Summer House vs Garden Room – What’s Best for Your Garden Space?

Thinking of adding something special to your garden? Whether you’re dreaming of a peaceful escape, a home office, or a stylish space to entertain, two options usually come up: summer houses and garden rooms.

At Goldridge Living, we design and build beautiful, high-quality garden rooms tailored to your lifestyle. But what’s the real difference between a summer house and a garden room — and which one is right for you?

Let’s break it down.

What is a Summer House?

A summer house is like a holiday cabin for your garden — simple, affordable, and great for soaking up the sun during warmer months.

Why people love summer houses:

• A cosy spot to enjoy your garden in spring and summer

• Budget-friendly and quick to install

• Ideal for reading, relaxing, or sipping a glass of wine in the evening

But — and it’s a big but — summer houses usually aren’t insulated, can’t handle the cold, and lack electricity. Great for short stays, but not so much for year-round use.

What is a Garden Room?

A garden room is a game-changer. It’s a fully insulated, professionally built space designed to be used 365 days a year.

Why garden rooms are a smart investment:

• Warm, comfortable, and usable all year round

• Perfect for home offices, gyms, studios, or guest accommodation

• Fitted with power, lighting, and often Wi-Fi

• Built to last, with top-quality materials and craftsmanship

A garden room doesn’t just look amazing — it adds serious value to your home and your lifestyle.

So, What’s the Difference?

It comes down to this:

• A summer house is a seasonal retreat — light and breezy, but limited.

• A garden room is a fully functioning extension of your home — stylish, solid, and ready for anything.

If you’re serious about making the most of your garden space all year long, a garden room is the clear winner.

Why Choose Goldridge Living?

We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all garden buildings. At Goldridge Living, we create bespoke garden rooms designed around you — your space, your needs, and your style.

No cheap kits, no compromises. Just solid craftsmanship, stunning designs, and a finish that turns heads.

Whether you’re dreaming of a calm work-from-home office, a garden bar, or a place to relax away from the main house — we’ll help you bring it to life.

Let’s Build Your Perfect Garden Room

Ready to upgrade your outdoor space? Get in touch with Goldridge Living for a free, no-pressure chat. We’ll help you design something truly special — a garden room that feels like part of your home.

🚪 Garden Room Door Options: What to Choose (Especially in Windy Areas)

Choosing the right doors for your garden room is more than just a design decision — it’s about comfort, safety, and how you’ll use the space every day.

At Goldridge Living, we build bespoke garden rooms that are tailored to your lifestyle and your landscape. And when it comes to doors, one size definitely doesn’t fit all — especially if your garden is exposed to strong winds.

In this guide, we’ll help you decide between bifold doors, French doors, sliding patio doors, and single doors, with expert insight into what works best in windy locations.

🔥 Bifold Doors – The Showstopper

Best for: Modern, open-plan garden rooms with a strong indoor-outdoor connection

Bifold doors are a premium choice that fold neatly to the side, opening your entire garden room wall. They’re perfect for entertaining, relaxing, and letting natural light flood in.

Pros:

• Creates a seamless transition to the garden

• Stylish and modern

• Opens up the entire space

Cons:

• More expensive

• In exposed areas, bifolds can swing or slam in the wind if not secured properly

Pro Tip: We install magnetic or mechanical catches to keep bifolds secure in blustery conditions. We also recommend considering windbreaks like fencing or planting around the garden room.

🪟 Sliding Patio Doors – The Wind-Resistant Option

Best for: Clean, minimalist look with solid wind performance

Sliding doors offer wide glass panels and smooth functionality. Because the panels stay on a fixed track, they’re more stable in high winds than bifolds or French doors.

Pros:

• Sleek and modern

• Less vulnerable to wind

• Low maintenance

Cons:

• One panel always stays fixed

• Less ventilation than French doors or bifolds

🏡 French Doors – The Elegant Classic

Best for: Traditional-style garden rooms or smaller spaces

French doors offer a timeless, symmetrical look and can be a cost-effective alternative to bifolds. However, in open gardens or coastal locations, they can be blown open or slammed shut by the wind if not secured properly.

Pros:

• Affordable

• Classic design

• Easy access

Cons:

• Can be vulnerable to sudden gusts of wind

• Narrower opening compared to bifolds

Our Recommendation: We use high-quality door stays to prevent movement and help protect your investment.

🌬️ Important: Garden Rooms in Windy Areas

If your garden is exposed — whether you’re on a hill, near the coast, or simply in an open plot — it’s crucial to choose garden room doors that can handle the wind.

Common issues with doors in windy areas:

• Bifold panels swinging uncontrollably

• French doors slamming shut

• Risk of broken glass or damaged frames

Solutions we offer at Goldridge Living:

• Magnetic or mechanical hold-backs for bifolds

• Heavy-duty door stays for French doors

• Suggesting sliding doors in very exposed gardens

• Windbreak fencing or strategic planting

We assess every site individually and recommend the safest, most practical option for your setup.

🚪 Single Doors – Simple & Secure

Best for: Compact garden offices, studios, or when budget is a priority

Sometimes a single, solid door is all you need. They’re cost-effective, secure, and ideal when large glass openings aren’t necessary.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly

• Secure and private

• Great for office-style use

Cons:

• Minimal natural light

• Less of a connection to the garden

✅ Final Thoughts: Let’s Get the Doors Right

Your garden room doors affect how you use the space, how safe it feels in poor weather, and how connected you feel to the garden. That’s why we help every customer find the perfect solution — whether it’s a panoramic bifold setup or a wind-resistant sliding door.

We don’t just build garden rooms. We build spaces that work with your life, your location, and your vision.

📞 Ready to Plan Your Garden Room?

At Goldridge Living, we’ll guide you through every decision — with expert advice, transparent pricing, and attention to detail from start to finish.

👉 Contact us today to start your garden room journey.

👉 Follow us on Instagram for design inspiration and real projects.

Why We Use SIPs for Walls – And Timber Joists for Strength

Why We Use SIPs for Walls – And Timber Joists for Strength

When you’re planning a garden room, build quality matters. At Goldridge Living, we use a combination of SIPs for the walls and traditional timber joists for the roof and floor — and it’s a method backed by experience.

Here’s why that hybrid approach delivers the best result for our customers.

SIPs for Walls: Warm, Efficient, Reliable

We use Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) in every garden room wall we build. These are high-performance panels made of insulation sandwiched between two boards (typically OSB), and they offer:

✅ Outstanding thermal performance

✅ Airtightness and energy efficiency

✅ Fast, clean installation

This means your garden room stays warm in winter, cool in summer, and energy-efficient all year round — ideal for work, relaxation, or all-season use.

Timber Joists for Floor & Roof: Built to Last

For the floor and roof, we take a more traditional route — using 6x2 timber joists with 100mm PIR insulation. Why? Because in our experience, this method creates a more robust and durable structure.

✅ It feels solid underfoot

✅ It provides flexibility for electrics and finishes

✅ It stands the test of time

We’ve refined this approach over years of building — and it continues to outperform many alternative methods when it comes to strength and reliability.

The Best of Both Worlds

By combining SIP walls with traditional joists, we offer:

✔️ High thermal performance

✔️ Structural strength where it counts

✔️ A garden room that feels like a true extension of your home

Every element is carefully considered — no shortcuts, just solid, dependable construction that looks good and lasts.

Ready to Get Started?

We build bespoke garden rooms across Thirsk, Yorkshire, and beyond — each one tailored to suit your space, style, and needs.

💬 Speak to the team at Goldridge Living today to book your free consultation. We’re here to help you design a space that delivers comfort, quality, and long-term value.