Unpredictable British weather, waiting on contractors, and unexpected site issues can all turn what should be an exciting construction project into a stressful experience. However, with offsite construction, you can ensure any oak-framed building is crafted with precision, delivered on time, and assembled seamlessly.
With offsite construction, you get exceptional quality, faster completion times, and absolute cost certainty without sacrificing the authentic beauty of traditional English oak craftsmanship.
What Does âOffsite Constructionâ Mean?
Offsite construction is the process of designing, crafting, and assembling key structural components in a specialist workshop rather than on-site. Unlike traditional building methods, offsite manufacturing allows for precise, controlled, and highly efficient production before the structure is transported for final assembly.
With English Heritage Buildings, your oak-framed structure will be meticulously crafted in a purpose-built workshop, where skilled craftsmen combine traditional joinery techniques with state-of-the-art precision engineering. Every beam is carefully measured, cut, and tested for accuracy before it ever reaches your property.
This approach transforms the building process, making it easier, more efficient, and ultimately more rewarding for you.
Faster Build Times, Less Disruption
If youâve ever experienced a home improvement project, youâll know that delays can be frustrating and costly. Weather, scheduling conflicts, and unexpected site issues can push back timelines, turning a simple project into months of inconvenience.
With offsite construction, your oak-framed structure is crafted indoors, in a dry, purpose-built workshop, unaffected by external delays. This means:
No weather-related setbacks, as all components will be dry and ready to build.
No waiting for contractors to be available, as the team has already been hired.
No prolonged disruption to your property, as the materials will not arrive until scheduled.
Cost Certainty With No Hidden Surprises
A major concern for any construction project is the risk of unexpected costs. Traditional builds often face budget overruns due to delays, site issues, or last-minute design changes.
With offsite manufacturing, you have cost certainty from day one:
Your design is finalised before production begins, meaning no unexpected material or labour costs.
Our fair, standardised pricing ensures transparency and financial peace of mind.
You wonât be affected by delays that could increase labour costs.
Minimising Waste, Maximising Sustainability
Sustainability is more important than ever, and offsite construction is an eco-friendly choice. At English Heritage Buildings, all of our timber is sourced from one responsibly managed site in France. There, three saplings are planted in place of every tree used in our work. Each tree is also grown to be as tall, strong, and straight as possible to maximise usage and minimise wastage.
We also ensure that our process is as efficient as possible:
Precision cutting further reduces material waste, using exactly what is needed for your frame.
Any rejected timber is repurposed or returned to the mill, minimising waste.
Fewer transport emissions, because our materials are assembled in one location before being delivered, rather than multiple trips for on-site work.
Designed for Precision and Longevity
Your oak-framed building isnât just a short-term investment. With the technology offered by offsite construction, it can easily be designed and made to last a lifetime and beyond.
We utilise a Hundegger K2i machine to ensure that every cut is precise, so the frames fit together perfectly without gapping.
Our timber is graded at every stage to maintain the highest quality.
We design each building to last 60 years or more, with proper care.
Seamless Planning and Installation
An offsite process means that every detail of your building can be carefully planned out in advance.
Our expert team works with you to finalise designs, ensuring your build meets all necessary regulations.
We can recommend third-party contractors in your area, who have worked with us before and can offer a fast, sturdy installation.
Faster installation means less disruption to your home, garden, or business.
Why Offsite Construction Doesnât Mean Compromise
Choosing an offsite solution from English Heritage Buildings doesnât mean sacrificing craftsmanship, authenticity, or durability.
Handcrafted Quality Enhanced by Technology
While offsite construction benefits from cutting-edge precision technology, all of our frames are still created using time-honoured joinery techniques.
Experts carefully craft each frame, ensuring authenticity in every detail.
Our team of trained and qualified timber graders inspect every beam, selecting only the pieces that meet our exacting standards.
Each joint is precision-cut, ensuring a perfect fit and a flawless final build that blends seamlessly with almost any architecture.
A Purpose-Built Workshop
Our Sussex-based workshop provides a fantastic controlled environment for reliable quality.
Every piece of timber is handled with care, free from exposure to moisture or exterior site conditions that could affect its integrity.
There is no rushed or improvised work.
Workshop machinery ensures consistency in production.
Quality is checked at every stage by a team of experts, ensuring that when the frame reaches your property, itâs ready for assembly.
Tried, Tested, and Q-Mark Certified
English Heritage Buildings is the only oak frame manufacturer in the UK to hold the prestigious Q-Mark certification â a testament to our unwavering commitment to quality.
Every frame meets 22 rigorous industry standards, ensuring exceptional structural integrity.
Weâve crafted over 10,000 buildings in the last 30 years, earning a reputation for reliability and excellence.
Discover the Benefits of Offsite Oak Construction
See how offsite precision manufacturing can bring your dream oak-framed building to life, without delays, uncertainty, or compromise. Browse our gallery to see stunning completed projects, download our free brochure for inspiration, or get in touch with our expert team for a no-obligation consultation.
With over 30 years of experience, Q-Mark-certified quality, and a passion for timeless craftsmanship, weâre here to create a bespoke building that perfectly suits your needs. Contact us today and take the first step toward an enduring, beautifully crafted space that stands the test of time.
When you think of oak-framed buildings, you might picture a charming garden room or a sturdy garage. However, the possibilities go far beyond these classic designs. We also create bespoke oak structures tailored to unique purposes, allowing you the opportunity to realise almost any vision youâve had for your property.
In this blog, weâll explore some of the most extraordinary oak-framed structures that homeowners, estate owners, and developers have commissioned. When it comes to oak-frame structures, the only limit is your imagination.
Showcasing Our Custom Designs
Here are some of the most distinctive oak-framed structures weâve created, and would be happy to recreate if needed for your project.
Boathouses
For those with riverside or lakeside properties, a bespoke oak-framed boathouse provides the perfect blend of function and classic aesthetic appeal. Expertly crafted from durable green oak, these structures stand up to the elements, ensuring long-lasting protection for boats and equipment.
Whether designed as a simple storage solution or a multi-use retreat with seating areas, a deck, or even a small living space, an oak-framed boathouse enhances the charm of any waterside setting. The natural beauty of oak blends seamlessly with the landscape, creating a tranquil escape that feels like part of the environment itself.
Gates and Gatehouses
Oak-framed gates provide both durability and refinement, offering a naturally weather-resistant, low-maintenance solution that only improves with age. Unlike mass-produced gates, handcrafted oak designs allow for complete customisation, ensuring that each entrance complements the character of the home or estate.
A well-designed gatehouse, meanwhile, can completely transform the entrance to an estate, combining practical security with timeless elegance. Whether used as a functional outbuilding, with a workspace, accommodation, storage or simply as a striking entryway, a bespoke gatehouse sets the tone for the rest of your property.
Gazebos and Outdoor Kitchens
A beautifully designed oak-framed gazebo or outdoor kitchen creates the perfect setting for entertaining, dining, and relaxation. Unlike standard patio structures, oak gazebos offer long-lasting durability and an elegant, natural aesthetic that enhances any garden.
From open-sided seating areas to partially enclosed outdoor kitchens, these spaces can be used year-round. Popular additions include:
Built-in BBQs and pizza ovens for alfresco cooking
Covered dining areas with weather protection
Integrated lighting and heating for cosy evening gatherings
Log Houses and Sheds
Far from simple storage units, oak-framed log houses and sheds offer versatile, practical spaces that blend seamlessly with natural surroundings. They also have the same high-quality craftsmanship as larger oak-framed buildings.
With superior insulation properties and a sturdy, precision-cut frame, oak sheds and log houses ensure year-round durability and security, standing up to the British weather far better than standard timber outbuildings and protecting wood, tools, and other items you need to store.
Pool Houses and Pool Rooms
A bespoke oak-framed pool house or pool room offers both practicality and elegance, transforming your swimming area into a stunning, functional space. Designed to blend seamlessly with your garden or outdoor space, these structures provide shelter, privacy, and year-round usability, ensuring your poolside experience remains enjoyable in all seasons.
Whether you need a fully enclosed pool room with glazing for indoor swimming, a covered lounging area for shaded relaxation, or a dedicated changing and storage space, our precision-crafted oak frames guarantee durability and timeless appeal. The natural beauty of oak enhances the aesthetic of any poolside setting, creating a harmonious extension of your home or leisure space.
Multi-Level Garden Rooms
A multi-level oak-framed garden room offers endless possibilities for properties with uneven terrain â or homeowners with a desire for a truly unique design. Whether creating a split-level retreat, a terraced outdoor living space, or a raised garden pavilion, oak allows for a versatile and striking architectural statement.
Oakâs structural strength makes it ideal for building at different levels without requiring excessive support, meaning you can enjoy spacious, open-plan designs with panoramic views. Whether used as a home office, a relaxation space, or an entertainment area, these bespoke structures create one-of-a-kind living environments tailored to their surroundings.
What Sets Our Structures Apart?
Every oak-framed building from English Heritage Buildings is designed to be entirely bespoke, and crafted to fit the unique vision and needs of each client. Whether youâre looking for a grand entranceway, a tranquil garden retreat, or a functional outbuilding, our expert team ensures that every structure is precision-engineered with exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail.
As the only Q-Mark-certified oak frame manufacturer in the UK, we uphold the highest industry standards, ensuring structural integrity, durability, and timeless appeal. These designs enhance properties with enduring beauty and long-term value, becoming cherished architectural features for generations to come.
Bring Your Vision to Life Here
If youâre inspired by the possibilities of bespoke oak-framed structures, now is the time to explore whatâs possible for your property. Browse our Something Different gallery to see real-world examples of unique designs, from pool houses to boathouses, and round gazebos to multi-level garden rooms.
Whether you have a clear vision or need expert guidance, weâre here to help. Request a brochure for more inspiration or book a consultation to discuss your bespoke project with our team. Get in touch today and letâs create something extraordinary together.
When investing in a bespoke oak-framed building, many customers choose to work with their own subcontractors.
At English Heritage Buildings, we understand the importance of a seamless collaboration between all parties involved. We have over 30 years of experience in crafting premium oak frames. During this time, weâve successfully worked alongside many subcontractors to ensure that every project runs smoothly, efficiently, and to the highest standards.
Below, weâve set out a step-by-step process of how our process works when you choose to use your own subcontractors.
Step One: Initial Consultation and Design Collaboration
Our process begins with an in-depth consultation, where we take the time to understand your specific needs, preferences, and project goals. Whether you’re planning a garage, garden room, extension, or complex, this stage is all about ensuring your design is both beautiful and functional.
If you have preferred subcontractors, this is the perfect time to introduce them into the process. By doing so early on, we can ensure a cohesive plan that integrates our high-quality oak frames seamlessly with the work being carried out by your team.
