By Kai Iris
Those who have owned their own summer house for a long time will know that the name is deceptive. Summer houses, when designed and built well, are seldom only used for summer. In fact, with new designs continuously being developed, as well as better types of insulation, they are the ideal property asset for all seasons.
There are many mistakes commonly made when building and designing summer houses, many of which are easily avoidable. So, if you are considering a summer house purchase or have one that you feel is underused, then we have some advice for you.
Consult Your Council
One of the most appealing factors of summer houses is that they can be easily built into a garden without compromising local building regulations. While this is true, there are certain circumstances that might contradict this. For example, your local area may have more strict regulations on outdoor building height than other counties or your property contract might stipulate certain limitations.
Properly Insulate
Designing a summer house to capture the sunshine perfectly makes for a wonderful summer of basking in the warmth. Then, when it comes to colder temperatures, the building becomes too cold to enjoy. Giving a summer house the insulation to be comfortable throughout winter is often overlooked.
Fortunately, it is effortless to insulate your summer house and there are also numerous ways to do so. Not only should you consider the walls but also the roof and floor too. A wooden floor, depending on the type of wood you choose, is set to be far warmer than a concrete alternative, for example. And don’t forget to double glaze your windows, blocking out any potential drafts too.
Think Long-Term
Summer houses have the potential to be a long-term asset of a property, giving you decades of enjoyment. However, if you do not plan accordingly or try to cut corners with the quality of your materials, you will end up with a greater number of issues and costs.
When building your summer house, be sure to use pressure-treated woods and high-quality materials to ensure the longevity of your property. Such considerations and costs, while potentially frustrating, are essential as the exterior of your summer house will be exposed constantly to outdoor weather elements. Additionally, insects are an essential consideration and you will want to take care to protect your interior from infestation.
Plan For Utilities
Is your summer house simply a place to recline and read, or is it to be a space that you will be spending many hours, perhaps even offering it as a place to stay for guests? If the latter sounds more likely, then it may be worth considering planning ahead with your electrical wiring and utilities.
The initial cost of installing utilities, such as water and heating, can be expensive. However, they will always be cheaper than attempting to have them installed at a later date. Typically this also involves deconstructing your summer home, rendering it unusable for some time.
