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SunSpaces - Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for further information on our range of garden rooms, verandas, glass extensions and awnings? We may have already answered your question – see below for some of our most common queries.

If you are still unsure about anything, please call 0800 028 8756 or email info@sunspaces.co.uk for further details.
How much maintenance do SunSpaces need?

 

SunSpaces verandas, garden rooms and glass extensions are extremely low-maintenance. We recommend that you keep your structure clean and annually inspect all seals and hinges and oil all moveable parts, otherwise, no maintenance is required.

Do I need planning permission?
SunSpaces Verandas and Garden Rooms
While an extension may require planning permission, this is unlikely for SunSpaces verandas and garden rooms. From our experience, very few verandas and garden rooms require planning and almost 90% of SunSpaces projects require no planning. However we have a design and technical team here with years of planning experience and offer a planning service for a charge of £490 + VAT (which includes your local councils planning fee).

Wintergardens
In many cases a typical Wintergarden would not require planning permission but we would be able to advise on each individual case. However, building control would have to be involved and part of our service is offering project management on this aspect. Read our Planning Permission Guide for more information.
What colours can I choose from?
SunSpaces Verandas, Garden Rooms

The following products:
Aspire Veranda, Aspire + Veranda, Avant-Garde Veranda, Ultra Glass Veranda. Panorama Garden Room, Vogue Garden Room, Prestige Garden Room are available in four standard colours: Anthracite Grey, Grey Aluminium, Traffic White, and Cream. However, if you have a specific colour in mind, we are able to provide almost any RAL colour for an additional charge.

The following products:
Horizon & Dynamic models are available in a large number of standard RAL colours at no extra cost– see the Horizon & Dynamic page for a definitive list.

Wintergarden are available in 30 standard RAL colours. Other RAL colours may be selected for an additional cost. See the Wintergarden page for a full colour list breakdown.
Will I need to lay a foundation for my SunSpace?

With the exception of the Wintergarden, one of the biggest selling points of our structures is the fact that they can, in most cases, be installed without any foundation. Most SunSpaces are installed onto concrete post bases.

How high will the roof be?

This is variable, and is determined by your design.

How will my garden room/veranda be connected to my house?

An aluminium base plate will be attached to your property with masonry fixings. It will be sealed along the upper edge with lead flashing.

What accessories are available for my SunSpace?

We offer a variety of accessories, including integrated LED lights, 2kw heaters and coloured awnings for your structure. Please refer to the individual product pages to explore the range of accessories per model.

How long will you take to deliver my SunSpace?
For the following models delivery will be within 6 weeks of order confirmation:

The following products:
Aspire Veranda, Aspire + Veranda, Avant-Garde Veranda, Ultra Glass Veranda. Panorama Garden Room, Vogue Garden Room, Prestige Garden Room

For the Dynamic garden room, delivery will be within 8 weeks of placing your order.
Do SunSpaces come with a warranty?
Warranty on Products

15 year warranty on the following models: Ultra Veranda; Prestige Garden Room

10 year warranty on the following models: Aspire Veranda, Aspire + Veranda and Avant-Garde Veranda. Panorama Garden Room, Vogue Garden Room.

5 year warranty on the following models: Horizon and Dynamic

5 year warranty on the following models: Awnings - Compact, Lite & Elite

For more information, please refer to https://www.sunspaces.co.uk/care-and-warranty.
How much weight can the roof of my garden room bear? Will I be able to walk on it?

SunSpaces can withstand loads of up to 90kg per square metre (that’s roughly 50cm of snow). For health and safety reasons, we advise against walking on top of your SunSpace. If you do have to walk on the roof of your SunSpace, we’d recommend using a scaffolding board to spread the weight of the load evenly.

How deep into the ground will the posts of my garden room/veranda go?

Posts will be placed approximately 40cm into the ground.

Is the seal between the back of the veranda and wall waterproof? Can you suggest how to join (waterproof) the end of a veranda to an existing building?

