Resources
Discounts, tools, materials and viewing
Welcome to this resources page, a curated this list of tools, materials and suppliers I recommend to succeed in building your garden room. I have used nearly every one of these resources with the exception of a few tools where the exact tool I used is no longer available. I’ll put an * next to any that I haven’t purchased myself.
An important disclosure – some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission. The commission comes at no extra cost to you of course.
Discounts
Who doesn’t love a discount! I reached out to these companies after using their products on my garden room to see if they would offer a discount to viewers and I think it’s great they saw the opportunity in what is rather a small YouTube channel! If you use them, go show your appreciation in a review (but best not mention you got a discount). I’m working on getting some other discounts for you soon!
With great reviews, excellent training videos, a simple to use calculator and next day delivery across the UK, this is a great buying experience from a family run company.
Just input your actual flat roof dimensions into their online calculator along with the trims (edge, gutter etc) you want and it automatically works out the required EPDM overlap, the number of each type of trim, joint and corners trims, nails and glue. Smart!
You can then select your trim colours, upgrade to 1.5mm thickness EPDM (I used 1.2mm and that’s been fine)and get the installation kit (rollers etc) if you need it.
The EPDM comes with a 20 year guarantee but only if the roof is installed by professionals but it’s a good testament to their confidence in the product. For those building to b-regs standards, here’s the Classic Bond certificate.
Discount: to get the code, either email me at hello@alidymock.com or use the contact form.
With a wide range of corded power tools, Evolution is a great brand for those getting started in DIY but want better quality than the Screwfix and B&Q own brand tools.
Use this link and code ‘ALIDYMOCK5‘ for 5% off any product. It may be worth checking Amazon too to compare prices.
Evolution were kind enough to give me a mitre and circular saw to try out and I give some brief opinions on the former about half-way through this video.
Not garden room related, but I made a video on staining, oiling and installing an eBay bought side gate. The seller reached out and offered a 10% discount to viewers going direct.
Andy runs his business solo from his workshop in Lincolnshire, sourcing all the redwood pine from his local timber merchant with delivery in just a few days. He can do bespoke sizes to fit any gap. Give him a call on 01522 697793 or email graysgates@gmail.com and mention this website for the discount.
Span Tables
I’m not allowed to give out the span tables shown in the videos so instead I’ve made my own more simplified version with some extra explanations, free to download.
I had some trouble with the zip file so instead I’ve uploaded it as a PDF which opens up in a new window which might be a good thing as you can access it easily on the go from a mobile. You can then download the PDF from that window if you want your own copy.
SketchUp plans
The plans I made on Sketchup have been asked for a number of times so here they are! First you’ll need to download SketchUp, it’s totally free to use and there are plenty of YouTube tutorial videos out there. You can get the program here.
As mentioned in Part 3, these are only rough plans, the floor joists aren’t as I built them and the roof is flat rather than sloping, but hey, they helped me visualise my build, calculate building materials and better understand framing. Anyway they’re free!
Tools
Tool
Ladder
Sledge hammer
Crow bar
Reciprocating saw
Titan breaker
Stakes
String line
Sharpie pen
Pencils
Tape measure
Open frame tape measure
Folding square
Pickaxe
Garden fork
Spade/shovel
Hoe
Tamper
1.8m spirit level:
Small spirit level
Hammer
Scissors/stanley knife
Trowel
Mortar trowel
Bucket and measuring cup
Broom
Water spray bottle
Circular saw
Mitre saw
Impact driver
Speed square
Grab clamps
Long-nosed pliers
Drill
Masonary drill bit
SDS drill bit
Vacuum
Wrench
Hand saw
Caulk gun
Chalk line
Rope
Tarpaulin
Table saw
Decorating rollers
Paint tray
J-roller
Sanding block
Sand paper
Stapler
Window install tools
Spray foam gun
Allen keys
Use
Getting up to the roof on my garage and garden room
Knocking down the walls of my garage
Getting garage windows out, maneuvering walls etc.
Cutting through nails and timber and cutting out OSB for windows and doors
Breaking through my garage’s concrete foundation.
For setting out my garden room’s foundations
Setting out foundations, checking walls for straightness etc.
Various uses, highly recommended
Various uses – go pick some up from Ikea or Screwfix!
For measuring nearly everything!
Setting out, especially the diagonal measurements
Checking foundations and walls for a 90 degree angle
Digging the holes for my block pier foundations and digging trenches for services
As above
As above
As above
Compacting soil and hardcore before
Levelling the block piers, getting the walls, windows and doors plumb and as a straight edge
Levelling the individual blocks, getting the windows plumb
Hammering nails and persuading things into place!
