Building a garden room/office

bmthmark

Hi

I am currently planning on building my own garden room/office. Its only going to be a small one approx 13ft by 10ft but I would like to make it insulated so it can be used throughout the year.

I am at the beginning stage and I am literally researching everything to get the best solution and the best price.
Its sort of a mini project for me, so I will be doing all the work myself.

I have a few initial questions which I hope people maybe able to assist on:

Has anyone had any experience in using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS)?
If I don't use SIPS i'm thinking of using celotex and then wrapping it with something like tlx silver.

With regards to the footings i've seem many people build on a concrete slab and some people have used plinths. What would people recommend for this size?

I know it sounds a stupid question but where do people buy all the wood from as i'm going to need loads of it? online? local timber shop? Wickes?

As I said its a mini project for me and I know I will make mistakes but that's all part of the fun
I've had clearance from the wife so I am good to go :T

Thanks

Mark

andyhop

Timber yard . If you buy from DIY merchants you'll be paying 30% plus what you need to

bmthmark

andyhop wrote: »

Timber yard . If you buy from DIY merchants you'll be paying 30% plus what you need to

Thanks - I have used a timber yard in the past but found them quite expensive and was cheaper to buy from a DIY merchant. I will try and find a better local timber yard.

Chrishazle

Have a look at Tiger Sheds and their buildings - our daughter and SIL are close to ordering a 12x8 garden building from them. I've helped a friend erect one of their sheds, they're good quality and you may find it economic to go this route rather than buying timber and constructing yourself!

http://www.tigersheds.com/log-cabins/garden-offices/?gclid=CN_I-qq6ptECFcEV0wod24wImw

Kiran

Get yourself a materials list and send it out for pricing. That way you should get the best price or at least the ability to negotiate or play them off against each other. Timber merchants will definitely be cheaper than a diy shed and they'll also deliver the quantities you'll be looking at for free. Looking at the size you want you cam make it easy on yourself and buy the timber for the top plate and sole plate out of 16ft lengths rather than having to join multiple bits and get them straight.

As for pre fabbing your panels, it would be lighter for you to erect your frame the insulate and sheath. But if you've got help you could give the panels a go.

lol_omg_wtf

Chrishazle wrote: »

Have a look at Tiger Sheds and their buildings - our daughter and SIL are close to ordering a 12x8 garden building from them. I've helped a friend erect one of their sheds, they're good quality and you may find it economic to go this route rather than buying timber and constructing yourself!

http://www.tigersheds.com/log-cabins/garden-offices/?gclid=CN_I-qq6ptECFcEV0wod24wImw

Thats something else i didnt know i needed. Just spent 30 mins on there site looking at all the different log cabins what a great website!

Sat there thinking wish i could see one in person. There literally just down the road from me! Thats something for me to go do tomorrow then! thanks Chrishazel! :beer:

TheCyclingProgrammer

You might want to double-check with your local planning department what they consider to be incidental use as far as outbuildings go if you're thinking about going down the permitted development route. If its just being used as an occasional home office/garden room it should be fine but if you're running a business you may need planning permission.

Have you looked at the existing off-the-shelf buildings from the likes of http://www.thegardenoffice.co.uk to get some inspiration?

thebaldwindowfitter

Have you got good access to your garden . The reason i ask is i bought two sainsburies fridge bodies off there van delivery vans they cost me £250 each and 80mm thick . Bolted them together after taking the two joining sides out put patio door where rear doors would have been cut part of side out for another patio door then clad in anthrcite grey cladding and clad inside , rubber roof mine is a garden bar . 65 mm 1.2 x2.4 m celotex worked out at £320 ish trade then timber /ply .just set the boxes down on a concrete base .And looks like one of the garden offices posted by cyclingprogrammer

bmthmark

Chrishazle wrote: »

Have a look at Tiger Sheds and their buildings - our daughter and SIL are close to ordering a 12x8 garden building from them. I've helped a friend erect one of their sheds, they're good quality and you may find it economic to go this route rather than buying timber and constructing yourself!

http://www.tigersheds.com/log-cabins/garden-offices/?gclid=CN_I-qq6ptECFcEV0wod24wImw

Thanks for this. I have just had a quick look and they do seem really good. I could upgrade the size of wood and also get double glazed windows. This is definitely something I will look in to.

bmthmark

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

You might want to double-check with your local planning department what they consider to be incidental use as far as outbuildings go if you're thinking about going down the permitted development route. If its just being used as an occasional home office/garden room it should be fine but if you're running a business you may need planning permission.

Have you looked at the existing off-the-shelf buildings from the likes of http://www.thegardenoffice.co.uk to get some inspiration?

Thanks for the advice on the planning. I did have a quick look and it does seem like its under permitted development, but I will double check. Its the height which I will need to be careful on as it can only be a max of 2.5m.

There are some great ones on http://www.thegardenoffice.co.uk - thanks for the link

bmthmark

thebaldwindowfitter wrote: »

Have you got good access to your garden . The reason i ask is i bought two sainsburies fridge bodies off there van delivery vans they cost me £250 each and 80mm thick . Bolted them together after taking the two joining sides out put patio door where rear doors would have been cut part of side out for another patio door then clad in anthrcite grey cladding and clad inside , rubber roof mine is a garden bar . 65 mm 1.2 x2.4 m celotex worked out at £320 ish trade then timber /ply .just set the boxes down on a concrete base .And looks like one of the garden offices posted by cyclingprogrammer

Unfortunately access is not great. I have a gate and a pathway but its fairly narrow.