Our Planning Service
At this stage, we also offer guidance and support on planning permissions and building regulations, ensuring that your subcontractors are aware of any specific compliance requirements related to the oak frame. If needed, our independent Planning Consultant can assist with feasibility studies and navigating the approval process.
Step Two: Finalising Specifications and Planning Support
Once your design has been agreed upon, our experienced design team will produce precise technical drawings and structural specifications, outlining every detail of your oak-framed building. These documents serve as a vital blueprint, ensuring that all elements, from the frameâs dimensions to load-bearing calculations, are accurately defined.
These specifications can then be shared with your subcontractors, giving them the essential information they need.
Step Three: Manufacturing and Preparing for Installation
With your design finalised and all specifications approved, weâll move into the manufacturing phase, where your bespoke oak frame is expertly crafted to the highest standards. Our process combines traditional English craftsmanship with modern precision engineering, ensuring that every frame meets our Q-Mark-certified quality standards.
The manufacturing timeline typically takes six to eight weeks, during which your subcontractors can begin preparing the site. This period is crucial for ensuring that everything is in place for a seamless installation once the frame arrives. To support this, weâll arrange the delivery or product pickup with you so your contractor can ensure everything is ready in time.
What Needs to Happen Before Delivery?
Depending on your project, your subcontractors may need to complete key groundwork and structural preparations, such as:
Foundation and Groundworks â Ensuring a stable and level base for the frame, whether itâs a concrete slab, brickwork, or other load-bearing structures.
Drainage and Services â If your project requires electrical, water, or heating installations, subcontractors should prepare any necessary connections before the frame arrives.
Step Four: Delivery and On-Site Coordination
Once your bespoke oak frame has been crafted, there are two options. You can either collect your product from our site (or have your contractor collect it), or we can arrange a date for a smooth and efficient delivery to your property. This will normally be about a week after your product frames have been manufactured and finished.
Once the materials are at your site:
Unloading the Oak Frame: Our delivery team ensures that the materials are safely offloaded, with subcontractors or site managers present to receive them. If lifting equipment is required, this should be pre-arranged based on our guidance.
Storage Considerations: If the frame is not being installed immediately, we can provide guidance on the proper storage of oak components, ensuring they remain protected from the elements.
Installation Readiness: We pack the necessary technical documents and manuals into your product kit, which can be given to your subcontractors, ensuring a structured and efficient build process.
Step Five: Assembly and Installation
Whether you choose to work with an approved contractor or your own subcontractors, our operations team provides expert guidance to ensure the frame is correctly installed to the highest standards.
Support Throughout the Build
Assembling your precision-engineered oak frame requires accuracy, and our team remains available online or over the phone to assist subcontractors throughout the installation process. Our operations department provides:
Detailed technical guidance to help subcontractors understand how the oak frame should be fitted.
Best practice recommendations to ensure structural integrity and correct jointing techniques.
Ongoing support and troubleshooting, should any questions or challenges arise on-site.
By maintaining this level of support, we ensure that your subcontractors can work with confidence, helping to prevent errors, delays, or misalignment during the build.
Our Approved Contractors vs. Independent Subcontractors
If you choose to have your frame assembled by an approved contractor, it qualifies for our comprehensive 10-year guarantee, ensuring long-term protection and peace of mind. These contractors are trained to work specifically with our oak frames, ensuring the best possible fit and finish.
Precision-Fit Installation for a Timeless Build
Our oak frames are designed with traditional mortise and tenon joints, ensuring a precise fit with minimal adjustments required. Once the main frame is in place, your subcontractors can proceed with:
Roofing and weatherproofing
Internal and external finishes
Any additional customisations
Step Six: Final Checks and Project Completion
Once assembly is complete, your subcontractors should carry out final inspections to ensure that:
The oak frame is correctly jointed and secured according to the provided technical guidance.
All load-bearing elements are properly aligned and structurally sound.
Any additional roofing, cladding, or insulation work integrates smoothly with the frame.
The wood is protected from unnecessary exposure during any further construction work.
Your Straightforward Installation
We believe that every oak-framed project should be a seamless, stress-free experience, regardless of who is involved in its construction. By choosing English Heritage Buildings, you gain a trusted partner who brings together expertise, precision craftsmanship, and clear communication, ensuring that every aspect of your build is carefully managed and executed to the highest standards.
If you’re planning an oak-framed garage, extension, garden room, or commercial structure, and want to ensure a smooth collaboration between our team and your subcontractors, get in touch today.
Embarking on a construction project on your property is an exciting process, but it can also come with questions, especially around health and safety. Our team is here to guide you through every step with care, clarity, and professionalism. Itâs crucial to understand your responsibilities and how our team can help you ensure safety throughout.
Why Health and Safety Matters â Even on Domestic Projects
Every construction project â large or small, commercial or domestic â carries risks that must be carefully managed. Clients, designers, contractors, and others working to put your building together all have duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015).
CDM 2015 at a Glance
These are UK regulations aimed at managing health, safety, and welfare during construction projects. Key aspects include:
Legal Framework: This covers the set legal requirements for ensuring health, safety, and welfare during construction work.
Dutyholders: The regulations provide defined roles including clients, designers, principal contractors, and contractors, each with specific responsibilities.
Project Notification: This means projects must be notified to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) if they exceed specified durations or workforce thresholds.
Health and Safety Coordination: The regulations emphasise planning, cooperation, coordination, and competence throughout the project.
Compliance: The regulations also warn that non-compliance can result in legal repercussions and jeopardise project completion.
These regulations apply to construction projects of all sizes and types, aiming to reduce accidents, injuries, and ill health in the construction industry.
Understanding Your Responsibilities
Responsibilities differ slightly depending on whether your construction work is domestic or commercial.
Responsibilities for Domestic Projects
If youâre having work done on your home or the home of a family member and the work isnât connected to a business, itâs considered a domestic project. This makes you a domestic client. As a domestic client, your responsibilities will be passed onto others who are carrying out the construction work on your behalf. This means theyâll normally pass to:
The contractor: If itâs a single-contractor project, they will take on your responsibilities as well as the ones they already have. Typically, this will involve little more than what they already do in relation to health and safety.
The principal contractor: This is for projects with more than one contractor. If the domestic client has not appointed a principal contractor, the clientâs duties must be carried out by the contractor in charge of the construction work.
You are not expected to understand or enforce regulations when you are a domestic client, but you should always ensure you’re hiring qualified, experienced professionals.
Principal Designers
A principal designer is an organisation or individual appointed by a client to take control of the pre-construction phase of any project that involves more than one contractor. They also have an important role in health and safety and how risks are managed throughout the project. This is because design decisions during the pre-construction phase have a significant role in ensuring the project is delivered in a way that secures health and safety on the site.
If a domestic client has appointed an architect or another designer on a project involving more than one contractor, they can ask them to manage the project and take on the client’s duties instead of the principal contractor. The designer will then take on the responsibilities of the principal designer. However, they must have a written agreement with the domestic client, confirming that they have agreed to take on the client’s duties as well.
Any designer in charge of coordinating and managing a project is assumed to be the principal designer. But, if there is no written agreement with the domestic client that confirms theyâre taking on the client’s duties, the duties automatically pass to the principal contractor.
Responsibilities for Commercial Projects
A commercial client is any individual or organisation that carries out a construction project as part of a business. If you’re commissioning a construction project in a commercial setting, your responsibilities under CDM 2015 are more clearly defined than for domestic clients.
As a commercial client, you must ensure that health and safety are considered and managed throughout the entire project.
Your legal responsibilities include:
Appointing competent professionals, including a principal designer and principal contractor.
Ensuring there is a written construction phase plan in place before work begins.
Allocating sufficient time and resources to allow the project to be carried out safely.
Communicating effectively with those involved in the design and build process.
Health and Safetyâs Advantages
A well-planned, safely managed build doesnât just protect those working on-site, it also creates a smoother, more straightforward experience for you. Fewer delays, clearer communication, and tidy, well-run working conditions all contribute to a project that stays on track, on budget, and free from unnecessary stress.
We believe that peace of mind is just as important as craftsmanship. Thatâs why our health and safety approach is designed not only to meet regulations but to make your journey from concept to completion as seamless as possible.
Our Health and Safety Planning in Practice
Planning for health and safety begins at the design stage, where we identify potential risks and tailor our approach accordingly. Every project is unique, and we take time to understand your specific needs before progressing. We also work with trusted and approved contractors who share our commitment to best practices. This ensures every element of your build is carried out by skilled professionals with safety front of mind when you choose to work with them as well as us.
All of our oak frames are precision-cut off-site at our Sussex workshop using advanced machinery. This greatly reduces on-site construction risks and minimises disruption at your property.
Our Q-Mark-certified manufacturing and regularly performed health and safety checks also mean you can rely on consistent quality and strict controls at every stage.
Are You Ready to Start Your Project?
Whether youâre dreaming of a handcrafted garden room, a bespoke oak-framed garage or a beautifully detailed extension, weâre here to bring your vision to life â safely, smoothly, and with the care it deserves. From your first conversation with us to the final piece of joinery, youâll be supported by a team that puts craftsmanship, quality, and safety first.
Get in touch today to discuss your ideas, ask any questions, and take the first step towards a truly exceptional, well-managed build.
Securing planning permission can feel like an overwhelming task for homeowners and property developers. With complex regulations, varying regional requirements, and the risk of delays, itâs easy to see why many find the process daunting. However, with the right preparation and expert guidance, it doesnât have to be stressful.
By knowing exactly whatâs required before applying, you can save valuable time, prevent setbacks, and ensure your plans align with local authority guidelines. Our team works closely with Planning Consultants and building specialists to help navigate the process, ensuring a smoother path to approval. With our support and this guide that weâve prepared, you can move forward with confidence, knowing your project is in safe hands.
Do You Need Planning Permission or Are You a Permitted Development?
Before starting any construction project, itâs crucial to determine whether you need full planning permission or if your plans fall under permitted development rights. Understanding the difference can save you time, effort, and potential legal complications down the line.
Planning Permission vs. Permitted Development: Whatâs the Difference?
Planning Permission is a formal approval from your local authority that grants permission to build, modify, or extend a property. This process involves submitting detailed plans, undergoing an assessment period (typically 8-12 weeks), and ensuring compliance with regulations that cover everything from aesthetics to environmental impact.
Permitted Development (PD) Rights allow certain types of work to be carried out without the need for full planning permission. These rights apply to specific home improvements, such as small extensions, outbuildings, or certain types of garage installations, provided they meet strict size, height, and placement criteria.
