In less than 18 years since opening in 2005, Green Retreats has become the UK’s most trusted garden room company, delivering products and services of exceptional quality.
“We have completely changed the concept of a ‘garden shed’; in fact, we have created a new market for a product that was not available before,” says Managing Director Roy Wetherall, who founded the company from scratch, based on his passion for design and architecture, after returning to the UK in the early 2000s.
“The idea of working from home was a new phenomenon back then but expanded living space was always something that people desired. So, I designed a very simple but, importantly, insulated outside building,” he says, adding that the biggest challenge was educating the market, making people understand that this wasn’t just an expensive shed, but a unit as well insulated as a home, built quickly and smoothly, with the added benefit of not needing planning permission.
The challenge has clearly been well handled, helped by perfect strategic timing and, to some extent, new circumstances caused by the pandemic. Up to now, Green Retreats has designed and installed over 13,000 garden rooms for its customers. These high-quality garden buildings are built to incorporate cladding, and electricity and may be used for a range of purposes for private, commercial, corporate, and educational use. In addition to private households, customers include the National Trust and Kensington Palace Gardens as well as many charities and schools throughout the country.
The product has become so admired that architecture guru and BAFTA Award-winning TV personality Kevin McCloud has given his seal of approval to Green Retreats garden rooms by joining the company as its Brand Ambassador.
Simple and eco-friendly
“The simplicity of design is what sets us apart. Customers can configure their building on our website and immediately see what the price will be. There is no hidden cost element. We are also very proud of our level of customer service, which is another differentiator and a strong contributor to our success.”
Mr Wetherall explains that all the products are modular, and customers can choose the style of the look, internal configuration, electrics, plastering, air conditioning, underfloor heating and
similar. There are about 10,000 different options so any need can be satisfied, be it of gym and games room, art studio, chill-out room or a board room and staff wellbeing space. The possibilities are almost endless.
The many materials used to construct garden buildings are carefully chosen for optimal performance and their superior ecological values. Green Retreats always tries to work with local suppliers who have to meet tight criteria. All the wood is FSC sourced and fully recyclable once the building reaches the end of its life.
Where this does not compromise quality, the company tries to use ‘second life’ materials, which have already been recycled.
“We send no waste to landfill. We recycle our waste materials and off-cuts, and what cannot be recycled is given to our local recycling centre for incineration. This incinerator creates energy which is used as fuel to produce power for our local village power grid,” says Roy.
Sustainability and environ-mental aspects have also been intensively considered in the company’s internal operations. Last year, Green Retreats moved to a brand-new 60,000 square feet facility in Westcott, Buckinghamshire, which has the capacity to triple output.
The facility boasts the latest technologies for premium performance; and has been designed to allow for more efficient working methods with a view to reducing its carbon footprint as much as possible.
The factory is also home to a unique indoor showroom, the largest of its kind, showcasing 17 fully furnished garden room products from within the Green Retreats group. The production facility, as well as the showroom and offices, is powered by one of the UK’s largest solar panel farms and is completely carbon neutral.
Staying at the forefront
The business has been built on ecological principles, and sustainability will remain a key element in its development. In 2022 Green Retreats developed an innovative new polymer-crete foundation system that reduces the use of concrete by 70% whilst maintaining superior structural quality. The polymer used is from 100% recycled materials and is also 100% recyclable in the future.
Any composite cladding and decking options used in Green Retreats’ buildings are made from 100% recycled and reclaimed materials.
Mr Wetherall explains that given increasing demand, the company is now launching two new products which may appeal to a wider range of customers. One of them is the PODKIT, a self-
assembly product, designed for DIY enthusiasts that can be put together, IKEA-style, at home. The pods are suitable for year-round use with fully insulated walls, roof and flooring, and high-grade glazing throughout.
“Traditionally it has been quite difficult to build these types of products at home, but PODKIT is different. It comes with a comprehensive, easy-to-follow instruction video and manual included and is designed to be built within two to three days by anyone with elementary DIY skills using standard tools they would have at home. Needless to say, its price is much lower than that of our standard products.”
The second product, due to be launched later this year, is the LUNAPOD, the company’s range of glamping cabins. They are fully turnkey, including kitchenettes and fully furnished bathrooms. They feature large, glazed units to maximise the guest experience and are designed to be transported fully constructed and easy to site.
“We’re moving even more towards sustainability, and we will have all the elements that move garden rooms to the carbon-neutral point. The focus is on solar panels, lower power consumption and complete recyclability.”
Roy Wetherall firmly believes in the potential of Green Retreats and reveals that the company would like to move into modular housing. “There is massive demand. We have several products, developed over the last couple of years, which address this need. We are working very hard with several partners, and we hope that within the next two years, we can expand the business into modular housing,” he concludes.
