Garden Rooms – Garden Rooms Mean Business

• Browse By Section
• In Focus
• Garden Rooms – Garden Rooms Mean Business

From home offices to tranquil retreats, garden rooms provide year-round functionality while adding value to a property, writes Sean Bunyan, the garden room specialist at Eurocell.

With rising housing costs and market uncertainty, many homeowners are choosing to extend rather than move. According to TSB Bank, two in five would rather build an extension, with 35% even considering remortgaging to fund it.

For installers, this growing demand presents a valuable opportunity to offer high-quality, customisable garden rooms that cater to a range of homeowner needs. The cost of moving is a major barrier, with 49% of Brits citing it as too expensive, so garden rooms offer an attractive alternative, providing additional space without the disruption and high costs of a full-scale extension.

 

Seaching

Search interest for garden rooms reflects this growing demand. Between August 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024, ‘garden rooms’ and ‘summer house’ garnered 726,000 and 1,086,000 searches, respectively, according to Legal & General Surveying Services.

For installers, understanding the nuances of garden room construction, including planning permission, permitted development and building regulations, is essential for ensuring compliance and delivering high-quality projects.

Many garden rooms fall under permitted development rights, meaning homeowners do not need to seek formal planning permission if their structure meets specific criteria. This is part of the attraction.

All Eurocell garden rooms are designed with a maximum eaves height of 2.5 metres. This ensures they typically fall within permitted development guidelines. However, regional factors such as conservation areas or listed buildings may require additional permissions.

 

Key considerations for permitted development

• The structure should not exceed 2.5m in height.

• It must not cover more than 50% of the property’s land.

• It should not be located forward of the principal elevation of the house.

According to the Property Centre, a high-quality garden room can add an average of 8.4% to the value of a home.

Permitted development offers greater flexibility for garden rooms, whilst those that require planning permission may have a more substantial impact on property value. In cases where garden rooms exceed the limitations of permitted development, homeowners must apply for planning permission.

 

Key considerations

If you don’t already fit garden rooms and are considering adding them to your product line, there are some key considerations around planning permission and building regulations to be aware of.

Common reasons planning permission is required:

• The structure exceeds 2.5m in height or is located close to a boundary.

• The property is in a conservation area or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

• The garden room is intended for residential use separate from the main home.

Even if planning permission is not required, certain projects may need to comply with Building Regulations, particularly when structures exceed 15 square metres or are positioned within 1 metre of a boundary.

Key Building Regulation considerations:

• Structural integrity and stability.

• Fire safety and escape routes.

• Energy efficiency, including insulation and glazing.

• Electrical and plumbing safety if applicable.

•  

Smart design

Beyond compliance, delivering a high-quality garden room involves smart design choices that enhance functionality, sustainability, and aesthetics. Here are key elements installers can highlight to their clients.

 

Seamless integration with nature

A well-designed garden room should feel like an extension of the home while maintaining a connection to the outdoors. Large windows, sliding patio or bi-fold doors and full-height glazing can create a bright and airy space that blends harmoniously with the garden.

 

Stylish and functional design

Encouraging homeowners to choose designs that complement their existing property adds both visual appeal and resale value. Eurocell’s range of modular, low-maintenance garden rooms offers stylish solutions tailored to various needs, from workspaces to leisure retreats.

 

Energy efficiency and sustainability

Modern garden rooms should be built with energy efficiency in mind. Features such as double-glazed windows, insulated roofing panels and high-performance doors help reduce heating and cooling costs while appealing to homeowners looking to lower energy costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

 

Multi-purpose spaces

Garden rooms designed with flexibility in mind allow homeowners to adapt their space over time. A home office today could become a yoga studio or guest room in the future. Versatile layouts and modular design options cater to changing needs and lifestyles.

 

High-quality, low-maintenance materials

Durability is key to a long-lasting garden room. Using premium materials such as composite cladding and PVC-U building products ensures resistance to weathering, minimal upkeep, and a polished look that stands the test of time.

For installers looking to enhance outdoor spaces, external cladding provides a practical solution for improving both aesthetics and durability.

For a contemporary look, composite cladding provides a low-maintenance alternative to traditional timber, offering durability and weather resistance with a natural woodgrain effect. With options such as shiplap-style PVC and lightweight composite materials, installers can choose solutions that best suit their projects, many of which come with long-term guarantees for added peace of mind.

 

Sustainability

Selecting materials with recycled content or a lower carbon footprint is key to improving the sustainability of garden rooms. Opting for products made from responsibly sourced or repurposed materials can significantly reduce environmental impact without compromising on performance. For example, Eurocell’s windows contain an average of 32% recycled PVC-U, offering a practical way to incorporate sustainability into a project.

 

Studio

Eurocell offers a range of prefabricated, energy-efficient garden rooms designed to suit different homeowner needs. The Studio One provides a stylish and practical solution with customisable window options, while the Studio View maximises natural light with dual-aspect doors for seamless indoor-outdoor living. For those seeking a modern touch, the Studio Frame features a contemporary veranda, adding both function and aesthetic appeal.

Meanwhile, the Studio Canopy extends the living space further, incorporating a covered area ideal for year-round outdoor use.

Each design is available in multiple sizes, with various cladding finishes and a 10-year guarantee, ensuring durability and flexibility for installers and homeowners alike.

 

Picture: The Eurocell Studio Canopy which is the Full Monty when it comes to the company’s Studio range of energy

efficient, pre-fabricated garden rooms.

www.eurocell.co.uk

Article written by Sean Bunyan, Eurocell
11th May 2025

Share

---

---

Related Articles

---