Baizewick guide
Garden room and outbuilding games rooms
A garden room works well as a games room if it stays dry, warm and secure, which protects the equipment. It also keeps the noise out of the house.
Start with a solid, level base
A games table needs a flat, stable floor. Concrete slabs and well-built timber bases both work, as long as they are level and strong enough for your table.
Tell the garden-room supplier the weight of the table before they build the base, and ask whether the floor can carry it. For a slate table, check with a structural engineer.
Keep it dry
Outbuildings are prone to damp and condensation, which damage cloth, wood and electronics. Look for good insulation, a damp-proof layer in the base and a well-sealed roof.
A dehumidifier helps in the cold months. If you won’t heat the building in winter, choose outdoor-rated equipment or move indoor items into the house.
Heat and ventilation
An insulated, heated garden room keeps the temperature and humidity steady, and that protects the equipment. Ventilation cuts condensation.
Use heating that suits the building, installed by a qualified installer.
Power and light
Running power to a garden building usually means a new circuit, with suitable outdoor cabling and RCD protection. This is a job for a registered electrician. It normally has to be notified under Building Regulations.
Plan sockets for air hockey blowers, heating, lighting and music before the interior is finished.
Rules to check
Many garden rooms can be built without planning permission, but limits apply. These include height near a boundary and how much of the garden the building covers. Listed buildings, conservation areas and some estates have tighter rules.
Small outbuildings without sleeping accommodation are often exempt from Building Regulations. That depends on floor area and distance from the boundary.
Check the current rules for your property with your local authority before you build.
Getting a table in
Measure the route through the garden as well as the building: side gates, paths, steps and the garden room door. Many garden rooms have wide double doors, which help.
For larger tables, think about having the table delivered before the doors are fitted.
Security
- Fit good locks to doors and windows.
- Keep valuable equipment out of view from the garden.
- Check your home insurance covers the contents of outbuildings.