Garden Buildings are the ideal place to work at home

Jan. 25, 2011 - PRLog -- Working from home is now the reality for 3.5 million UK residents. The 30 second commute certainly appeals when compared to battling the traffic or delays found on roads and public transport. However, as more and more people discover, the dining table is not the easiest place to work from with constant interruptions from other members of the household or simply the requirement to clear up at the end of each day. Being couped up in the box room is not ideal either with space and comfort in short supply.

To overcome the problem of where to work from, more and more home workers are opting for a dedicated work space in their garden. Garden offices are continuing to grow in popularity and not even the recession can hold back the booming garden buildings industry set to be worth almost £200m by 2013. In fact with the reduction in property sales, many are choosing to improve rather than move and a new garden building certainly improves the home by providing valuable extra space.  

The choice of garden offices available is wide, some look little more than a garden shed, some are extremely contemporary featuring lots of glass, bi-fold doors etc. However, some of the most popular garden offices are the more traditional looking painted timber buildings that have the aesthetics of a summerhouse with the functionality of a home office. The traditional appearance of these garden buildings will enhance the garden, won't upset the neighbours and can provide the required dedicated workspace.

The choice of material is key, wood blends best as by its very nature it looks natural. However, there's a wide range of wood to choose from - some lasts longer than others. It's best to choose something that will last for years - you don't want to move into a new office only to be moving out a few years later when it rots! How thick is the timber cladding - the thicker the better. Carefully consider the guarantee that the garden office manufacturer provides - longest is best, with some manufacturers offering 10 years.

When will you be using your garden building? If you plan to use it all year round make sure your office can be lined and insulated. Insulation will help regulate the building's temperature. Double glazing of doors and windows will also make a big difference together with the thickness of the timber as thicker cladding help keeps the cold at bay.

Add power to your garden office - Make sure your new garden building can be equipped with electricity. This is vital if you plan to work when the light isn't strong and in the winter when you will need a power supply for a fan heater. Many garden building manufacturers will provide an electricity pack that needs to be hooked up to your mains supply. This has the advantage of being neater than installing electricity points after the building has been installed.

See before you buy - with so much choice, you won't be too far away from a local company displaying garden offices and buildings. It's certainly a good idea to look at what is available and discuss the merits of the various products with a garden buildings expert.

Other points to consider include planning permission requirements, who will install the building, is your chosen company reputable (does the guarantee mean anything?). Finally, make sure you choose the right size - can you fit everything you need into your chosen garden office?

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About Alton Garden Buildings:
Alton Garden Buildings have displays of garden buildings throughout the UK. Visit http://www.altongardenbuildings.co.uk for more details. Alton's timber buildings are ideal for use as a garden office as they provide the aesthetics of a summerhouse with the functionality of an office. Traditional good looks combine with the use of a super-thick, natural looking, modern cladding that is guaranteed for 10-years.

Alton Garden Buildings also provide the option to insulate and add electricity to the building which is ideal when using as an office during the winter months. Please visit http://www.altongardenbuildings.co.uk for more information.

Alton Garden Buildings are part of the Compton Group of companies that also includes Compton Buildings, Robinsons Greenhouses and Marshalls Sectional Buildings - visit http://www.comptongroup.co.uk for more information on the garden buildings available