Understanding Regional Differences in the UK
Planning laws vary depending on where your property is located:
England â Permitted development rights are well-defined but can be subject to local restrictions, particularly in conservation areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), and for listed buildings.
Scotland â Planning permission is required for many types of developments that may fall under permitted development in England. Outbuildings and extensions are more strictly regulated.
Wales â Rules are similar to England but have additional environmental considerations in certain regions. National Parks and protected landscapes often have additional restrictions.
Northern Ireland â Permitted development rights are more limited, and planning permission is required for most structural changes to a property.
Knowing What Applies to Your Property
Every property is different, and local councils have their own specific guidelines. Before committing to your build:
Check your local authorityâs planning rules to confirm whether your project falls under permitted development.
Determine if your home has existing restrictions, such as listed building status, conservation area rules, or previous planning conditions.
Consult with experts, like us, who can assess your requirements and provide guidance on planning feasibility.
Your Pre-Application Checklist
Check Local Regulations
Every local authority has its own set of planning rules, which can differ based on your property’s location, type, and historical significance. Before moving forward:
Visit your local councilâs planning portal to review guidelines specific to your area.
Check if there are any Article 4 Directions in place, which can remove permitted development rights in certain areas.
Look into any special restrictions that apply if your property is within a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), or a Green Belt zone.
Understand Property Constraints
Not all properties have the same planning permissions. Some may have additional constraints that affect what you can build:
Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas â If your property is listed or in a conservation area, stricter regulations apply, and planning permission is almost always required.
Height and Boundary Restrictions â Even under permitted development, there are limits on the height and placement of structures, especially when building near property boundaries.
Existing Planning Conditions â If your home was previously extended or built with planning restrictions, further development might need full approval.
Define the Purpose of Your Build
Having a clear vision of your project helps streamline the application process. Ask yourself:
What will the space be used for â extra living space, a garden room, a garage, or an office?
Will it be a standalone structure or an extension of the main property?
Does your intended use comply with local planning regulations?
By clarifying these details, you can ensure your design aligns with planning guidelines and avoids unnecessary complications.
Research Your Neighbourhood
Looking at similar properties in your area can give you an idea of whatâs likely to be approved:
Check for Precedents â If neighbouring properties have built similar extensions, garages, or outbuildings, your project is more likely to be approved.
Consider Neighbour Impact â Will your build obstruct a view, cast shadows, or affect privacy? Addressing concerns early can help avoid objections that could delay or prevent approval.
By taking the time to research and prepare, youâll strengthen your application and improve your chances of a smooth approval process.
Preparing for Permitted Development
If your project qualifies under permitted development rights (PD), you can avoid the formal planning permission process. However, permitted development comes with strict guidelines, and failing to meet them could result in enforcement action. Before proceeding, use this checklist to ensure your structure complies with PD regulations.
Measure Your Space
Even under permitted development, size matters. Your structure must fall within the prescribed limits:
Maximum Height & Floor Area â Check your local authorityâs rules, as exceeding size limits will require full planning permission. For example:
Single-storey extensions cannot exceed 4 metres in height (3m for eaves).
Extensions must not exceed 50% of the land surrounding the original house.
Garages and outbuildings must generally be under 4 metres high with a pitched roof or 3 metres with a flat roof.
Distance from Property Boundaries â
Extensions closer than 2 metres to the boundary usually have stricter height restrictions.
Side extensions are not permitted if they increase the original houseâs width by more than half.
If your planned structure exceeds these limits, you may need to apply for full planning permission.
Assess Use Restrictions
Not all structures qualify for permitted development, especially if they significantly alter the look or function of the main home. Before starting work, consider:
Residential vs. Commercial Use â If the new space will be used for business purposes, different regulations may apply.
Changes to the Homeâs Appearance â Front-facing extensions, major structural changes, and large glazed areas may require approval, especially in conservation areas.
If youâre unsure whether your design meets the requirements, consult with an expert before proceeding.
Check Material Compliance
In some areas, permitted development requires that any new structure blends seamlessly with the existing property:
Materials such as oak framing, timber cladding, brickwork, and roofing may need to match the main house.
Some councils have specific guidelines for properties in protected areas, heritage sites, or conservation zones.
At English Heritage Buildings, our bespoke oak-framed designs naturally complement traditional homes and can be tailored to meet these compliance requirements.
Confirm Exemptions
Not all properties have permitted development rights. Before assuming your project qualifies, check for exemptions that might require planning permission:
New Build Homes â Many modern developments have restricted PD rights, meaning all changes require approval.
Flats and Maisonettes â These do not benefit from permitted development; any alterations need planning permission.
Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas â Additional controls apply, and even minor changes may require full approval.
Your Planning Permission Application Checklist
If your project doesnât fall under permitted development rights, youâll need to apply for full planning permission before starting construction. While the process can seem complex, careful preparation can make it smoother and increase the likelihood of approval.
Use this checklist to ensure you have everything in place before submitting your application.
Gather Essential Documents
A successful application begins with the right paperwork. Your local authority will require:
Site Plans and Technical Drawings â Detailed, scaled plans showing the existing and proposed layout of your property.
A Design and Access Statement (if required) â Some applications need a document outlining the purpose of the development, its impact on the surrounding area, and how it meets local planning guidelines.
Supporting Documentation â Depending on the project, you may need additional reports, such as a heritage impact assessment if your home is in a conservation area.
Engage with a Planning Consultant
Navigating planning regulations can be challenging, especially for bespoke structures. A planning consultant can:
Ensure that your design meets all local planning requirements, reducing the risk of rejection.
Identify potential issues early and advise on changes to improve approval chances.
Help liaise with your local authority to speed up the process.
Factor in Environmental Considerations
Your local authority will assess the environmental impact of your proposed build. Be prepared to provide information on:
Drainage and Water Runoff â If your project affects ground conditions, you may need a drainage strategy.
Tree Preservation and Landscaping â If trees need to be removed or if your development is near protected trees, an arboricultural survey may be required.
Wildlife Protection â Some sites may require ecological surveys, especially if bats, newts, or other protected species could be affected.
Prepare for Potential Revisions
Even well-prepared applications may require adjustments before approval. Common changes requested by planning officers include:
Reducing the height or footprint of the structure.
Adjusting the external materials to better match the surroundings.
Modifying window placements to prevent overlooking neighbouring properties.
Being flexible and responsive to feedback can help secure approval faster.
Understand Timelines
Once submitted, most planning applications take 8-12 weeks to process. The timeline typically includes:
Validation Period (1-2 weeks) â Your application is checked to ensure all documents are in place.
Public Consultation (3-4 weeks) â Neighbours and local stakeholders may be invited to comment.
Decision Period (5-6 weeks) â The planning authority reviews the proposal and issues a decision.
If your application is rejected, you may appeal the decision or submit a revised application addressing the concerns raised.
How English Heritage Buildings Can Help
Navigating planning permission and permitted development regulations can be challenging, but English Heritage Buildings is here to make the process easier. With over 30 years of experience in designing and manufacturing bespoke oak-framed structures, we offer expert guidance and planning services to ensure your project moves forward smoothly.
Hereâs how we can support you:
Expert Planning Support
Understanding the complexities of planning regulations can be overwhelming, but you donât have to go through it alone. We work with approved Planning Consultants who can:
Assess the feasibility of your project before you submit an application.
Identify potential obstacles and suggest solutions to improve approval chances.
Guide you through permitted development regulations and ensure your project aligns with local authority requirements.
By partnering with professionals who understand the nuances of planning applications, we help streamline the process and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Tailored Design Assistance
Every project is unique, and we believe your structure should be a perfect fit for your property and your needs. Our design team works closely with you to:
Create bespoke oak-framed structures that balance functionality, aesthetics, and planning compliance.
Ensure that your design adheres to local planning regulations, avoiding costly revisions or rejections.
Adapt existing designs or craft something from scratch to bring your vision to life while meeting regulatory standards.
Whether youâre building a garage, garden room, extension, or outbuilding, our expertise ensures a smooth journey from design to construction.
Trusted Documentation for Planning Applications
One of the most common reasons for planning delays is incorrect or incomplete documentation. To avoid this, we provide professionally prepared site plans and technical drawings that:
Meet industry standards and planning authority requirements.
Clearly outline your proposed development, helping to speed up approvals.
Provide the necessary details for permitted development or full planning applications.
Having accurate and professional documentation is essential to a hassle-free approval process, and we ensure you have everything you need from the start.
A Proven Track Record of Success
With over three decades of experience, English Heritage Buildings has successfully delivered thousands of oak-framed structures across the UK. Our expertise in working with planning authorities means we understand what is required to secure approvals, giving you the confidence that your project is in safe hands.
Our approved Planning Consultants have a 95% success rate on first-time applications.
Take the Next Step with Our Planning Services
With our expert planning support, bespoke design services, and industry-leading technical documentation, we can ensure your project will move forward as smoothly as possible. Our team has helped thousands of homeowners and developers bring their vision to life while meeting planning requirements across the UK.
If youâre ready to start your project with confidence, get in touch with us today. Our specialists are available to discuss your requirements, answer your questions, and guide you through the process from start to finish.
A double garage has the potential to be so much more than just a place to park cars. It can be transformed into a versatile space that enhances your lifestyle, provides valuable extra storage, or even creates an idyllic retreat within your property.
Here, weâll show you some of the most popular, exciting, and innovative ways to turn a two-bay garage into a real asset for your home.
For many, a double garage is the perfect storage solution, keeping vehicles safe while providing extra space for tools, seasonal decorations, sports equipment, and household overflow. But with thoughtful planning and a bespoke oak-framed design, a double garage can be turned into an organised, efficient, and visually appealing space that enhances daily life.
Smart Ways to Maximise Space
Wall-Mounted Shelving & Cabinets â Free up floor space with sturdy, built-in shelves designed to hold everything from tools to storage boxes.
Ceiling Racks â Store bulky items like holiday decorations, camping gear, or rarely used equipment in overhead racks, keeping them out of the way but within reach.
Integrated Workbenches and Tool Stations â For DIY enthusiasts, adding a bespoke workbench with organised storage for tools creates a functional workspace without compromising on garage space.
Hidden Storage Compartments â Cleverly designed cupboards or partitioned sections can keep clutter out of sight, maintaining a clean, stylish aesthetic.
The Ultimate Man Cave
For those seeking a personal sanctuary away from the main house, a double garage man cave is a great choice.
Creating the Ideal Ambience
Home Bar and Lounge Area â A custom-built bar with oak countertops, glass shelving, and soft lighting can create the perfect pub-style atmosphere at home. Add a seating area with plush leather chairs or a vintage sofa for a timeless, cosy look.
Cinema and Media Room â Install a projector or large-screen TV, paired with built-in surround sound for a private home cinema experience. Acoustic insulation can enhance sound quality and ensure minimal disturbance to the rest of the home.
