[CAS FAN]

Hi all!

A bit of background first of all. We moved into out new home just over 2 years ago and initially we had the idea of doing a 2 storey extension on the side, which would contain a utility room, home cinema/games room and two bedrooms. We got planning approved for this and all seemed well.

Since then we've had the credit crunch and are not able to borrow the amount required to complete this build. We've also had a rethink after living in the house for sometime and we now feel that there are better options available. We have a pretty large garden which contains a summer house and shed. We don't really use the summer house at all so the idea is basically to replace it with a garden building which would become the home cinema/games room.

Here's a view of the area of the garden in question. It was taken a while ago but the area in question is basically still the same.

The idea is to replace it with a building like the one shown below (photo courtesy of greenretreats.co.uk) running down the hedge with the doors facing the house (which is just behind where I took the above photo). There would then be a path from the building to connect it to the existing patio (just seen in the above photo). The windows in the building below are optional and I would not be including them. The projector would be positioned at the back of the building and the screen would pull down over the door (which would also be fitted with blinds to black out the building when required.

Power would be run to the building via a cable layed along the hedge line, through tubing burried in the ground. There would be either two chairs or a 2/3 seat sofa at the back of the building and also the equipment rig with Amp, Consoles etc. would also be at that end for easy connection to the projector. I already have an HD projector (albeit a now rather old Sanyo Z3) and a pull down screen which would fit the width of the building. The internal dimensions of the building are 2m x 3.85m which gives good proportions and a decent throw length for an 85" screen. These building can also be well sound insulated as they are often used as music studios.

I've had a bit of a search on here for similar projects, but have only found this one (LINK) which is different as it's a log cabin, this one (LINK) which is more of a custom build and this one (LINK) which again is more of a log cabin build.

What are people's views on this so far. Not sure when i'm going to be able to afford to do this (probably early next year) but it would be great to hear the thoughts of some more experienced folk (about potential pitfalls etc.) before I really get my hopes up.

Cost of the building should be around £8,000 including VAT and any extras. I've pretty much got the equipment I need so other costs should be minimal and I expect the whole thing to be around the £10k mark.

[Per156GTA]

Have you checked out what Wickes have in terms of their log cabin - they are a good size and woudl be simple to insulate and double line with plasterboard.

Some of them would make fantastic games/cinema rooms.

Cheers

Per

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by Per156GTA

Have you checked out what Wickes have in terms of their log cabin - they are a good size and woudl be simple to insulate and double line with plasterboard.

Some of them would make fantastic games/cinema rooms.

Cheers

Per

Cheers Per. I've looked at a few sites with log cabins on, but not checked out Wickes. I guess it's whether there's a cabin with the right dimensions. I'll go and check their website.

I suppose the benefit of the ready made solution is that you get UPVC double glazed doors and a high build quality. That said, there is a premium you pay for that so the log cabin route is certainly worth further research.

Cheers,

Cas


EDIT: Just been having a look and this is a possibility...

Insulated walls, double glazed windows etc. If the box is fully sound insulated as well (maybe with green glu etc.) then this could be a good option. It's also a good size and a fair bit cheaper than the other options i've looked at.

[albriscoe]

Hi Cas

Have you thought about designing and building your own cabin,

I`d have thought much better to have it the size you want and a lot cheaper as well.

cheers Al (from Normy)

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by albriscoe

Hi Cas

Have you thought about designing and building your own cabin,

I`d have thought much better to have it the size you want and a lot cheaper as well.

cheers Al (from Normy)

Hi Al!

That's certainly an option and I am reasonably handy. I can see it being quite a bit of work though. I like the idea of the modular one from Wickes above as you can kind of design that to your needs by selecting the wall pieces that you like and positioning them to best suit your needs (i.e. windows where you want, door where you want etc.).

I've been into Wickes today to see if they had any you could walk round, but sadly they didn't.

My user name is a bit misleading as i'm not actually from Cas (I actually live just outside of York), I just follow the Tigers.

Cheers,

Cas

[albriscoe]

I seem to remember you telling me that before mate

the problem I have with all the bought stuff is its usually crap quality which is why if I were going down this route I`d handpick the timbers and built my own.

Also do you think 2 metres internal is wide enough, after losing say 4" either side for insulation and plasterboard, anything less I think would be a waste or time especially in winter you`re only left with just over 5 foot or so.

just a thought Al

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by albriscoe

I seem to remember you telling me that before mate

the problem I have with all the bought stuff is its usually crap quality which is why if I were going down this route I`d handpick the timbers and built my own.

