Garden room with corner sliding door configuration
Published: 3 July 2023
Reading Time: 4 minutes 8 seconds
Living in a beautiful Listed Building, Garden Spaces' clients found themselves limited in options for remodelling their house for modern living. Undeterred, they looked to their garden as a space to create a modern, high-spec, year-round indoor-outdoor space.
Their vision was clear: a fully insulated garden room, large expanses of sliding glazing opening to a paved terrace, and a seamless transition into a covered seating area. Unlike typical corner glazing configurations with a supporting corner column, this project aimed for an open corner – a feature demanding meticulous engineering to support the roof structure and the weight of the large three-section sliding doors.
Such engineering prowess is beyond most garden room companies, but not Garden Spaces. With over 15 years in the industry, a team of structural experts, and a history of bringing complex projects to fruition, Garden Spaces was well-positioned to rise to this challenge.
Bespoke Steel Framework
The main feature of this project is the elimination of the traditional supporting corner column that is required in a corner configuration of glazing to create an open, panoramic view. However, this necessitates an advanced engineering solution to manage the weight of the roof structure and the two large three-section sliding door sets. This particular challenge was something many garden room companies would baulk at, but not Garden Spaces.
With a height restriction of 2.7m imposed by planning approval, Garden Spaces worked meticulously to ensure every inch of space was utilised. To accomplish this, they engineered a low-profile yet robust steel frame that could withstand the weight of the large sliding door sets without compromising the room's ceiling height. This feat was achieved through the use of specialist steels, eliminating the need for chunky I-beams that would reduce interior space.
To further enhance the structural integrity, an expert welder was on-site to ensure the steel frame joints are as strong as possible. The roof structure, which extends beyond the front wall, creates a smart canopy detail featuring recessed downlights. This canopy is supported by two steel posts welded to the groundscrews and steel lintels. This level of dedication to structural stability provides support for the large sliding doors but will also ensure their smooth operation for decades to come.
Garden Spaces design and build garden rooms with millimetre precision, but for this project, the decision was made to wait on ordering the glazing until the core structure was built. The fenestration supplier conducted a site survey to check measurements before manufacturing the profiles due to the substantial size of the sliding doors. This decision led to a four-week wait for the doors and windows, slowing down the project's progress as the plaster-boarding could not be completed.
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Transition
To facilitate an effortless transition between the indoor and outdoor space, Garden Spaces specified the doors with a low-profile threshold. Detailed calculations were made, and precise execution followed to ensure both the internal flooring and external tiles would fit flush with the threshold.
They built a raised platform on top of the SIPs floor structure filled with acoustic mineral wool. A layer of thick plywood was then added to provide excellent acoustic performance and support everyday foot traffic. An external tiled terrace flush with the door thresholds is planned for the next phase, further reinforcing the seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces.
Extended with a Covered Seating Area
Garden Spaces’ client's vision included a sheltered outdoor entertaining area, seamlessly integrated with the garden room. Garden Spaces regularly extend their designs with such features, effortlessly blending indoor and outdoor living spaces.
This 3d image showcases Garden Spaces design for the canopied area, the two spaces seamlessly working as a whole. However, due to local planning requirements for this project, the planners preferred a temporary structure for the canopy.
Garden Spaces' client sourced a suitable design from Pergolux. It will sit on the right-hand side of the building and will be installed during the next phase of the project, maintaining the overall aesthetic while adhering to planning guidelines.
Stylish Exterior Finishes
The exterior design of the garden room marries both aesthetics and low-maintenance functionality. The contrast between the traditional red brick house and the crisp lines of the garden room is striking.
The key feature is the mix of finishes. The front elevation canopy and the left-hand wall feature a Causeway Grey 3-coat silicon render system, applied with skilled precision to create a crisp, clean look. Achieving such a finish with render is a challenge, demanding a skilled hand.
The right-hand wall contrasts the render with a feature section of Norstone XLV cladding in a Charcoal finish. The juxtaposition of these materials adds depth and texture, enhancing the overall design aesthetic. Finally, the rear elevation features cement particle boards painted in RAL7016, which complement the roof trims and the upcoming Pergolux canopy, tying the design together.
Customised Interior Details
On the inside, the garden room has been carefully detailed to reflect the client's desires for a high-spec finish and to incorporate custom design features.
A custom-built multi-media wall again showcases Garden Spaces' ability to transform the client's vision into reality. This unique feature, complete with a stylish floating fireplace, is nestled between two tall windows, allowing for another view of the garden to be a part of the indoor experience.
To ensure a top-quality finish, Garden Spaces employed a professional decorator to paint the plastered walls and ceiling in a specific colour chosen by the client. This additional touch heightens the bespoke nature of the build, showcasing Garden Spaces' commitment to meeting and surpassing their customers’ high expectations.
The client plans to install a kitchen on the long wall at the rear of the garden room. To prepare for this, Garden Spaces made sure to install all necessary services – water, waste, and electricity. This preparation included the necessary groundworks and connections to the mains services.
Learn more
Garden Spaces have once again demonstrated their ability to navigate complex projects with skill and flair. Their expertise guarantees that each unique challenge is met with an innovative solution. If you're considering your own garden room project and need an experienced partner, reach out to Garden Spaces. For more information, contact them at 0845 387 9 387 or via email at info@gardenspaces.co.uk.
