A well-designed and carefully crafted oak garden building can be a space that can be enjoyed not only in summer but all year round. But to stick to your principles but still have a comfortable space year-round, you should think about heating an oak garden building in a sustainable way. 

Heating an Oak Garden Building Begins With Good Design 

Heating an oak garden building does not begin with choosing a source of heat, but with good design to minimise the need for heating in the first place. 

Maximising solar gain, and using thermal mass to catch and store the heat of the sun, are things that a good architect will consider. Good design also means thinking about the building envelop, and ensuring adequate insulation to match the building’s use. 

The positioning, materials used and a range of other factors will be important to make the space as easy to heat as possible – and may in certain circumstances even mean that the space does not need to be heated at all. 

Sustainable Heating Options

If the space does require heating in winter, there are a number of solutions – some of which are far more eco-friendly and sustainable than others. 

Heating With Electricity

Electricity is only ever as green as its source, of course. But where renewable electricity is used, or where you can install a photovoltaic system or another system to generate power locally in a renewable way, this can be a great choice. 

Where renewable electricity is used, electric solutions might be considered for heating the space. For example, the space might be heated with efficient electrical heaters, or underfloor heating, or the electricity might be used to power an air pump or ground source heat pump. 

Heating With Wood

But there are also off-grid solutions, and solutions that do not require such a heavy investment to heat the space. 

For example, a space might be heated with wood, where wood stoves are allowed. And where wood comes from your own land, or other sustainably managed woodland or forest close by, this could be a sustainable solution. 

A biomass boiler is an option with considering if there is a larger space to heat. But in smaller spaces, an efficient rocket mass stove is certainly a relatively low-tech but interesting and useful option to consider. And a wood burner of some kind can add to the coziness and appeal of the space. 

Compost-Powered Heat

Another interesting and more unusual option to consider is harnessing the heat given off by decomposing materials in a compost system to heat the space. As materials in a compost heap break down, these give off heat, and that heat can potentially be piped through a building to keep it warm. 

In this type of heating system, often homemade, water passes through pipes coiled through a hot composting heap or bin. This water then passes through the building where it can gently heat the space. 

This option won’t be for everyone, of course. But if you have a market garden or a larger property, or even a farm, then heating ancillary buildings like an oak-framed garden building or greenhouse in this way could certainly be something to consider. 

About Us

We here at Loosehanger Oak pride ourselves on our attention to detail, as well as our environmental credentials. We provide an end-to-end service – taking care of everything from initial idea to finished construction. We handle all the small hassles and let you relax and look forward to enjoying your new oak building or oak extension.

Contact Gary today to begin your journey, book a free site visit and consultation, and join our many contented customers as you embark on your own oak framed construction project.