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12x8ft Summerhouses
Make the most of a large garden and the summer with a 12’ x 8’ summer house. These large models offer a spacious, airy interior where you can find space to breathe and enjoy the sunshine.
All our summer houses are equipped with a robust frame and interlocking tongue and groove cladding, amongst features like large, shatterproof windows and a choice of stylistic options like apex or pent roofs. While you may have a 12 x 8ft or 8 x 12ft size in mind, these options mean you have flexibility in the look and feel of the building you buy.
If you need more help with selecting features or narrowing down which size works best for your garden, consult our summerhouse buying guide.
Find a Summerhouse size that fits
Not sure what size is best? Check out our summer house buying guide
Types of Summer House
Utility is guaranteed with a summerhouse shed that serves two functions in one. Unlock both a relaxing garden experience and a practical outdoor storage unit in one convenient building.
The side store is included with:
Penton Corner Summerhouse
BillyOh Tianna Log Cabin Summerhouse with Side Store
FAQs
Usually, no. Most UK properties are allowed summer houses as 'permitted developments' with no planning permission required.
Exceptions (where you MIGHT need planning permission) include:
- Listed properties and locations of 'outstanding natural beauty
- Structures exceeding 2.5 metres height on the eaves (our summerhouses don't exceed this)
- Summerhouses placed in the front garden
- Sheds exceeding more than 50% of the garden space
There are some other rules, so check out our guide to planning permission for summerhouses to get a full understanding.
Most summer houses are provided as panel-based building kits that are designed to be easy to assemble with ordinary DIY tools. Each summer house kit has instructions provided, but here is the basic process:
- Place the floor bearers
- Lay tongue & groove floorboards on top of the floor bearers.
- Fit the bottom rails and erect the wall panels.
- Insert the window glazing and secure with beading. (Additional silicone sealant recommended.
- Position the roof gables and purlins.
- Fix the roof boards.
- Felt the roof.
- Attach the doors.
- Enjoy your new summer house!
Note: The building experience is different with a log cabin summer house.
Our BillyOh wooden buildings are guaranteed for 10 years against rot, decay and insect infestation. Good maintenance can see these buildings last many years longer than the guarantee.
If you buy a pressure treated summerhouse, the guarantee is extended to 15 years. Pressure treatment is a process where wood preserver is forced deep into the timber by a high-pressure machine. The preservative protects the wood from moisture, rot and insects, keeping it healthier and stronger for longer.
Traditional summerhouses are perfect for lounging in the garden, keeping you cool on a hot day, and allow you to continue enjoying your outdoor space even if it rains.
As an extra room, summerhouses can also be used for other activities, especially those that come with thicker walls. Some models can be used as a garden office, for instance.
You will find even more potential from a large summer house. If you have the space to spare, be sure to check out our larger size options.
For more inspiration, check out our summerhouse ideas guide.
Traditionally, summerhouses are designed as sitting areas for enjoying the garden during the warmer half of the year. They also provide a way to enjoy your garden during rain or cold winds.
While many models have thin walls, meaning they do not hold onto heat through the colder months, a log cabin summer house offers an alternative if you're looking for a room to use for more of the year.
The size of your summer house will depend on what you plan to use it for and how much space you have. Remember that it needs to take up less than half your garden, in order to avoid the planning permission legal process. You can find out more about that in our guide to summerhouse planning permission.
One of the most popular sizes is a 12x8 summerhouse (measured in feet, equating to about 3.6 x 2.4 metres). This size provides ample room for it to be used as a relaxing family lounge area, a garden office, a garden gym, or a host of other purposes.
The best approach is to decide where you would like the summerhouse to stand in your garden and measure the width and length of that space with a tape measure. This will give you an idea of the size range you should be looking at.
Our summerhouses start from less than £800. If you need to budget carefully for your building, we have a range of cheap summerhouses that may be the most accessible for you.
Don't forget you can also use our finance options to make it easier to afford your new building.
Yes, all summer houses need a solid, level base to ensure stability, prevent water damage, and extend the life of the building. Do not build directly onto soil, grass, mulch or loose gravel. A poor base can lead to warping, misaligned doors, or structural issues over time. Not sure which type you need? Read our guide on how to choose the best summerhouse base for expert advice.
What Size Garden Is Right For a 12 x 8 Summer House?
Choosing the right sized building for your garden is crucial if you plan to make the most out of it. If the building is too big it will dominate the garden and leave it feeling cramped, but if it’s too small it may leave you wishing you had chosen something larger. It’s also important to buy according to your needs, including how many people might be inside at one time (the more people, the bigger the building needed).
For a 12’x8’ foot or 8’x12’ garden summer house, the right-sized garden will provide enough space around the building for manoeuvrability. We recommend at least one foot on each side to reduce the chance surrounding structures or features could damage the building.
Planning regulations for summerhouses state that your building cannot take up more than 50% of your garden space - but in reality, we would not recommend taking up any more than 30% of the garden. Reducing your garden to any amount below 70% of its original size can often be a step too far and leave it feeling cramped.
With that in mind, the right size garden for a 12x8 building would be anything bigger than 320 square feet or 29 square metres - for example, a 14 x 24 foot garden would be ideal.
Delivery and Help
Our building’s delivery service provides safe and quick delivery of your building to your door. We deliver across the entirety of the mainland UK, with free delivery available for most postcodes in England and Wales.
For more help or information, our experienced customer service team in on hand to help. Take a look at frequently asked questions on our help page, or get in touch with our team using the contact form or by calling us on 01909 768840.
Customer Testimonials
Elodie's Picton Corner Summerhouse
Stacey's Renna Summerhouse
Izzie's Holly Summerhouse
Emma's Bella Summerhouse
Farayi's Penton Summerhouse
