Steve Winscott, company director at Nine Zero Timber Windows and Doors, discusses the reasons we’re seeing a dip in conservatory enquiries, but a 30% rise in homeowner demand for garden rooms this summer.

Last month we released news of the surge in demand for garden rooms that Nine Zero and our partners have spotted this summer. With lead generation platform, Leads 2 Trade, now reporting a 31.24% rise in homeowner enquiries for garden rooms and single-storey extensions compared to the same period last year – it’s time to take notice.

It’s clear that homeowners are still keen on extending their properties in the ‘don’t move, improve’ era, but with a decline in requests for conservatories as we have known them to date, installers must widen their understanding of what customers really want from added living spaces.

The space you want

So, what is the reason there has been a shift beyond the conservatory? One reason could be the versatility that garden rooms offer. We’ve seen a steady trend of homeowners repurposing home offices, which were widely adopted throughout the pandemic.

As we have transitioned back to collaboration over isolation, consumers are seeking breakout spaces that are easily adaptable to their changing needs.

Whether it’s a playroom, bar, library, exercise space or other usage that arises, the versatility of garden rooms mean they can be simply repurposed. This adaptability for functionality benefits the homeowner not only in the now, but also when they look to sell.

The value of versatility

Garden rooms can add significant value to a home. In fact, property experts estimate a garden room can increase a home’s value anywhere from 5-15%, depending on quality, or 1.5 times the amount spent on its construction.

Nine Zero handcrafts FSC-certified sustainable timber from our Cornwall factory, which is supplied to companies such as Bristol-based Little Green Rooms and Pumphrey and Weston Shepherd Huts in Cornwall. The garden rooms created from our materials are bespoke, beautiful, and of the highest quality available.

Year-round comfort

Timber is a natural insulator with excellent thermal properties. Timber garden rooms can therefore be warm in the winter and cool in the summer, further adding to their year-round appeal and boost to property value.

And let’s not forget the build. Timber’s breathable structure not only contributes to its energy efficiency, but also its structural integrity. Its lightweight nature allows for quick construction, modifications, or repair, making it an ideal material for these highly versatile spaces.

Sustainable timber

The more inherently strong, beautiful garden rooms we see crafted from timber, the more chance we have to spread the word on its sustainability and insulation benefits, because we’re still in the education phase for timber products.

Even when timber is one of the primary sources used in garden rooms, PVC-U is still being specified for the windows and doors, jarring the aesthetic, efficiency and longevity of the added living space.

Wood is the only naturally renewable mainstream building material; it absorbs CO2 during growth and, when harvested responsibly, has a sustainable life cycle. It’s also energy-efficient, reducing consumption and costs.

There’s a misconception about the costs associated with timber overall. If you consider timber windows and doors, on a full property scale their whole life cost is 14-25% more cost-effective than other materials. Though initial outlay may be higher, construction with timber is quicker and easier, lowering labour costs. Plus, timber requires less maintenance and is more energy-efficient, saving money on repairs and energy bills over time.

By choosing timber products for your garden room or wider project, you are helping to save operational energy across the lifespan of that home or building. Using FSC-certified Engineered Redwood, Engineered Red Grandis and Abodo timber wherever possible, our timber windows and doors are made from sustainable and renewable materials.

The industry shift towards eco-friendly and sustainable building materials has never had so much momentum, but now it’s important we make the connection to timber a lot clearer. A study by Ovo Energy earlier this year revealed 83% of active British homebuyers are seeking properties with energy efficient upgrades, reduced carbon emissions, and high EPC ratings.

Regardless of where legislation takes us, we know that homeowner demand for sustainability is only getting stronger, and that’s where timber will always come out on top.