Garden Room Roofs

Garden Room Apex Roof

The internal ceiling can either follow the roof line or be formed horizontally below it.
 

A vaulted ceiling creates more volume and can make even a relatively modest room feel larger.
 

It also creates opportunities for:

• rooflights

• exposed beams

• feature lighting

• high level ventilation
  
   

Pent Roof Garden Room

A pent roof slopes in one direction only.
 

It sits somewhere visually between a flat roof and a traditional pitched roof.
 

This can be useful where:

• drainage needs to be simple

• one elevation needs more height

• the design needs a contemporary appearance

• the room sits against a boundary
   

The direction of the roof fall should be considered carefully.

 

Garden Office Pitched Roof

A pitched roof can make a garden office feel more spacious.
 

It can also be useful where the office needs:

• rooflights

• tall storage

• pendant lighting

• increased air volume
   

The roof design should still be balanced against planning height restrictions.

 

Pitched Roof Garden Office

For a more traditional house, a pitched roof may also sit more comfortably within the garden visually.
 

Matching or complementing the roof form of the main house can sometimes create a more coherent design.

 

Glass Roof Garden Room

A glass roof can bring large amounts of natural light into a garden room.
 

This can be particularly attractive for:

• studios

• lounges

• dining areas

• garden bars

• entertainment spaces
   

However, glass roofs need careful thought.
 

They can create:

• heat gain

• glare

• heat loss

• privacy issues
   

High performance glazing and shading may therefore be important.

 

Garden Room With Glass Roof

A full glass roof is not always necessary.
 

Sometimes the better solution is to combine a solid insulated roof with:

• rooflights

• lanterns

• strips of glazing

• feature glazed panels
   

This can bring light into the room while preserving better thermal performance.

 

Rooflights in Garden Rooms

Rooflights can be particularly useful where:

• side windows are limited

• the room is close to boundaries

• privacy is important

• additional natural light is needed
   

They can also make deeper garden rooms feel brighter.

 

Polycarbonate Garden Room Roof

Polycarbonate roofing is sometimes used on lighter garden buildings and covered areas.
 

It can provide:

• relatively low cost

• good light transmission

• lightweight construction
   

However, it generally does not provide the same appearance, acoustic performance or thermal performance as a properly insulated solid roof.
 

For a premium year round garden room, a more substantial roof construction may be preferable.

 

Roof Terrace on a Garden Room

A garden room with a roof terrace is a much more complex proposition.
 

It may involve:

• structural loading

• guarding

• access

• privacy

• overlooking

• planning permission

• waterproofing

• drainage
   

A roof terrace should not be treated as a normal garden room roof.
 

It requires specific design and planning consideration.

 

Garden Room With Retractable Roof

Retractable roof systems can create interesting outdoor entertaining spaces.
 

They may be useful above:

• patios

• outdoor kitchens

• bars

• dining areas
   

However, these systems are generally better considered as part of a covered outdoor space rather than the principal weatherproof roof of an insulated garden room.

 

Roof Shape and Permitted Development

Roof design matters directly to planning.
 

Where the building is within 2 metres of a boundary, the maximum overall height under Permitted Development is normally 2.5 metres.
 

Where the building is more than 2 metres away:

• dual pitched roofs may generally reach up to 4 metres

• other roof forms may generally reach up to 3 metres

• eaves height remains limited to 2.5 metres
   

This means roof choice can directly affect where the garden room can be positioned.

 

Roof Height and Internal Space

A low roof can reduce internal ceiling height.
 

The total build up may need to accommodate:

• roof structure

• insulation

• roof deck

• waterproofing

• ceiling finish
   

For a 2.5 metre high garden room, every millimetre matters.
 

This is one reason why efficient roof detailing is so important.

 

Garden Room Roof Construction

The roof structure depends on:

• span

• roof type

• glazing

• insulation

• ceiling design

• roof covering
   

Common structural systems include:

• timber joists

• engineered timber

• rafters

• steel beams where required
   

Large spans may need additional structural support.

 

Garden Room Flat Roof Construction

A flat roof needs particular attention to:

• falls

• drainage

• vapour control

• insulation

• waterproofing

• roof edge details
   

Poor flat roof construction can result in ponding water or leaks.
 

The fall should therefore be designed into the structure or formed with suitable firrings or tapered insulation.

 

Garden Room Roof Insulation

Roof insulation plays a major role in year round comfort.
 

