There may come a time when your house starts to feel a little cramped. Perhaps you are working from home on a more permanent or flexible basis, or maybe you’ve decided to start growing your family and welcome some little ones into your life. Whatever the situation, it can often feel like there is simply never enough space to feel comfortable at home.
One way to enjoy some extra space, without completely relocating, is to invest in a contemporary garden room that can be tailored to suit your exact needs and personal taste. A bespoke Garden Retreats pod will last you a lifetime and can be taken with you if you do decide to move home in the future.
Because Garden Retreats pods are so strong and structurally sound, you have the option of adding some excellent extra features either at the same time as your initial installation or at another time later on. These include decking and a rooftop terrace with a beautiful spiral staircase. This guide will explore these features in more detail and explain how they can complement your Garden Retreat.
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Roof terrace with spiral staircase
The strong, flat roof of the Garden Retreats pod means a roof terrace can be installed easily without compromising the pod’s structural integrity.
Adding a roof terrace is the perfect way to transform a regular outbuilding into a modern garden room that can be used from day to night for a variety of applications. What might be a garden office during working hours can become a space for drinking, dining and relaxing with friends and family under the stars in the evening. Or, if you have green fingers but are generally lacking in outdoor space, you might want to develop your terrace into a rooftop garden where you can grow plants and your own fresh produce.
DIY garden bars are increasingly popular across homes in the UK. During lockdown restrictions, many homeowners used their imaginations to create chic outdoor spaces for enjoying a drink or two after work and on weekends. With a roof terrace that comes with an elegant spiral staircase, your home bar could be the envy of your friendship group when they visit for some much-needed socialising. Decorate your terrace with fairy lights, stylish garden furniture and cocktail jugs to turn it into the perfect spot for a social gathering.
Composite decking
The high-quality decking we offer at Garden Retreats is available in a choice of three stunning colours to match the composite cladding that is chosen: Spiced Oak (cedar), Light Grey or Dark Grey. As well as being colour-matched, the performance and durability also match the composite cladding.
If you use your garden room for work or creative pursuits like painting and sculpture, it could be nice to take your things outside of your office or studio and enjoy the summer weather while it lasts. Composite decking is a stable surface that can carry the weight of your furniture or equipment, which means that you could quite easily transition from inside to outside in the sun when working from home.
Composite decking is also a great additional feature if you use your Garden Retreat as a home gym or fitness studio. Our pods come with your choice of bifold or patio doors, so you can open the space up and take your workout outside whenever you feel like it. The decking will solve any issues with uneven surfaces or muddy grass, so you can work out in peace while enjoying the weather.
The Garden Retreats pod
Our Garden Retreats pods make it easier than ever to add extra space into your home. Our pods can be used for a variety of purposes, whether you are looking to upgrade your home office or create a playroom for your kids. The pods are made from high-quality durable material that can handle anything you may have in mind.
Modular
All of our pods are completely modular, and their size can be altered to fit into your garden space. There are three pod sizes to choose from:
- 5 x 3 metres
- 3 x 3 metres
- 2 x 3 metres
More pods can be added if you need extra space in the future and, unlike with a conservatory or orangery extension, your Garden Retreat can be dismantled and taken with you if you move to a new home.
Durable material
Our pods are made from carbon fibre instead of traditional timber, so your retreat will not expand or deteriorate over time. The cladding that we use is also made from a super-strong composite material that won’t cause condensation. Our materials require 75% less energy for production and transportation than steel and can be quickly fitted together onsite for swift installation in days, not weeks or months.
Zero maintenance
Unlike sheds or greenhouses, Garden Retreats pods require zero external maintenance. You can sit back and enjoy your garden room without having to spend hours of your personal time maintaining it. The minimal maintenance also means that the pods are incredibly cost-effective.
Wipe-clean wall and floor tiling
You have a choice of beautiful luxury Italian vinyl wall and floor tiling when you choose the Garden Retreats pod. These are wipe-clean and available in a variety of different colours so you can customise your space to suit your personal style.
Electrics and heating
Garden Retreats pods come with functioning sockets with USB ports, internal and external spotlights, a hook-up point for mains and smartphone-controlled heating included internally. You won’t have to sacrifice any modern-day comforts when spending time in your new garden room.
Great insulation
Our pods have an industry-leading British warm roof system with a U-value of 0.18. This means that the roof of your pod will not let any heat escape into the atmosphere, making it cost-effective and environmentally safe.
Frequently asked questions
Does a roof terrace need planning permission?
Yes, as you are going over a single storey you will need to get planning permission. This should be no problem in most areas of the UK.
How do you keep decking clean?
Composite decking is easily cleaned with a jet washer or stiff brush. Unlike wood it won’t discolour, chip, splinter or warp heavily. Alternatively, you can buy wood deck cleaner from your local garden centre to keep your decking looking brand new.