
