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The short version
- General maintenance includes removing leaves from the roof and guttering before the winter.
- If your garden room has a water supply, shut it off before the first frost and open all the taps until they run dry.
- Thick, draught-resistant curtains and draught excluders in front of the doors go a long way to blocking out the cold.
- Doors and windows should move freely and lock without force. If a door tightens in a wet spell, contact us rather than forcing it.
- Care depends on the cladding: composite needs a wash-down, Thermowood needs no paint and cedar silvers unless oiled.
With autumn well and truly here you might be wondering “will my garden room get cold in the winter?” If you’re worried about braving the elements this year, here are some of the best ways to winter-proof your outdoor room so you can enjoy it regardless of the weather.
Maintaining your garden room
This is a great time to take care of routine maintenance tasks too. General maintenance includes removing leaves from the roof and guttering, and repainting the outdoor walls with a waterproof paint if they are painted timber.
If you’ve connected your garden room to a water supply, consider turning off the taps before the first frost sets in. Frozen pipes can easily burst leading to leaks and water damage. When shutting off the water supply make sure the pipes are completely empty of water by opening all the taps until they run dry.
Adding a dehumidifier to your garden room will also keep it free of any damp and mould that can accumulate during the rainy seasons.
Insulating your garden room
Keep your garden room cosy all year round by insulating it. You can insulate the roof, walls, windows, doors and even the floor for maximum heat retention.
The best types of insulation for your wooden garden room are wood wool, mineral wool, or hemp fibre insulation. However, you can also use polystyrene boards to insulate your outdoor room but this is a less ecologically-friendly option and may not be as effective as wool or fibre insulation.
Adding thick, draught-resistant curtains to the windows and draught excluders in front of the doors will go a long way to blocking out the cold too.
Getting Cosy
Leave a portable heater or oil filled radiator in your garden room to give you an extra boost of heat during the winter. You can use timers on fixed heating to ensure the room is at an optimal temperature before you need to use it (perfect if your garden room is a home office) or to keep it toasty all day long.
Having lots of blankets, throws and fluffy rugs or carpet will also stop you from feeling the chill while spending time in your garden room.
Winter is the perfect season for spending time in your garden room, creating your own comfy retreat and hiding away from the elements. How will you use your garden room this winter?
Doors, windows and locks
- Open and close every door and window: each should move freely and lock without force.
- Look along the seals for gaps, splits or sections that have come away.
- Clear grit and leaves from thresholds and from the tracks of sliding and bi-fold doors.
- Check that every lock engages fully, and keep the keys in the house.
- Follow the door maker's care guidance for the locks and hinges.
Timber moves with the seasons, so a door can tighten in a wet spell. Don't force it or try to adjust it yourself: contact us and we will advise on the next step.
The base and the ground around it
Keep the ground round the building clear, so water drains away and air can move under and around it. Our autumn garden checklist covers the lawn, beds and trees around it.
- Rake leaves and debris away from the base, including whatever has blown under a building on ground screws.
- Keep soil, bark and gravel below the bottom of the cladding, and don't heap anything against the walls.
- Move pots, log piles and stored items a little way off the walls.
- After heavy rain, check that water drains away rather than pooling against the base.
- Look for changes around the base, such as sinking ground or a new gap, and tell us if you see one.
Cladding care by material
Care depends on what your building is clad in. Ask us for the guidance for your cladding before you put anything on it, because a product that suits one finish can mark another.
| Cladding | Before winter | How it ages |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated timber | Check the paint for splits, flaking and worn patches, and touch it up in a dry spell. Our terms recommend keeping the waterproofing paint up yearly, or as the paint maker recommends. | Its waterproofing paint protects it while you keep it up |
| Thermowood | Check for splits and brush off dirt. It needs no paint unless you want to change its colour. | Weathers evenly |
| Composite | Wash down with a soft brush and water to lift dirt and green growth. | Holds its colour; a wash-down is the main care |
| Western Red Cedar | Brush off dirt. Oil it in a dry spell only if you want to keep its colour. | Naturally durable; silvers unless oiled |
| Slatted profile | Brush out leaves and cobwebs from between the slats. | Care follows the material |
