Malvern Garden Offices - Frequently Asked Questions

• LLINK(qA,Q: Who are Malvern?
• LLINK(qB,Q: What type of garden offices do Malvern offer?)
• LLINK(q2,Q: What size Malvern office do I need?)
• LLINK(q6,Q: Where should I locate my Malvern office?)
• LLINK(q11,Q: What type of base is suitable for my Malvern office?)
• LLINK(q14,Q: What access is required to deliver my Malvern office?)
• LLINK(q15,Q: Is my Malvern office suitable for DIY assembly?)
• LLINK(q16,Q: How should I maintain my Malvern office?)
• LLINK(q17,Q: Can I insulate my Malvern office?)
• LLINK(q18,Q: Can I have electricity in my Malvern office?)
• LLINK(q19,Q: Is planning permission required for my Malvern office?)
• LLINK(q20,Q: Is building regulations approval required for my Malvern office?)
• LLINK(q21,Q: What is Western Red Cedar?)
• LLINK(q22,Q: What is pressure treatment?)
• LLINK(q23,Q: What is shiplap cladding?)

Who are Malvern?

• Malvern is a trading name of MPB or Midland Portable Buildings, one of the largest and longest established manufacturers of garden buildings in the UK. In addition to their range of garden offices, Malvern also manufacture a huge range of other garden buildings including the Malvern Traditional range, the Malvern Collection and the premium quality Malvern Cottage range. Malvern manufacture garden sheds and workshops, summerhouses and garden rooms, wooden greenhouses and gazebos, timber garages and children's playhouses.

What type of garden offices do Malvern offer?

• Malvern Garden Offices are fully lined and insulated with double glazing and cedar cladding as standard. The Malvern Hallow features an apex roof and casement windows. The Malvern Hanley features an apex roof with fully glazed windows for a panoramic view. The Malvern Henwick is an apex office with a fully enclosed verandah at the front or along the side. The Corner Hallow and the Corner Hanley are designed to fit a corner location. We deliver Malvern garden offices throughout the UK. Installation is included free.

What size Malvern office do I need?

• The space will always be used, so buy the biggest garden office you can afford provided that it fits comfortably in the space available. There are no precise guidelines regarding the size. Often the size of a garden office is dictated by the space available. At Summer Garden Rooms we offer a wide range of sizes to suit every space. If you are replacing an existing garden room you should consider whether to have the same size again or perhaps larger. You should also consider how many people you might like to seat. Also, could your garden room be used for dining? The smallest size for a garden office is generally 8' x 10'. The most popular sizes are 12' x 8' and 12' x 10'. Malvern garden offices are available in all popular sizes.

Where should I locate my Malvern office?

• Ideally your Malvern office should have a clear space at least 18" wide on all sides, if possible. This ensures easy access for both installation and future maintenance. In reality this is often not practical and at many sites it is not needed. A reduced clearance is often possible on one or two sides. If the space around your building is restricted remember to allow for any roof overhang. You should also cut back or remove any nearby shrubs and trees. Remember to allow for future growth. We recommend a sheltered position which is not exposed.

What type of base is suitable for my Malvern office?

• All Malvern garden offices need a substantial base. The base should be solid, square, flat and level to ensure the stability of your building. Paving slabs or concrete are ideal. A solid concrete base is more permanent and normally more expensive but it provides an excellent base especially for a larger home office. Paving slabs are more practical and cost effective, especially for a smaller base at the far end of the garden. The base should be no smaller than the floor size of the new building and no more than a few inches larger.

What access is required to deliver my Malvern office?

• Malvern garden offices include installation so your new Malvern garden office will be delivered and installed on the same day by prior appointment with you. A clear access route is required from the lorry to the prepared base, with no access restrictions. The sections are often large flat panels which may be as long as the building. Possible restrictions include archways, narrow passages, sharp corners and flights of steps. It is not normally possible to lift large panels over fences and walls. Access through the house may be possible with advance notice. If required larger panels can be made in smaller sections. Please advise us if there are any access restrictions at the site.

