Composite Garden Rooms - Fequently Asked Questions
Do I Require Planning Permission?
The majority of garden buildings are erected in compliance with the government's permitted development rules. These rules provide homeowners with a streamlined process for constructing various structures on their property without the need for full planning permission.
While the majority of garden buildings can be installed under permitted development rules, homeowners must be aware of their location and size relative to their garden area.
Those living in designated protected areas such as National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Beauty, Conservation Areas, The Broads, or World Heritage Sites should be prepared to seek planning permission, as these locations often have stricter regulations to preserve their unique character and environment.
It is essential for homeowners to check with their local planning authority or consult a professional to ensure compliance with all relevant rules and regulations before embarking on any garden building project.
Learn more about the Permitted Development Rules & Planning Permission Rules.
How Close Can A Garden Room It Be To My Boundary?
To adhere to the permitted development rules we will construct the garden building on site as follows: Garden buildings up to 15m2 internal floor area - Minimum 0.5m from any boundary. Garden buildings over 15m2 to 30m2 - Minimum 1.0m from any boundary.
How Should I Prepare My Site Area?
All we ask is that the site area be clear of any obstacles (i.e. rocks, trees, shrubs, sheds etc.). It is preferable to have a level soil or grass area to install our foundation system. We can install our garden rooms on either a flat or gently sloping site area. Our surveyor will be able to advise if you site area should need levelling prior to construction.
What Parking And Access Do You Require?
Ideally, we require parking for at least one vlarge an and a clear access to the site area. This could be via a side access, gate, garage or possibly through the house (as long as there are no 90 degree sharp turns). Most components are 3m, 4m or 5m long and we cannot bend them!
What Space Do You Require Around The Garden Building?
Our garden rooms are built on site and as such the installation teams require a minimum of 0.5m from any obstacle around the entire garden building. This would include locating the garden 0.5m from other building, fence, garage or tree etc.
What Foundations Do You Use?
We use a specially designed concrete and steel pile foundation system. The steel piles are fully adjustable to suit a flat or gently sloping site area. The garden room is raised off the ground to allow a vented space underneath. This ensures that the garden room will not be affected by rising damp. We can install the garden room onto an existing concrete base or patio base as long as it is free of any cracks, of substantial construction and at least 4 inches (100mm) thick.
Will Weeds Grow Under The Garden Room?
Even though the garden room is raised off the ground and has a vented space underneath (to prevent rising damp) weeds will not grown directly underneath the building as there is no daylight. If the garden room is positioned on a lawn or soil area it is advised to dig a small channel around the outer walls and fill with gravel or mulch. This will prevent weeds from growing up around the outer edges of the garden room walls.
What Are Your Lead Times?
Typically 4 to 6 weeks from the order date to installation start date. Lead times do vary dependent upon the time of year. Our lead times are shorter in the winter and longer in spring, summer and autumn.
Does the External Composite Cladding Need Treatment?
Our garden rooms are externally clad in premium Composite Materials. Composite cladding materials last longer than timber cladding and does not require any maintenance. Composite cladding will last for decades and does not require painting, staining or treating.
Are The Doors And Windows Secure?
All doors and windows are supplied with a secure operating mechanism for ease of opening and locking. Each door section has a high security galvanised steel reinforced locking system on both the master and slave door comprising a system of hook locks, shoot bolts and deadlocks. Each door is fitted with high security multi-point locking system to provide maximum security. Each opening window has lockable handles. All doors and windows use insurance approved locks.
Can I Have Different Doors And Windows?
As standard we supply dark grey (anthracite) profiles on all patio doors, sliding doors. fixed glass window panels and opening windows. Most customers seem to prefer the dark grey profile colour as it blend perfectly with any of the composite cladding colours. However if required we can supply different colour profiles including: oak grain and white. In addition we can supply non standard size doors and windows in either PVC-U or Aluminium.
Can I Have An Internal Walls Inside?
Yes, we often construct internal partition walls inside the garden room to divide the internal space. The location of the internal wall can be decided by the customer whilst the installation team are on site. In addition we can either provide an internal door or external door to access the separated area.
What Heating Options Do You Recommend?
Our garden buildings are fully insulated (floor, walls and roof). In addition each garden room is supplied with double glazed doors and windows. The heat retention properties of our garden rooms means you will not normally require any heating for the majority of the year. For the colder winter period (January to March) we would recommend an electrical wall mounted or floor standing panel heater (electric heating is still the most efficient and lowest cost heating option currently available).
Can I Have A Bespoke Garden Building?
Yes you certainly can!. We have many years experience at constructing bespoke timber framed garden rooms. We can build a garden room literally to any specific size (as long as its square, rectangular or L shaped) and incorporate any specific design ideas you have to suit your individual tastes and requirements.
What Guarantee Do You Provide?
Composite Garden Rooms are a long established, reputable company who stand by the quality of our garden rooms. As such we offer a 10 Year Guarantee against any structural defects.The 10 year structural guarantee is available to all our customers as standard policy subject to our terms and conditions.
What Are The Payment Terms?
To place an order we require a 50% deposit of the total order value. Once the deposit has been paid a receipt, order confirmation and an installation start date will be provided. The 50% balance payment will become payable upon completion of the garden room. We accept payments by bank transfer, cheque and most major debit or credit cards.
How Long Does It Take?
Most of our garden rooms are completely built on site within 5-7 working days. Some of the large rooms will normally take a few days more. The installation teams work Monday to Friday and will stay locally until the garden room is completed.
How Do I Place An Order?
To order one of our garden rooms, please contact us and a member of our team will be able to talk you through the Order Process and offer helpful advice. The order process is very straightforward and you will have the opportunity to ask any specific question or queries. Alternatively why not come and see us!. We have a large indoor showroom in Ripon, North Yorkshire where you can see some great examples, get a feel for the different designs, models, sizes and meet us face to face to discuss your requirements.
If you would like to talk to a member of our friendly staff about our composite garden rooms, we would be very happy to hear from you. You can even call us free on FREEPHONE: 0800 170 1273 (It's free to call us from either a mobile phone or a landline).