With the ice caps melting and our children’s futures in the balance (we'll try and be more upbeat from here!), many of us are trying to live more sustainably and reduce our impact on the world. But have you considered sustainability when it comes to choosing a pod for the garden?
Selecting eco-friendly materials and designs for your pod can not only benefit the environment but also make for a more aesthetically pleasing outdoor building that fits seamlessly into the natural world around it.
Check out some of our favourite ways to incorporate sustainable design in outdoor pods below – and if you’d like to chat more about our Ornate Garden Pods, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.
Sustainable Design Features of Outdoor Pods
Eco-Friendly Materials
One of the best ways to make an outdoor pod more sustainable is to use eco-friendly materials in its construction. This can mean recycled or easily renewable options. Some examples of materials to look for are:
Wood: Wood is a renewable material, and if you choose a company that uses FSC-certified wood from sustainable forests (like ours!), you can feel reassured that the forest’s health and resources are being conserved for future generations.
Our Ornate Garden pods are constructed from spruce timber arcs, and all wooden components used in pod installations are certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) – so you can enjoy the rustic look of your pod, guilt-free!
Bamboo: Bamboo is a particularly fast-growing renewable material and is considerably more sustainable than non-renewable or manmade materials. It’s also lightweight (despite being highly durable), so it can reduce the amount of fuel needed to transport the garden pod.
Recycled Materials: Re-using wood or metal to build an outdoor pod reduces the need for new raw materials, meaning less mining or logging, whilst also reducing waste. It’s also important to consider where your pod will end up later – our partner Ornate Garden continue to support environmental reuse schemes that redistribute lumber and other materials for further use.
Natural Insulation: Adding natural materials such as sheep’s wool, hemp or wood fibre instead of synthetic insulation to insulate your pod can reduce its environmental impact. These renewable materials offer excellent thermal regulation and can make your garden pod UK-weatherproof, cosier and more energy-efficient – ideal if you’re looking to create an insulated garden office pod!
Locally-Sourced Materials
As well as the type of material, consider where it comes from. The more distance it covers before getting to you, the more energy will be used in transportation.
Ornate Garden source 90% of all the parts of their pods from within a 60-mile radius of their premises, reducing pollution generated in the production process. Additionally, they are committed to responsible working practices, reducing waste and disposing of any waste that does occur in an environmentally responsible manner.
Strong and Durable Design
Using strong and durable materials will increase the pod’s weather resistance and lifespan, thus reducing waste and demand for further resources, and lowering the carbon footprint of the pod. Our Ornate Garden pods are built to last, with all timber pressure treated to a British Standard – and they have a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee to prove it!
Pre-Fabrication
Pre-fabrication (which means manufacturing components in advance, so less construction is required on site) can reduce the energy needed to transport and assemble the pod, as well as the waste generated during construction. Our pods’ modular design makes them easy to transport and erect – our team will have it done in less than a day! Read more about our free installation process.
LED Lighting
Using LED lights to illuminate your pod is more energy-efficient than traditional light bulbs. LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy and last significantly longer than incandescent bulbs, so they don’t need to be replaced as often. All our pods by Ornate Garden come with built-in LED lighting for an eco-friendly interior – and you can change the colour of the lighting using the remote control, to create your perfect ambience!
Large Windows
Although LED lights reduce power consumption compared to regular bulbs, an even more eco-friendly option is no artificial light at all. Large windows that allow in lots of natural light will reduce the need for manmade lighting inside your pod (not to mention, they’re ideal if you’re using the room as an art studio or garden office pod!)
Our Ornate Garden Pods are all about this feature. Their spherical design boasts 360-degree windows to allow plenty of light in – as well as offering incredible panoramic views (especially our rotating pods). In summer, when the evenings are long (our favourite time!), you might not ever need to switch the lights on!
Shade and Ventilation
Having openable windows or vents can help regulate the internal temperature of the pod, reducing dependence on heating or cooling systems. Many of our pods come with slide-up-and-over polycarbonate side windows, so you can enjoy a fresh breeze on a hot day and leave the cooling fan off. Some also have stainless steel rooves to provide shade and reflect the sun’s heat.
Eco-Friendly Paint and Furnishings
You can make the interior environment of your garden pod even more eco-friendly by choosing paint and lacquer that’s VOC-free, non-toxic, biodegradable and water-based when decorating. If you’re furnishing your pod with additional cushions and blankets, you could also select products made from recycled materials.
Solar Panels
Have you thought about using solar panels to power your pod? Solar power is clean and renewable and will significantly reduce your carbon emissions. Our pods rely on being connected to your mains electricity for power, but you could install solar panels on your home for the same effect. Something to consider!
Benefits of Choosing a Sustainable Garden Pod
Here are just some of the reasons why selecting sustainable features for your new garden pod is a great idea:
Reduce your impact on the environment
The biggest reason for choosing sustainable materials and design is that it reduces overall power consumption and waste, and therefore the negative impact on the environment. By actively taking steps to minimise your carbon footprint, you can feel better about enjoying your new summerhouse pod, knowing you’ve considered the planet!
Keep costs down
Recycled materials are often cheaper than new ones, and choosing durable materials means your pod will last longer – so you won’t have to pay to repair or replace it anytime soon. Eco-friendly features such as LED lighting, solar panels and natural insulation can also reduce the pod's running costs.
Fit into the natural world
Sustainable materials and design features often mean your pod will blend in better with its surroundings, making for a more aesthetically appealing look in your garden that fits in with nature.
A more pleasant and healthy environment
A design that lets in plenty of natural light and is well-insulated can make the internal environment of your pod brighter, warmer and a more enjoyable place to spend your time. Increased exposure to nature and sunlight can also have a positive effect on your health.
Improved resale value
It’s hard to imagine a situation where you’d want to part with your pod, but if you ever do decide to upgrade, having sustainable and energy-efficient features can be very attractive to potential buyers.
Feeling (Eco)Friendly?
By combining renewable materials with energy-efficient design features, our Ornate Garden pods are the perfect way to consider sustainability when upgrading your outdoor living space.
Want to know more? Contact us at Pods & Pavilions, or call Nathalie on 07940 831707 to discuss any queries, arrange to view our pods for sale, or order one of our eco-friendly oval house garden domes today!
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