What Building Materials Do I Need To Build A Garden Room?

Building your own garden room is a rewarding task that adds a myriad of benefits to your living space and can add to your home value. Whether you’re building a garden room for office space, a games room or a place of business it’s important to build a sturdy structure that will keep you warm or cool throughout the years and is safe and secure. Within this article, I show you what materials are required for each step of the build, where to find the best and cheapest materials and point you in the right direction for creating a self-build garden room.

Your journey will start with an in-depth understanding of the building materials required to complete a project like this, and equally important, the task of finding a suitable hardware shop for all those essential tools and materials. Your online search will likely begin with ‘hardware shop near me’ or ‘building materials near me’, outlining some of your area’s best suppliers. I recommend visiting these suppliers and asking for bulk order discounts for the best bargains, as they will often reward customers for placing large orders. For a comprehensive understanding of building and insulating your garden room, refer to our detailed self-build garden room guide.

Garden Room Costs

Garden room building costs will vary from around £6,000 to £30,000 + depending on the size of your project. As an example, medium-size garden rooms averaging 4m x 4m, materials will cost in the region of £12,000. I have an in-depth guide on garden room costs here where I’ve outlined what you can expect to pay based on a square meter calculation. Below I’ll explain all the elements that make up a garden room and a list of materials required to complete each section. You can use this list to calculate costs and start planning your budget and build.

Is it Cheaper to Build Your Own Garden Room?

Constructing your own garden room instead of hiring a garden room building company can save you money by cutting down on labor costs. However, it’s important to recognise the significant time investment required for such a project, especially if you’re working solo. Typically, a professional garden building company employs a team of four individuals who spend approximately five days completing the main structure, excluding any major ground works or finishing touches. Therefore, if you opt to tackle the project yourself, be prepared for it to potentially take several weeks. Additionally, if you’re balancing this project alongside a full-time job, expect the timeline to be further extended.

So let’s imagine the professional garden room company is paying their staff £180 per day. A team of four will cost £720 per day with an average of 5 days of build time you’ll be looking at £3,600 in labour costs.

List of Components and Materials that Make up a Garden Room Construction Project

Here’s a breakdown of the different sections required to complete a timber garden room. There are normally several different ways to approach a project like this but here is how I recommend building a well insulated and secure structure.

1. Foundation Materials

Building a stable base for your garden room is essential to prevent movement and moisture penetration. Here are a couple of options and extras to consider for this part of the build:

• Concrete blocks or paving slabs
• Ground spikes or threaded rods
• Cement and sharp sand
• Gravel: Helps with drainage and prevents moisture buildup.

2. Framing Materials

Framing materials are used to build the walls and roof.

• Construction timber: Ideal for framing due to its versatility, affordability, and ease of construction.
• Pressure-treated timber: Resistant to rot, decay, and insect infestation, crucial for outdoor structures.
• Galvanized steel brackets: Provide additional structural support for the roofing timbers.

3. Insulation Materials

Insulation should be used to keep your garden room warm in the winter and cool in the summer. These materials are essential in the construction of garden rooms so that they can be comfortably used year-round.

• Insulation boards: Essential for regulating temperature and energy efficiency.
• Mineral wool or fibreglass insulation: Provides thermal and acoustic insulation.

4. Cladding Materials

Your garden room needs a tough exterior shell to protect it from the elements and an aesthetically pleasing finish to blend nicely into your garden landscape.

• Weather-resistant timber boards: Enhance the aesthetic appeal and protect against the elements. Spruce, hemlock or western red cedar is used.
• UPVC cladding: Low-maintenance option with excellent weather resistance.
• Breathable membrane: Protects from moisture ingress.
• Furring strips are used to mount cladding to the structure whilst allowing suitable airflow.

5. Roofing Materials

The roof is a vital part of the project that directs rainfall to certain areas of the building. A watertight finish is essential.

• Roofing felt or membrane: Provides waterproofing protection.
• Roof tiles or shingles: Enhance the aesthetic appeal and provide durability.
• Polycarbonate roofing panels: Lightweight and durable option for allowing natural light into the garden room.

6. Glazing Materials

Natural light is important in your garden room, as is insulation. Finding glazing that can provide both elements is important.

• Double or triple-glazed windows: Improve energy efficiency and provide insulation.
• Toughened glass doors: Ensure safety and security while allowing natural light into the space.

7. Flooring Materials

A well-insulated and hard-wearing floor can enhance your finished building. Think about these elements for a well-rounded finish on your garden building.

• Tongue and groove flooring timber
• Pressure-treated timber decking
• Laminate flooring: Budget-friendly option with a variety of designs.

8. Finishing Materials

Protecting and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of your building is very important. Consider these materials in your budget.

• Exterior paint or stain: Protects the wood from moisture and UV damage while adding color and personality.
• Sealant or caulk: Ensures weatherproofing and prevents water infiltration.
• Skirting boards and trim: Provides a finished look and covers gaps between walls and floors.
• Window dressing such as blinds or curtains

9. Electrical Works

Most will want electrical sockets and lighting in their garden room. This can make up a reasonable expense, especially when hiring a qualified electrician for the installation.

• Cabling for lighting and power sockets
• Switches, sockets and lighting fixtures
• Consumer units, fuses and connectors
• Armoured cable for mains connection

10. Further Considerations

• Groundworks and landscaping materials. You may require further materials to level areas of your garden.
• Decking and paving. Decks and paths often make up walkways, seating areas and entrances for garden rooms.
• Plants and scenery: Think about trees, bushes and other plants that might be required to help your building blend into the garden landscape.

Building the Perfect Garden Room

Picking the right stuff is make-or-break for your garden room dream. With a ton of choices out there, it’s important to weigh a few things before you dive in. This guide will help you navigate the material maze:

Budget Boss: Before you get carried away, figure out how much you’re realistically ready to spend. Sure, super-cheap might be tempting, but think long-term. Aim for materials that give you the most bang for your buck, finding that sweet spot between affordability and quality.

Built to Last: Garden rooms face the elements head-on, so toughness is key. Choose materials that can handle whatever weather throws their way and stay strong for years to come. Look for stuff with a reputation for lasting – things that fight off rot, rust, and anything else that might try to break them down.

Going Green: These days, being kind to the planet matters. If you can, opt for materials that are eco-friendly, grow back naturally, and come from nearby. By choosing sustainable options, you’re not just helping the environment, you’re making the world a healthier place.

Looking the Part: Your garden room should be an inviting escape that complements your home and the whole outdoor vibe. Think about the style of your house and the scenery around it when you’re picking materials. Consider things like color, texture, and overall design to make sure everything flows together nicely.

Function First: Looks are important, but don’t forget what your garden room needs to do. If you’re building in a wet area, prioritize materials that resist moisture. For year-round comfort, focus on insulation that keeps the temperature just right.

By thinking about these things and choosing materials that fit your project’s needs and vision, you can create a garden room that’s not only perfect for you but looks fantastic and lasts a lifetime.

My Garden Room Projects

For more information about how to build your own garden room you can visit some of my in-depth guides. Here’s some great starting points: