The shed (and shed-loving man) hasn’t become extinct, of course. But, in some gardens the shed has evolved into a more attractive space: the summerhouse. This is somewhere you can relax without having to share footroom with the lawnmower, plant pots and soil bags.
So, what are the things you should be thinking about if you’re pondering buying a summer house for you garden? Here are some pointers.
Positioning :
What parts of the day will you be using the space, and which direction will the sun be coming from at these times? There’s no point in calling it a summerhouse if you can’t make the most of the sun, but you might not want it to be baking-hot either. Also, do you want you summerhouse to be a hidden gem or a focal point of the garden?
Planning permission :
This is something you probably won’t need to think about, although it’s worth making some checks if you can – including with the neighbours. If your construction is made of timber, you generally don’t need local authority permission unless it’s over four metres tall, it’s close to the house (less than five metres away), it takes up over half of your garden, or you live in a conservation area.
Above and below :
To maximise the life and maintenance of your summerhouse we recommend you don’t have trees or shrubs overhanging it. You should also have a firm, level and dry base such as concrete or paving. Building straight onto grass, or onto something else that soaks up water, can be a real threat to the wood. Remember to take into account all the dimensions of the building when you’re working out the positioning for it.
Construction :
Summerhouses are usually constructed by the company you buy them from. But, if you’re thinking of doing-it-yourself, make sure you’re realistic about what’s possible. The more DIY you have to do (like cutting and assembling), the more difficult the work’s going to be.
Maintenance :
Get some advice from the company you’re buying from. In terms of the material it’s made from, it’s sometimes worth re-treating the wood annually – make sure the building has space around it (away from walls and fences) so you can do this. You might also want to oil any moving parts like hinges on doors or windows at times. And, if at any stage water leaks in through the roof, make repairs as soon as possible, as this can be very damaging.
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