Also do you think 2 metres internal is wide enough, after losing say 4" either side for insulation and plasterboard, anything less I think would be a waste or time especially in winter you`re only left with just over 5 foot or so.

just a thought Al

With the ready made solution pictured above they already sound insulate etc. for you (at extra cost) and the interior finish is a good standard. The interior dimensions stay the same. It would be quite snug but i've done some measurements and the Sofa i'm looking at putting in there is a 2 seater leather sofa measuring 166 cm.

The screen i'm using will also fit nicely at the other end and pull down over the doors.

The quality of the green retreats rooms looks good (they used one this week on the Home Show) and they offer a 10 year guarantee and say that they are designed for a 30 year life span.

Have a look at their site here. I don't see me being able to build something of that quality.

[windie]

Just a thought if you are looking at log cabin style builds Screwfix do a range, that my better half keeps admiring.

Not too sure of the quality just a suggestion for another source.

[lucky man]

First things first I have no connection at all with GreenRetreats.

We bought a garden room from them this year the product and service was second to none.

Planning - you get to choose where your lights sockets and consumer unit go within the plan

Installation - the installation team were quick, tidy, professional and nothing was too much trouble

The only problem I can see you having is the interior finish, the inside is made of a white formica type material, this is quite reflective and will not be good for viewing your screen.

Great idea for anyone who has the space, and it will add value to your property.

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by lucky man

The only problem I can see you having is the interior finish, the inside is made of a white formica type material, this is quite reflective and will not be good for viewing your screen.

My plan is to carpet the interior and also to hang a few sound absorbing pieces of 'wall art' running down the interior. This should help with the acoustics (which I can otherwise see as being rather echoey) and also reduce reflection etc to improve PQ.

Have you got any pics of your room?

[lucky man]

Not the place to admit my IT failings but I will try to attach some photos

[CAS FAN]

Looks good Lucky Man.

I must say that my current plan is to try and do the home cinema/games room with Projector and I feel that the 2.16m x 4.1m Chelsea model (or similar would be ideal). The other option would just be to settle for a smaller snug/games/TV room with a flat panel but that is not ideal as i'd like to get the projecter set up for large screen HD movie viewing.

That said, I don't see me using green retreats due to the delivery cost as it would cost me an extra £552 just to get it delivered as i'm out of the free 100 mile delivery zone.

I do like the idea of the Wickes unit, which also provides some additional width and is a fair bit cheaper. I would say that I could insulate that better as well for sound by using green glue.

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by windie

Just a thought if you are looking at log cabin style builds Screwfix do a range, that my better half keeps admiring.

Not too sure of the quality just a suggestion for another source.

Just had a look at these and they do have a good range. That said they look pretty similar to the Wickes ones (just at a higher price).

They have this one (LINK) for £4,399, where as Wickes have what seems like the same one (LINK) for £2445.83 (both prices including VAT). That's some difference.

That Wickes unit looks great for a games room, but is sadly a bit small for the home cinema option. Their larger £5,499 one looks ideal though. It's maybe a bit too square, but that's the only downside I can see.

[CAS FAN]

Wow! I think that I may have just found the ideal solution!

The Gudrun Branson Log Cabin! It's 5m x 4m but part of the width is an alcove which I could use for storing my kit and discs. Below is the plan of the cabin where i've added on (very roughly) the setup that I envisage.

The black area would be the equipment rack and disc storage. The brown/red thing is the sofa, the blu strip on the left is the screen, the green thing would be the projector position and the grey squares are the speakers.

Below is a link to the site where i've seen this and best of all it's just £2,739! Obviously it will need fully insulating and i'll have to get the electrics installed, but at that price there would be plenty of room in the budget to do a great job there.

LINK

[lucky man]

Cas Fan

We haggleed with green retreats about delivery fee

Because its generaly a two day instal, the cost is for accomodation for four guys for one night.

We offered to pay for two rooms at nearest travel lodge for one night.

Have a haggle Times are hard etc

We saved money by doing the base ourselves (flagged patio) and using my own sparks for the power

The real bottom line is I have the DIY skills of Frank Spencer so a turn key solution was ideal for us.

Research research research!

Cheers

Pete