Although many garden glass rooms are not fully insulated, they do still offer you protection from the rain and wind and are a lot warmer than if you were just stood out in the elements. They are a great way to allow you to enjoy some natural light even if it is wet outside. They can be great for your mental and physical well being and can really boost your mood on those cold winter mornings.

A glass room can become quite warm in the summer which is why it is a good idea to have sun blinds fitted. These can be fitted to the sides and also the ceiling allowing you full control of how much light you let in and out of the room. They can also be controlled electronically via a remote control if you opt for this option. You can also choose to have opening sides on your glass room for days when it is really warm and you want to enjoy the breeze that passes through.

Most glass rooms are made bespoke to the exact dimensions you require, and they can usually be installed around existing structures if required. Most of the time you do not need planning permission for a glass room, taking away that additional hassle and cost.

A gazebo adds a lovely little secluded area to your garden, where you can escape from the world. It can be positioned anywhere, and many people choose to place it in a private spot where they can enjoy being out of doors but being protected as well. If you enjoy DIY and like a challenge, you may want to consider building your own gazebo.

If you have quality wood and know how to construct garden furniture, building a gazebo shouldn’t be too difficult. Buy the wood from a quality supplier and consider ordering from a timber mill where you will be able to get the wood cut down to the appropriate size.

If, however, you are not as experienced in DIY, you may want to buy a gazebo kit. You can still put it together yourself, but it will require much less work. There will be instructions to follow, so you won’t have to design the whole structure yourself.

Gardening is primarily an outdoor activity but sometimes, the weather just won’t allow for you to do everything whilst exposed to the elements. You may need to prepare plants and bulbs inside before planting and you will definitely need a decent place to store all of your gardening equipment. Choose your building carefully and get something that is solid, functional and well designed.

If you’re storing gardening equipment like lawnmowers and other electricals, it’s important that your shed or garage is damp proof. It should be sturdy and solid, but this isn’t always enough – you may need to give it some kind of treatment to make it more resistant to damp as well. Choose doors and windows that will be good quality and won’t let in cold air and moisture.

You should make sure that the building has everything you need it to inside. Allow for lots of workspace and lots of storage space as these are what you will need the most.

Do buy a shed from a reputable company or manufacturer. Although it is likely to be more expensive, consider buying a shed constructed from higher quality timber – red wood pine will last longer than white wood spruce. Make sure you construct your shed on a solid, level base and use strong tongue and groove boards for the floor. For windows, you may want to consider joinery-made frames and toughened glass. Joinery frames are less likely to leak and toughened glass is an added safety option, especially if you have young children around. A good shed will have the option of a door opening to the left or right. Do fit strong, stainless steel hinges which are less likely to rust. If you are considering storing large objects inside your shed, then you may need to fit double doors. Opt for a strong tongue and groove roof and make sure you cover it in heavy duty felt. Once erected, treat the wood with a preservative to prevent fungi and mould growing. You can then paint it in the colour of your choice. Finally, if you are storing valuable gardening equipment or tools in your shed then you will want to fit with good quality locks.

It may be small and forgotten at this time of year, nestled at the bottom of your garden but, in order to keep your shed fit for purpose as a store for garden tools, seeds, spring bulbs and the lawnmower, it is a good idea to give it a maintenance check at least once a year.

Sheds can be prone to damp and wood rot and infestations of insects and small animals, like mice and rats. Once you find rotting wood, you will need to cut out the affected area and replace with new timber. It’s also a good idea to check out the source of rot and deal with that so the problem does not reoccur. You can prevent insect and animal infestations by spraying the interior of your shed with appropriate insecticides.

Grab a ladder and have a look at your roofing felt for any leaks and cracks. This may need replacing and it is quite a straightforward DIY job that most householders can undertake themselves. Make sure you fit the new felt as flat as you can, smoothing out any bumps and ridges before nailing down.

Painting the exterior of your shed will also help it to last longer and will make it look smart. You probably won’t need to do this every year but, if you live in an area with particularly heavy rainfall, then you might want to also consider waterproofing the sides.