How Long Do Garden Rooms Last?

One of the most common questions I get is how long do garden rooms last and it’s a perfectly valid one. It’s understandable that you want to know if a garden room is a long-term investment or if you are going to have to fork out thousands for major repairs or a replacement in a few years.

Luckily, it’s the former – garden rooms can last for decades with many lasting 40 years or more. However, this is the key part – this depends on a number of factors and ultimately how you upkeep and maintain your garden room and this is what we discuss below.

Understanding Garden Rooms

A garden room is a standalone structure that sits somewhere in your garden. Typically, they are not attached to your house, and therefore, are not sheltered and are subject to the varied UK weather and wear and tear.

Over time, the quality of your garden room can degrade as with any structure. This wear and tear can be greatly reduced though, through maintenance, cleaning, and initial investment in quality materials and upgrades. A garden room, therefore, that is looked after and well-built, can last for multiple decades.

Factors That Influence Your Garden Room’s Lifespan

Insulated garden rooms with installation are built to a high standard and will last much longer than a self-built, uninsulated structure. Additionally, the following factors affect your garden room’s lifespan:

Material Choices

When looking at how to maintain garden room structures, your initial choices are just as important as ongoing maintenance. If you want your garden room to last, you should be willing to spend a little extra on things like:

• Doors and windows.
• Insulation.
• Roof material.
• External treatment and preservatives.

Spending a little extra initially makes sure that your garden room lasts for much longer as opposed to going with a basic structure with no upgrades.

Maintenance and Upkeep

I have created an article on garden room maintenance that goes into more detail about this, but simple things you can do to improve the lifespan of your garden room include:

• Cleaning doors and windows and checking the seals.
• Make sure the garden room is properly ventilated.
• Checking the roof and cleaning any debris.
• Periodically re-applying external preservatives.
• Checking any plumbing and facilities like a kitchenette.

You have to be vigilant and be prepared to clean and maintain your garden room in the same way you would your home.

Aside from dampness and a lack of external preservatives, one of the main causes of the degradation of the quality of garden rooms is a lack of care! You can’t expect your garden room to last for decades if you let it fall into disrepair.

Humidity and Ventilation

Dampness is one of the main causes of deterioration of structures like sheds, garden offices, and summer houses. It can also be completely avoided though.

Initially, make sure your garden room is fully insulated as this greatly reduces the chance of dampness. Then, as time progresses, make sure your garden room is properly ventilated and the temperature is controlled where possible.

Open doors and windows, and have air vents installed. This allows for sufficient airflow and stops condensation from building up which ultimately leads to dampness. Damp causes many issues like rot in the timber, unclean air, and potential health issues with your breathing.

Weather and Environmental Conditions

We live in the UK right, so we know the unpredictability of the weather and this is something to consider for the longevity of your garden room. Preservative treatment for the external surfaces is important including the walls and roof as this will help protect against the rain.

When you buy your garden room, I advise opting for an upgraded roof that has more durable materials. This helps your garden room withstand the UK climate and our oftentimes harsh winters.

How to Maintain Your Garden Room for It to Last Longer?

You have to look at a garden room as part of your house – that’s the approach I take anyway. Don’t just think of it as something you can forget about – it needs the same love and attention as your home and you can do the following to help make it last longer:

• Make sure the external structure is treated.
• Check and clean the roof regularly.
• Allow for air circulation and proper ventilation.
• Hoover and dust to keep the interior clean.
• Check and clean the doors and windows.
• Check and clean any plumbing and electrics.

A Garden Room Can Last for Decades if You Upkeep It

How long do garden rooms last? As long as you want providing you invest in an initial quality build and are willing to look after your investment! With the right features like external treatment, insulation, and proper ventilation, garden rooms can last for decades so make sure you do it justice.