Exploring Garden Room Extensions: A Comprehensive Guide to Types and Considerations

Single story garden room extensions continue to be one of the most common home improvements we are making as a nation. Across the UK we are big fans of our English gardens and a garden room extension is the perfect way to breakdown the connection between your home and garden. With a huge range of options we breakdown the most common solutions and take a look at some of the benefits of each.

1. Traditional Conservatories:

Benefits:

• Abundance of Light: The majority of conservatories are almost made entirely out of windows, doors and transparent roof panels. The surface area of a conservatory can be up to 90% glass ensuring that there is no limit to light flow.
• Versatility: There are a huge range of styles, designs and fabricates available when it comes to conservatories. Traditional or modern there is an option to suit your home.
• Classic Aesthetics: The conservatory has become symbolic within the traditional English garden and something that some homeowners couldn't live without. 

Disadvantages:

• Temperature Control: With large amount of glass it is hard to maintain a consistent temperature. Generally too hot in summer and too cold in winter. 
• Limited Insulation: With small wall and often glass roofs there is very little room to fit insulation, making temperature control an issue.

2. Orangeries:

Benefits:

• Enhanced Privacy: Orangeries are more similar to traditional extension with the addition or more glazing and a roof lantern. The addition of extra wall and ceiling space over a conservatory means that the visibility in from outside in reduced, achieving a greater sense of privacy.
• Year-Round Use: Orangeries generally feature much more insulation in the walls and roof over a traditional conservatory making them more suitable for year round use as they are more temperature stable.
• Elegant Design: Due to the nature of construction methods there are a lot more opportunity to use decorative brick and render as well as decorative roof line achieving a more sophisticated look.

Disadvantages:

• Cost: More detailed construction methods require more labour and materials, meaning an increased cost over conservatories.
• Limited Glass Area: With the addition of a flat roof and brick walls glass is limited compared to a conservatory.

3. Glass Box Extensions:

Benefits:

• Contemporary Design: With modern glass technology we are now able to build entire extensions out of glass. The finished look is an extremely modern and contemporary space.
• Uninterrupted Views: All glass and no frame means uninterrupted views of your garden and beyond.
• Versatile Use: Perfect for family life and parties there is little barrier between indoor and outdoor life.

Disadvantages:

• Heat Retention: All glass makes it difficult to retain heat, however with advanced triple glazing improvements have been made in this area.
• Privacy Concerns: With so much glass there is little privacy which may be a concern in highly populated areas.

4. Log Cabins or Garden Rooms:

Benefits:

• Natural Aesthetics: Garden rooms require less stringent building regulations and therefore can be a cheaper alternative to a more traditional extension.
• Year-Round Use: With plenty of option for insulation and highly efficient glazing our garden rooms can be used year round.
• Diverse Uses: Swimming pools, discos, summer house, shed there really is no limit to what a garden room or log cabin can be used for.

Disadvantages:

• Space Limitations: Depending on the size of your garden space may be a factor.
• Limited Natural Light: Often made with small windows and a solid roof light is a consideration.
   

Conclusion:

Choosing the right garden room extension involves considering your preferences, budget, and how you intend to use the space. Each type has its unique benefits and disadvantages, and finding the perfect fit requires careful consideration.