Trimming EPDM, cutting through Tyvek housewrap
Mixing cement, digging holes for block piers
Spreading mortar
Measuring out the ratios of sand and portland cement
General sweeping and getting EPDM to adhere to OSB roof. This is a good wide one
To wet the blocks slightly before applying mortar
Cutting through OSB and timber
Cutting my timbers to size
Driving the 3000 or so screws in my build
Mainly for marking up bottom and top plates for framing but used throughout the build
Holding joist hangers while nailing, generally useful as an extra pair of hands!
Holding twist nails while hammering – save your thumb!
Drilling!
To drill through concrete piers
To drill through UPVC door frames
Sucking dust out of concrete blocks for screw bolts and general tidy up!
Tightening Screw bolts
Cutting out windows, through UPVC trims, fascias, window cills etc
Applying grab adhesive and silicone sealant
Snapping outline of rake walls on ply floor
Carrying sheet materials
Protection from the rain
Ripping strips of plywood
Applying glue for EPDM rubber roof
Holding EPDM glue
Firming down EPDM and Flexwrap on window sills.
For sanding OSB smooth around window and door openings
As bove
Fixing breathable membrane to walls and EPDM at the corners
Installing windows and doors
Spraying insulation foam in floor and around windows and doors
Adjusting windows and doors.
Materials
***I’ve just plonked in some rough notes for now. I’ll come back and put some order to it at the end of the build***
Saw
Caulk gun
Safety: gloves, eye-wear, ear protection, dust mask
Materials:
7N dense concrete blocks (£1.44 each)
Floor timbers (see next vid for more info)
Hardcore
Portland cement
Sand
Weed fabric and plastic pegs
Thermolite blocks for retaining wall as can be cut with a saw unlike dense blocks.
100 x 47mm C16 timber
150 x 47mm C16 timber
Screws 100mm
Nails 100mm
Nails 50mm
Screws 50mm
OSB3 11mm
Wood glue/construction adhesive for headers
100 x 47mm C16 timber
150 x 47mm C16 timber
Screws 100mm
Nails 100mm
Nails 50mm
Screws 50mm
OSB3 11mm
Wood glue/construction adhesive for headers
Flange timber screws 150mm: https://www.screwfix.com/p/timbascrew-flange-timber-screws-gold-6-7-x-150mm-50-pack/4613j
225 x 47mm C24 timber x 6metres
Screws 100mm
Nails 100mm
Angle brackets: https://www.screwfix.com/p/sabrefix-heavy-duty-angle-brackets-galvanised-90-x-63mm-25-pack/69361
Square twist nails 30mm
18mm OSB3
11mm OSB3
Screws 50mm
Nails 50mm
100mm timber
Polythene vapour barrier: https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Green-Polythene-Vapour-Barrier—2-5-x-20m/p/153230
Polythene tape: https://www.screwfix.com/p/polythene-joint-tape-black-50mm-x-33m/44221100mm PIR insulation
180mm slab nails: http://www.builderdepot.co.uk/speed-pro-180mm-x-3-75-galvanised-slab-nails-1kg-pro-tub.html
Treated timber batten
EPDM rubber roof kit – this includes all the trims, nails and glues
300mm anthracite grey UPVC capping fascias-this includes all the trims and nails
9mm external plywood
Mitre bond adhesive
DuPont Tyvek Housewrap
Tyvek Acrylic Single Sided Tape
DuPont Tyvek Flexwrap
Window Packers
UPVC windows and doors
Safety: dust mask, ear and eye protection, gloves
Recommended Viewing & Reading
Property Workshop – Now you’ve built your mini house in the garden, no doubt you’ll need to turn your attention back to the DIY jobs in your actual house! Russ Jones runs Property Workshop, a go-to resource for almost any job. There are an array of articles on everything from drywalling, tiling and painting kitchen cabinets. Well worth checking out!
Timber buying guide – Wickes’ guide is a useful starting point to get to grips with the wide variety of timber you see in store.
Learn wall framing – I learnt how to do it from these two great YouTube channels NSM Construction and House-Improvements.
Pricing up your project – These shouldn’t be the end of your search but Selco and Builder Depot are good starting points for getting to grips with the price of building materials.
Second hand PIR insulation – While I’ve not used them, I’ve heard good things about Seconds and Co.
U-value calculators – See what U-value certain thicknesses of insulation will provide with Kingspan or Rockwool.