A gazebo is an open-sided, roofed building for outdoor dining and entertaining. A garden room is a fully enclosed, insulated building for use all year, such as an office, gym or lounge. A summer house sits in between: it is enclosed and glazed but not built for daily winter use. At Crown, a Luxury Wooden Gazebo costs from £13,300 (RRP), a glazed gazebo or summer house from £28,900, and a garden room from £23,750, with delivery and installation included.
The short answer
- Choose a Luxury Wooden Gazebo if you want to eat, drink and entertain outside, under cover, from spring to autumn, or over a hot tub or outdoor kitchen.
- Choose a Luxury Glazed Gazebo or summer house if you want the garden view with glass around you, so you can sit out on cooler days and evenings.
- Choose a garden room if you want a room you will use every day of the year, with insulation, electrics and lockable doors.
Side by side
| Luxury Wooden Gazebo | Glazed gazebo or summer house | Garden room | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walls | Open sides, with optional blinds, balustrades or part panels | Glazed sides, opening doors | Fully enclosed, insulated walls |
| Best for | Dining, entertaining, hot tubs, outdoor kitchens | Sitting out in cooler weather, garden views | Home office, gym, studio, lounge, guest space |
| Use through the year | Spring to autumn, and covered winter use with heaters | Most of the year | All year round |
| Typical Crown size | 2.2m to 8.1m x 5.8m, 2 to 16 seats | 4.5m x 3m to 5m x 4m | 3m x 3m to 10m x 5m |
| Crown RRP from | £13,300 (Rose) | £28,900 (St. Tropez Glazed) | £23,750 (Heritage, flat roof) |
| Included | Delivery and installation | Delivery and installation | Delivery and installation |
All prices are our recommended retail prices for the 2026/27 range. See the gazebo cost guide and the garden room cost guide for every model and size.
Which one suits the way you use your garden?
- You host friends and family outdoors. A gazebo gives the most seating per pound and keeps the open-air feel. Our gazebo size guide shows how many guests each model seats.
- You want a hot tub or BBQ under cover. An open gazebo or a Luxury Garden Shelter lets steam and smoke escape. See hot tub shelters.
- You want to sit out when it is cool. A glazed gazebo or summer house keeps the wind off while you look out over the garden.
- You need a room to work, train or stay in. A garden room is insulated and wired, so it is comfortable in January as well as July.
Planning permission
Gazebos, summer houses and garden rooms are all usually treated as outbuildings, so the same permitted development rules in England apply to each: height, distance from the boundary, position and how much of the garden is covered. A garden room cannot be used as separate sleeping accommodation under those rules. Read our gazebo planning permission guide and check with your council before you order.
Can I see all three before I decide?
Yes. Our six show sites display Luxury Wooden Gazebos, glazed buildings and garden rooms side by side, so you can stand in each one and compare the space. Book a show site visit and a design consultant will meet you there.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a gazebo and a garden room?
A gazebo is a roofed building with open sides, made for dining and entertaining outdoors. A garden room is fully enclosed and insulated, made to be used as a room all year. At Crown, gazebos start at £13,300 RRP and garden rooms at £23,750 RRP.
What is the difference between a summer house and a garden room?
A summer house is an enclosed, usually glazed building for sitting in the garden in milder weather. A garden room adds insulation, electrics and a build made for daily use in every season, so it can work as an office, gym or lounge.
Is a gazebo cheaper than a garden room?
Usually, for the same footprint. A Crown Luxury Wooden Gazebo starts at £13,300 RRP and a Crown garden room at £23,750 RRP, both with delivery and installation included. A large gazebo can cost more than a small garden room, so compare by size.
Can you use a gazebo in winter?
Yes, with covered seating and outdoor heaters, many people use their gazebo through the winter. If you want to sit out in cold weather often, a glazed gazebo or a garden room is the warmer choice.
Do I need planning permission for a gazebo, summer house or garden room?
Often not in England, because all three are usually treated as outbuildings under permitted development, within limits on height, position and garden coverage. Protected land and listed buildings have tighter rules. Always check with your council.
Which is best for a hot tub?
An open-sided gazebo or garden shelter, because it lets steam escape and keeps the roof over you. Enclosed buildings trap moisture unless they are designed and ventilated for it.