Gaming and Pool Table Setup â No matter if itâs going to have classic arcade machines, a pool table, or a poker area, a man cave is the perfect space for personal hobbies and entertainment. Oak-framed structures offer ample space and durability for large furniture and gaming setups.
Lighting and Comfort Features
To truly set the mood, custom lighting can transform the space:
Dimmable LED spotlights create the ideal ambience.
Neon and feature lighting for a stylish bar or gaming area.
Hidden lighting built into shelving or ceiling beams can add a sleek, modern touch.
For year-round comfort, insulation and heating solutions ensure the space remains cosy in winter and cool in summer.
Personalised Touches
A man cave should reflect its ownerâs unique style and passions. Personalised decor, framed memorabilia, or bespoke wooden cabinets can elevate the space while maintaining a refined, classic aesthetic.
Fitness on Your Doorstep with a Home Gym
A double garage gym provides a fantastic space for dedicated workouts, meaning no travel, no waiting for equipment, and complete privacy. Whether it’s for weightlifting, cardio, yoga, or high-intensity training, a bespoke oak-framed double garage gym from English Heritage Buildings offers a premium workout environment that blends seamlessly with your home.
Designing a Functional Gym Space
Creating the ideal home gym requires more than just placing equipment in a garage. It should be ergonomic, well-ventilated, and built for performance. Consider these design elements:
Reinforced Flooring â Heavy gym equipment requires durable flooring. Rubber mats, engineered wood, or padded flooring can provide support and prevent damage.
Ventilation and Climate Control â Proper airflow is essential for comfort during workouts. Large oak-framed windows, ventilation systems, or air conditioning units can help regulate temperature.
Wall-Mounted Storage and Smart Organisation â Keeping equipment organised is key. Wall-mounted racks, built-in storage units, and hooks for resistance bands and towels can maximise space and maintain a clean, professional look.
Welcoming Granny Annexes and Guest Suites
Those looking to maximise living space without compromising on vehicle storage might want to consider a two-bay garage with an upper floor. This is an especially elegant and practical solution if youâve been looking into the possibility of a âgranny flatâ double garage conversion.
Aeging relatives, long-term guests, or even private renters can all feel quite comfortable if you turn your double garage into a self-contained living area.
Making A Home Within a Home
A double garage conversion has to be carefully designed to function as an independent living space. Key features that make a granny annexe or guest suite comfortable and practical include:
Plumbing for a Kitchen and Bathroom â A thoughtfully designed kitchenette and en-suite bathroom make the space fully self-sufficient. High-quality oak beams and traditional joinery add warmth and charm.
Lofted Sleeping Areas or Open-Plan Layouts â Depending on ceiling height, a lofted sleeping area can free up valuable floor space. Alternatively, an open-plan studio design ensures maximum comfort and ease of movement.
Insulation for Year-Round Comfort â Unlike makeshift conversions, an oak-framed double garage should be fully insulated, making it a cosy and energy-efficient living space throughout the year.
Productive and Stylish Home Offices
With remote work and flexible lifestyles becoming the norm, double garage home office ideas have surged in popularity. A bespoke oak-framed double garage is an excellent setting for a professional, distraction-free workspace â one that is both practical and visually inspiring.
Setting Up a High-Performance Space
A double garage office conversion allows for a spacious, well-lit environment thatâs designed for focus and productivity, away from the distractions of the main house. Key to this is:
Custom Oak-Framed Designs â The warmth of exposed oak beams creates a calm, refined aesthetic, perfect for professionals looking for a sophisticated workspace.
Abundant Natural Light â Large bespoke windows and skylights can flood the room with daylight, boosting productivity and reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Soundproofing for Concentration â High-quality insulation ensures the interior remains quiet and comfortable, making it ideal for virtual meetings, focused work, or creative thinking.
Integrated Storage Solutions â Built-in shelving, filing cabinets, and bookcases can be seamlessly incorporated into the oak-framed structure, keeping the workspace tidy and organised.
The Perfect Reading Room
For book lovers, transforming a double garage into a reading room creates a peaceful escape away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Think of adding these features to make it truly luxurious:
Floor-to-Ceiling Oak Bookcases â A custom-built oak library wall provides ample space for a personal book collection while adding a sense of grandeur to the room.
Cosy Seating and Ambient Lighting â A classic armchair by a large window, paired with warm wall sconces or soft pendant lighting, makes a fantastic reading nook.
A Quiet, Insulated Space â The solid oak frame and high-quality insulation ensure peace and quiet, making it easy to get lost in a novel or focus on research.
A Versatile Creative Space
A double garage studio is a tranquil environment for working on creative projects, whether thatâs painting, sculpture, or professional photography. With a bespoke oak-framed double garage, you can also design it to be a controlled environment that enhances the quality of your work.
Kitting Out an Art Studio
For a well-designed art studio, youâll need:
Natural Light and Large Windows â North-facing windows or skylights ensure a consistent, soft light, perfect for painting or detailed work.
Custom Storage and Workbenches â Built-in oak shelving, drawers, and work surfaces keep art supplies organised and within reach.
Temperature and Ventilation Control â Proper airflow in the garage interior is crucial, especially for artists working with paints, resins, or clay. Windows, extractor fans, and insulated walls help maintain the ideal climate.
Flexible Layouts and Multi-Use Space â Whether you need wall-mounted drying racks, large-scale easels, or dedicated sculpture zones, a bespoke studio can be designed around your specific needs.
Designing a Studio for Photography
Essential features to plan into your home photography studio include:
Blackout Curtains or Adjustable Light Control â Controlling natural light is crucial for studio photography. Blackout blinds, retractable curtains, or soft diffusion panels can create the perfect lighting conditions.
Built-In Lighting Setup â Installing ceiling-mounted softboxes, track lighting, or LED panels ensures professional-quality illumination for shoots.
Backdrop Systems and Storage â A dedicated area for backdrops, green screens, and props keeps the space versatile and well-organised.
Climate Control for Equipment Protection â Cameras and lenses are sensitive to humidity and temperature changes. A well-insulated oak-framed garage studio helps maintain a stable indoor climate.
Bring Your Garage Vision to Life
Whether youâre looking for practical storage solutions, a luxury granny annexe, a stylish home office, or a dedicated creative studio, a bespoke oak-framed double garage provides the perfect foundation for your vision.
Now is the time to turn your ideas into reality. Whether you have a clear vision in mind or need expert guidance on your double garage design ideas, our team is ready to help you create a bespoke, high-quality oak-framed solution that complements your home and enhances the way you live.
Contact English Heritage Buildings today to discuss your project and discover how we can craft a truly exceptional double garage that reflects your style, needs, and aspirations.
Practical, versatile, and stylish, itâs easy to understand why wooden garden rooms have become immensely popular in the UK over the last few years. These stunning buildings for outdoor spaces have proved they can be used for almost anything, from home offices and living areas to workshops, art studios, and more.
But, if you want to get year-round use from your own garden room, you have to do some work to maintain it. This includes during the summer, when you might feel like it doesnât need touching. As experts in the creation of precision-crafted oak frame garden rooms, we know exactly what needs to be done to keep one in its best condition. Explore our beginnersâ guide to maintaining every part of your garden room this summer below, or start browsing our selection of ready-made designs.
A clean and well-maintained exterior is crucial for the longevity and appeal of your garden room. You should start by inspecting it for any signs of damage, such as cracks, rot, or pest infestations. Addressing these issues promptly can prevent further deterioration.
Make sure youâre using appropriate methods and products for each surface when cleaning. This includes the roof, walls, windows, and doors. Regular cleaning not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also ensures proper functionality by keeping dirt at bay. If your design has gutters, you should ensure these are emptied of leaves and other debris as well to prevent flooding later.
Inspecting and Cleaning the Interior
Cleaning and maintaining the interior of your garden room is equally important for a comfortable and enjoyable space. You should start by dusting and vacuuming regularly to remove any dirt or debris. Pay attention to areas that often accumulate dust, such as corners, shelves, and furniture. Wipe down surfaces, including windows, countertops, and furniture, using the appropriate cleaning products.
For wooden surfaces, you might consider using a gentle wood cleaner to help maintain their natural beauty. It will also ensure they continue to complement the timeless appeal of your timber exterior. Additionally, check for any signs of moisture or humidity and take steps to address them promptly to prevent mould or mildew from forming.
Insulated Garden Rooms
Having a fully insulated garden room can help prevent the growth of mould or mildew. Insulation plays a crucial role in regulating temperature and moisture levels inside a space. It creates a more stable and controlled environment, minimising condensation and excess moisture.
When you decide to build your garden room with us, having it insulated to make it weather-resistant is part of the standard design. This will help your space to remain long-lasting and wonât detract from the traditional appeal youâre aiming for.
Insulation also helps to improve ventilation and airflow, allowing for better air circulation and reducing the chances of dampness. Weâll talk about this more in the section below.
Maintaining Ventilation and Airflow
Proper ventilation is crucial for maintaining a comfortable environment and preventing overheating in your garden room. Good airflow helps to regulate temperature and reduce humidity levels. Consider the different ventilation options youâve got available, such as windows, vents, or fans, to maximise air circulation. This is especially important in the height of summer, when youâre likely to be using your garden room and want to keep cool.
Opening windows strategically can create cross ventilation, allowing fresh air to flow through the space. You can also open windows and doors on opposite sides of your room to encourage a refreshing breeze to pass through.
Managing Sunlight and Shade
Controlling sunlight in your garden room is essential. Excessive sun can cause discomfort and fade your furniture.
To manage sunlight effectively, consider installing blinds, curtains, or shades that allow you to control the amount of sunlight entering the space. These window treatments not only provide privacy, but also help regulate the temperature, protect you and your loved ones from becoming burned, and mean your furniture wonât be exposed to harmful UV rays.
Additionally, external shading solutions like awnings or pergolas can be utilised to minimise direct sunlight exposure. This creates a comfortable, shaded area outside your garden room as well.
Preserving the Wood and Finishes
Regular maintenance is crucial for preserving the condition of your wooden garden room in the face of weathering and deterioration. To keep your surfaces top-quality, clean them regularly using gentle cleaning solutions and a soft brush or cloth. You can also apply protective coatings or stains to create a barrier that prevents sun damage and moisture absorption.
All English Heritage Buildings garden rooms come pre-treated for your convenience. As such, you shouldnât have to worry about this step too much for a long time to come if youâve decided on a beautiful bespoke garden room from us.Â
Landscaping
The surrounding landscape plays a significant role in the maintenance and appearance of your garden room. Regular landscaping tasks are essential to ensure its longevity and aesthetic appeal. Trim trees and shrubs to prevent overgrowth and potential damage to your structure. You can also clear debris, such as fallen leaves or branches, to maintain a clean environment.