Is my Malvern office suitable for DIY assembly?

• Malvern garden offices include free professional installation. DIY assembly is not recommended.

How should I maintain my Malvern office?

• Malvern garden offices require regular treatment. Summer Garden Rooms recommends that the external timber should be treated with a good quality wood stain every year. This will prolong the life of your building. All major wood stain manufacturers offer suitable products in a choice of colours, available from good hardware shops. At Summer Garden Rooms we offer a range of microporous wood preservatives in a choice of colours. Although normally offered with a new building only we are always happy to supply any of our microporous preservatives separately at any time to an existing customer who purchased one of our offices. Summer Garden Rooms also recommends that you regularly oil the door and window hinges as required to ensure continued smooth operation.

Do I need to insulate my Malvern office?

• Malvern offices are fully insulated as standard. Wall insulation, roof insulation and underfloor insulation are all concealed within the structure. Insulation ensures greater comfort in the winter months so it is essential if you need your garden office all year round.

Can I have electricity in my Malvern office?

• Although providing an electricity supply to a Malvern garden office is normally a straightforward task, for safety reasons we recommend that you consult an approved electrician first. Since January 1st 2005 all electrical work must be completed in accordance with IEE wiring regulations and BS 7671. Notifiable work must be either notified directly to the local building control department or completed by an operator who is approved under the Part P Electrical Competent Person Scheme. If required the fitters can position cables behind the internal lining boards during installation to avoid the need for surface mounted trunking.

Is planning permission required for my Malvern office?

• The majority of Malvern garden offices do not require planning permission. However, permission is required for any building which covers over half the garden, which is not for domestic use or which is over 3 metres high with a pent roof or 4 metres high with an apex roof. Larger buildings which are within 2 metres of a boundary and over 2.5m high (8'2") require planning permission. Some larger offices with apex or hipped roof designs may be over 2.5m high. Planning permission may also be required for any home office or garden room which is nearer to a public highway than the original dwelling. For planning purposes a public highway includes any road or footpath with a public right of way. If you live in a Conservation Area or a Listed Building permission may be required for any home office or garden room over 10 cubic metres. This brief summary is not intended to be a comprehensive guide. Contact us for further advice or contact your local planning department. Please note that planning regulations apply to any building whether temporary or permanent including garden offices and garden rooms.

Is building regulations approval required for my Malvern office?

• The majority of Malvern garden offices do not require approval under the building regulations. However, approval is required for any building with an internal floor area of more than 30 square metres. Please note that the building regulations apply to any building in excess of 30 square metres whether temporary or permanent including garden offices and garden rooms.

What is Western Red Cedar?

• Malvern garden offices feature Western Red Cedar, which is the best quality timber used in the manufacture of garden buildings. Over many years cedar has earned an unrivalled reputation for lasting longer than other types of wood. It is a naturally oily timber, saturated with a natural preservative oil which protects the wood from moisture and insects. It also imparts a distinctive and pleasant smell. Unlike softwood, cedar does not require frequent treatment and it is also virtually free from knots. If untreated cedar fades to a a silvery grey colour.

What is pressure treatment?

• Pressure treatment is a preservation process designed to prolong the life of softwood. Malvern garden offices feature cedar cladding as standard so pressure treatment is not required.

What is shiplap cladding?

• Malvern garden offices all feature shiplap wall cladding. Shiplap is the traditional and ever popular cladding profile for use in garden offices and garden rooms. Shiplap features smooth planed and fully interlocking tongued and grooved boarding. The design ensures that rainwater drains quickly and the timber dries quickly. This helps to ensure a longer life for your home office. Our garden offices feature properly tongued and grooved boarding which is stronger than the half lap shiplap or rebated shiplap used by many others.

Summer Garden Rooms is a leading UK retailer of home offices and garden rooms including Malvern offices, established in Norwich, Norfolk since 1981.