Garden houses are a great place to spend time, relax, and get away from it all – even if you intend to do some work there. However, it can feel much more comfortable to spend time in garden houses during summer as the weather tends to be warmer.

In colder weather, you need to find a way to keep your garden house warm. Otherwise, you might not be able to take advantage of everything it has to offer.

How can I heat my garden house?

Garden houses are often more likely to retain heat than brick buildings. In some cases, heat retention can be 40% higher than in other buildings, but that doesn’t mean they feel warm – especially in freezing weather.

Garden cabins can be constructed with a built-in heating system, or you can add something later. The most important issue is knowing what to avoid. For garden cabins constructed of timber, you need to avoid using a heating source that relies on an open flame for obvious reasons. (More info on – Important Facts About Log Cabin Heating)

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How do you heat an outbuilding?

Heating garden houses doesn’t have to be complicated, but you must make a choice based on your circumstances. Here are our top tips for the best ways to heat garden houses.

  1. Insulation: Adding insulation to garden houses is the best way to keep heat in. Make sure the garden house is insulated properly with foam, cellulose, or fibreglass. Some garden cabins are built with SIPs (Structural Insulated Panels) which means they have a good level of insulation, to begin with.
  2. Heaters: Electric and gas heaters are effective for garden log houses if you can install them safely. They’re portable and won’t require a lot of maintenance.
  3. Fireplaces: Wood-burning fireplaces are a great way to keep garden log houses warm and cosy during cool days or evenings.
  4. Underfloor Heating: Installing underfloor heating can add a luxurious feel to garden cabins, keeping them nice and warm throughout the cold season.
  5. Heat Pumps: Heat pumps are an efficient way to heat garden cabins, as they use the air from outside to create warmth inside.
  6. Stove Heaters: A stove heater is another great option for garden cabins. These are typically wood-burning stoves that can be installed inside garden cabins to create warmth and atmosphere.
  7. Solar Air Heaters: If you’re looking for an efficient and cost effective way to heat garden houses, solar air heaters are a great option. They use the sun’s energy and turn it into warmth that can be utilized inside garden log houses.
  8. Forced air systems: These are a great way to keep garden cabins warm and cosy. They use an electric fan to push heated air through garden cabins, quickly providing warmth throughout the entire space.
  9. Firewood: For garden house owners with access to firewood, using a fireplace or wood-burning stove is one of the most cost effective ways to keep garden log houses warm.
  10. Pellet stoves: Pellet stoves are a type of stove heater that uses pellets made of compressed wood or biomass as fuel. They’re a great way to heat garden log houses and can be very cost effective.
  11. Use the sun: Even in winter, the sun still shines on many days. The heat from the sun can heat your garden house quite quickly, so ensure you let the sunshine in whenever possible. Curtains can help keep heat inside, but open them to allow the sun to do what it does best.
  12. Close all gaps: garden houses can quickly lose heat if there are gaps around windows and doors. Install weather stripping around these areas or use caulk to fill gaps to keep the warmth inside garden log houses.

Remember, do not use any form of naked flame to heat wooden garden houses. The above ideas are not all suitable for wooden structures.

How do you heat wooden garden houses?

When heating garden houses constructed of timber, you must be very careful. Avoid using open flames, such as candles or propane heaters, as these can cause a serious fire hazard. Instead, use one of the methods mentioned above that are safe (i.e. don’t involve flames), such as underfloor heating, heat pumps, and electric heaters.

If in doubt, check with a professional.

12-Best-Ways-to-Heat-Garden-Houses

What is the best heating for garden houses?

It will depend entirely on how you use your garden house, how often, and for how long. A portable electric heater may suffice if the space is only in use every now and then. However, if you use the garden house every day for several hours, underfloor heating might be a better option. Consider your budget, the size of the garden house, and how often you plan to use it when deciding on the best heating system.

Insulation is one of the best ways to retain heat. Log cabins and timber garden cabins will have a level of natural insulation, but adding extra layers can make a huge difference. Consider using insulation to keep garden houses warm and comfortable during the winter months.

Of course, insulation works both ways. In summer, insulation can prevent your garden house from overheating by keeping excessive warmth outside.

Finally, garden houses can be great venues for outdoor entertaining or simply enjoying the garden. Consider adding a patio heater to your garden house so you can make the most of it at all times and throughout the year. Patio heaters come in various designs, sizes, and fuel types – there’s sure to be one to suit your garden house perfectly!

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Heating garden houses

As you can see, there are many ways to heat garden houses. Perhaps the most important item to remember is that insulation is crucial – there’s no point heating a space if the heat you generate will quickly leave the garden house. You might find that your garden house is already well-insulated, but there’s no harm in adding more if necessary.

At Loghouse, we understand how to get the best out of every garden house. If you’re in doubt about the best way to heat your garden house, please get in touch, and we’ll be happy to offer our advice.

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