Proper drainage is crucial if you want to prevent water pooling, which can lead to moisture-related issues. When selecting plants, choose those that complement the garden room’s style but also require minimal maintenance, such as drought-tolerant varieties. By maintaining the surrounding landscape, you can enhance the beauty of your garden room as a whole.
Preserving the Charm of Your Wooden Garden Room
Ensuring the longevity and appeal of your wooden garden room is straightforward with these key strategies.
Regular inspection and cleaning of the exterior, coupled with prompt attention to any damages, is crucial. Ensuring good ventilation aids in maintaining a pleasant atmosphere while proper sunlight and shade management helps control indoor temperature and safeguard your furnishings. And with regular upkeep of the wood and finishes, and attention to the surrounding landscape, youâll not only enhance your garden roomâs overall appeal but also avert potential issues.
With these proactive measures, your garden room remains an inviting outdoor haven for relaxation and leisure.
Upgrade Your Garden Room With Our Specialist Services
If you donât already have a garden room to enjoy and maintain, we have a wide variety of high-quality designs already for sale. English Heritage Buildings is committed to providing master craftsmanship through premium-grade, sustainable materials by building you a bespoke room to meet your needs and specifications.
For a garden office, garden studio, garden gym, or any other ideas you have in mind, our large and small garden rooms can be tailored to suit you. Contact us for a quote or to start placing an order for your new, easily maintained outdoor living space today.
Traditional oak framing has been a popular building system for centuries because of the many benefits associated with using green oak. The most prominent benefit is that green oak is often freshly cut, and still contains a high level of moisture. This makes it easier to work with and shape into the desired frame for a range of building types, including garages, home leisure buildings, or even full houses.
Here are more surprising benefits of using green oak for traditional framing work:
Demonstrated durability and strength: Traditional oak framing using green oak has a proven track record of durability and strength. There are many examples of oak-framed buildings that have lasted for centuries, withstanding harsh weather conditions and natural disasters like earthquakes.
A proven building system: The use of green oak in traditional framing is an age-old building system. The frame is designed to withstand the natural shrinking and settling that occurs as the wood dries out, making it an ideal choice for a long-lasting, sturdy construction.
Tighter joints: Green oak frames are constructed with joints designed to tighten and become stronger over time as the wood dries out. This natural process ensures a tight and secure frame that is less prone to movement over time.
Eco-friendly: Green oak is an eco-friendly choice, utilising a renewable resource that requires minimal processing.
Green Oak vs. Kiln and Air-Dried Oak
Air-dried or kiln-dried oak may be easier to work with initially, but neither of these offers the same benefits as green oak. Drying oak in a kiln speeds up the drying process and can result in a weaker and less durable frame. Air-dried oak, on the other hand, may take longer to dry but can still lack the benefits of green oak in terms of tight joints and proven durability.
So, traditional oak framing using green oak is a proven building system that offers durability, strength, and tighter joints. Its long history of demonstrated durability makes it an eminently reliable choice for a sustainable and long-lasting building.
Drying Oak
Drying oak beams of structural size involves removing moisture from the wood to reduce its weight. This, in turn, prevents warping or cracking and increases overall strength. The correct length of time for drying oak beams depends on the cross-section size, initial moisture content, and drying conditions.
In general, air drying is the most common method for drying oak beams. The beams are stacked with spacers between them to allow air circulation and are left in a dry, well-ventilated area where they will be protected from direct sunlight and rain.
To give an example of this, oak beams with a cross-section size of 8×8 inches can take about 1 year per inch of thickness to air-dry properly. So, a 10-inch thick beam would take about 10 years to dry completely. However, if the initial moisture content is high, the drying time may increase.
Here are a few examples of different oak beam cross-sections and their estimated air-drying times in the right conditions:
6×6 inches: about 6-8 months per inch of thickness
10×10 inches: about 1-2 years per inch of thickness
12×12 inches: about 2-3 years per inch of thickness
It is important to note that these are only rough guidelines, and the actual drying time may vary depending on the specific conditions and characteristics of the wood. To ensure that the oak beams are properly dried, use a moisture meter to monitor the moisture content and adjust the drying time accordingly.
It is also important to note that not every oak frame manufacturer will be air drying their oak correctly, or for the right length of time. Some may not be allowing sufficient time for the timber to dry fully, or may even be using substandard timber that has not been properly prepared for air drying.
Oak Timber Grades
When considering purchasing an oak frame building, it’s important to understand the different grades of oak available. Structural engineers specify the oak grade based on factors like wind loadings, orientation, and elevation, to ensure that the oak frame meets the necessary strength requirements.
At English Heritage Buildings, our oak frames are made using a higher grade than the general industry standard, and we have fully-qualified timber graders who ensure that the oak we use meets the structural engineer’s specifications.
There are different grades of oak available, such as QPA and QP1. These grades belong to the appearance class EN957-1, which is used by structural engineers to specify the strength class of the oak. These strength classes are further defined in EN 338.
When ordering from Europe, QP1 constitutes sawn timber with:
Practically sharp arrises
Fully or partially intergrown sound knots, permitted if the diameter is less than half the face width
Two dead knots, permitted per linear metre if less than one-quarter face width
QPA is sawn timber with:
Sharp arrises
Sound sapwood, permitted on two arrises if the total width is less than 15% of the face width
Fully or partially intergrown sound knots, permitted if the diameter is less than one-third of the face width
Dead knots, permitted where equivalent to two dead knots with a diameter less than 15mm per linear metre
English Heritage Buildingsâ Requirements
We follow strict oak quality requirements when purchasing fresh green oak beams, including:
Sawn timber with sharp edges
Tolerance of small quantities of sound sapwood on two edges maximum
Sound knots are accepted if the diameter is below 50% of the total width
Grain angle not exceeding 1 in 4
Our regulated packing requirements include identifying packs by customer name and order number, and allocating an identifying colour to each supplier, which needs to be placed at the end of each beam.
In essence, we pride ourselves on employing a superior grade of oak that surpasses the prevailing industry standard. Our team of highly skilled timber graders only select oak that precisely adheres to the specifications set by structural engineers. It is crucial to comprehend the wide array of oak grades accessible and the various factors that dictate the imperative choice of grade required for your unique construction project.
Now that you are the proud owner of an English Heritage Buildings oak frame structure, there are a few things you will need to consider. These considerations are important for maintaining the natural beauty of your timber building.
As your frame seasons, it will gradually lose its moisture. This will result in visual changes to your frame, and the process is particularly apparent in the first few years.
Treatment of internal oak timbers can help to limit excessive movement and cracking. Internal oak timbers can be treated with a variety of products or left untreated as you wish. External oak timbers, meanwhile, can be left to weather to a silver-grey colour.
Exposure to the elements may cause oak to bleed onto the brickwork and stones. This can leave rust-like stains, but these stains will fade in time and, if desired, can be cleaned with a suitable brickwork cleaner.
Weatherboard
The general maintenance of your weatherboard will depend on local climate conditions and the type of weatherboard that has been supplied for your frame. You should always refer to the manufacturerâs application recommendations. Follow their guidelines accordingly.
You should only need to maintain the weatherboard every 5-8 years under normal exposure conditions. However, in highly exposed locations, you can expect a need for more frequent maintenance.
Softwood Weatherboard
Your softwood weatherboard comes treated with XILIX GOLD 760 wood preservative. This water-based treatment is an effective insecticide product, working well against the wood-borer larvae of various beetle species.
Stain as soon as possible with the colour of your choice to stop water penetration and give an even colouring. If left unstained, the timber will weather unevenly and turn a patchy grey colour in appearance. Untreated boarding will also absorb moisture, leaving the inside face of the weatherboard damp during long periods of inclement weather.
Fire-Retardant Softwood Weatherboard
Your Fire-Retardant Softwood Weatherboard comes treated with SENTRIN FRX fire-retardant chemical, necessary to meet the testing requirements of BS EN13501-01:2007 fire classification of construction products and building elements.
No further treatment is needed. If you wish to decorate, please check that the product you are planning to use is compatible for use with SENTRIN FRX Exterior. Using a non-compatible product may affect the fire-retardant properties of the weatherboarding.
Oak Weatherboard
Due to its natural properties, oak weatherboard is prone to shrinking and splitting. Unfortunately, there is no treatment that can prevent this. You may also notice a small amount of mildew forming on the faces of the board.
Oak weatherboard provides the perfect conditions for mildew spores to develop due to the moisture content, which can be more apparent during the warmer months. This is a normal feature of oak weatherboard and will disappear over time, as the oak weathers, to an attractive silver-grey.
Joinery
The joinery leaves the factory having been base-coated. The base coat will protect the joinery while it is being handled prior to installation.
An important note: The base coat is not a sufficient finish. You must apply a topcoat as soon as possible.
You will need to apply your chosen topcoat to your joinery units as soon as the installation has been completed. Ensure all the edges and faces of your units are treated, paying particularly close attention to the tops and bottoms.
You should also note that once you have chosen a product to decorate your joinery, it is essential that you follow the application guidelines. Any additional coats of treatment are the customerâs responsibility.
Be aware that leaving joinery untreated may lead to cracking, splitting, or movement in the timber. English Heritage Buildings cannot be held responsible for this.
All joinery should be treated as soon as possible on both sides, top, bottom and both edges. This will prevent water stains and prevent water from being absorbed into the timber, thereby reducing the risk of problems with doors and windows and helping with maintenance and cleaning.
Prolonging the Life of Your Joinery
In order to extend the life of your joinery, you can:
Inspect the windows annually
Repair any small patches of coating damage promptly
Redecorate when the lower parts of the joinery show general signs of wear
Wash it with a solution of warm water and liquid detergent
Keep moving parts i.e., hinges, locks, handles, etc., free of grit, dirt, or mortar. Clean them regularly and apply white lithium grease for hinges and a Teflon-based dry lubricant for locks.
Do not paint over rubber gaskets or ironmongery
Gutters and Downpipes
Cleaning your gutters and downpipes regularly can increase their life expectancy, so make sure that you take the time to properly inspect and clear them.
If there are no signs of structural damage, then a thorough cleaning should be all that is required. Cleaning your gutters twice yearly, at the end of Spring, and again at the end of Autumn, will suffice.
Here are some tips on what to look out for and what to do when inspecting your gutters during the year:
Blocked downpipes and leaky joints during heavy rain
Making sure gullies at ground level are kept clean
Making sure vegetation is kept away from downpipes (this can be achieved by cutting it back or removing it)
Fitting bird or leaf guards to soil pipes and rainwater outlets to help prevent blockages
If your gutters are sloping the wrong way or discharging onto the wall, have them repaired
How to Clear Your Gutters
You will need to begin by cleaning any debris off your roof, using a rake or yard brush.
