| Garden buildings have been popular for | | | | or log cabins, are extremely versatile. No |
| centuries and were associated with luxury | | | | longer are they regarded as just somewhere to |
| gardens during the Renaissance. The concept | | | | store the gardening equipment. A popular |
| of garden buildings then spread north of the | | | | option for a larger garden building is a home |
| Alps and into the United Kingdom, and they | | | | office. The smallest size for an office is |
| are now very much part of the traditional | | | | generally 8' x 10' and the most popular sizes |
| English landscape. | | | | are 12' x 8' and 12' X 10'. There are |
| | | | companies that specialise in garden buildings |
| Garden buildings remain popular in today's | | | | for offices and they can advise on such |
| garden, such as: garden sheds, summerhouses, | | | | matters as: planning permission, location, |
| or log cabins. They come in variety of shapes | | | | foundations, and utilities. Large garden |
| of sizes to fit any household need. The size | | | | buildings can also be used as a workshop, to |
| of garden building you opt for isn't | | | | house a whirlpool or as children's playroom |
| necessarily related to cost, but to how much | | | | playhouse. There are purpose built garden |
| available space you have in your garden. | | | | buildings for children, and manufacturers |
| Ideally you should have a clear space of | | | | have let their imagination run riot. There |
| least 18" wide on all sides of the building | | | | are castle playhouses, mini-home playhouses |
| to ensure easy access for installation and | | | | with four windows at the front, a door in the |
| future maintenance. | | | | middle and an upstairs! There are playhouses |
| | | | on top of climbing frames, jungle huts, and |
| Garden buildings are usually made from wood, | | | | playhouses in the shape of a rocket - how |
| but metal or heavy moulded plastic is also an | | | | fantastic is that! They will keep the |
| option. Wooden garden buildings can blend | | | | children amused for hours. |
| into the garden or stand out as an attractive | | | | |
| addition. The wood will need protecting from | | | | Garden buildings are ideal for entertaining |
| the elements, termites, mould and damp, and | | | | friends, colleagues or family at home, when |
| therefore a good wood finisher needs to be | | | | space is lacking in the house. Summerhouses |
| applied once a year to protect the garden | | | | make an ideal option, and they are also great |
| building. Plastic garden buildings are | | | | to relax in on a warm day while the pesky |
| durable, will not degrade and hardly need any | | | | insects buzz around outside. Summerhouses are |
| maintenance. Metal garden buildings often do | | | | attractive and can be tucked away in the |
| not come with a floor. Consequently it is | | | | corner of the garden if space is limited, or |
| advisable to mount metal sheds on foundations | | | | act as focal point for the larger garden. |
| to reduce rust problems, insects and ground | | | | They start from a small and simple design, |
| water seeping into the building. | | | | through to a large, hexagonal summerhouse |
| | | | containing a built in stove, vent and |
| Small garden buildings, such as sheds, are | | | | chimney; therefore you could barbeque any |
| often used for storage: garden tools, work | | | | time of the day, whatever the weather - and |
| tools, bicycles, and anything else that can't | | | | you'll have the most popular garden in the |
| find a home in the house. Sheds and men have | | | | street! |
| often been associated together, but the | | | | |
| traditional viewpoint has to change: women | | | | It is hard to find a garden without a garden |
| have recently discovered the joy of 'shed | | | | building because they are useful, practical |
| time' and subsequently the sale of sheds have | | | | and versatile. Furthermore, some garden |
| increased. | | | | buildings can increase the value of a |
| | | | property - another reason why a garden |
| Larger garden buildings, for example: sheds | | | | shouldn't be without a garden building. |