In January we made the tough decision to say goodbye to our beloved summerhouse specification. Our customers loved the summerhouses and so did we! They’re a trademark of Gillies & Mackay – you can spot them a mile off. But we knew it was time for a change and so the Radiata Garden Room was created.
Our goal with the Radiatas was to keep the aesthetic and beauty of the Summerhouses but with a superior specification, fit for 2024!
It was important that the Radiata Garden Rooms were fit for year-round use and built to last. This meant ensuring they were watertight, so they could withstand the horrible Scottish weather. The key to this was… lots of layers! The Radiata Garden Rooms now boast a unique specification. This includes 4-Layer construction, steel box profile or Isola shingled roofing and slimline aluminium double-glazed windows and doors.
How do you choose a garden room design?
When launching the Radiata Garden Room designs we wanted to keep a competitive price without compromising on quality. To do this we kept the buildings pretty standardised, only offering 4 of the original 7 Summerhouse designs.
Lots of factors were considered when choosing which summerhouse designs would stay and which would go. This included the cost of manufacturing each design and how easy it would be to replicate them. But ultimately we decided to keep the four most popular, which happened to be our favourites as well!
The chosen ones were – The Rannoch, The Vorlich, The Kindrogan and The Deuchny.
It was hard to say goodbye to the old designs, with CEO Cara recalling how the Dunsinane was a sore loss for her. However, the silver lining is she’s already dreaming up ways to bring them back as limited editions in the future.
How to Choose Your Radiata Garden Room Design.
Let’s take a look at some key differences between the designs to help you decide.
What roofing options do Radiata Garden Rooms have?
Steel Box Profile: If you’re a fan of the sleek look – the Rannoch and the Vorlich are your go-to options. They feature steel box profile roofing which carries a 20-year guarantee.
Isola Shingles: If you prefer a more classic look, the Kindrogan and the Deuchny are ideal for you. Both are topped with Isola shingle roofing which includes a 30-year guarantee.
Which body shapes can I have?
Square or Rectangular Body: the Rannoch, Vorlich and Kindrogan all have a square or rectangular body – depending on what size you choose. This gives you a versatile use of space inside your garden room.
Corner Body: the Deuchny offers a unique five-sided body with an angled cornerback. If you want your garden room to fit snugly into a corner of your garden – this is the one for you!
Which roof shapes can I have?
A-Frame Roof: The Rannoch features a classic A-frame apex roof. If you’re a fan of our traditional Canadian design – this will be right up your street. Plus the roof offers extra height in the interior of the building.
Pent Roof: The Vorlich has a sloped roof which is lower at the back – ideal for placing along a garden fence and keeping neighbours happy.
Pyramid Roof: The Kindrogan features a pyramid roof on its square or rectangular body. This gives you great use of space with the added aesthetic of the shaped roof.
Five-Sided Roof: The Deuchny has a five-sided roof that comes together at a pretty point, adding charm to any garden.
What size are the Radiata Garden Rooms?
Each Radiata Garden Room design is under 12m² with sizes ranging from 8′ x 8′ to 12′ x 10′.
If you’re looking for a compact garden room to fit into your garden nicely the Deuchny is ideal. It comes in an 8′ x 8′ – our smallest Radiata size.
Need the extra room? The Rannoch and Vorlich both offer sizes up to 12’ x 10’ giving you the option to maximise your space.
How much do Radiata Garden Rooms cost?
Each model varies in price slightly, with the Rannoch and the Vorlich being cheaper compared to the Kindrogan and the Deuchny. If you’re trying to keep to a budget, the Rannoch is your most purse-friendly option, with prices ranging from:
- Rannoch: £11,949 – £16,759
- Vorlich: £12,097 – £16,947
- Kindrogan: £14,357 – £15,649
- Deuchny: £12,479 – £15,649
What’s the Best Radiata Garden Room Design for Your Garden?
Considerate Neighbour: The 10’ x 8’ Vorlich is the most permitted development-friendly design as it doesn’t exceed 2.5m on any elevation.
Compact Gardens: The Deuchny is perfect for smaller gardens as its cornered back means it can fit neatly into a designated spot in your garden.
Versatile Spaces: The Kindrogan with its hybrid design is suited to many different spaces but looks especially good tucked up next to a cute G&M shed – like the one below.
Room to Spare: The Rannoch with its A-frame apex roof makes a great centrepiece in any garden.
What’s Our Most Popular Radiata Garden Room Design?
Did you guess correctly? Similarly to the original summerhouses – the Rannoch and Vorlich are the most popular Radiata Garden Room designs so far. Let’s take a look at why customers love these garden rooms so much.
This post is part of our Radiata Garden Room Buyer's Guide
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The Rannoch
The Rannoch has a classic and traditional look that gives the impression of a home. Our Sales & Marketing Director Nicola pointed out that the rectangular body with a triangular roof is reminiscent of the way kids draw houses. She believes people gravitate to the design because it feels safe and homey.
One customer even described his Rannoch as “a wee mini home that I can call my own space”. It makes perfect sense that the comforting feel of the Rannoch is winning customers over.
The Vorlich
On the other hand, the Vorlich is loved for its modern design – similar to those offered by many garden room companies. If a customer is looking for a modern aesthetic then the Vorlich with its sleek sloping roof and contemporary look is what they’ll choose. Plus, the low back of the Vorlich is a practical option for those worried about heights and neighbours.
What’s The Purpose of Your Garden Room?
Do you have a clear vision in mind for your garden room? Whether it’s a retreat, a hobby space, or maybe even a work-from-home office, you want your space to work with you.
Here’s how each garden room design could fit your needs.
Our customers mainly use their Radiatas for two things: either a tranquil space to relax or a dedicated area for getting creative.
Can I use a Radiata Garden Room for relaxation?
Are you keen to extend your time in the garden and get away from the distractions of the home? A Radiata Garden Room gives you somewhere to enjoy some alone time or a reserved place to have a friend over.
So, which Radiata is best for this? Well, the answer is any of them. It’s up to personal preference. I like The Vorlich and the Deuchny the best in terms of creating a snug and comfy spot to relax. But if you’re looking for somewhere to entertain guests then maybe a more spacious design like the Rannoch will be your favourite. At the end of the day, all four designs are going to give you a pleasing and cosy space to relax – whether that’s alone, with family or friends.
Can I use a Radiata Garden Room as a craft room?
Are you looking for the perfect space to explore your craft and get creative? A Radiata gives you somewhere to get as messy as you want without having to worry about tidying up your supplies in time for tea. There’s no need to interrupt your creative flow because you’ve got a space you can come back to at any time. A dedicated spot for getting creative means more time doing what you love!
But what is the Radiata of choice for a creative space? It depends on your hobby or craft but as an artist herself, Sales & Marketing Director Nicola shared that her choice would be the Rannoch. Both the Rannoch and The Kindrogan are great in terms of space and light – which if you’re an artist you’ll know are very important!
At the end of the day the Radiata Garden Rooms are made to be versatile and can be used for whatever you want them to be. Your Garden Room will be with you for a long time so its function may change over the years: the room can grow with you.
CEO Cara shared that her garden room was supposed to be a creative space for her to work, write poems and publish her podcast. However, it’s now become the HQ of her husband’s business – he promises she’ll get it back one day!
But whether it’s an office, workshop or even a library, there’s a Radiata Garden Room for everybody.
Which Radiata Garden Room is Best For You?
Have you decided which Radiata Garden Room design you like best? Or maybe you’re still unsure and want to see these beautiful buildings in person? Book a no obligation Consultation and discuss your ideas with one of our Team. They’ll help you find your perfect Garden Room and guide you through your journey!
