Specification

GUARANTEE

10 year materials and labour

Garden Offices UK Ltd warrants that the building will be free from any significant defect for a period of 10 years from the date of Agreement for purchase.  The Company will take reasonable steps to bring the Building into a condition where it is free from such defects.

Base:
Small buildings with a footprint of less than 2.4 x 3.6, (larger but depending on ground conditions) can often be built off concrete pads but in all cases a 150 mm deep concrete pad is best. 

On top of the base we build a framework of tantalised timber which is supported off the pad with spacers which allow an air flow.

FLOOR:

• Constructed of SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) with thicknesses of 125 mm which contains 100 mm EPS rigid foam insulation.  Click here for more on SIPs.

FLOOR COVERINGS:

• We most commonly fit an engineered oak floor but any flooring can be fitted, including.
• carpet
• linoleum.
• Special floors for gyms and saunas.

WALLS: At garden offices our basic construction, which can vary according to your requirements:

• The basis of our wall is our 125 mm SIP panel with 100 mm EPS rigid foam insulation.  It is these that give the structure its great strength, rigidity and insulation. Click here for more on insulation.
• Our walls are normally 197 mm thick but can be altered according to requirements, see below.

• THE OUTSIDE is covered by a breather membrane.  This protects the structure from condensation which naturally occurs as air temperature and humidity changes.
• 25 x 50 mm tantalised timber battens are next fitted at 600 mm centres.
• These battens allow the all important airflow between the cladding and the main structure.  This helps to keep the back of the cladding dry.  This air gap is partly responsible for the very long life of the building.
• Finally treated softwood cladding is applied horizontally to protect the structure from the elements.  This can be painted or stained as you require.

• THE INSIDE  surface of our offices is plaster boarded, skimmed with plaster and decorated.
• The plaster board can be mounted on timber battens which allows all electrical wiring to be fixed out of sight.
• Power points and light switches are flush mounted as in a house.

There are a number of variations to the above wall structure:

• The thickness of the insulation can be increased or decreased.  You might want it increased on an exposed site and decreased where space is limited. 
• Our standard treated softwood cladding can be vertically or horizontally applied.
• We can also replace softwood cladding with western red cedar or Siberian larch cladding, even cedar shingles and shakes.
• The inside can be plaster boarded, ply, panelled or fitted out with matchboard.

ROOF:

• The main roof element is also the SIP.  The minimum thickness usually employed is 125 mm thick with 100 mm rigid foam insulation but this generally increases with span to 150 mm (100 mm insulation) or 175 mm (150 mm insulation).
• Our buildings can have flat roofs (monopitch). They have a minimum 1 degree pitch, or dual pitched roofs.  We can vary the pitch to suit any requirement.

• ON THE INSIDE
• plaster board mounted skimmed with plaster and decorated.

• WEATHER PROOFING FOR A MONOPITCH ROOF:
• Our garden office roofs are protected by a very tough Firestone EPDM which is like an artificial rubber.  This is glued to the upper surface of the SIP.  There are several reasons we use this membrane.  Firestone give the materials a 20 year warranty.  It has an expected lifespan EXCEEDING 50 YEARS.  It is used around the world and the lifespan expectancy of 50 years plus is the result of being used in countries with such different climates as Canada and Saudi Arabia.  It is also very easily, cheaply and permanently repaired should it suffer mechanical damage.

• WEATHER PROOFING FOR A DUAL PITCH ROOF:
• Unless otherwise asked we price on the basis of installing a glass reinforced asphalt shingle laid directly onto the surface of the SIP but have used many alternatives including:
• First grade cedar shingles or shakes.
• Clay tiles
• Concrete tiles
• Welsh slate
• Pantiles.
• When we lay any of the above which are fitted to battens we always fit breather membrane first followed by a counter batten (laid down the slope) first.  This ensures that condensation which naturally collects under the tile is not trapped.  Just another way we take care of you.

DOORS:

• We have a choice of many doors from several ranges.
• Our standard door is timber, softwood or hardwood, but if you prefer we can use uPVC*.
• Our timber windows can come painted or stained.
• Where doors have glazing panels we use double glazed units, usually 4/16/4 with toughened or laminated glass (minimum 6 mm) with low e glass and argon gas filled.  This reduced the U value to 1.8 for the glazing.
• Good quality door furniture, parliament hinges when suitable.
• See below some of the doors and windows we have used recently, please ask if you prefer others:

WINDOWS:

• You have a choice of many styles.
• We usually use timber framed windows but can use uPVC* if you prefer.
• Our garden office windows are lockable.
• They are always double glazed and the standard double glazed unit has the following specifications.  4/16/4 (24 mm thick) toughened or laminated glass (minimum 6 mm) with low e glass and argon gas filled.  This reduced the U value to 1.8 for the glazing.

ELECTRICS, the following are included:

• Consumer unit.
• Ample double 13 amp sockets.  Within reason there is no maximum and in one building we fitted 22 double sockets.  Normally fitted 450 mm off the floor but can be mounted above desk top height if preferred.
• We fit the lighting you choose.  We give you a budget and you can either buy within that budget or pay a little extra if you choose to.
• Light switches.
• Outside light if required.
• Weather proof outside socket if required.
• We can provide a wall mounted convector heater or fit an electric under floor heating system with thermostat.  Our garden office floors are so well insulated that under floor electric heating is a very popular option.

*uPVC doors and windows are usually a little less expensive than equivalent timber ones, they do not require maintenance and have the advantage that units can be manufactured to any size without the cost penalty that bespoke timber ones carry.

Garden Offices UK Ltd