Garden Buildings & Structures

After taking a look at the garden buildings and stores on offer at Garden Street, why not browse some of our other popular sections including garden furniture and our grow your own range? You can kit out your garden in a stylish dining set and add lots of greenery too.

As well as our collection of sheds, be sure to view our comprehensive and stunning selection of summerhouses and outdoor buildings. From the Highclere Summerhouse, to the Eaton and Clarendon Summerhouses by Rowlinson, our products are carefully selected to bring you quality products at competitive prices.

Since 2020, there has been a surge in demand in garden buildings as more people opt for home offices, or even to extend their own living space. They can be valuable areas of space to utilise, at the fraction of the cost of a bricks and mortar extension.

Do I need planning permission for a wooden gazebo?

We often get asked whether planning permission is required for a wooden gazebo and other garden structures. The answer for most people is no. For most small buildings, planning permission is not needed due to the size and height of most mass produced garden buildings.

Also, temporary structures (less than 28 days) don't need permission.

However, there are restrictions impacting a minority which need to be considered. This includes covenants in the deeds of the property, which are often associated with new housing estates, including both leasehold and freehold properties. Housing developers can put restrictions on houses to keep the estate looking consistent, especially when there are unsold plots. Whereas this can include even putting up a satellite dish or changing a front door, it can include erecting structures and fencing. 

These can last around 5 years from purchase, but will be outlined in management terms on the estate.

Another factor which can stop a garden structure or building being built are local restrictions, such as being in an area of Special Scientific Interest or a conservation area (usually associated with older, more ''chocolate box' villages).

Unfortunately, that means that is no simple answer, as a direct neighbour may be able to build a gazebo or structure in their garden, but as you are on an area covered by a covenant, it may be in the small print of the deed that you can't erect. 

We've always recommend contacting your local council or management company for further advice.

What is a the difference between a pergola and a pagoda?

Pergolas and pagodas are both used to provide shelter and style to your garden, as tend to be more ornate than standard gazebos. The significant different between the two are the pagodas have solid roofs, whereas pergolas have versatility to slide or open up the roof.

This is seen in the Rowlinson Pergola, which has a solid unaltered roof, whereas the Florence canopy from their range can be classed as a pagoda as can be opened. 

Do garden buildings need bases?

Like sheds, all garden buildings and structures need bases to ensure a decent lifespan. Gazebos need level reinforcing on all 4 legs; be it by laying a complete patio or 4 anchoring points, failing to do this will skew the structure and cause issues. This would also impact any features such as opening roofs, as the rails for the mechanism will be out of line and cause resistance.

We'd advise completely the same process for a base for garden buildings as we would sheds. As we featured in our blog, the main focus points when constructing a base should be followed from the below

• Flat Surface: It is imperative that the ground of which the shed will be built on is completely flat and level. A base that is not flat could cause structural issues with the building over time or cause issues during the assembly of the shed.  
• Air Circulation: This is important if you are building a timber shed. A suitable base allows air to circulate under the shed to prevent mould and rotting.
• Weight: A suitable base helps to support the weight of the shed. This prevents your shed from sinking into the ground and becoming unusable or damaged.

Types of Bases

• Wooden Shed Base: If you are building a timber shed then a wooden shed base may be the ideal option. This is simply a wooden framework which features spikes which are pushed into the ground to create a stable and flat base for the shed to go on top of.
• Concrete/Paving Slabs: The most common base option and broadly used is a completely flat paved or concreted area for the shed to be assembled on. For Plastic and Metal sheds these can be anchored straight on to this base. If you are assembling a timber shed onto concrete/paving slabs then you would need to ensure the shed has pressure treated floor bearers.
• Plastic Base: A cost effective solution are plastic gridded bases, such as EcoBases. These can be filled with aggregate and the shed is assembled on top. These are often cheaper than laying a concrete/paved base, are eco-friendly and can be moved should you move to a new house or wish to re-position the shed.

Do I need to treat garden buildings?

This depends on the type of product. Plastic sheds do not need treating, but may need cleaning. 

All wooden sheds should be treated as a rule of thumb to keep them looking fresh and stopping the onset of rot. That can include sheds which are already pressure treated, as naturally they will discolour if not treated with a specialist wood preservative, like Protek.