Where do i start if i want to build a summerhouse?
Alex Murphy, owner of a garden product company, on putting up a summer retreat
Do you ever need planning permission for a summerhouse? Normally you wouldn’t expect to need it for a summerhouse in the UK as they tend to be small projects. I do advise you to search for the ‘outbuildings’ regulations on planningportal.co.uk, but in general, you’ll avoid the need for planning permission if your building is:
Less than 2.5m at the eaves and 4m at maximum height
Not directly in front of your house Not intended as a residence
Not on designated/protected land, in a listed property or national park
How do I decide on the correct position for it?
This depends on such things as weather conditions in your garden and the time of day you’ll be using your summerhouse. The foremost factor is probably direct sunlight, so it pays to study where it hits your garden at different times of the day. As a general rule, make sure the doors and windows face southwards to catch as many rays as possible. Roof overhangs and blinds are useful if the direct summer sun is too much. And take note of obstacles – you don’t want to plan the perfect summerhouse and find it always overshadowed by a large tree.
What sort of foundations/ground preparations are needed?
Don’t build straight onto your lawn, your structure needs solid support beneath it. An existing patio is good, ideally with spaced-out slabs to allow rainwater drainage. A concrete base and grid foundations are also fine. The foundations must be absolutely level – you can get tools to measure this for a DIY installation.
How much room should I allow?
I’d advise a base that is the size of your intended building plus 10cm on all four sides, so if your dream summerhouse is 4m by 5m, your base should be at least 4.2m by 5.2m. When we put up a summerhouse, we make sure there’s at least 1.1m between the summerhouse wall and any obstruction in order to build it properly and safely. How do I protect it from the elements and maintain it?
For the roof, I recommend bitumen (tar) shingles. Though a little more expensive than felt, you get what you pay for. They last longer and also give the roof an attractive, rustic look. When it comes to the walls, again it’s better in the long-term to invest in a high-quality treatment, of the kind that can be found in good hardware shops. Cheap stain/paint will alter the look of your summerhouse, but won’t help protect it.
Is it safe to install heat and light in a summerhouse?
One safety feature you should consider in your outdoor retreat is toughened glass as it can easily resist the odd stray football. If it does break, it will crumble into small pieces. If you want heating, it isn’t advisable to put a wood-burner in a timber summerhouse, or a gas stove that might be left unattended. Get a qualified electrician to correctly connect mains electricity to it, then you can have lighting and a simple 2-kilowatt heater that should warm it nicely in all but the coldest weather. If you want somewhere for year-round use, or to work in, consider a log cabin or insulated garden office.