Buying Guide
Summer Houses
A Summer House is a peaceful retreat, a space for entertaining, or even a handy spot for storage, it strikes a balance between practicality and enjoyment.
Read the Ultimate Guide to Buying a Summer House to help you find the perfect addition to your garden. A summer house is so much more than just a shed. It’s a versatile garden building that adds extra living space while remaining lighter and simpler than a fully insulated garden room or log cabin.
Whether you’d like a peaceful retreat, a space for entertaining friends, or simply a sheltered spot to enjoy your garden all year round, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. From understanding the different styles and materials available to deciding how you’ll use your space.
Our comprehensive guide covers every aspect of choosing and caring for your new summer house, so you can create a beautiful, functional extension of your home to enjoy for years to come.
Purpose
What do you want your summer house to be for? Whether you’re dreaming of a peaceful retreat, a creative studio, or a light-filled space to work or entertain, thinking about how you’ll use it is the best place to start. To help you decide, we’ve outlined some of the most popular uses for summer houses and how to choose the perfect style to suit your needs.
For Rest
Thinking of creating a peaceful retreat at the end of your garden? A summer house is the perfect place to unwind with a good book, a glass of wine or a cup of tea offering the comfort of the indoors while surrounded by nature. For maximum enjoyment, choose a design with plenty of windows and wide-opening double or bi-fold doors to make the most of sunny days.
For Entertaining
A summer house is the perfect spot for entertaining friends and family. Whether you’re hosting a relaxed barbecue or setting the table for an intimate dinner, it provides the ideal mix of comfort and charm. Offering shelter from unexpected showers and a cosy space to gather, a summer house helps make every alfresco evening feel special and weatherproof.
For Hobbies
Crafters will love the bright, airy atmosphere a summer house provides, making it the perfect creative retreat for sewing, painting, knitting, or any hands-on hobby. Choose a design with plenty of natural light, safety glass or shatterproof styrene windows are ideal, and if you’re storing valuable tools or materials, be sure to consider added security features to keep everything safe.
Already Convinced?
Type
We offer a wide range of summer houses in styles to suit every garden. Choose from the timeless charm of traditional designs with classic apex roofs and Victorian-style windows, the sleek lines of modern contemporary models with curved roofs or open verandas, or the clever space-saving design of a corner summer house. Perfect for making the most of every inch of your garden.
Traditional
A traditional summer house, with its apex roof, central glazed doors, and front windows, adds timeless charm to any garden while offering a sheltered veranda perfect for relaxing outdoors come rain or shine.
Contemporary
Contemporary summer houses, with their sleek pent or curved roofs, expansive glazing, and modern lines, make a stylish statement in any garden, offering bright, sunlit spaces that can include side sheds, verandas, or clever corner-fitting designs.
Corner
A corner summer house is a smart choice for smaller gardens or those wanting to maximise growing space, neatly fitting into a corner to make the most of the morning or evening light.
Handmade in the UK
All Mercia Summer Houses are handmade in the UK in our Nottinghamshire factory, ensuring expert craftmanship and top quality every time.
Components
If you’re unsure which summer house design is right for you, try breaking it down into its key features. From the roof style to the doors and windows, Mercia offers a wide range of options to help you find the perfect fit for your garden.
Cladding Styles
- Tongue & Groove (T&G) – Designed with interlocking “tongue” and “groove” edges for a tight, secure fit, this cladding creates a smooth, durable, and weatherproof finish. It’s strong and modern in appearance, making it ideal for contemporary summer houses.
- Shiplap (T&G) – Features a curved outer profile that enhances water runoff while maintaining a tight seal between boards. The subtle shadow lines beneath each join add visual interest, giving your summer house a classic, polished look.
- Shiplap+ (T&G) – Made from extra-thick 16mm boards with a distinctive “Z” profile, this cladding provides superior strength, insulation, and water resistance—perfect for summer houses in exposed or high-altitude locations.
- Interlocking – Commonly used in log cabin construction, this method combines thick T&G boards with interlocking corners for exceptional rigidity, weather protection, and draught resistance.
Roof Designs
- Apex Roof – Shaped like an ‘A’, this classic roof design offers generous headroom in the centre and excellent water runoff. It suits a wide range of summer house styles, from charming beach huts to traditional chalet-inspired designs
- Pent Roof – A modern, single-slope roof that’s ideal for smaller gardens or spaces close to fences and boundaries. With the highest point above the door, it directs rainwater to the back and keeps the overall height lower—perfect for creating a sleek, unobtrusive look.
- Curved Roof – A stylish, contemporary twist on the pent design, the curved roof adds a touch of modern elegance while maintaining efficient water drainage and a soft, flowing aesthetic.
Doors & Glazing
- Single Door – Ideal for maximising internal wall space, a single door often features windows on either side to let in plenty of natural light.
- Double Doors – Create a welcoming, open feel with double doors that can be fastened back on warm days, seamlessly connecting your summer house to the garden.
- Bifold Doors – Add a touch of contemporary style and flexibility; bifold doors let you open up your space as much or as little as you like, perfect for enjoying fresh air and sunshine.
- Safety Glass – Laminated for extra security, safety glass won’t shatter, making it ideal for gardens where children or pets play.
- Double Glazing – Combines the safety of laminated glass with added insulation, keeping your summer house cosy and energy-efficient.
- Styrene – A lightweight, shatterproof alternative to glass, styrene is twice as strong and perfect for family-friendly gardens.
Shiplap Cladding
Curved Roof
Bi-Fold Doors
Installing
If you’re confident with DIY, you can choose to construct your summer house yourself by following the provided instructions. However, if you’d prefer a hassle-free experience, Waltons offers both an installation-only and a painted-and-installed service as optional upgrades. Alternatively, if you plan to include utilities like electricity, hiring a local professional tradesperson is a great way to ensure everything is completed safely and to a high standard.
But before you decide which summer house to buy, spend some time thinking about where you're going to put it and what you're going to put it on.
Base Options
A solid foundation keeps your summer house raised off the ground, allowing air to circulate beneath it while preventing moisture damage and subsidence that could compromise the structure over time.
Foundation Kit
Ideal for small summer houses, this rust-proof galvanised steel base provides a solid and stable foundation on level ground.
Wooden Foundation
A simple, effective option for smaller buildings, offering a raised platform to keep your summer house clear of the ground.
Patio Slab
A great DIY choice that provides a level, durable base and enhances the overall look of your summer house.
Concrete
The most secure and long-lasting option, perfect for larger or permanent summer houses, garden rooms, or log cabins.
StopDigging
An eco-friendly alternative that supports a wooden base, keeps the structure elevated, and helps prevent rot and water damage.
Maintenance
Regular care helps your summer house stay beautiful and weatherproof for years to come. Keep the surrounding area clear of debris, check for signs of damp, and ensure good ventilation to prevent mould. Wooden summer houses naturally need a little more upkeep, but choosing pressure-treated or factory-painted models reduces maintenance significantly. To keep the timber in top condition, reapply wood treatment every couple of years (ideally on a dry day) and pay close attention to corners, joints, and exposed edges. With just a little seasonal care, your summer house will remain a cosy and stylish retreat all year round.
