Everything you need to know about timber garages

When installing a timber garage, there are various factors you need to know to ensure it meets your requirements. 

As a potential asset that could ultimately enhance the value and look of your property, it is therefore important to conduct thorough research before going ahead.

The benefits of a timber garage

Timber offers an immediate aesthetic and rustic charm strongly associated with natural beauty, integrating well into a garden environment. This is a major source of its popularity. Equally, Scandinavian style log cabins or BBQ huts can offer a more modern appeal. 

Timber is always in demand with homeowners as a material, particularly when sourced sustainably, bringing humanity closer to nature. It is robust and, when properly treated, highly resistant to adverse weather conditions. 

It is worth paying attention to the type of timber required. Garages made from this material can be constructed with hemlock wood, cedar and redwood, among others. They can be painted in any colour and fitted into any landscape, to complement other buildings and adjacent installations such as outdoor huts and gazebos.

Timber garages serve multiple uses, whether as an extension or aesthetic enhancement, or as a secure unit providing extra security for vehicles and tools. It is worth considering that some timber garages can double up as a posh BBQ shed, offering additional use as storage for a workbench, power tools, shelving or cupboards, serving a valuable role in both DIY tasks and routine vehicle maintenance. 

Timber garage structures

Standard timber modular garages measure out at 4.8m x 3.0m, rising to 7.2m x 7.2m for more ambitious spaces. These are typically assembled as single, double, triple or 4-bay vehicle storage units, sometimes with a connected office or workshop. 

Doors can be located in either the gable end or built for side access with windows providing natural light. Roof options vary, but are usually offered as either a boarded felted finish 22-degree pitch, or a steeper trussed rafter alternative, compatible with tiles, slates or cedar shingles.

In terms of the ground, a solid base reinforced concrete raft foundation is vitally important, which finishes approximately 150 millimetres above ground level. It should have set at least a week before the materials are delivered for assembly. Such a task is normally designated to professionals, but is not beyond the scope of an enthusiast with a strong DIY skillset.

Another aspect to consider is nearby vegetation, which should be kept at distance from the wood, while gutters should be cleaned on a regular basis. Timber suppliers also recommend that with the fading of the external cladding, spirit-based wood preservatives are used to treat the material to ensure greater longevity, and that locks and hinges are periodically oiled at least once a year.

Do you need planning permission for a timber garage?

This will depend on individual circumstances, but they can usually be installed without any need for planning permission. 

In general terms, single storey timber garages won’t require local authority authorisation if they are under four metres high. As such, they meet the requirements for ‘permitted development’ provided they are over two metres in distance from the property’s boundary. You should try to allow at least one metre of space surrounding the garage to enable maintenance. 

Furthermore, they must not be installed in front of the house or take up more than half of the garden space. Meanwhile, anyone wishing to turn them into a holiday home will need to satisfy planning regulations.

How much does it cost to build a timber garage?

Timber garages, and the cladding styles they come in, are sold in a wide range of shapes and sizes, and prices will vary accordingly, potentially costing many thousands of pounds. It is a good idea to approach a professional contractor to discuss a customised, structured plan for assembly. 

If you are after a straightforward space, it may also be possible to combine it with a garden office cabin or workshop. By being aware of every step in the process, you can more easily keep a firm control on your budget. 

How long do timber garages last?

While timber is durable it can also wear over time, particularly if not looked after properly with long life preservatives that serve a restorative purpose for buildings. Regular maintenance is therefore necessary to keep it dry and preserved in good condition. 

In order to ensure security and protection from intruders, wooden doors must be prioritised as the most important – and expensive – feature of the garage.

For more information on our range of timber garages, get in touch with the team at Logspan today.