A poorly insulated roof can cause substantial heat loss in winter and overheating in summer.
 

The roof should be considered as part of the complete thermal envelope.

 

Condensation Control

Roof spaces are particularly vulnerable to condensation.
 

Moisture from inside the room can migrate into colder parts of the roof.
 

This is why the construction may require:

• vapour control layer

• insulation continuity

• ventilation where appropriate

• careful sealing
   

The exact strategy depends on the roof type.

 

Roof Ventilation

Some roof constructions need ventilation.
 

Others are designed as unventilated warm roofs.
 

The system should be designed consistently rather than mixing elements of different roof types.

 

Roof Drainage

Every roof needs a clear route for rainwater.
 

Possible drainage arrangements include:

• gutters

• downpipes

• concealed outlets

• parapet outlets

• rainwater chains
   

Water should be discharged away from the building foundation.

 

Parapet Roofs

A parapet can conceal a flat roof and create a very clean modern appearance.
 

However, parapets introduce additional waterproofing details.
 

These include:

• upstands

• cappings

• outlets

• overflow provision
   

They should be detailed carefully.

 

Roof Overhangs

Roof overhangs can serve both practical and aesthetic purposes.
 

They can:

• protect cladding

• shade glazing

• create a sheltered entrance

• define a terrace

• support lighting
   

A larger overhang can also be used to create a covered outdoor kitchen or seating area.

 

Roofs for Outdoor Kitchens

Where the garden room is combined with an outdoor kitchen, the roof can extend to create a canopy.
 

This can protect:

• cooking areas

• dining tables

• bar seating
   

The design still needs to consider heat, smoke and fire safety around BBQs and pizza ovens.

 

Green Roof Garden Room

A green roof can help soften the appearance of a garden building.
 

It can provide:

• planting

• biodiversity

• attractive views from upper storeys

• improved visual integration
   

But green roofs add weight.
 

The roof structure therefore needs to be designed for the additional load.

 

Roof Materials

The final roof covering will depend on the roof shape.
 

Possible materials include:

• EPDM

• GRP

• single ply membrane

• standing seam metal

• tiles

• slates

• green roof systems
   

The material should suit both the pitch and the overall design.

 

Flat Roof Versus Pitched Roof

There is no single best choice.
 

Flat Roof

Best suited to:

• contemporary designs

• low overall height

• boundary locations

• simple modern appearance
   

Pitched Roof

Best suited to:

• traditional appearance

• vaulted ceilings

• increased internal volume

• rooflights
   

The choice should reflect the garden, planning constraints and intended use.

 

Best Roof for a Garden Room

The best roof is the one that suits:

• location

• building height

• style

• span

• insulation requirements

• planning constraints

• budget
   

For many modern garden rooms, a well designed insulated flat roof is practical and economical.
 

For others, a pitched or apex roof creates a much stronger room.

 

Design the Roof Before Construction Starts

The roof affects:

• overall height

• wall height

• structural spans

• insulation

• drainage

• glazing

• appearance
   

It should therefore be resolved as part of the original design rather than decided on site.

 

APN Garden Room Plans and Roof Design

APN Garden Room Plan Packs provide a clear starting point for the roof construction and overall building design.
 

Depending on the project, the design can be adapted to include:

• flat roof

• pitched roof

• apex roof

• rooflights

• larger overhangs

• covered terrace

• outdoor kitchen canopy

• green roof
   

Where more detailed technical information is required, APN can also provide additional construction and Building Regulations support.

 

Potential Savings of 40 to 50%

Depending on the design, location, specification and how the project is managed, it may be possible to reduce the overall cost by around 40 to 50% compared with some equivalent turnkey garden room packages.
 

The aim is not to build a cheaper room.
 

It is to spend more of your budget on the room itself and less on the layers surrounding it.
 

That could mean:

• better glazing

• better insulation

• better cladding

• better internal finishes

• a larger room

• more money left for landscaping or furniture
  
   

Start With the Design

The first step is choosing the right garden room.
 

From there, you can:

• use the design as shown

• adapt it to suit your garden

• obtain planning advice if required

• add Building Regulations information where needed

• request builder quotations

• source products and materials

• control the final build cost
   

Choose the design. Control the build. Keep more of the budget.
 

Browse Our Garden Room Designs

Explore the APN Garden Rooms collections and find the design that works for your space, your lifestyle and your budget.