Using gloved hands or a small garden trowel, clear the gutters of any debris.
Flush any of the finer bits of debris down towards the downpipe using a garden hose. Ensure that water is flowing properly down the spout* when you do this.
*If you have a downpipe that is connected directly to underground drains DO NOT flush a blockage with the hosepipe.
Clearing a Blockage in Your Gutters
To clear a blockage in a downpipe you will need to take it apart, dislodge the blockage, and connect it back together.
Using a screwdriver, gently tap the downpipe where there are no blockages. You should hear a hollow sound in return. Once you have located your blockage, use a screwdriver to unscrew the downpipe clips and brackets from the wall and dismantle as much of the downpipe as necessary. Clear the pipe of the blockage and reassemble.
Remember to apply a silicone lubricant to the seals of the pieces you dismantled.
You can learn more about softwood carcassing timber and how it is graded by our professional timber grading team here.
Softwood Carcassing Service Life
All our softwood carcassing is supplied to C24 grade and is impregnated with Vacsol Aqua preservative using a double vacuum pressure process. This treatment gives a service life of 60 years. As with all timber treatments, if you cut and machine rafters after treatment has been done, then this affects the service life of the treatment.
We make sure that the service life is maintained by using the correct end grain treatment on all cuts before it leaves our factory. This ensures that your building has maximum protection.
What is Carcassing Timber?
Carcassing timber is softwood that has been kiln-dried and then graded according to its strength quality of C16 or C24, before being identified with the relevant grading mark.
Carcassing timber is often used for structural applications, such as floor joists, rafters and studwork.
How is Timber Graded?
The grades for carcassing timber, including C16 and C24, are set out by the British Standards Institution in the BS5258 compendium of codes. When grading the timber against these guidelines, various measurements are considered in order to assess the strength of the wood.
Factors taken into account include:
Knots
Splits along the grain
The slope of the grain
Woodworm holes
What is C16 and C24 Timber?
C16 and C24 are two of the most commonly used grades of timber. The C stands for conifer, the type of tree that the timber comes from, while the 16 and 24 refer to the strength grade.
Both grades are used in a variety of structural applications, including:
Rafters
Floor joists
Studwork for partition walls
Formwork
Shuttering
More beyond this
The different grades are suited to different loads.
What is C16 Timber?
C16 timber is one of the most popular types of timber in the UK and is utilised in a wide range of applications. These will typically be internal projects such as walls, floor, and roof joists. As well as offering strength, compression and density (qualities that are widely sought after in the construction industry), C16 timber is also usually very cost-effective.
The reason that C16 timber is more cost-effective than other grades of timber is that it can have some defects. These include grain deviations, which can impact the strength of the timber, as well as cosmetic marks such as sap stains and uneven surfaces.
What is C24 Timber?
C24 timber is one of the highest quality types of timber available.
Similar to C16 timber, it is also kiln-dried to reduce the moisture content, it typically has fewer defects, in terms of both characteristics and appearance. This makes it stronger and more resilient. It also looks better, making it a popular choice for applications that are going to be visible.
Due to its quality, the cost of C24 timber is usually higher than C16 timber.
Whatâs the Difference Between C16 and C24 Timber?
There are several differences between C16 and C24 timber:
Quality
Although both C16 and C24 are strong, durable, and used widely throughout the construction industry, C24 timber offers premium quality.
Appearance
C16 timber can have some defects that impact the overall appearance. C24 graded timber, on the other hand, has fewer visible defects and a more uniform appearance. This makes it the preferred choice for projects where the timber will be visible within.
Strength
Both C16 and C24 timbers are strong enough to handle the demands of construction applications. However, C24 timber is the stronger of the two, meaning it tends to be the material of choice for larger projects or those where strength is essential.
Cost
If youâre working to a budget, C16 timber is typically more cost-effective because it is usually produced in the UK. C24 grade, on the other hand, can only be achieved by importing the timber from areas where the climate forces a slower growth rate. This increases the cost. Â
Treatment to Our Softwood Weatherboard
All our softwood weatherboard is treated with Axil 3000P, which is a water-based wood preservative.
We pride ourselves on the quality of our products, and the quality control used to ensure a consistently strong, durable, and truly aesthetically pleasing structure begins with the oak we use.
Our team of experienced carpenters and timber graders will thoroughly inspect and grade all timber that arrives in our workshops before any of it is used in our manufacturing process. This process will involve ensuring the wood we are using meets a series of standards we expect of fresh green oak beams.
Fresh Green Oak Beams Standards
The following requirements must be met, plus any additional ones specified on our purchase order and/or timber list:
Sawn timber with sharp edges.
Tolerance of small quantities of sound sapwood on two edges maximum, covering less than 30% of the width of the faces and edges.
Sound knots are accepted if the diameter is below 50% of the total width for timber cross-section size >20000mm2 or 25% of the total width for timber cross-section size < 20000mm2 (reduced to 20% for all timber cross-section sizes if D40 grade specified on the purchase order and/or timber list). Knots accumulative if longitudinal separation is less than twice the width or 300mm (whichever is the lesser) or when the grain has not fully recovered.
Grain angle not exceeding 1 in 4 for timber cross-section size > 20000mm2 or 1 in 10 for timber cross-section size < 20000mm2 (amended to 1 in 12 for all timber cross-section sizes if D40 grade specified on the purchase order and/or timber list).
Heart splits & frost is accepted on ends if they are beyond the ordered length.
When constructing timber and oak framed buildings, English Heritage Buildings adheres to a strict multi-point system that ensures a precise manufacture, a high-quality finish, and a clean and consistent result every time. As part of this, we also ensure that our team continues to follow a series of normative documents that allow this to happen.
These are the rules, regulations, and standards by which our products are kept too and all oak-framed buildings should be manufactured too:
BS EN 1995-1 Eurocode 5 – Design of timber structures.
BS 5268 – 2 Code of Practice for permissible stress design, materials and workmanship.
BS EN ISO17025 General Requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
BS EN 1990 Eurocode 0 – Basis of structural design.
BS EN 45011 General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems.
BS EN 45012 General requirements for bodies operating assessment and certification/registration of quality systems.
ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems. Requirements.
ETAG 007 European Technical Approval Guideline 007 âTimber Frame Building Kits.
BS EN 13986 Wood-based panels for use in constructionâCharacteristics, evaluation of conformity and marking.
ISO Guide 65 General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems.
ISO Guide 62 General requirements for bodies operating assessment and certification/registration of quality systems.
BS 5756 Visual strength grading of hardwood. Specification.
BS EN 6399-1 Loading for Buildings. Code of practice for dead and imposed loads.
BS EN 6399-2 Loading for Buildings. Code of practice for wind loads.
BS EN 6399-3 Loading for Buildings. Code of practice for imposed roof loads.
BS EN 120 Wood-based panels. Determination of formaldehyde content.
Extraction method called the perforator method.
BS EN ISO140-7 Acoustics. Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of
building elements. Part 7 Field measurements of impact sound insulation of floors.
BS EN ISO 6946 Building components and building elements. Thermal resistance and
thermal transmittance. Calculation method.
BS EN 14081-1 Timber structures â Strength graded structural timber with rectangular cross section â Part 1: General requirements.
BS EN 338 Structural timber â Strength classes.
PD 6693-1 UK Non-Contradictory Complementary Information to Eurocode 5:
Design of timber structures Part 1: General â Common rules and rules for buildings.
BS EN 1912 Structural timber â Strength classes â Assignment of visual grades and species.
English Heritage Buildings follows a strict multi-point system to ensure the precise manufacture, high-quality finish, and consistent results of their timber and oak framed buildings. To ensure their products meet customer expectations, the company adheres to a series of normative documents, including codes of practice, regulations, and standards. These documents include BS EN 1995-1 Eurocode 5, BS EN ISO17025, ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems, BS EN 13986, and others that provide guidelines for product certification, quality systems, loading for buildings, and acoustic and thermal insulation measurements. By following these normative documents, English Heritage Buildings maintains the quality of their products and services.
Undertaking a garage conversion can be an enjoyable and very cost-effective solution for creating more room for your cars or building a new office, study or storage area.
Undertaking a garage conversion can be an enjoyable and very cost-effective solution for creating more room for your cars or building a new office, study or storage area.
A garden room is a wonderful way to utilise your outdoor space and add value to your home. When planning a garden room, your budget should be a major consideration during the initial planning stages. Our bespoke range of oak framed garden rooms will vary in price depending on size and specifications. We also build bespoke garden rooms for customers, offering upfront quotes based on their designs. Any build from our range of new garden rooms will cost somewhere between ÂŁ5,000 and ÂŁ30,000.
For a more accurate evaluation of your project, we recommend getting in touch. Our team will be happy to calculate an expected price so that you can move on to the next stages of the process.
When you choose a timber-framed garden room from English Heritage Buildings, we ensure that you are getting the best value for your money. Included in the cost of your garden room is:
A durable, moisture-resistant garden room built for easy maintenance
A 10-year guarantee and refundable deposit if planning permission is not obtained
Full installation by third-party contractors
Complete customisability to better suit the architectural features of your home
A highly respected BM TRADA Q-Mark certification on all buildings
Nationwide delivery
An Ethically Sourced and Eco-Friendly Garden Room
It is important to be environmentally-conscious in our day-to-day lives â especially when implementing home improvements. We share these concerns, ensuring that all oak timber in our garden rooms is sustainably sourced from managed French woodlands. This guarantees that we receive the very best cuts of oak, from trees cultivated to grow tall and straight, limiting waste during the manufacturing process. For every tree we use to craft a bespoke garden room, more will be planted, ensuring both quality and sustainability every time we acquire new materials.
Extra Costs to Budget for When Building a Garden Room
When budgeting for a new garden room, there is a lot more to consider than just the cost of the garden room itself. Do you require extra soundproofing? Will your garden room need electrical connections installed? How many extra windows and doors do you want, and what kind? Will you need double or triple glazing? And when it comes to building your garden room in your outdoor space, will the area need levelling or landscaping? Then, once everything is built and ready, youâll need to consider the costs of your interior design needs.
Extra costs can also apply depending on your intended use for a garden room. If you intend to use your garden room as a home office, gym, or studio, you are free to do so at no extra cost. However, if you are planning to use your garden room as a self-contained living space, with a working kitchen and bathroom, there could be extra planning permission fees that you need to take into consideration.
If you are looking for a home extension specifically, as opposed to a traditional garden room, you can read more about the rules and regulations here, as well as our range of prices.
