Type 01
Insulated timber
A timber frame with insulation in the walls, floor and roof, clad in boards such as larch, cedar or treated softwood. Natural timber weathers to a silver grey over time unless it's treated.
Types
Types of garden room compared
Most garden rooms share the same idea: an insulated frame on a solid base, with glazing and a weatherproof roof. What changes is the cladding, the amount of glass and how far the design is shaped to your plot.
The four types
Which one suits your garden
Type 02
Composite clad
The same warm structure with composite cladding outside. It keeps its colour with little upkeep, which suits dark finishes and coastal gardens.
Type 03
Glass-fronted
Large panes or sliding doors across the front. Bright and open, with orientation, shading and privacy to plan.
Type 04
Bespoke
Shaped to a corner plot, a slope or a specific use: an L-shape, a built-in store, a canopy or a shower room.
At a glance
How the types compare
| Type | Look | Upkeep | Think about |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insulated timber | Warm and natural | Occasional treatment if you want to keep the colour | Which timber, and how it's fixed |
| Composite clad | Crisp and even | Little more than a wash | Colour, board profile and expansion gaps |
| Glass-fronted | Open to the garden | Cleaning the glass | Overheating, glare and privacy |
| Bespoke | Made for the plot | Depends on materials | Design time and the more complex build |
Roofs
Flat, pent or apex
Flat and gently sloping (pent) roofs keep a room low, which helps near boundaries where height limits apply. Apex roofs give more headroom and a more traditional look but are taller.
Whatever the shape, ask what the roof covering is, how rainwater is taken away and how the edges are finished.
Next step
Not sure which type?
Tell us how you'll use the room and what you like the look of. The consultation is the place to weigh it up.
Questions
Common questions
Which cladding lasts best?
Each has a different character rather than a clear winner. Ask what the cladding is, how it's fixed and what looking after it involves, and compare on that basis.
Is a glass-fronted room cold in winter?
Modern double glazing keeps most of the heat in, though glass is still less insulating than a wall. A heater sized for the room makes the difference.
Can a garden room match my house?
Cladding colour, window frames and roof edges can all be chosen to sit well with your home. Bring photos to the consultation.