GARDEN ROOM & ANNEXE DESIGN OPTIONS /
Every AMC garden room and annexe is designed around the way you want to use it.
From a compact garden office or gym through to a large multi-room annexe, we can customise the size, layout, glazing, finishes and specification to suit your requirements and your garden.
Our team will guide you through the design process and help you choose the right combination of materials, finishes and features for your project.
EXTERIOR CLADDING /
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The external cladding has a major impact on the appearance of your garden room, and we offer a range of timber and low-maintenance finishes to suit different styles and budgets.
Our most commonly specified options include:
CANADIAN CEDAR
Western red cedar is a premium timber cladding with a rich natural colour and attractive grain.
It is naturally durable and can be left untreated, gradually weathering to a silver-grey finish over time.
THERMOWOOD
Thermowood is a thermally modified timber with a warm, contemporary appearance and excellent stability and durability.
It can be left to weather naturally or treated if you prefer to maintain or alter its original colour.
COMPOSITE
Composite cladding provides a contemporary appearance with very little ongoing maintenance.
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It is available in a wide range of colours and finishes and is a good choice where a consistent, low-maintenance exterior is preferred.
CEDRAL
Cedral is a durable fibre-cement cladding available in a wide range of colours.
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It provides a clean, modern finish and requires very little maintenance.
Other cladding options
Our buildings are made to order, so we are not limited to a fixed range of materials. If you have a particular cladding product or finish in mind, we are happy to incorporate it into the design where suitable.
To keep costs sensible, rear or non-visible elevations can also be finished in more economical materials such as fibre-cement board or steel box-profile cladding where appropriate.
Different cladding materials and colours can also be combined to create a more individual design.
DOORS & WINDOWS /
The position and configuration of the glazing can make a huge difference to both the appearance and usability of your garden room.
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All of our doors and windows are fully customisable in size, position and configuration, allowing us to design the glazing around your garden, views and intended use of the space.
uPVC glazing is included as our standard option, with aluminium frames available as an upgrade.
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Options include:
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sliding doors
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French doors
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bifold doors
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full-height windows
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opening windows
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fixed glazing
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bespoke combinations of doors and windows
Integral blinds can also be incorporated within the glazing, and solar-control glass is available where additional protection from heat and glare is required.
We will help you configure the glazing to balance natural light, views, privacy and the way you intend to use the room.
INTERNAL FINISH & LAYOUTS /
Garden rooms do not have to be one open-plan space.
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We can incorporate partition walls to create separate offices, bedrooms, bathrooms, storage areas, changing rooms or other spaces to suit your requirements.
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Our standard internal finish is generally plastered walls and ceilings with skirting boards, creating the appearance and feel of a conventional room within your home.
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Interiors can be painted white or in colours of your choice, and other finishes can be incorporated where required.
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Because the internal layout is designed at the same time as the building, we can also position doors, lighting, sockets, heating, plumbing and other services exactly where they are needed.
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KITCHENS /
We can incorporate anything from a compact kitchenette in a garden office or studio through to a fully fitted kitchen in a residential annexe.
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For annexes, we normally include an initial kitchen specification and allowance based on your requirements.
During the project you can then work directly with Howdens to develop the detailed kitchen design, choose finishes and appliances, and make any changes you would like. The kitchen is supplied directly to AMC for installation and any difference in cost is adjusted accordingly.
This gives you the flexibility to choose a kitchen that suits your own taste while keeping the whole installation integrated into the wider project.
SHOWER ROOMS & WCS /
We can provide complete bathrooms, shower rooms, WCs and wet rooms as part of your garden room or annexe.
Projects can include sanitaryware, showers, fitted furniture, wall and floor finishes, hot water, extraction, drainage and all associated plumbing and electrical work.
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We have standard specifications available, but the bathroom can also be tailored around your own preferred products and finishes.
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Tanked shower rooms and wet rooms can also be incorporated where required.
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HEATING & COOLING /
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Our garden rooms are designed for year-round use and we can provide a range of heating and cooling options depending on the size and intended use of the building.
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Options include:
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portable electric heaters
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wall-mounted electric radiators
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premium Wi-Fi controlled radiators
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electric underfloor heating
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air-conditioning systems providing both heating and cooling
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premium air-conditioning systems
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air source heat pumps for suitable annexe projects
We can advise on the most appropriate system for the size, specification and use of your building.
INSULATION /
All AMC garden rooms and annexes are designed for comfortable year-round use, with insulation incorporated into the walls, floor and roof as part of the building structure.
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We generally use high-performance PIR insulation, with the thickness and overall build-up adjusted to suit the size, type and intended use of the building.
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For residential annexes and other projects with higher thermal requirements, the insulation specification can be increased accordingly.
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Thermal performance is considered as part of the complete building design, alongside glazing, heating, ventilation and airtightness, rather than looking at insulation in isolation.
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For spaces where sound control is important, such as music rooms, offices or gyms, we can also incorporate additional acoustic insulation and specialist internal finishes.
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FOUNDATIONS /
A strong and level foundation is essential to every garden room, and we will specify the most appropriate system for the building and ground conditions.
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Ground screws
Ground screws are our most commonly used foundation system.
They can be installed quickly with relatively little excavation or disruption and provide a strong, accurate base for the structure.
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Concrete piles
Where ground conditions are not suitable for ground screws, concrete piles can provide an effective alternative foundation system.
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Concrete slabs
For some projects, particularly larger or more specialised buildings, a concrete slab may be the most appropriate solution.
Existing suitable slabs can sometimes also be reused following inspection.
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The foundation method will be considered as part of the site survey and design process, and all required groundwork can be included within our quotation.
ELECTRICS & INTERNET /
Electrics
Electrical layouts are designed around how you intend to use the room.
We can incorporate internal and external sockets, lighting, dimmers, PIR lighting, data points and other electrical equipment, with positions agreed during the design process.
The garden room will normally be supplied from the main property using a suitably specified armoured electrical cable, with the connection included where agreed as part of the project.
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Internet & data
For the most reliable connection, we normally recommend installing a dedicated data cable between the house and garden room at the same time as the electrical supply.
This allows the garden room to have a fast and stable wired network connection and enables a separate Wi-Fi access point to be installed if required.
Other wireless solutions can also be considered where a direct cable connection is not practical.
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EXTERIOR FEATURES /
The area around your garden room can be designed as part of the overall project, helping the building feel integrated with the garden rather than simply placed within it.
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Options can include:
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pergolas
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roof extensions and covered seating areas
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timber or composite decking
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steps and access ramps
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balustrades and handrails
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integrated storage
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bespoke external features such as planters or covered utility areas
As with the building itself, these elements can be tailored to suit the space, appearance and intended use of the project.
If you have something specific in mind, we are always happy to look at incorporating it into the design.
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