Here at English Heritage Buildings, we want you to get the best possible quality at the lowest possible price. This is why we have introduced our price match guarantee. In order to be eligible for this offer, we require an official copy of a competitorâs quote (which includes a fixed price for structural calculations and no chance of the price rising after the quote has been confirmed), and the competitor must align with our specifications and guarantees. Added costs for groundwork, assembly, or roofing are not covered by our price match guarantee. We never want you to have to compromise on your garden room design, especially due to cost. This is why our budget support also stretches to financing options as well. We have partnered with Pegasus to offer generous and reliable personal financing to all of our customers.
Is a Garden Room a Good Investment?
We believe that adding a garden room to your property is a fantastic investment for two reasons. One, garden rooms from English Heritage Buildings offer excellent value for money, in both their Q-Mark quality and long-term durability. And two, our attractive garden rooms add value to your home as a whole, which is desirable if you are planning to sell in the future.
Purchase Your Dream Garden Room Today
Our oak timber framed garden rooms are premium additions to your home, creating new spaces to enliven your lifestyle and share time with loved ones. With an expansive range of designs to choose from alongside wholly bespoke options, we can work with you to craft your ideal garden office or studio at a competitive price. Get in touch with a member of our team today to start work on your new garden room.
Are you currently in the planning stage of garden room development? Or maybe you already have a stunning garden room but are now looking to install some new flooring? Well, we know how difficult it can be to choose the right kind, with so many out there â and each with its own unique benefits and uses. So we have put together this handy guide to inspire your decision-making and give you an overview of the garden room flooring available.
How to Choose the Right Garden Room Flooring
The last thing you want to do is waste time and money choosing and fitting the wrong kind of flooring for your garden room. Before you make your choice, make sure you have considered the following:
The intended use of your garden room: The single most important consideration is the function of your garden room. Is it a garden office or a home gym? An additional living space or a games room? Each variation requires different levels of comfort and durability.
The option for underfloor heating in your garden room: Most flooring materials can be fitted atop underfloor heating systems, but it is important to decide on your UFH and flooring type together, as the two work together in different ways. You could choose electric UFH which costs more to run but is better for single rooms, warm water buried UFH for its cost-effectiveness and energy-efficiency, or perhaps warm water surface-mounted UFH for a more expensive but easier-to-install system.
The overall budget for your garden room: Naturally, some garden room flooring is going to be more expensive than others. So consult your project budget and decide accordingly. For example, if you cannot afford natural stone or hardwood, or would prefer a more environmentally-friendly option, you can always opt for laminate as a suitable and cost-effective alternative.
The aesthetic of your garden room: Of course style is a factor, but one that should be thought about after the main points have been addressed. Some garden room flooring lends itself to a traditionally decorated space, with classic or heritage furnishings. Other garden room flooring is better suited to sleek and modern spaces, with minimalist design and mono-tone colour palettes. Your flooring will either enhance or detract from your overall decor â make sure it is the former.
7 Garden Room Flooring Ideas and How to Use Them
1. Hardwood Flooring
Real wood is a solid choice for most garden rooms, especially our oak frame builds. Oak, maple, and cherry are strong and durable options, ideal for garden offices and living spaces. You can opt for regular or slim wood floorboards, depending on your style, and a luxurious varnished finish. Alternatively, you can try the stripped-back look that limewashing provides, perfect for rustic or bohemian decor. Plus, with a choice rug or two, you can still add a pop of colour and personality to your space. Engineered wood is also a viable, cost-effective option made from wood fibres.
2. Stone Flooring
Though quite expensive, stone flooring is a stunning choice for garden room flooring. Stone is, of course, extremely hard-wearing, and would be perfect for both your indoor and outdoor space. In fact, stone is a brilliant way to bring some outside in and can make for a truly natural look. You can also try stone tiles if your garden room has more of a modern aesthetic, or if you would like a more unique look.
3. Marble Flooring
Similar to stone in its durability, marble flooring is a perfectly durable option for your garden room floors. Real marble floors are one of a kind in their look and come in countless colours and shades. They also work beautifully as tiles, suiting conservatory-style garden rooms best, or any garden room that is aiming for an exquisite and luxurious feel in its decor.
4. Ceramic Tile Flooring
Out of all our flooring ideas, tiles come in possibly the largest range of styles, shapes, and sizes. For real individuality and a truly timeless feel, ornate ceramic tiles are the way to go. But looks aside, they are also incredibly strong and will stand the test of time. Not only that, but they are nice and easy to clean, which is perfect for garden rooms that have a habit of attracting mud from the outdoors.
5. Laminate Flooring
For anyone looking for the look of hardwood, stone, marble, or tile flooring, but without the hefty price tag and tricky installations, laminate flooring is an ideal choice for your garden room. It is similar to vinyl flooring but comes with a host of extra benefits. Laminate flooring is made from four layers of material, consisting of melamine resin and a core of high-density wood fibre (HDF). This packed construction makes laminate very durable and moisture-resistant. Laminate flooring is also ideal for those with pets, as it is one of the most scratch-resistant surfaces on the market.
6. Rubber Flooring
In the past, rubber flooring was only available in tile form, but now a whole range of types is available, including single sheets for a seamless look. Rubber floors also come in a variety of different textures, so if you would like to improve grip or just the overall look of the flooring, you can. We would recommend rubber floors specifically for garden gyms, as they provide a hard-wearing surface that will not damage easily due to heavy equipment being dragged across it.
7. Carpet Flooring
For secondary living spaces or garden offices, carpet brings a soft and homely layer to your garden room. Though not quite as easy to clean as the materials above (make sure you have a hoover handy), carpet is unbeatable when it comes to comfort. You can create both cosy and sophisticated spaces with carpeting, as it comes in so many different types and colours. It is also simple for a professional to fit carpeting over existing hardwood flooring, which makes it ideal for when you want to change your interior design in a snap.
Lay Down the Perfect Garden Room Flooring Today
Whether you are building a garden room from scratch or redesigning an existing structure, it can be too easy to get lost when deciding on flooring options. But, armed with our guidance and ideas, we hope that we have made flooring easy and a little less daunting for you. Once your perfect floor is laid, you can move on to the added sense of theatre. Check out our articles on garden room furniture and interior design ideas to mine more inspiration for your garden room project.
It is too easy to overlook lighting as an integral piece of interior design. Two lights, though both functioning the same way, will illuminate your space in entirely different ways, some better than others. When carefully chosen, the right lighting will enhance your garden roomâs decor and evoke an intentional and specific mood in the space.
Things to Consider When Lighting Your Garden Room
Before you start shopping for new lights, it is important to consider three important things first:
The intended purpose of your garden room: How you light your garden room will depend entirely on how you plan to use it. A garden bar favours ambience and low light whereas the same cannot be said for a garden office or gym, where ample lighting is vital.
Natural light sources in your garden room: Consider the position of your garden room in relation to the sun – where and when does natural light come in? Your choice of lights should balance with the light already present in the room â if the space has more of one then lessen the other, and vice versa.
Access to electricity in your garden room: It seems obvious, but electrical supply is an important consideration and will affect the lights you can and cannot include in your garden room. But if your garden room is not wired, you can always rely on battery-powered alternatives.
8 Garden Room Lighting Ideas and How to Use Them
1. Let in That Natural Light
Before you start rigging your space with an elaborate lighting scheme, it is important to remember your existing light sources â be that from windows or skylights. From there, you can decide how much additional lighting you need in your interiors. The last thing you want to do is waste time and money on daytime lighting when your windows/skylights are already pulling most of the weight themselves.
2. Flexibility is King
When it comes to lighting your garden room, flexibility is crucial. Garden rooms are versatile spaces that can change function easily, from a second living room to a garden office. So wireless or portable lighting is a fantastic way to make future change-ups easy. You can opt for floor lamps to move around the room as needed or, especially for garden offices, table lamps for handy task lighting in a pinch.
3. Vaulted Ceilings, Vaulted Expectations
Most of our garden rooms are single-storey, so often feature beautiful oak beams – however, this stunning feature can make flush-mount ceiling fixtures almost impossible to use. Instead, pendant lighting is the way to go, especially if you want to make the most of your vaulted ceiling. Alternatively, for smaller builds, you can exaggerate the height of your garden room using wall lights, specifically washers. Their light spread will give the illusion of grandiose high ceilings in a smaller space.
4. Set the Mood With Ambient Lighting
When you are using your garden room as a yoga studio or garden cinema, ambient lighting is extremely important. Track lighting can provide directional adjustability, so you can light your space easily and precisely. When creating the perfect ambient space, if you remember to do one thing, let it be installing a dimmer switch â you simply cannot beat the versatility and control that one provides.
5. Harness Solar Power
For garden rooms that lack an electrical supply, you can still light your space beautifully with solar-powered lights. For interiors, you can wire a solar panel from your roof or garden back into your garden room. This can be fiddly, but when done right the effect is seamless. Exterior solar-powered lighting is easier to manage, as most have built-in panels. This allows you to put them anywhere you like, either on a patio or dotted throughout your garden.
6. Remember Your Outdoor Spaces
On the subject of exterior lighting, it is important not to forget it. You can have a perfectly lit garden room, but an outdoor space in the dark. Your garden room is meant to be enjoyed both on its own and alongside your garden. They work as a team. So you can utilise solar lights, as above, or illuminate your garden roomâs entryway with recessed lighting or wall lights, to keep your space clear but well-lit.
7. Lighting Meets Temperature Control
Your outdoor spaces and garden room verandas could also benefit from outdoor heaters. Not only will they keep you warm in the colder months, but their heat also doubles as an atmospheric light. On the contrary, for your warmer months, you could install ceiling fans that can double as semi-flush light fixtures. Whether you need warming or cooling, stay bright all year round.
8. The Cherry on Top
Once you have your practical task lighting in place, you can afford to play around a bit with additional lighting. Decorative lighting can really add a flair of personality to your garden room. From ornate light fixtures, wall sconces, and chandeliers, to beautiful and versatile fairy lights to string across your rafters or walls. Most lights can be fitted with coloured bulbs too, or even colour-changing bulbs, allowing you to set the ideal mood at any time.
Light Up Your Garden Room Today
Lights are often treated as a finishing touch, but they are so much more vital than that. Choosing the right lighting scheme for your interiors, as well as your exteriors, is crucial â and means the difference between a garden room that works and one that does not. But there is no reason for it to be difficult. We hope our ideas have helped you to make the right choice and to see your garden room âin a new lightâ. If you have already chosen the perfect lighting for your garden room, but would still like some more design inspiration, check out our articles on garden room furniture and interior design ideas.
