Architecturally designed & built to the highest standards
All our buildings are architecturally designed and built to the highest standards, complying with current British Building Regulations. We always strive to use the best, sustainably sourced, eco-friendly materials wherever possible and to reduce our carbon footprint as much as we can. Our finished product has a very low U-value (which is good!). Below is a summary of some of the standard materials we use in our builds:
Foundations
The cost of the foundation is included in our price – we just ask that you ensure the ground is clear of debris(trees, bushes etc). We typically use mini alloy pilings, concrete pad and German engineered ground screws for sloping ground and flood plain terrain. The building does not rest on the ground and is slightly raised, so there is a vented space underneath which prevents rising damp.
Roofs, Walls, Floors & Interiors
As your buildings are intended to be used all year round, they need to be as thermally efficient as possible, even in extreme weather. As a result, we use SIPS (roof, walls and floors). Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), from which we have derived part of our name, are a modern composite building material; they are one of the most advanced building systems currently on the market. They exceed building regulations, are incredibly strong, insulating and cost-effective as well as environmentally friendly; they also enable fast build time frames, generally not possible with traditional building methods.
Services, Heating & Ventilation
All our builds come supplied and fitted with a comprehensive electrical package, comprising power sockets, lighting and heating. Dependent on your needs and requirements, we can also supply and install Air-Source heat pumps; these are Class - AA rated, wall-mounted, remote controlled combined air-conditioning / air source heating with condenser unit mounted externally.
Lighting & Electrical
Included in our builds is the provision of a new electricity supply via a consumer unit, fitted at a high level to avoid tampering; the wiring is concealed out of view.
Roof
A durable, water-tight roof is essential. We use a rubber product produced by Firestone which is single-ply and laid in one piece; it is called EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). This product significantly lowers the carbon footprint of a structure: We can also supply and fit green ‘living’ or Sedum roofs, sun tubes or skylights as extras.
Windows & Doors
We use quality hardwood, uPVC and powder coated aluminium frames in our garden buildings. For glazing, as standard, we use Pilkington K. We offer a wide range of window and door configurations, including sliding and folding doors. There are numerous window and door combinations to choose from; we can incorporate virtually any into the design, including for wheelchair access. In addition, further glass options include laminated, opaque, fire rated or acoustic glazing as well as integrated blinds which sit inside the glazing units and provide a seamless finish (and come in a variety of different colours). In addition, all windows and doors have high security locks as standard, giving you both security and peace of mind.
Cladding & Decking
All our rooms are fitted with Western Red Cedar tongue and groove external cladding as standard; it can also be used for building overhangs or decking, as an optional extra. This desirable softwood is superior to all other coniferous woods; it is highly resistant to shrinking, warping, decay and insect attack, the latter due to naturally occurring fungicidal acids in the wood. Western Red Cedar is a versatile, adaptable and attractive species of timber, well suited for external timber cladding and roof shingles. The rich and warm brown, red, gold and pink colours add individuality to each build; it slowly silvers over time and is incredibly low maintenance.