I have a standalone concrete sectional garage at the side of my (brick-
built) house, built in the mid 60’s and not in the prime of life so
I’m looking to replace it possibly with a timber one (which I think
will look quite good). Size approx 5m x 2.6m. A few questions:

1. Do planning regs apply if I replace it with one of same size
(albeit in different construction material), or if I were to attach it
to the house, or if I were to make it slightly larger to incorporate a
utility room (say, adding no more than 10% of current total house
volume)?

2. I believe there are building regs about constructions made of
combustible material, i.e. must be built at least 1 metre from
boundary. Can anyone confirm this?

3. Can anyone recommend any suppliers of decent timber garages? -
i.e. well-built and aesthestically pleasing, not just glorified sheds.

4.Does anyone have any experience with timber garages - good or bad?

Many thanks in advance, Andy

"Andy" wrote in message
...
I have a standalone concrete sectional garage at the side of my (brick-
built) house, built in the mid 60’s and not in the prime of life so
I’m looking to replace it possibly with a timber one (which I think
will look quite good). Size approx 5m x 2.6m. A few questions:

1. Do planning regs apply if I replace it with one of same size
(albeit in different construction material), or if I were to attach it
to the house, or if I were to make it slightly larger to incorporate a
utility room (say, adding no more than 10% of current total house
volume)?

2. I believe there are building regs about constructions made of
combustible material, i.e. must be built at least 1 metre from
boundary. Can anyone confirm this?

3. Can anyone recommend any suppliers of decent timber garages? -
i.e. well-built and aesthestically pleasing, not just glorified sheds.

4.Does anyone have any experience with timber garages - good or bad?

Many thanks in advance, Andy



Andy,

I believe regs depend partly on your local council. I bought one from
Warwick Buildings (http://www.warwickbuildings.co.uk/) in 2001, and as mine
is at the end of the garden, away from other buildings and roads and under
4m high I didn't need planning permission etc. You may do being so close to
the house.
Mine is 28' x 13', and was a customised version of one of their standard
buildings, but with doors & windows placed as I required. I went with felt
tiles instead of the standard roof offering.

Build quality is excellent, ply with shiplap boards externally. I've had no
problems with it since. I insulated it between the timber frame internally
and lined it with plywood, before painting. Result is a building that holds
heat well in winter and stays cool in summer.

I laid the concrete base, exceeding the specs they specified (thicker & with
steel mesh), and used a local brickie to lay the single course of bricks
required - perfectly level.
They arrived on site and errected it within one day.

I'd certainly buy from them again.

Alan.

On Tue, 12 May 2009 22:21:34 +0100, AlanD wrote:
Mine is 28' x 13', and was a customised version of one of their standard
buildings, but with doors & windows placed as I required. I went with felt
tiles instead of the standard roof offering.

Build quality is excellent, ply with shiplap boards externally.

What's the roof truss construction like? Our ancient one is around 20' x
20', and the trusses are crap - only 4" x 4" along the horizontal
sections, and over time that much weight over such a span has caused the
roof to sag in the middle.

I'll be rebuilding it in a few years, I think - I'm already forming
plans in my head :-) (2x4s, 2x6s and board are dirt cheap here - the
main expense is with the siding and shingles).

Not sure if I'll insulate or not; I'd like to keep the same style of
hinged double door, but they're crap at keeping the cold out, so maybe
there's no point in spending money on insulation for the walls and roof...

cheers

Jules

On May 12, 6:17*pm, Andy wrote:
I have a standalone concrete sectional garage at the side of my (brick-
built) house, built in the mid 60’s and not in the prime of life so
I’m looking to replace it possibly with a timber one (which I think
will look quite good). Size approx 5m x 2.6m. *A few questions:

1. Do planning regs apply if I replace it with one of same size
(albeit in different construction material), or if I were to attach it
to the house, or if I were to make it slightly larger to incorporate a
utility room (say, adding no more than 10% of current total house
volume)?

Email or phone your local authority planning dept.


2. I believe there are building regs about constructions made of
combustible material, i.e. must be built at least 1 metre from
boundary. Can anyone confirm this?

Building control department at your local council.

MBQ

What's the roof truss construction like? Our ancient one is around 20' x
20', and the trusses are crap - only 4" x 4" along the horizontal
sections, and over time that much weight over such a span has caused the
roof to sag in the middle.

I can't see the construction now as the roof is also insulated & lined,
however from memory the beams are around 2x4 every 2' or so with 2x6 where
each roof section joins - building made from 2x 10' sections and 1x 8'
section.

No sagging, even with 2 people standing on top trimming the tree that hangs
over!

I'll be rebuilding it in a few years, I think - I'm already forming
plans in my head :-) (2x4s, 2x6s and board are dirt cheap here - the
main expense is with the siding and shingles).

Not sure if I'll insulate or not; I'd like to keep the same style of
hinged double door, but they're crap at keeping the cold out, so maybe
there's no point in spending money on insulation for the walls and roof...


I also have hinged double doors (8' opening) which I left uninsulated, which
doesn't seem to have effected the heat loss/gain much. I did cement in some
pre-cast concrete cappings across the floor in the doorways to prevent wind
and rain coming in, so the doors shut against these, which probably helps.

Alan.