You’ll notice straight away that there’s a wide variety of summer houses for sale. With so many options on the market, it’s hard to know what to look for.
Some summer houses look good for about a year before they start to fall apart. Others can easily last for decades.
How do you know which is which?
Well…
If you know what features matter when purchasing a summer house you can save yourself thousands in pounds and years of agony.
In this buyers guide we’re going to cover:
- Why everyone seems to be buying Summer Houses lately
- The features you need to look out for
- What to look for in terms of construction quality
- Size and layout
- Windows, doors and ventilation
Why are Summer Houses becoming so Popular?
Summerhouses and garden buildings have become a massive trend over the past few years.
It’s easy to see why when 28% of UK employees are now working from home either full-time or part-time. Whatever your reason for buying a summer house, you’ll need space to work away from the distractions of the house.
Picking the right one, is the hard part.
The garden buildings industry has seen significant growth in recent years. In fact, research shows log cabins and summerhouses now account for a whopping 22% of UK garden buildings marketshare. That’s a huge amount of options for you as a consumer. But with that comes more low-quality buildings trying to tempt you.
Here’s what you should look for to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Important Features When Buying A Summer House
When you’re searching through summer houses for sale there are going to be certain aspects that make or break how long your summer house lasts. As well as how enjoyable it is to use.
We’re talking about things like timber quality, roof construction, floor thickness, window specification and general build quality.
If any of these areas are lacking you’ll regret your purchase sooner rather than later.
Timber – Don’t Skimp On The Foundation
The timber used to build your summer house is by far the most important part of the construction.
You want to look for slow grown timber from sustainable forests. Slow grown wood has better, tighter grain which means more longevity and less warping.
It can be difficult to tell the difference between slow and fast grown timber by looking. But trust us, fast grown timber won’t stand the test of time.
Look for signs of the following before you buy;
- How thick is the timber? 12mm is the minimum you should accept for the walls. But 19mm or above is ideal.
- Has the timber been pressure treated? This type of treatment will last longer than dip treated.
- What sort of wood is it? Nordic spruce and Scandinavian redwood are among the best timbers used for summer houses.
The treatment process is also important. Pressure treated timber has had the preservatives forced into the fibres of the wood. This means protection against rot, fungus, and insect damage for many years. Dip treated timber only has treatment on the surface.
There’s not much price difference between the two. But it will make all the difference to how long your summer house lasts.
Roofing – Don’t Forget The Roof Can Fall In Too!
If a summer house has poor roof construction it isn’t long until you start getting leaks and rot.
When looking at summer houses for sale take a good look at how the roof is constructed. What materials are used and generally the overall quality of the roof.
As with the walls you don’t want to scrimp on roof boards. Aim for 11mm minimum thickness. Better quality manufacturers use tongue and groove roof boards rather than OSB or chipboard. This provides better insulation and the interior looks better too.
You’ll also want to look for roofing felt that lasts. Premium grade mineral felt will outlast standard options many times over.
Make sure there’s enough overhang for water to drip away from the walls. And always look for adequate ventilation to prevent condensation.
Floors – Thick or Bye Bye Summer House
Your floors will take a beating over the years.
People walking on them, furniture scuffing up corners and overweight boxes all adding pressure to the floor boards. Thinner floors will buckle under the pressure. Literally.
The best floor setup will have thick floorboards of at least 12mm. The better quality summer houses use 19mm or thicker boards. Nothing beats solid timber floorboards over chipboard when it comes to durability.
Check the floor bearers too. Floor bearers are what sit between the ground and your floor boards. Like the walls, it’s best if they are pressure treated. This will stop damp from seeping into your floor and rotting the bearers.
Windows and Doors – Lighten Up!
One of the biggest differences between a bog standard shed and summer house is the windows.
More windows = more natural light.
But more windows can also be potential weak points if they aren’t specified correctly. Cheap windows will leak air, allow moisture in and will start to stick within months of installation.
Quality windows should have either styrene or real glazing. Look for 3mm thickness as a minimum.
As for doors. You want to make sure they have good lock mechanisms and weather seals around all openings. Lastly, check that hinges and door handles open and close smoothly.
Double doors are pretty much standard across the industry. They allow the maximum amount of natural light into your building and give you easier access to move furniture in and out.
Opening windows are also ideal. They provide ventilation. Without ventilation, you’ll end up with condensation build up which leads to damp problems.
Size Up!
Ok, so you’ve got the interior of your summer house sorted. What about the actual size?
Like we said earlier, bigger isn’t always better.
When you start looking at summer houses for sale measure your space carefully. Not just the ground you plan on placing your summer house on, but also:
- Access all around the summerhouse for maintenance
- Distance from any boundaries
- Foundations required
- Overall look proportions with your garden
How you intend on using your summer house should also be taken into consideration. If you’re planning on using it as a home office you’ll need different features compared to if it was for relaxing in.
Remember, you don’t normally require planning permission for an outbuilding under 2.5 metres tall. Always double-check with your local council.
Extras
Some extras are worthwhile. Some aren’t worth the extra pounds.
The extras we would recommend are:
- Draught excluders on all doors and windows
- Roof felt with an extended warranty
- Stainless steel or galvanised fixings
Whilst cosmetics are nice to have, they don’t make or break your purchase. Always look at the quality of the core structure first.
Let’s Recap…
There you have it. Here’s our quick breakdown on what to look for when searching for summer houses for sale.
- Pressure-treated timber should be used throughout
- Roof board thickness and quality of roof felt
- Floors should be solid with adequate support
- Quality windows and doors with good seals
- Get the size right for your garden and intended use
With so many different options of summer houses for sale, there is a huge variance in quality. Now that you know what to look for you won’t make a costly mistake.