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You’ve set up your new outdoor retreat, and it’s been brilliant, until the colder months kick in. Suddenly, it’s too cold to sit in, and the idea of garden room heating sounds like the best way to go about it. Here’s what works.
How to Heat a Garden Room
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, as this will depend on how you’re using the space and how much time you spend in it. But below are a few good garden room heating rules that work for most setups:
Start with insulation
Your garden room might not be able to keep the warmth in for long, and this calls for insulation.
For the existing structure, have a look around the doors and windows. Can you feel a draught? See any light coming through the edges? Even small gaps can let in cold air and push the warm air out. Fill them in with draft excluder strips or rubber seals.
Thick thermal blinds or lined curtains can also help; rugs or carpet tiles can take the edge off a cold floor.
Add insulation on the walls, floors, and ceiling. You can bring in a professional or do it yourself if you know what you’re doing. It’s not the most exciting part of the job, but it’ll save you a lot in the long run. Cover the insulation with wooden panels or plasterboard to create your new interior finish.
Note: Heating a garden room without insulation is like blasting a heater in a tent. You’ll be throwing money at it and still feel cold. So get that sorted first, then move on to the heating that suits your space (we’ll get into that next).
Choose your heater
If you’re in there most days, say it’s a garden office, then go for a low-maintenance heater. Otherwise, a small or portable design might be enough to take the chill off. An extended living space for seasonal celebrations, for instance.
Here are your options for the type of heating:
- Electric panel heaters: Often come in a wall-mounted design, so they don’t take up floor space. They don’t need fuel storage, making them clean, safe, and easy to control.
- Oil-filled radiators: These are slower to heat up but steady once warmed up. Keep in mind that they take up floor space, so plan around that. Ideal for more extended stays.
- Infrared panels: These work differently—they warm you and objects in the room rather than the air. They’re great if you’re using the space for short bursts and don’t need the whole room heated all the time. Suitable for a garden gym and hobby room.
- Portable fan heaters: Fast, noisy, and usually cheap, but they’re not built for long stints. Good for short stays or when you need a quick blast of heat.
One to avoid is anything with an open flame. Even if it’s tempting, it’s not worth the risk in a small enclosed space (we’ll explain why in the safety section).
Bring the warmth all the way down
Even if the rest of the room is warm, a cold floor makes the whole space feel less inviting. Don’t let your (or your guests) feet freeze with a rug or some carpet tiles laid down. This should be enough to take the edge off and stop heat escaping through bare floorboards.
And again, if the construction is still underway, underfloor heating is worthwhile. It’s more of an upfront cost, but it spreads heat evenly and keeps the space warm without bulky units taking up room. If you’re good with DIY, some systems are doable—but for others, it’s best to call someone in.
Garden Room Heating: Skip the Fire Hazards
As tempting as it might be to bring in a fire pit or wood burner to “cosy things up,” it’s not worth the risk. Garden rooms don’t usually have chimneys and aren’t built to handle open flames, especially those made from wood. Smoke build-up or stray sparks can become real problems, fast!
The heating options mentioned are safe, but electric heating is the safer route. Whatever you use, just keep it away from furniture, curtains, or anything flammable. It sounds basic, but even a portable heater pushed too close to a cushion can be enough to start trouble.
One more thing: don’t run an extension lead from the house through a window or door unless it’s rated for outdoor use. Read our guide to garden room with electricity for more information.
Pressure treated garden rooms resist rot, decay, and insect damage, not fire. This applies to most sheds, log cabins, and summer houses. Unless the timber is treated with fire-retardant chemicals, or non-combustible cladding is used.
Up next on your reading list: Can You Install Under Floor Heating in a Log Cabin?
