Top 5 Factors that Make a Great Summerhouse

Looking for a great summerhouse, but not exactly sure what that means?

A summerhouse is a luxury item and installing one in your garden is a big project. That’s why you don’t just want a decent summerhouse. You want something special.

But what are the factors that make the difference between a good summerhouse and a great summerhouse?

The top 5 factors that make a summerhouse great are:

• Base
• Design Specification
• Materials
• Installation
• Maintenance

So let’s look at each of these in a little more detail…

Does a summerhouse need a great base?

I have some sort of dim school/church memory of a song about this. Apparently, the wise man built his house on the rock and the foolish man built his house upon the sand. Needless to say, when the rain came tumbling down the foolish man had cause to regret his choices.

Your summerhouse is the same. Let’s face it, round here the rain will most definitely come tumbling down, and when it does, the last thing you want is a leaky summerhouse. 

For a summerhouse to stay solid, square, and dry, you must have a decent base in place.

What sort of base do you need for a summerhouse?

Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered here. From materials to measurements to recommended contractors – it’s all here in our Learning Centre.

No matter how great your summerhouse is to start with, it will only stay as great as its base. 

What materials are used to build a good summerhouse?

Scandinavian Redwood is used to build superior summerhouses. Finally – a question with one simple answer! 😆

If your summerhouse is going to withstand the harsh ministrations of the Scottish weather, Scandinavian Redwood is what you need.

Remember that suppliers aren’t always transparent about the type of timber being used for their buildings. This is another good reason to buy a summerhouse from a manufacturer rather than a supplier. Make sure that wherever you buy your timber buildings, there’s someone who can answer this all-important question: what is the summerhouse made of?

If the answer is anything other than Scandinavian Redwood, your summerhouse is not destined for greatness. Not in this part of the world.

• Read more: Whitewood vs Redwood: Which Wood Is Best For A Garden Shed?

Does the design specification of a summerhouse matter?

Sheddies, design spec is EVERYTHING. How thick are the walls? How sturdy is the framing? What is the roof made of? 

This might seem like a lot to take in – if you’re not an expert in summerhouse specifications, how are you supposed to know what to look for? 

But it’s all in hand – our Summerhouse Buyer’s Checklist gives you the details you need to check your spec. 

Whichever summerhouse you’re looking at, use this to check off the features you need to end up with a great design specification.

There’s even an example of how to use this checklist to compare two different summerhouses.

What’s the best way to install a summerhouse?

Unless you’re a joiner or a builder, the best way to ensure that you end up with a solid summerhouse is to have a joiner or a builder install it. The ideal situation is to have your summerhouse installed by the people who built it. 

Why is this so important? Along with making sure you have a level base, expert installation is the most reliable way to ensure that your building stays square. 

This isn’t just an aesthetic choice – squared buildings stay watertight and solid. Any gaps, leans or instabilities on installation are going to impact your building for the rest of its life. These seemingly minor mistakes on installation can be extremely difficult to fix once the building is up.

If you’re looking for a fantastic summerhouse, find some fantastic joiners to install it. 

How does maintenance keep a summerhouse looking good?

Buying your summerhouse from a reputable supplier is an essential part of finding a great summerhouse. But once it’s in your garden, you must take responsibility for its continuing greatness. 

How do you do this? There are three simple ways to keep your summerhouse looking good for decades to come.

1. Paint your building with protective wood treatment. We recommend Sadolin, but there are various other alternatives out there.

2. Paint windows and doors internally as well as externally. Make sure that you paint all surfaces of your doors to minimise any moisture getting in, as this can cause doors to swell or shrink.

3. Keep your building aired. After any heavy rainfall, open up the doors and windows of your summerhouse to let in as much air as possible. In the wetter months, use moisture absorbers to minimise your chances of mould forming.

These things will help you buy a smashing summerhouse

For the most part, this is all you have to do to keep your summerhouse happy and healthy. 

As the years pass it may need some minor repairs to the timbers or roofing, but if you’ve followed all this advice and you have a summerhouse with a solid base, made of Scandinavian Redwood and with a great design specification, your maintenance will be minimal. 

Stay great, Sheddies. It’s what you (and your summerhouse) deserve!

For more information on summerhouse maintenance, have a look at these blogs:

• How often should I re-roof my summerhouse?
• How to clean your summerhouse.
• Three reasons why your summerhouse might be leaking