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