We use a durable, flexible, silicon or lead flashing over the fixing point to prevent water ingress at the point where your garden room or veranda connects to the house. SunSpaces are designed to withstand the British weather, but in heavy downpours you may experience some water ingress through side walls and doors.

Do you have any figures to show how much light gets through your different types of roofing material (it is not clear on website)?

Glass roofs would be as a normal glass window or roof but for polycarbonate roofs. Clear is 70% and Opal is 32%

Do you sell or can you recommend any internal (retractable?) shading device, as I am concerned it may be too bright (we are south facing)

We offer a range of internal and external awnings and blinds. Please visit individual product pages to find out more.

Would having a firepit or gas burner inside my SunSpace damage the roof? What temperature can the roof take)?

Ventilation should be considered when using either of these items. In some SunSpaces projects, we have been able to customise our glass roofs to accommodate a chimney. If you’d like to add a firepit to your garden room or veranda, please speak to your sales consultant. IT IS IMPERATIVE WHEN A FIRE PIT IS OPERATED INSIDE AN ENCLOSED STRUCTURE THAT YOU HAVE VERY GOOD VENTILATION TO STOP THE BUILD UP OF HARMFUL GASES SUCH AS CARBON MONOXIDE

For a 6m side can all the sliding doors go across to one end or do they have to go to either end

You would need a central post so you would have a separate glass sliding wall system either side of the central post. For buildings where no central post required the glass would slide either side.

What is the pitch of the roof?

 

5 -15 degrees for a glass roof and 8 - 15 Degrees for Polycarbonate

Can the posts be bolted to a patio rather than dug into the ground?

We would normally lift the slab, concrete the post in and lay the cut slab back around the post.

Our patio has relatively deep grooves where the pointing is, would this be a problem for the tracks under the walls? There seem to be similar patio slabs in the brochure.

We would cut a channel into the slab for evenness and to prevent water running under.

Would it be a problem housing a hot tub in the glass structure in terms of moisture level/condensation? If we added a outdoor shower would this be a problem?

It would generate condensation, this wouldn’t affect the building with rust – we would suggest a door left open or you ventilate after using the hot tub/shower.

Is it a problem that the roof would be so flat? We would obviously need the rain to run away from the garage walls. There seem to be flat-ish roofs in the brochure but not sure of snow loading issues?

This is all within the calculation and there wouldn’t be an issue with a minimum 5 degree pitch (for glass) and an 8 degree pitch for polycarbonate.

Can I purchase a SunSpaces veranda now and add sides to make it a garden room in the future?

Yes, our designs are modular and you can add sides to a veranda at a later date, but please discuss this with one of our specialists.

Are garden rooms secure?

SunSpaces are part of the garden and not an extension of the house. We do offer lockable options for side panels that provide a suitable level of security, but these are not security locks and you should consider that items stored in a SunSpace could be vulnerable. Don’t leave anything in your SunSpace that you wouldn’t leave in your a garden.

Can I use indoor furniture in a SunSpace?

Because a SunSpace is a garden room, outdoor furniture made of rattan or other waterproof materials that are suitable for outdoor environments should be used.

How many days will it take to install?

We can install a SunSpace in as little as 2-5 days. This is dependant on the type of SunSpace you choose and does vary.

Can a SunSpace be installed on my current flooring?
Yes, most existing gardens can accommodate a SunSpace with very little ground work or new flooring. Options are available from us if you would like to install a new floor. These include porcelain paving from PrimaPorcelain and DeckPlus composite decking.
Do I need an electrician to connect electrics for lights and heaters?

Yes, our electrical transformers for heaters and lights will be tested and left in an electrical box ready for your electrician to connect to your mains.

Where does the water on the roof go?

Rainwater will run off the roof into an integrated concealed gutter at the front of the SunSpace. The water then travels through the front post and either exits above ground or beneath the ground depending on your chosen gutter system.

How do you clean the roof?

Roofs can be cleaned in the same way you would clean windows. We recommend using a hose with a long pole rather than trying to climb on the roof. SunSpaces can be cleaned using any window cleaning solution.