Anyone who is looking to increase the amount of time they are able to spend in their garden needs to look into adding a summer house to their space. It can be a great way to bring the outdoors in whilst providing you with a sheltered additional room at your home. You may be looking for an office space, somewhere for the children to play or maybe even just a room to relax – we will be able to find a summerhouse to suit you!
Summer houses come in all shapes and sizes, and there are models made out of a wide range of materials too! So whether you have a small backyard or acres of space to work with – check out some of the best summerhouses that we found.
Best Pick – Total Sheds 10ft x 8ft Summer House
- 🌲 Premium Quality: Immerse yourself in luxury with our premium-grade garden sheds, crafted from pressure-treated tanalised timber. Kiss goodbye to worries about rot, decay, or fungus – our sheds are built to last! Experience the pinnacle of durability with our thick floor planks, engineered to withstand even the heaviest garden products. 🛠️
- 🔨 Robust Construction: Elevate your outdoor space with our robustly constructed sheds! Featuring 4mm Toughen glass 12mm shiplap tongue & groove cladding, 3x2 pressure-treated framework, and reinforced 18mm floor board planks with floor bearers, our buildings are designed to stand the test of time. 🌳
- 🏡 Heavy Duty Felt: Delight in peace of mind with our heavy-duty felt roofing! Our sheds come equipped with high-grade waterproof mineral felt, boasting an additional polyester lining and modified bitumen for superior protection against leaks and tears. Enjoy years of worry-free shelter with our long-lasting roof felt. 🌧️
- 🔧 Easy Assembly: Say goodbye to DIY headaches with our hassle-free assembly! Our sheds come complete with pre-cut panels and detailed instructions, making installation a breeze. Spend less time building and more time enjoying your beautiful garden sanctuary. 🛠️
- 🏡 Top-of-the-Line: Treat your garden to the ultimate luxury with our top-of-the-line garden buildings, crafted to the highest specification. Transform your outdoor space into a sanctuary of style and functionality with our exquisite garden buildings. 🌟
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
In A Hurry?
If you have decided to commit to a summer house and just need to pick out the one that is going to be right for you, then this is the part of the article to read. We have included some of our favourite summer houses that are available at the moment – we really feel they are the best summer houses you will find! But we have also written about some of those main features that you need to think about before making your purchase, such as size, style and build. Keep reading to get buying your summer house!
Planning Ahead
Before you even think about the summer house itself, there are a couple of factors that you need to consider to make sure that you don’t set your sights on a summer house that isn’t right for you and your garden.
The first thing you need to think about is where you are going to position your summer house. Most summer houses have a considerable amount of windows/glass doors, to help encourage the “outdoor-indoor” theme! This is beautiful but it can make your summer house unbearably warm through those winter months if it is positioned in the wrong way – or overly dark for most of the day which may be even worse! Get out in your garden and map the route of the sun – if you are wanting to enjoy as much sunlight as possible it is probably best to position your summer house south facing!
Once you have done this you need to think about space and the ground that your summerhouse is going to be placed on. We will go into more detail on the size of your summerhouse further on in the article. But you need to make sure that it is positioned far enough away from any fencing so that it does not limit your access to this, plus away from any trees or hedges that could cause issues overtime with their roots or branches. Then ensure that the ground is going to be completely flat – if it isn’t already this isn’t such a problem – but you need to make sure that it is before building your summerhouse (by building a concrete base for example).
TOP TIP: Make sure that your base is slightly larger than the summer house itself. This can be achieved using poured concrete or concrete slabs ideally.
Size
The size of summer houses vary massively depending on exactly what you are wanting to use it for and the space in your garden. You don’t want one that is going to engulf your whole garden – nor would you probably be allowed this according to planning regs! We found that smaller models started at around 2m x 2m, which is nice and compact, but the sky’s the limit with larger models that go all the way up to around 16m in length!
TOP TIP: Make sure to check whether there is any overhang on the roof and whether this is taken into consideration when you are looking at the size! Some manufacturers don’t include this on the measurements but if you are fitting your summer house into quite a tight space it could make a difference!
Design
The design of your summer house really depends on what you are planning on using it for and where you are going to position it. If you have less space then it may be worth looking for a corner design that can be positioned into a corner of your garden. This will allow you to maximise the space that you have available and will give you a lovely view of the rest of your garden. However, if you have a larger garden then a standard rectangular summer house is going to provide you with the most space for you to use!
You also need to consider the door and window designs that are going to be best for you. On the one hand – the more glass and windows that you have the more you are going to feel as though you are really sat in your garden whilst using your summer house, however, models with a lot of glass can sometimes look slightly TOO modern and not in keeping with more traditional homes and gardens. Some summer houses also offer bay windows, which will add to the overall cost, but you have the benefit of more light coming in whilst keeping the more traditional look.
Most summer houses are going to have standard opening doors, as they are too small to allow for anything else if we’re honest! However, most have glass panes in the doors to maximise the light. We have found some of the bigger, modern summer houses have sliding doors on the front, which really allow you to show off the indoor/outdoor feel, but these are going to come at a price!
