Gable Roofed
School Classroom
Golf Room
Snooker Room
Home Office
Home Gym
Garden Annex
Garden Studio
Cinema Room
Cocktail Bar
Indoor Pool
Beautician's Studio
Café Area
If you want a garden room that looks like wood but never needs painting or staining, composite is the better choice. If you love real timber and do not mind looking after it, timber can suit you.
We build in composite, so we have tried to be fair to both.
What is a composite garden room?
A composite garden room is built from boards made of a blend of recycled wood and plastic. The boards have a woodgrain pattern pressed into them, so they look like timber.
On our buildings, the boards are sealed in a tough outer skin. This protects them from staining, scratches, mildew and fading. The material cannot rot.
What is a timber garden room?
A timber garden room is built from wood. Wood is a natural material, so it reacts to the weather. Rain, sun and frost all take their toll over time. To keep it in good shape, timber needs protecting with paint, stain or treatment.
Composite and timber compared
| Composite (ours) | Timber | |
|---|---|---|
| Upkeep | Wipe down now and then with water and a mild detergent | Needs painting, staining or treating to protect it |
| Rot | Cannot rot, and resists mould and algae | Can rot if it is not kept protected |
| Looks | Woodgrain finish in a choice of colours | Real wood grain, which weathers over time |
| Inside walls | Already finished, so no plastering or decorating | Depends on the supplier |
| Insulation | Fully insulated walls, 100mm roof insulation and 'A' energy rated double glazing | Depends on the build, so check what is included |
| Guarantee | 10 year guarantee | Check the supplier's guarantee and the upkeep it asks for |
Why upkeep matters
A timber building is outside in all weathers, all year. Without care, it can soon look worn and faded. Keeping it protected takes time, and it costs money each time you do it.
Composite is made to skip that job. You never have to paint, stain or seal it. That is the main reason people choose it.
Which is warmer?
How warm a garden room is depends mostly on how it is built, not just what it is made of. Look at the insulation in the walls, roof and floor, and at the glazing.
Our composite rooms have insulated walls, roof and floor, and 'A' energy rated double glazing. They are over 3 times more thermally efficient than a traditional timber garden building. Read more in our guide: Can you use a garden room all year round?
Which should you choose?
Timber may suit you if:
- you love the look and feel of real wood
- you are happy to paint or treat it regularly
Composite may suit you if:
- you want a room that stays looking good with very little work
- you want a room you can use all year round
- you like the idea of a building made from recycled materials
How to compare quotes
Prices vary a lot for both composite and timber. To compare fairly, ask every supplier the same questions:
- Are the walls, roof and floor all insulated?
- What rating is the glazing?
- Is the base included?
- Is installation included?
- Are the electrics included, and is the cable to your house extra?
- How long is the guarantee, and what upkeep does it need from you?
You can see what is included in our prices on our garden room prices page.
Questions people ask
Does composite look like real wood?
It has a woodgrain pattern pressed into it, so it looks like timber. The best way to judge is to see it. You can visit our Show Village, or ask us for free colour samples.
Does a composite garden room fade?
Our boards are sealed in an outer skin that protects them against fading, staining, scratches and mildew.
How do you clean a composite garden room?
Wipe the outside down now and then with water and a mild detergent. That is all it needs.
Is composite eco-friendly?
Our composite is made from recycled wood and plastic. It also never needs paint or stain, so there are no tins of treatment to buy over the years.
