A garden room that’s built with solid materials, insulation and is secure can last for well over 30 years. Eurocell’s fully insulated and luxury garden rooms come with up to 10-years’ guarantee for added peace of mind.
Knowing how long a garden room will last starts with the product selection and installation. This article explores the materials and features you need if you want your garden room to last for decades.
A standard and basic garden room typically lasts for up to 10 years. But a high quality garden room can serve your home for over 30 years and longer if it’s maintained well.
To boost its longevity, your garden room should be built from strong, weatherproof and durable materials. Timber, for example, can warp and rot because of weather conditions, so it’s not the best option for an outdoor structure.
“To choose the best garden room materials, consider the structure first. Wood will move so might not be the most secure option. We use composite and SIPs which offer greater control, and the structure will stay sound.”
Sean Bunyan, head of operations and garden room specialist
Walls
Garden room walls should be manufactured from a stable and weatherproof material to prevent damp, rotting, decay and warping. It should also be able to withstand extreme weather conditions like impact winds or rain.
Eurocell’s Garden Rooms are manufactured from structurally insulated panels (SIPs). These are energy efficient, strong, airtight and help to regulate the temperature, so you don’t experience extremes.
The insulation is surrounded by orientated strand board (OSB) and a breathable membrane, which helps to prevent damp and condensation. OSB is popular for its strength, stability and water resistance. It’s manufactured from engineered wood, which is compressed with cross-orientated wood strands, and then a waterproof adhesive is applied.
Cladding
When searching for a long-lasting garden room, check if it’s got cladding.
Exterior wall cladding is designed to improve the longevity of any structure – whether that’s a house, garden room or shed.
We use composite cladding to protect your garden room. It shields it from the weather, moisture, impact, insect damage, rotting and warping, so that it will last for time to come.
“Timber cladding lasts around 10 years, so we’ve seen a greater demand for composite cladding with a timber effect, which doesn’t need treating either. The most popular colour for our garden rooms is coriander oak.”
Sean Bunyan, head of operations and garden room specialist
Guttering
A quality garden room will have guttering.
This stops rainwater from pooling on your garden room roof or walls, preventing leaking, staining or structural damage.
Frames
Choose window and door frames carefully. Timber isn’t the best option because it can rot or warp, decreasing your garden room's lifespan.
Instead opt for an energy efficient and durable material like uPVC. This performs well for outdoor structures like garden rooms because it's weather resistant and doesn’t crack, warp or corrode. It also doesn't need sealing or painting, and comes in lots of colours to complement your garden room.
Eurocell’s uPVC is manufactured from sustainable materials with an average 32% used in its frames.
Double-glazing
Double-glazed doors and windows help to insulate your garden room and maintain a regular temperature, so it's comfortable in the cold or heat.
It also helps to improve energy efficiency, so you can rely less on heating and cut energy costs. Double-glazing also protects against condensation because the windows are manufactured from two panes of glass as opposed to one. This means there is less heat transfer, so if it’s cold outside, the interior pane will still stay warm, reducing the cold surfaces for condensation to form.
It can even help to reduce sound in your garden room, perfect for a garden office or craft room where you might want peace and quiet.
Finishing touches
Garden rooms should be finished to a high standard.
Any gaps or cracks left in the structure can lead to leaking or pest infestation.
With Eurocell, you can choose to have the walls boarded and plastered, so it’s secure and ready for you to decorate. You can also opt for an interior pack that comes with:
- Interior wall cladding: Protection against damage and low maintenance
- Luxury vinyl flooring: Easy to clean, thick and durable
- uPVC skirting: Waterproof, crack resistant and easy to clean
Roofing
Your garden room roof needs to be fully airtight to protect against moisture and extreme weather conditions. The stronger your roof is, the longer your garden room will last.
Eurocell’s Garden Room roof is manufactured from an insulated core, OSB and EDPM roof membrane. In other words, it’s insulated, waterproof and solid. EPDM rubber lasts for around 50 years and is perfect for outdoor use because it won’t crack or fade.
EDPM roof membrane is an ideal material for garden rooms because it forms a watertight barrier, is UV resistant and lasts for over 50 years. The roof is finished with OSB for extra strength, and you can choose to have it plastered.
Foundations
A secure and solid garden room foundation is needed to:
- Protect against sinking or shifting
- Distribute the weight of your garden room
- Stability
- Keep it level
- Protect against moisture
The best options are a concrete base or ground screws.
A concrete foundation will need digging and filling but it provides a solid and level base for your garden room. Ground screws are also suitable for garden rooms. These are ‘screwed’ underground with the head protruding out. Your garden room then lays on the screws, so that it is both stable and level. It’s a great option if your garden is sloped.
Do garden rooms get damp?
If your garden room hasn’t been designed or built well, it can get damp. Checks for any gaps and cracks in the structure that could be letting rainwater or moisture in.
Other causes of garden room damp include:
- Improper insulation
- Lack of ventilation
- Condensation
- No gutters
To prevent damp and improve the longevity of your garden room, your installers should ensure that it is completely airtight. If you spot any issues contact them straight away. Once it’s in place, keep it ventilated especially if you are drying clothes in there or using it for exercise.
How to improve your garden room’s lifespan
Eurocell’s Garden Rooms are built with the best materials and are completely stable, so you don’t need to worry about the structural integrity.
Always make sure your garden room is fitted by a professional tradesperson – and check reviews, pricing, case studies and pictures before you go ahead. Eurocell’s Garden Rooms comes with installation included by our expert, approved installers. They’ve been in the industry for a long time, so have the techniques and experience to build a solid and durable structure.
Here are a few areas you can clean to enhance the garden room’s lifespan:
- Windows and doors to prevent the build up of mould
- Keep gutters clear to prevent blockages and leaks
- Clean composite cladding to keep it looking fresh
How to get rid of mould in a garden room
To remove mould from your garden room, start by moving your furniture away from the affected area. Clean the area with a mould remover, or home made vinegar or bleach solution. Let the area dry completely before you move your furniture back.
If that doesn’t work, you might have to consider calling in a professional.
Preventing mould
To prevent mould in the first place, regularly clean the cladding, windows and doors. Remove any debris like leaves or twigs, which can cause mildew if left.
Ensure the garden room is insulated and watertight – you might have to check for gaps and cracks, which could be causing moisture. Keep the garden room well ventilated by keeping windows and doors open whenever possible, and use a dehumidifier to tackle condensation.
Garden room warranty explained
Eurocell’s Garden Rooms come with a guarantee of up to 10 years. This includes the building structure, external cladding, and window and door frames. Windows and doors are guaranteed for 3 years.
Enjoy your garden room for years to come
The better quality garden room you opt for and the higher standard of installation, the longer it will last.
Make an informed decision on the garden room you choose. Investigate the materials used in its structure, look out for features like guttering, double glazing and insulation – all of which increase your garden room's lifespan.
Explore Eurocell’s range of stylish and longlasting garden rooms.