Vintage chest of drawers near comfort armchair with soft plaid and cushions. Cozy living room with houseplants near furniture in house with ethnic carpet and modern interior design
A garden room is one of the most versatile spaces on your entire property. They can function as anything from a home office to a yoga studio â and the difference lies in the choice of furnishings and decoration. But what do you choose? What is the best interior design route to take?
To answer those questions, weâve put together this useful guide. At English Heritage Buildings, we are experts in designing and building quality exteriors for your home and garden, but we also know just how to furnish them.
10 Garden Rooms and How to Furnish Them
1. Family Room
Is your garden room a meeting spot for friends and family? A second living room of sorts, or maybe a cinema room for special nights in? Well, comfortable seating is a must for any family garden room. Set two sofas opposite each other, or perhaps one sofa with two armchairs on either side. Set a coffee table in the centre of the room for snacks and drinks storage, and either set the television on a stand or mount it within view of your seating area. Then install some heavy-duty curtains or, better yet, black-out blinds â to make the perfect den for filmgoers.
2. Garden Bar
Perhaps you want to set up your garden room as a place to spend nights with friends over a bottle (or two). A garden room can make the perfect bar, ideal for a winterâs night on the rocks or a summerâs day with a twist of lime. A well-stocked bar is the most important piece, along with a few stools so drinks can be enjoyed at the bar itself. Then, in another corner, make a more intimate space with a sofa and two armchairs â opt for velvets and gold fixtures for a warm and luxurious feel. Finally, lighting. Try a couple of floor/table lamps with dimmable bulbs and a cluster of candles on the drinks table.
A games room is a brilliant way to use your garden room and make some lasting memories with loved ones. In terms of interior design, you can adapt the family room setup to accommodate an indoor game focussed space. Foldaway tables are a fantastic space saver that can be pulled out when the coffee table is too small.
Keep the television where it is, as that could be set up as a hub for your games consoles if you have any. We would also recommend adding ample storage for the many board games and video games you will soon have in your arsenal, ready to whip out at a momentâs notice. Check out our article on garden games rooms for a more detailed look at how to set up the perfect rainy day getaway.
4. Garden Office
Garden offices are a must for anyone looking to enhance their work-from-home experience. They grant you the vital distance between life and work, and allow you to close the door to your job at the end of the day. Every office needs a spacious desk, fitted with your chosen laptop or monitor setup, and a cupboard or filing cabinet will keep your papers together.
Invest in a good office chair, for optimal comfort, and another chair for potential client meetings. Finally, add a ficus or monstera to add a bit of greenery and uplift the space.
5. Quiet Study Space
For parents who homeschool, older students, or even seasoned academics, a dedicated study space could be a lifesaver. Close the door on the bustle of homelife and grant yourself or your children a place where they can concentrate without distraction.
Bring in a desk or two, comfortable seating, a whiteboard or corkboard to aid in mental organisation, and last but not least, you need bookshelves. No study space would be complete without literature. Line your shelves with fiction or textbooks, depending on the field of study, and even purchase a book trolley for roll-around access.
6. Garden Conservatory
When a conventional conservatory extension is not possible, or not preferred, you can design your garden room to act as the perfect alternative. We offer wrap-around windows to let in plenty of natural light, and gorgeous french doors to complete the look.
Next, depending on your style, source some wicker chairs and tables to set up alongside lots (and lots) of plants. A plant table or potting station is a great feature for practical use and storage. Then simply mix and match your chosen flora and foliage. Now you have your very own solarium, as well as a place to store your gardening supplies.
7. Music Studio
The most important part of any music studio is, ironically, silence. How better to achieve absolute silence than away from your home? Our garden rooms can be made bespoke, to include or exclude windows, and we also offer full insulation.
After that, it will be up to you to properly soundproof your music studio with foam and acoustic panels. Then set up a desk with your computer, and perhaps a pull-out section for a keyboard. Mount a few choice guitars on the walls and perhaps your favourite vinyl framed for inspiration. Lastly, do not forget to add a seating area for comfortable listening â an L-shaped sofa would be perfect.
8. Art Studio
Sometimes you need a secluded place to make art, and space to really explore an idea â and our garden rooms are perfect for just that. So set up your easel and canvases and utilise some sets of drawers for your supplies. You could include some foldaway chairs if your garden room is large enough to house craft days with friends. And if your garden room is a permitted development, you may have plumbing facilities to make cleaning up hands and brushes at the end of the day much easier. For more information on the status of your garden room, see our guide to obtaining planning permission.
9. Yoga Studio
Whether you like to unwind with yoga or pilates, a zen studio space is essential. You may already have your mats in hand, but you can improve the ambience with the right additions. Purchase an essential oil diffuser as a safe way to enjoy scents without heat. Then install a speaker system or tabletop Sonos so you can really get into the zone with the right playlist. Finish the space off with some floor-length mirrors, to check your posture, and a pot plant or two to enliven the space.
10. Garden Gym
A gym in your garden will save you money on expensive memberships and make it easier to maintain an exercise routine. The interior decoration for your garden gym will be quite similar to that of the yoga studio, only you will want to focus more on getting in essential equipment and weights. Keep your chosen music system in place, but opt for higher-energy tracks. Lastly, and the most important thing, is correct flooring.
Depending on how your garden room is already floored, you may want to add some rubber mats to protect any hardwood from scratches and dents caused by heavy equipment. If you would like to read more about garden gyms, we have a brilliant article on how to convert your garden room into a home gym.
Start Furnishing Your Bespoke Garden Room Today
Furnishing your garden room does not have to be difficult. In fact, it can be a fun and creative endeavour for you and your family. If you are still waiting to decide on a garden room build, get in contact today. Here at English Heritage Buildings, we design and install garden rooms for small and large gardens, so no matter your outdoor space, we want to hear from you. And for more inspiration, check out our full article on garden room design ideas.
So you have made the decision to design and build a garden room for your outdoor space â or perhaps you are still deciding, and want to see how possible it is to build a garden room yourself. Well, we are here to say it is more than possible to do with or without help. To save you time, we have put together a useful guide, detailing all the steps and considerations when embarking on the journey towards a self-built garden room. In order to keep things simple, we have âbite-sizedâ the steps, giving you a wide overview of the whole process of building a garden room. If you have any questions or queries at any stage of the designing or building process, do not hesitate to get in contact. Our team will be happy to assist you.
How to Build a Garden Room From EHB: 5 Simple Steps
It all begins with a quote. So the first thing you need to do is give us a call or request a bespoke quote. From there, you will get the chance to discuss your plans and desires with an advisor, who will be able to guide you as you decide on important details. Which frame type would you prefer? Do you want insulation? Do you have specific design requests for windows and doors? Among other crucial factors that should be straightened out before the manufacturing process can begin.
Once our team has received your final designs, we will get to work manufacturing the oak timber frame for your garden room. All of our wood is graded and precisely cut using top-of-the-line machinery.
Once the timber has been cut, our graders will inspect it again â checking for any signs of minor imperfections so that we can re-source fresh materials and re-cut the flawed pieces. The moment we are happy with the quality of your timber frame, we will deliver it. We ship nationwide, and you should expect to see your kit, from sign-off to arrival, within 4 to 8 weeks.
Once all materials have arrived, our team of experienced professionals will get to work assembling your new garden room. This could take several weeks to a month, depending on the design specifications of your build, scheduling considerations, and preparation of your chosen terrain. We select trusted companies from across your local area to build your garden room.
Once all the build is complete, and we have signed off on quality and safety checks, you will be free to enjoy your new garden room in whatever way you like.
How to Build a Garden Room Yourself
For experienced carpenters and others with construction know-how, building a garden room yourself is certainly possible. You will be responsible for sourcing and cutting your own timber and fixtures, purchasing all essential equipment, and then will come the task of laying proper foundations with concrete blocks, installing insulation and mesh, and building up the frame piece by piece. It is an incredibly rewarding endeavour, especially once you have plastered the walls, sorted your electronics, and added finish to your floors. You can step back and behold your own creation, and hopefully enjoy it for years to come. If you need a more detailed explanation, we have a step-by-step guide on building a garden room from scratch.
Will Your Garden Room Need Planning Permission?
Whether your garden room is with our help or without, it is likely that you will not need any planning permission or building regulations before you can start work. However, this depends on how you are planning to use your garden room, and the exact specifications of the design itself.
If you are unsure if your garden room will need planning permission or building regulations before work can start, we recommend reading our guide to planning permission. Remember, you can contact us any time, and our advisors can help you through the process of obtaining permission for your new garden room.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Garden Room?
Much like planning permission, so much depends on the individual specifications of your garden room, its size, whether itâs more than one storey, and whether the project is classed as an extension. If you would like a price estimate for your bespoke garden room, you can complete our online form and our team will respond as soon as they can.
Build Your Own Garden Room Today
Whether your new garden room is supplied and installed by us or is self-built, we cannot overstate the positive impact it will have on your outdoor space. A garden roomâs versatile structure allows you to adapt its function any time you wish. Perhaps you would like to convert your garden room into a home office, for those days spent working from home? Or alternatively, an art studio or home gym, to keep your mind and body active in your downtime.
When you purchase a timber framed garden room from us, we can provide full design support, proper insulation and soundproofing, and custom double glazing options. From the sturdy concrete base to the fragrant and luxurious cedar cladding, English Heritage Buildings has you and your garden room covered.
Undertaking a garage conversion can be an enjoyable and very cost-effective solution for creating more room for your cars or building a new office, study or storage area.
Undertaking a garage conversion can be an enjoyable and very cost-effective solution for creating more room for your cars or building a new office, study or storage area.
Some may find it hard to decide between building a garden room from scratch or getting experts in. Learn more about our process here and help yourself decide.
Purchasing a garden room presents many different opportunities to turn your outside area into the dream space you have always imagined having. But what are these? What can you do with a garden room once itâs been installed?
A flitch beam (otherwise known as a âflitched beamâ) is a compound beam made up of a steel plate (commonly referred to as a âflitch plateâ) and two timber beams.
Undertaking a garage conversion can be an enjoyable and very cost-effective solution for creating more room for your cars or building a new office, study or storage area.
When planning a new garage for your home, one of the factors that will often take precedence is how much it will cost. Ensuring that you are keeping to your budget is often a source of worry, and the cost involved in building a garage
When putting together your ideal outdoor kitchen, you may not always stop to consider the covering it will need to protect each part against the elements.
When deciding on a construction material to complete a planned building project, itâs important to know more about what you can expect from each and what will make them the ideal material to use in your case. This is why we have prepared a specialist guide on oak timber, so you can learn about this material type before you order a product and start work.
After much research and study, paired with our expertise and knowledge of everything to do with Home Improvement, we have put together a guide on everything you need to know about conservatories.
