Building your SIPs garden room is only the first step in creating a luxury hideaway steeped in nature. Maintaining your building is equally as important as the original build, and ensures the structure is set to last a long time. When not maintained properly, the garden room is prone to avoidable damage, such as damp. As industry experts in the manufacture of structural insulated panels (SIPs) made-to-measure garden room kits, we have put together a quick summary of how to maintain your garden room all year round.
Ensure regular checks and repairs
Like any room in your home, your garden room is prone to needing small repairs throughout the year, whether that is slightly warped windows or broken heating. It is important to keep on top of these repairs, and continually check for any damage at all times of the year. Many use their garden room seasonally, and find that come the annual spring cleaning, the garden building has seen costly damage that could have been easily solved if noticed earlier.
Keep it ventilated
Keeping your garden room well ventilated is key to ensuring there is as little build-up of moisture as possible. During the winter months, the colder outside weather contrasted with the heat of the cosy garden rooms creates excessive condensation, which can lead to damaged and potentially warped wood, and in extreme cases, the formation of harmful mould. This is also true for the space beneath your garden room, in which a constant airflow prevents damage occurring from the damp ground.
Clear the way
Spending time physically cleaning the exterior of your garden room can go a long way in ensuring is sees as little damage as possible. This includes clearing the roof and guttering of leaves and debris. It is also recommended to clear the garden space around the room to ensure there are no plants touching the garden room. Wall climbing plants, shrubs, and old leaves can quickly degrade and cause localised damp spots.
Retreat the cladding
Once the building has been physically cleaned, it is important to treat the external cladding of your SIPs garden room, especially if you have opted for a wooden cladding. Plastic and composite cladding is much more durable in weather extremes, but if you do find yourself selecting wood, then treating it is using a clear water-repelling treatment that provides protection from the weather is ideal upon purchase. This should also be done on a regular basis, to ensure continued protection.
Be proactive
Most garden rooms need little maintenance year on year; however, the key is to be proactive. Take steps and put aside time to complete a thorough check of your garden building at least once a year, to ensure any vulnerable areas are noted and potentially repaired. Keeping the structure clean and well-maintained will ensure it will last for years.
For more information on our SIPS UK garden rooms flat-pack kits, or how to maintain your SIPS UK garden room correctly, get in touch on 01933 353 501 or send us an email at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can fill in our online enquiry form and we’ll get back to you shortly.