Garden rooms are often pictured as being particularly expensive to build and maintain after they are constructed. Indeed, garden rooms are an investment, and getting the best ones can sometimes cost a lot of money. However, adopting an eco-friendly approach can be helpful in this regard.
Not only are sustainable garden rooms advantageous for the environment, but they can also prove to be quite beneficial for your wallet. Read this article to know more about garden rooms and how they can be made sustainable.
Sustainable Materials:
It’s not necessary to build a brand-new, possibly pre-made garden building out of a huge concrete slab. There are more environmentally friendly choices available. Timber is a common choice. A garden building made of straw bales is another alternative.
You might even be able to make a partially earth-sheltered garden house on a sloped site. In some situations, a green roof or grass roof might be an intriguing choice. Regardless of what you decide, thinking outside the box might help you come up with creative solutions to lessen the impact and enhance the distinctive beauty of your construction.
Solar Panels:
Solar panels could be a fantastic eco-friendly addition to your new structure. Not only do these will help you save up to 70% on heating bills, but they are an excellent method of gathering and storing surplus energy that can be used on the grid.
It will be necessary to take into account your roof’s style, the garden room’s location, and its size if you want to build eco-friendly garden rooms, but it is still worth looking into.
Green Roof options:
Wood shingles from an appropriately managed forest are one alternative for sustainable roofing. You can even go for roof shingles made from waste materials like rubber, plastic, and wood fibre. There are also faux slate roof designs composed of limestone and recycled plastic.
EPDM is another great option for a flat roof. Made with a rubber roof membrane, it is extremely robust and can last for 30 to 50 years. It is also breathable and naturally water-repellent, and it is often used to build green roofs.
Insulation:
Request a thick wall, preferably between 44mm and 70mm, when buying a timber building. To cut down on the amount of electricity needed for heating, insulate the floor and ceiling.
A garden building made of structural insulated panels (SIPs) is also environmentally friendly. The structural and fully recyclable SIPs are composed of insulation in a range of thicknesses. Additionally, they are thermally effective, meet all U-value requirements set forth by building regulations, and maintain the building’s cooling in the summer.
Quality Windows And Doors:
A good window and door will keep that heat sealed in and stop any draughts from wafting in. The best investment you could make in this situation is triple glazing, however, double glazing will also work.
Look for double-glazed, energy-efficient doors and windows made from premium-quality northern European spruce obtained from managed forests. It is also essential to draught-proof windows and doors.
Water Collection:
Water collection is another quick and simple option to make your garden room environmentally friendly. Install a water collection tank on the drainpipe. This can collect and store all of the rainwater, which you can use instead of reaching for a hose for watering your garden or plants.
Final Thoughts:
Don’t forget to thrift decor items for all of your home furnishings. You’d be surprised at what you can find at salvage yards, antique shops, pre-loved online retailers, and charity shops. You can make a truly one-of-a-kind garden room and commit to the eco-ethos at the same time by combining a diverse range of goods.