Expanding your home with a garden room can provide additional living space and enhance your property’s value. This blog post will help you determine the best size for your needs, considering your layout, family requirements and budget.
What is a Garden Room Extension?
A garden room extension is a detached building in your garden, built to the same standards as your home, including full insulation, electricity, and windows. Unlike posh sheds or summer houses, garden rooms offer comfortable year-round living spaces, ideal for various uses such as offices, studios, or gyms.
Alternatives for Garden Room Extensions
Conservatory
Conservatories are very popular forms of home extensions amongst many British household owners, yet according to Which?, 36% of conservatory owners actually regret building one.
The main reasons for this include difficulties cleaning the glass, the need for more space, and temperature control issues. Instead, you can design a light and airy garden room extension with bespoke heating, lighting, window and door options, meaning you can enjoy all the comforts of a conservatory without these issues.
Garage Conversion
Many people who have a garage choose to use this space for a home extension. A garage, however, is a very desirable feature to have when it comes to selling your property so converting it into a living space could detract from the appeal and value of your home.
Additionally, there are various restrictions on windows for garage conversions which could limit your uses and design options, with a lack of light and ventilation being the main issues.
Loft Conversion
A loft conversion is a very expensive and time-consuming method of extending your house and can cause lots of disruption to your home life during the building process.
Often, you are also required to carry out other works on your property, such as lowering ceilings in the rooms below, for a successful loft conversion. Moreover, there are also many building regulations you must adhere to, unlike a garden room extension which usually does not require building permission.
Extension
Extensions can add value to your home given the building is well designed and constructed. However, home extensions can create an unnatural shape to your property which ruins the architecture and compromises its appeal. A traditional home extension can also be extremely disruptive and stressful if you plan to live on-site during the build.
Many people choose to rent or live with family members during this period however this can become expensive and inconvenient.
Garden Room
A garden room home extension is a great alternative to traditional methods, offering a luxury functional space regardless of your garden’s shape or size. As a stand-alone building, it provides a quiet, private area away from home distractions, making it versatile and non-intrusive.
Built separately in just 2-4 weeks, it causes minimal disruption and avoids the hassle of temporary accommodation. Beyond practicality, a garden room adds a stylish, luxurious touch to your home. At Crown Pavilions, we use only the finest materials, ensuring our garden rooms meet the highest industry standards. Constructed like a timber-framed house using traditional methods, stepping into a Crown Garden Room feels like entering a room in your own home.
Benefits of a Garden Room Over Other Extension Alternatives
- Cost-effective
- Built-in 2-4 weeks
- Non-intrusive building process
- No planning permission is required*
- Professional installation included
- Luxurious and stylish
- Endless functionality
- No surprise cost
Can a Garden Room Extension Benefit the Environment?
Homeowners are seeking to blur the distinction between indoor and outdoor living, while also reducing their carbon footprint. So, what are the environmental benefits?
- Natural Lighting and Ventilation: Garden rooms maximise natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting and boosting productivity and well-being.
- Sustainable Materials: Using materials FSC-certified timber and EPDM for roofing promotes sustainability. These materials are durable, eco-friendly, and sourced responsibly.
- Energy-efficient design: Features like underfloor heating and effective draught-proofing enhance energy efficiency. Solar panels can further reduce your carbon footprint.
- Sustainable Interiors: Opt for furnishings made from sustainable materials and upcycle old furniture to reduce environmental impact.
Garden Room Extension Ideas
- Garden Office: Create a professional workspace free from home distractions, enhancing work-life balance.
- Home Gym: A personalised gym in your garden room allows for convenient and private workouts.
- Garden Studio: Ideal for creative activities, garden studios offer neutral light and inspiration for art, yoga, music, or yoga.
- Multipurpose Room: A garden room can serve multiple functions, such as a combination office, gym, or entertainment space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a garden room extension add value to my home?
A contemporary garden room extension is a great asset to your home, increasing the resale value of your property, and providing aesthetic appeal and endless functionality.
How much does a garden room extension cost?
A garden room extension can vary greatly in price, depending on various factors, such as size, design and upgrade features. For more information, please read our guide to the cost of a garden room or get in touch with our team to discuss a quote.
Do you need planning permission to build a garden room extension?
At Crown Pavilions, our standard garden room designs meet permitted development regulations, so do not usually require planning permissions. This is subject to change based on the size of your garden room and for bespoke garden room builds.
*In most cases, our garden rooms are built to meet building requirements without the need for planning permission. This may differ for some larger or bespoke models. For more information, please refer to our garden room planning permission guide.
