Outdoor Kitchen in the UK: What Actually Works in Rain and Cold?

Posted on by

Outdoor kitchens are increasingly popular in the UK, but our climate presents challenges that homeowners in warmer countries don’t always face. Frequent rain, damp air, and cool temperatures mean that not every outdoor kitchen design will perform well year-round. If you’re planning one, choosing materials, appliances, and layouts suited to British weather makes a big difference in both usability and long-term durability.

Start With Shelter First

One of the most important features of a UK-friendly outdoor kitchen is adequate shelter. Unlike in warmer climates where open layouts are common, most UK outdoor kitchens work best under:

  • A pergola with a waterproof roof
  • A veranda or covered patio
  • A purpose-built garden structure

A roof keeps rain off cooking surfaces, prevents worktops from becoming slippery, and makes the space usable far more often throughout the year. Even partial shelter can significantly extend how often you’ll use the kitchen.

Continue reading →

How Much Electricity Does a Hot Tub Use in the UK? Real Running Cost Examples

Posted on by

Hot tubs are becoming increasingly popular in UK gardens, but one of the first questions most homeowners ask is: how much does a hot tub cost to run each month? The answer depends on several factors, including insulation quality, usage, electricity prices, and the time of year. However, you can estimate realistic running costs with a few practical guidelines.

Average Hot Tub Electricity Use in the UK

Most standard hot tubs use between 3 and 6 kWh of electricity per day under normal use. With UK electricity prices typically ranging between 25p and 35p per kWh (depending on tariff and region), this works out at approximately:

Continue reading →

Garden Rooms

Posted on by

Garden rooms have become an increasingly popular way for homeowners to expand their living space without the disruption of a full house extension. Designed as standalone structures positioned within the garden, garden rooms offer a versatile and attractive solution for those seeking extra space for work, relaxation, or hobbies. As modern lifestyles continue to evolve, the demand for high-quality garden rooms continues to grow, making them a valuable addition to many properties.

Continue reading →

Benefits of installing a Glass Veranda

Posted on by

A veranda has long been a desirable feature in homes, offering a comfortable transition between indoor and outdoor living. In recent years, glass verandas in particular have grown in popularity, as homeowners look for ways to extend their living space while maintaining natural light and unobstructed views. Installing a glass veranda roof can significantly enhance both the practicality and the value of a property, making it a worthwhile investment for many households.

One of the primary benefits of a glass veranda roof is the ability to enjoy outdoor space throughout the year. Traditional patios and decking areas are often limited by unpredictable weather, but glass verandas provide shelter from rain and wind while still allowing daylight to pour through. This means homeowners can comfortably sit outside with family or entertain guests even when the weather is less than ideal. The transparency of glass also prevents the covered area from feeling enclosed or dark, preserving the open, airy atmosphere that makes verandas so appealing.

Continue reading →

Difficult Patio Awning Installations

Posted on by

Sun Awnings provide excellent shade from the sun and shelter from light showers. They can provide you an area to sit outdoors, under shelter and they can keep your whole home cool as well as furnishings protected from the damaging UV rays of the sun.

Patio Awning

The problem comes about when you do not have a flat wall to install your Sun Awning to. Fortunately there are several solutions that will allow you to install in these situations.

Bungalows are particularly awkward to install Sun Awnings to due to the lack of solid wall space. You should never install a Sun Awning on the top courses of bricks as the force will just pull the bricks away and end up causing damage to your property. Also there is the risk that the Sun Awning could collapse when this happens.

So what do you use if you are in this situation? Well, Sun Awning experts will use what is known as spreader plates.

Continue reading →

Awnings & Verandas For Poole & Bournemouth

Posted on by

Awnings & Verandas For Poole & Bournemouth

Veranda In Bournemouth
Classic Style Verandas

As we start to approach the spring time, people begin to think about the outdoors and look forward to enjoying being outside in their gardens once again.

The weather is such and important factor in achieving this and, unfortunately, the last couple of years have not provided the most consistent conditions for doing this.

Continue reading →

Enjoying a Patio Awning

Posted on by

Now that the Christmas period is well and truly behind us, we can now all look forward to the nicer weather arriving.

Now is the ideal time to consider purchasing a Patio Awning and having it installed in good time for the sunny spring weather.

A Patio Awning has many functions. It looks smart and protects you and your furnishings from the UV rays of the sun. It keeps the glare out of your room and provides an area of shelter to sit under if you are outdoors. Continue reading →

DIY Verandas

Posted on by

The Veranda market is ever growing in the UK. There are now more and more Veranda types to choose from depending on your requirements and, of course, your budget.

Verandas have mainly been made from a metal (usually aluminium) frame and a glass roof though polycarbonate is becoming more popular thanks to the ease it can be transported and the various options that are available.

Polycarbonate sheeting is far lighter in weight than glass though it is not completely transparent due to the channels than run between the layers.

The benefits of choosing polycarbonate is that the light weight allows for much larger Verandas to be erected using the same frame or a much smaller and neater frame being used in the first place. Verandas can generally use either clear, tinted or opal polycarbonate.  Clear will allow the most light through, tinted gives you some degree of shade and opal is the equivalent of using frosted or obscure glass – great for privacy.

Being that polycarbonate verandas are simpler to transport and erect, it is possible to even buy  DIY Verandas for you to install yourself. If you have flat wall Continue reading →

Sun & Rain Awnings

Posted on by

Once again in the UK the summer has not been the greatest. We have a couple of days of sun but then several days of cloud and rain. This can make things difficult for those who enjoy outdoor living.

Previously we have discussed about the use of Verandas and how they can provide an excellent garden shelter. There is now an alternative to this in the form of Sun & Rain Awnings.

Rain Awning

The Sun & Rain Awning is a cross between a Veranda and a standard Patio Awning.  It consists of a cassette that is mounted to the wall and a slimline frame that is supported at the front edge by two posts.

Continue reading →

One Home Improvement that pays you back

Posted on by

Could solar panels be the best investment you make in your home this year?

Government guarantee schemes and increasing electricity bills make solar panels a compelling solution for the smart homeowner.

But what is solar power anyway?

Solar power uses photovoltaic (PV) cells on the roof of your house to convert light from the sun into electrical energy which can be used in your house, or fed back into the national gri Continue reading →