Homeowners are being told of the best ways to keep summer houses and outbuildings warm this winter.
Outbuilding experts from GardenBuildingsDirect have shared six ways to keep the heat in and enjoy summer houses all year round.
During the colder months many avoid using their outbuildings due to poor insulation, but the experts’ easy hacks mean summer houses can be enjoyed year round.
The tips range from more expensive solutions like changing windows and doors to double-glazing, to more cost-effective advice like adding floor coverings and using draft excluding tape on windows.
Laura Bamborough, from GardenBuildingsDirect, said: “Homeowners with outbuildings and summer houses don’t need to suffer freezing buildings during the colder months.
“There are easy ways to insulate your buildings to get the most out of them all year round.
“A well insulated summer house means it can be enjoyed throughout the year, even in the coldest months. They can provide a cosy environment for snuggling up on a winter’s eve.
“That is why we wanted to share our tips for retaining as much heat as possible. Some of the easiest ways to keep heat in include insulating windows, adding exterior cladding, using floor coverings and sealing any gaps in the building.”
Here are Garden Building Direct’s tips for insulating your summer house:
- Insulate windows
When insulating your outbuilding, make sure to prioritise window insulation. Many DIY stores provide insulation strips which you can install around, over and under windows and apply a draft excluding tape to keep cold drafts out.
- Install cladding
External cladding can be installed using timber, composite or render. This serves as a protective layer for your garden room against unpredictable UK weather.
- Add internal insulation
It is possible to insulate the walls of your building by adding extra internal wall panels and placing insulation material in between. When it comes to choosing a material, you can use common solutions found in homes such as fibreglass or mineral wool, but there are also options like EcoFoil. The easiest to install is expanded polystyrene (EPS) which comes in wall-size blocks. Make sure to insulate all walls and the roof to retain as much heat as possible. In the long run, this will also help to keep the building cooler on hot days.
- Seal all gaps
Identify any gaps in your summer house or outbuilding and seal them closed with a strong weatherproof sealant.
- Add floor coverings
Adding a carpet or rug into your summer house can help to retain heat and also helps to prevent any moisture buildup.
- Double glazing
Adding double-glazed windows or doors to your summer house is a worthwhile investment, as this will go a long way towards keeping the garden room warm throughout the coldest months.