Roof
There are various roof designs and materials to choose from and although we appreciate that it is important your roof looks right – the main thing that you need to ensure is that your roof is going to protect the rest of your summer house from the elements!
The main design choices you will have are:
- Apex – this design will allow for increased headroom whilst also maximising the water runoff to avoid any leaks developing.
- Hip design – This is similar to the apex roof but with a flat section on top. This gives you increased headroom whilst avoiding your summerhouse from becoming too high and then an eyesore to neighbours – or even to yourself!
- Pent roof design – A pent roof is similar to a flat roof but without the pools of water that form on top of them! They have the benefit of maximising the space in your summer house without the building going above the maximum permitted height.
You tend to be able to choose between felt or or shingles for your roof. Shingles will arguably be better quality as it is a higher-quality material that will remain waterproof for longer to keep your summer house protected. However, felt is going to be cheaper and providing it is well maintained and you are prepared to change it every few years you should have no problems!
Colour
There are hundreds of different shades and colours to choose from when it comes to summer houses, which can make it really difficult to know what is going to be best for your garden! The one thing it is important to remember is that if you opt for a wooden summer house then this paintwork is going to need refreshing usually once a year to keep the woodwork protected. This means that it is important to choose a colour that you are going to be able to buy more of – otherwise you could find yourself changing the colour of your summer house every year!
If you want a summer house that is going to blend in more with the environment then opt for shades of darker green or just a summer house where the wood has been left natural and treated. But if you want your summer house to stand out as more of a feature in the garden then there are summer houses in nearly every colour of the rainbow.
Best Budget – Forest Garden Forest Oakley Summerhouse
- The Oakley 7 x 5 summerhouse will give you a beautiful place to sit and enjoy your garden from
- Manufactured using traditional overlap board construction to encourage rainwater run-off
- Glazed doors allow easy access into the summerhouse and help flood the interior with natural light and the windows are glazed with shatter-resistant acrylic, a lightweight, safer alternative to glass
- Scalloped barge boards and decorative finial give a traditional, attractive finish
- Some of Forest items are bulky so you will need to clear space in your garden for the delivery; providing its safe, drivers will carry the product to your garden; you must be in to sign for delivery
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Additional Features to Consider
We have to be honest, there is a lot to think about when it comes to purchasing a summer house – if bought and built correctly then it is essentially going to be an additional space in your home, and one that could be very well used! So it is extra important to make sure that it is right and that you are getting the best summer house for your budget.
- Assembly – It is important to look at whether you are going to be able to assemble your summer house yourself! Many offer an additional service of them being built by the manufacturer, which may be worth considering if you don’t think you have the tools or the manpower to help you get it erected! Most say that they need at least 3 people to build but this will be more for even bigger models!
- Built in storage – If you want to get the best from your summer house then consider one that already comes with built in storage. This allows you to use your summer house partly as a shed for those garden tools and other items, whilst not compromising on the overall look and usability of the space.
- Timber design – Most construction designs use overlapped, shiplap or loglap designs for the timber. Each of these have a different look and different levels of protection against the elements. However, we found that shiplap and loglap tongue finishes tend to provide that higher quality.
- Electricity – Most summer houses are going to need electricity running to them from your home. This will allow you to use your summer house as an office, gym, bar or even just as an additional sitting room with a tv! Make sure that your summer house has the option to add plug sockets and lighting (you will probably need the help of an electrician to do this).
- Patio area – Some summer houses actually come with wooden, “chalet” style patio areas at the front of them.
Best of the Rest
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- Experience the beauty of natural light with full-length doors and window glazing in this BillyOh Picton Summerhouse. A luminous and inviting retreat blending the outdoors with your indoor sanctuary.
- Elevate your summerhouse experience with the 11mm tongue and groove roof and floor, setting a standard of durability and sophistication for a timeless, well-crafted retreat.
- Indulge in tranquillity with shatterproof, single-glazed windows adorning this corner summerhouse. Enjoy peace of mind and safety while immersing yourself in the beauty of the surroundings.
- Opt for longevity with optional pressure treatment, ensuring that the BillyOh Picton Corner Summerhouse stands the test of time. Choose durability and enjoy your retreat for years to come.
- Unwind in style with the cosy corner design of this summerhouse, creating a perfect retreat for relaxation. Embrace comfort and tranquillity in every corner.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need planning permission for a summer house?
Summer houses are classed as ‘permitted developments’ which means that you shouldn’t need planning permission to be able to go ahead with your summer house. However, there are certain rules that must be met for this to be the case…it must be under 2.5 metres and within 2 metres from your property. It also must not be too large – taking up more than 50% of the land around the house. There are some other rules as well so it is always worth checking before you start building.
How long should a summer house last?
Most wooden summer houses will last for around 10 years – providing they are maintained in line with the manufacturers instructions. You may find, if you opt for a felt roof, that this needs replacing more regularly than that, but this is a relatively simple job. We found many summer houses came with a warranty between 5 and 10 years.
What direction should a summer house face?
Ideally you want a summer house to face to either the sunrise or the sunset if you are wanting to get the best views in your summer house. If the front of your summer house has a lot of glass then it may be worth avoiding pointing it southwards as the summer house could become very hot without sufficient ventilation.
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