Looking To Buy a Summerhouse? Your Guide To Creating The Perfect Garden Escape
If you’re looking to extend your living space, create a sunny garden retreat, or add a stylish outdoor garden room, now is a great time to buy a summerhouse. In this edition of our garden building series, we focus on summerhouses. We will take a look at what makes them unique, how to build one yourself, and how to choose between a 28mm or 40mm wall thickness depending on your needs.
Our interlocking summerhouse kits are designed for easy self-build and come in pre-cut sections with full instructions. Whether you're planning a garden hideaway, a light-filled hobby room, or a peaceful spot to enjoy a book in the evening sun, we have options that are practical, beautiful, and easy to assemble.
Why Buy a Summerhouse DIY Kit?
Buying a DIY Summerhouse Kit is one of the most accessible and satisfying ways to add a useful, attractive building to your outdoor space. Whether you're working with a large lawn or a compact corner space in an urban garden, a summerhouse offers:
Quick Setup: Pre-cut interlocking logs for fast, secure assembly.
Flexible Design: Choose the size, window placement, and roof style that suits your space.
DIY-Friendly: All you need is a level base, some basic tools, and a weekend.
Cost-Efficient Living Space: Much cheaper than a home extension, with countless uses. Our customers have built garden studios, home offices, bars and garden pubs, gym and workout spaces, or created chill-out rooms with our buildings.
Natural Light & Style: Summerhouses are designed with glazing and open space in mind, so they always feel bright, calm, and connected to your garden.
Choosing Between 28mm and 40mm Summerhouses
When you're deciding what kind of summerhouse to buy, one key consideration is wall thickness. Here’s how the two most popular sizes compare:
✅ 28mm Summerhouses
Best for: Light summer use, garden sitting rooms, reading nooks, or hobby spaces.
Benefits: Lightweight, affordable, and simple to build. Perfect for fair-weather days and relaxing in natural light.
Considerations: Not suited for winter use without added insulation.
✅ 40mm Summerhouses
Best for: More frequent or extended use, making them ideal for spring and autumn use, and for use on milder winter days.
Benefits: Thicker, more robust walls offer better soundproofing, improved weather resistance, and a longer lifespan.
Ideal for: Customers wanting a summerhouse that’s more than a summer seasonal space. Perfect for home offices or hobby rooms with occasional heating.
Both wall thicknesses feature the same interlocking design and can be enhanced with roof and floor insulation if extended seasonal use is desired.
How to Build Your Own Summerhouse: A Step-by-Step Overview
Building a summerhouse is easier than you might think. Our kits are designed to make the process smooth, even for beginners.
1. Prepare a Solid Base
Choose a level concrete slab or timber foundation to keep your summerhouse stable and dry.
2. Unbox & Organise
All logs are labelled and pre-cut. Lay everything out and check it off with the included instructions.
3. Stack the Walls
Interlock the logs, building up the walls layer by layer. No need for advanced tools, if you have a basic DIY set of tools, that’s enough to put our summerhouses together.
4. Install Roof, Doors & Windows
Add the roof panels, door frames, and glazed windows. Most designs maximise natural light for that classic summerhouse feel.
5. Treat or Insulate (Optional)
Treat the timber with wood preservative and, if needed, insulate the floor or roof to help retain warmth in spring or autumn.
Doing Further Research? Here Are Some Search Ideas You Should Know (and Search For!)
Thinking about your options? Here are some popular terms people often search before buying:
DIY summerhouse kits UK
Difference between a summerhouse and a log cabin
28mm vs 40mm summerhouse logs
Cheapest garden summerhouses for self-build
Wooden summerhouse with lots of light
Can I use a summerhouse as a home office?
6 of the Best Summerhouses to Buy
Looking for inspiration before you buy? Here are six standout options from our summerhouse range. Each is a self-build kit, designed to be constructed by hand and enjoyed for years to come.
The Bright & Airy 28mm Summerhouse Cabin
Best for: Garden reading nooks, art rooms, or a place to unwind
Key features: Large glazed windows, lots of natural light, compact and stylish
The Contemporary 40mm Summerhouse Office
Best for: Remote working in a beautiful, distraction-free setting
Features: Sleek modern styling, large front windows, thicker 40mm walls for stability and comfort
The Traditional Apex Roof Summerhouse
Best for: Classic British gardens and vintage appeal
Features: High-pitched roof, central double doors, timeless log cabin aesthetics
Summertime Log Cabin 4.0m x 3.0m
The Compact Summerhouse for Small Gardens
Best for: for: Courtyards, patios, or narrow plots
Features: Space-efficient layout, generous glazing, with 28mm or 40mm log options.
Summerhouse with Side Storage Room
Best for: for: Courtyards, patios, or narrow plots
Features: Space-efficient layout, generous glazing, with 28mm or 40mm log options.
The Corner Summerhouse for Maximum Light
Best for: Making use of awkward or underused garden corners
Features: Angled design, wraparound windows, ideal for sun catching and privacy
These options are just the beginning. Whether you want a simple summerhouse or a more robust garden retreat for extended use through the year, we have a summerhouse self-build kit that fits your vision and your DIY skill level.
Need help choosing the right cabin for your garden?
At Tuin, we offer one of the UK’s a comprehensive collection of interlocking summerhouse kits, in a variety of wall thicknesses, designs, and sizes. Whether you're just starting your garden project or already planning the layout, our team is here to help.
If you’re unsure about which summerhouse is the right one for your garden, please get in touch with our expert team. We have over 50 years’ industry experience and can offer hands-on, experience-driven advice and guidance.