Composite garden buildings offer a low-maintenance alternative to traditional timber structures. Hardie Plank cladding combines the appearance of natural wood with the durability of fibre cement, helping to reduce ongoing maintenance while providing excellent weather resistance.
Available in a range of factory-finished colours, Hardie Plank is also one of the few cladding options to achieve a Class A2 fire rating.
Browse some of the most popular colour options:
Hardie Plank Walls – Built for Low Maintenance Garden Buildings
Most garden rooms and garden buildings require ongoing maintenance such as painting or staining, even when pressure treated timber is used.
Over time, exposure to weather conditions can cause fading, discolouration, warping and general surface wear.
In contrast, Hardie Plank walls are designed to eliminate these issues. They provide a durable, low maintenance external finish backed by long-term performance protection against common timber-related problems.
Relevant Building Regulations for Garden Rooms
There is another important reason why timber cladding is not always the ideal solution for larger garden buildings.
Under UK Building Regulations, if a garden building has an internal floor area exceeding 15sqm and is located within one metre of a boundary, it must be constructed substantially from non-combustible materials.
Traditional timber cladding is combustible, which can restrict where larger garden rooms, garden offices and garden cabins can be positioned within a garden. In many cases, maintaining a one-metre clearance from every boundary is impractical or simply not possible.
This is where non-combustible cladding systems such as Hardie Plank can provide a practical solution while helping larger garden buildings meet relevant regulations.
Reduced Maintenance and Boundary Access Requirements
Buildings with external timber walls generally require sufficient space around the structure to allow access for future painting, staining and maintenance. In many cases, this means leaving a gap of approximately 0.5 metres between the building and surrounding fences, walls or hedges.
Hardie Plank clad garden buildings do not require the same level of ongoing external maintenance. As a result, there is no need to allow additional access space purely for future repainting or timber treatment.
This can provide greater flexibility when positioning a garden building, particularly where space is limited.
The Only True Fire Retardant Cladding Option
Some external cladding materials achieve lower fire performance classifications under EN 13501-1, meaning they are considered combustible.
uPVC cladding and many composite systems typically achieve Class C or Class D ratings.
In contrast, Hardie Plank cladding is classified as A2-s1-d0, meaning it has limited combustibility and does not significantly contribute to fire spread.
Fully Compliant Maintenance-Free Garden Buildings
Our Easibuild framed garden rooms clad with Hardie Plank are designed for flexibility, durability and compliance.
Each building is made to order, allowing full control over layout and specification.
They can be installed in various garden locations while meeting key UK planning requirements:
- Maximum height of 2.5m under planning permission requirements.
- Buildings with an internal floor area exceeding 15sqm and located within 1m of a boundary must be constructed from substantially non-combustible materials.
- Buildings exceeding 30sqm must comply with full Building Regulations, including the base and overall construction.
See how we construct our maintenance-free Hardie Plank walls:
Watch a step-by-step video showing how our composite garden buildings are constructed using this durable cladding system.
Understanding Fire Classification (Smoke & Droplets)
What does the “s” rating mean?
The “s” classification refers to smoke production during fire exposure.
S1 indicates minimal smoke emission and the highest performance level.
What does the “d” rating mean?
The “d” classification refers to flaming droplets or particles during combustion.
d0 indicates no flaming droplets were produced within a 600-second test period.
Designed Around Your Requirements
Our composite garden buildings can be designed for a wide range of uses, including:
- Garden offices
- Garden rooms
- Workshops
- Studios
- Hobby rooms
- Summer houses
Every building is made to order, allowing you to customise the size, layout, doors, windows and specification to suit your requirements.
Whether you need a dedicated workspace, a creative studio or additional garden living space, our composite garden buildings can be tailored to your needs
They are particularly popular as composite garden offices, offering a practical and comfortable working environment at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are composite garden buildings made from?
Composite garden buildings are constructed using durable modern materials such as fibre cement cladding and engineered timber framing. These materials are designed to improve strength, reduce maintenance requirements and provide excellent resistance to weather conditions.
Are these buildings low-maintenance?
Yes. They require significantly less upkeep than traditional timber garden buildings. There is no need for regular painting, staining or sealing, and occasional cleaning is usually enough to maintain their appearance.
What is Hardie Plank cladding?
Hardie Plank cladding is a fibre cement cladding system designed to replicate the look of timber while offering improved durability, weather resistance and long-term performance. It is widely used in modern garden buildings due to its low maintenance qualities.
Can they be used as garden offices?
Yes. These buildings are commonly used as garden offices, providing a comfortable and practical workspace suitable for year-round use at home.
Do they require planning permission?
In many cases, they fall under permitted development rights and do not require planning permission. However, this depends on factors such as size, height and location, so it is always advisable to check local guidelines before installation.
Are they suitable for year-round outdoor use?
Yes. They are designed to withstand typical UK weather conditions, making them a durable and reliable option for year-round garden use.
