garden cabin as a bedroom - anyone have one?

[CraigW]

Hi All,

I did ask similar some time ago but about to take the plunge.

Basic ones seem to have 45mm timbers then more sturdy ones have 70mm, they also do double skinned ones with insulation in which cost quite a bit more.

This room will prob get used once a month or so at most but at all times of year.

Does anyone actually have one and if so what. I'm wondering if 70mm single skin will be enough in winter (it will of course also have a heater but I'm thinking in terms of damp etc too)

All advice gratefully received.

[camp freddie]

I have designed a couple of garden rooms/ pool houses for clients both here and in L.A. If done correctly they make great additions to the property

[dilbert]

You will want to watch out for the planning department.

I'm not sure exactly what the rules are, but a building that is small enough to be considered a "shed", can become residential. Then you need to get planning permission IIRC.

They're a bit funny about outbuildings used as bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms etc. I don't know why but I think you can use it as a WC, and it's O.K. Perhaps even, if you build an outside W.C. you might get away with building a shed that the rules wouldn't otherwise allow.

You need to look closely at the rules, but I'm fairly sure a planner would go bonkers at the idea of putting a bedroom in the garden without planning permission.

[5potTurbo]

I didn't look at the spec of the kit, but Tesco are selling rather large garden houses for around £10K
For use as an occasional bedroom, it could do the job, maybe, perhaps .....

[CraigW]

thx chaps, planning should be ok.

[5potTurbo]

Just found the one I saw ...

http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-3012.aspx

[CraigW]

ah thx, only 44mm thick though, might not be enough.

[TonyHetherington]

My parents have (I assume 44mm thick) summer house thing, and it's really nice - especially when you consider the relative small cost.

I've e-mailed Dad and asked where he got it from to let you know. Ok it's not the most luxurious thing ever, but it's quiet and nicely calming and for the once a month someone may need to sleep in it, will be fine.

[CraigW]

cool thx Tony, ever slept in it in winter out of interest?

[SaTTaN]

I have one of those cabins - you can see more about it here http://geekcabin.wordpress.com/

it would easily double as a bedroom and it's lovely and warm although you will prob fall foul of LA planning regs for that sort of use and if you want any real supplies like water/gas in there you'll definitely need planning approval.

I just have electricity and electrical heating and it's a perfect temp all year round.

[CraigW]

ah i had read that befor, very interesting. What thickness walls did you have pls?

[CraigW]

ignore that, just saw, 42mm!

Have you slept in it in winter, does it get damp?

[TonyHetherington]

CraigW said:

cool thx Tony, ever slept in it in winter out of interest?

He replied - FinnForest is the name of the company they bought it from, and this is the exact one they bought - probably not as big as you're looking for, but he was very happy with the product and the company and the overall result (we built it ourselves).

I've not slept in it (they only live 2 mins up the road), but have been inside it in the winter and it's really not bad at all. You'll need heaters etc, obviously, but the wood is strangely warming.

Oh, this is the product;

http://www.finnforest.co.uk/products/finnlifelogca...

[CraigW]

thx Tony, they look nice. i'm looking at 4m x 3m

[TonyHetherington]

There's some nice exmaples in their 10-20m^2 range (just looked myself). Certainly the company is recommended by Hetherington Snr.

[CraigW]

superb, do they note costs on their site?

[TonyHetherington]

Apparently they're the manufacturer, and you order through a stockist. Dad used Halls Garden Supplies in New Oscott Birmingham (we live in North Kent, so it doesn't have to be local).

[CraigW]

ah gotcha

[B17NNS]

You could always beef it up a bit yourself. Build an inner skin out of 2" x 2", insulate and board. Might be cheaper than getting the thicker walled model and probably better insulated.

Could do the same with the roof and floor.

[B17NNS]

You could always beef it up a bit yourself. Build an inner skin out of 2" x 2", insulate and board. Might be cheaper than getting the thicker walled model and probably better insulated.

Could do the same with the roof and floor.