We have a long-term love affair with real wood, and it is a wonderful material for building garden rooms because of its structural integrity, colour and texture. However, we are aware that some buyers are put off timber finishes, particularly externally because of the maintenance involved to keep them in good order. There are species of wood used in garden room design that are more durable than others and therefore need little annual maintenance, but without a doubt, every timber clad garden room is going to need some maintenance over its lifetime.
There are several non-timber cladding finishes offered in the garden room industry which offer a long, maintenance free lifespan. The thing is with these finishes is that they are often coloured so create a very different looking garden room to a timber clad option. However, there is a good compromise, a composite wood that is being offered by some garden room suppliers.
GBC are a supplier of composite wood garden rooms. They offer them in a number of sizes starting at 2.4m x 2.4m extending upwards to 6m x 3.66m. The garden rooms are built using composite wood products; the corners have aluminium centres to add extra strength. The walls have a 50mm core structure, as does the floor and roof.
The composite wood boards come in four different colours and offer a similar feel and texture of wood. Plastic polymers are mixed with 60% timber content to create the boards, the inclusion of real wood into product helps give the feel of wood but without the need to maintain it.
The composite boards are mixed with uPVC doors and windows; you have the choice of sliding patio doors or French doors. Each building has a small composite deck veranda with decorative balustrade. The roof is finished in a durable EPDM sheet.
The composite boards are on show internally, and the floor is left ready for your finish of choice for example laminate, vinyl or carpet.
The electrical pack is an optional extra costing £945. This pack includes a modest two double sockets and two internal downlights and two exterior downlights. If you are considering this as a home office, you will need to decide if this is sufficient for your needs. You will also need to consider a heater for the coldest days of the year.
Lead time on a composite garden room from GBC is typically 2 to 3 weeks. While you are waiting for your garden room to be installed, you will need to organise a concrete slab base to be laid; this needs to be 150mm thick and just slightly larger than the building footprint. Once your building arrives on site, the build will take 2 to 3 days depending on the size of the room,
Prices start at £9,895 including VAT, delivery and installation for the 2.4m x 2.4m model. You will also have to factor in the electrical package at £945, the foundation slab and the connection of the electrics to the mains supply when comparing room prices.
Composite wood garden rooms are a great option is you are looking for a garden room that doesn’t need any annual maintenance and will look the same in five years as it does today. To learn more take a look at the composite wood garden rooms on the GBC website or give their sales team a call on 0800 999 0123.
