Whether it’s for storing your car, setting up a workshop, or because you just need more space, a Garage is a great addition to your home. And if you’re after something especially robust, our Close Board and Strap Garage could be your perfect fit.
A timber Garage is a great choice, but you want to make sure that it’s built to last and will withstand the weather. You don’t want a big, flimsy Shed that’s disguised as a Garage. You need solid, watertight construction, with layered walls and an air cavity – also known as a G&M Garage.
We offer two types of timber Garages: our Standard Redwood Weatherboard Garage and our Close Board and Strap Garage.
In this blog, I’ll explain the unique construction of the Close Board and Strap Garage and the costs involved in a project, so you can determine if it fits your needs and budget.
What is a Close Board and Strap Garage?
Our Close Board and Strap Garage features an upgraded wall construction with 5-Tier walls instead of the standard 3-Tier, and close board and strap cladding.
What is close board and strap cladding?
Close Board and Strap cladding uses two layers of timber:
A 22mm rough-sawn board (close boards) and a 22mm tanalised rough-sawn batten (the strap).
The boards are laid next to each other and attached to the frame beneath. Then, the batten is attached over each join in the boards. This means every joint in the cladding is covered and there are no gaps for water to seep in, resulting in a completely watertight structure.
What else makes up the walls of the Close Board and Strap Garage?
5-Tier Construction:
FRAMING: 95mm x 45mm pressure-treated C24 Graded framing.
STRUCTURAL BOARD: 9mm OSB.
AIR CAVITY: Breather membrane.
9mm vertical holding strap.
50mm x 22mm dwang cavity batten.
CLADDING: 150mm x 22mm rough-sawn board.
50mm x 22mm tanalised rough-sawn batten.
Framing is a very important part of your Garage – it’s like its bones – and strong framing creates a sturdy and long-lasting Garage. C24 is the grade of the framing, and this means that this framing is extremely strong and durable.
We use OSB in the Garage wall for structural support and insulation. OSB strengthens the wall here, but be aware, it’s not suitable for single-skinned buildings because it breaks down when it gets wet.
The air cavity is key to keeping water out. Even if moisture were to get through the outer cladding, it wouldn’t be able to get across the air cavity or penetrate through the breather membrane. This means the inside of your Garage stays dry.
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Why choose the Close Board and Strap Garage?
What are the factors that could make a Close Board and Strap Garage your ideal garden building?
Rustic Aesthetic
Close board and strap cladding has a rustic look compared to the more classic style of tongue and groove weatherboard. If you want a Garage with a more earthy aesthetic, Close Board and Strap is perfect – the rough-sawn boards blend in well with any surroundings.
Superior Water Resistance
The Close Board and Strap Garage provides even more protection from water ingress than our standard Garages. The cladding style and 5-Tier walls ensure that no moisture gets in.
The CBS Garage is ideal for exposed sites, where the weather can be particularly harsh. The cladding runs vertically, allowing water to run down the boards and straight to the ground, without pooling anywhere and risking water ingress.
How much does a Close Board and Strap Garage Cost?
The Close Board and Strap Garage features a sophisticated wall specification and cladding style, which requires a high level of skill to construct. This, along with material costs, means a CBS Garage costs around £4000 – £7000 more than a standard G&M Garage.
We’re going to break down the cost of a 5.4m x 3.6m Apex Close Board and Strap Garage.
The price of this Garage is £19,176. Let’s explore the other costs involved:
How much does a concrete base cost?
A concrete plinth is essential for your CBS Garage, due to its weight and size. The cost of a concrete base varies depending on your individual site.
The site access, the existing level of your site, and the amount of excavation needed all affect the cost of your concrete base. These factors impact material and labour costs, which can increase the cost of your concrete base considerably.
A groundwork company must do a site visit to give you an exact cost for your concrete base. If you choose to have G&M handle your concrete base, we will arrange a site visit with one of our accredited base layers.
£5,500 is a good estimate for a concrete base for a 5.4m x 3.6m Close Board and Strap Garage, but costs may be higher depending on your site.
How much does a Garage door cost?
Another cost to consider for your CBS Garage project is your Garage door.
We offer sectional, roller and barn-style garage doors at G&M. Our manual sectional and roller doors range from £2,600 – £3,500 depending on width. Barn-style doors are a premium option and start at price_ref field=”price” slug=”2-4-garage-barn-door”].
If you’d like to upgrade to an automatic garage door, this will be at an additional cost of £400. For the Garage size we’re looking at, the 2.4m door is ideal and a manual sectional or roller door at this size is £2,600.
Sectional Garage Door
Sectional doors open vertically into the roof of your Garage.
A sectional garage door consists of several panels, all attached to each other. They move on a track, and when you open the garage door, they slide up into the roof and lie flat.
If you’re going to store your car, or you want to store anything in the roof of your Garage, you’ll need to make sure that there’s enough clearance, and that your Garage door doesn’t get in the way.
Roller Garage Door
As it opens, a roller garage door coils around itself and stores in a box or drum above the garage door opening. Roller doors usually have horizontal slats that are flexible enough to roll up tightly. A roller door leaves you with more internal roof space compared to a sectional door.
What other costs are involved in a Close Board and Strap Garage project?
Beyond the Garage itself, the concrete base and the Garage door, there are some other extras that can add to the functionality of your garage:
Double-Glazed Windows
Adding uPVC double-glazed windows to your CBS Garage allows you to let in natural light and ensures you can ventilate your space. We use uPVC double-glazing in our Garages because it’s in keeping with the watertight design of the building itself.
uPVC windows are available in a single, double or triple cill and prices start from £540.
Personnel Door
We add personnel doors to most of our Garage projects. A personnel door allows you easy access to your garage. If you have an automatic garage door, a personnel door allows you to get into your garage even if your garage door fails.
You can have a uPVC personnel door for £950.
Electricity
You can have your Close Board and Strap Garage kitted out with electrics. This is a great choice, especially if you plan to use the space as a workshop or hobby area.
Our accredited electricians will do a site visit to give you an exact cost for the electrical work, because the cost depends on your site and preferences. A good guide cost is between £600 and £1,000.
How much does an overall Close Board and Strap project cost?
Project 1 is the cost of a standard garage project, without the CBS cladding and 5-Tier wall structure. Project 2 includes the total cost of a Close Board and Strap Garage with all the basics you need. Finally, project 3 features a Close Board and Strap Garage with add-ons and upgrades.
| Project 1 | Project 2 | Project 3 | |
| Garage Body | Standard £13,996 | CBS £19,176 | CBS £19,176 |
| Concrete Base (estimate) | £5,500 | £5,500 | £5,500 |
| Garage Door | Manual £2,600 | Manual £2,600 | Automatic £2,900 |
| Personnel Door | £950 | ||
| uPVC Windows | Single £540 | ||
| Electrics (estimate) | £800 | ||
| Total Cost | £22,096 | £27,276 | £29,866 |
These are estimated costs of potential Garage projects, your project may vary in price depending on your individual requirements.
Is the Close Board and Strap Garage Right For Me?
If you need a garage that’s watertight, weatherproof and always reliable, the Close Board and Strap Garage is the one for you. With its premium cladding and wall specification, the Close Board and Strap Garage is a solid investment, ideal for those looking for a long-lasting and durable building that looks good in any surroundings.
Visit our Show Area in Errol and check out our Close Board and Strap Garage – see the beauty and skilled craftsmanship in person.
If you’d like to discuss your project, book a Consultation with our sales team. They’ll answer any questions you have and guide you through the whole process, creating the Garage of your dreams.
