Description

What makes this 8 x 12 structure ideal for year-round professional use?

The 8 x 12 Shire Fortis, one of our larger fully insulated garden rooms, creates a versatile outdoor workspace that defends against harsh seasonal weather. Engineered with a 72 mm total thickness wall profile, this robust building relies on an 11 mm LP® engineered wood cladding board paired with an 11 mm engineered wood interior lining board. These walls sit securely upon a heavy-duty floor comprising an 11 mm engineered wood base panel, a 12 mm marine plywood structural subfloor, and 44mm x 70mm pressure-treated timber floor bearers, ensuring these insulated garden buildings have a highly stable foundation. The exterior surfaces undergo a zinc borate-based process, leaving you with primed external walls ready for your chosen final colour.

How do the structural panels improve temperature regulation?

Constructing SIP panel garden rooms ensures outstanding thermal efficiency, helping to resist freezing conditions inside your SIP garden office or SIPs shed. The floor and walls are packed with a 50 mm EPS-PLUS high-efficiency insulation core, whereas the ceiling upgrades to a 122 mm total thickness roof construction featuring a 100 mm EPS-PLUS thermal insulation core set between dual 11 mm engineered wood structural panels. This advanced closed-cell technology regulates your interior climate and drastically lowers heating requirements during the colder months. Furthermore, acting as highly dependable SIP garden rooms, the panels produce a rigid framework that defends against long-term warping and wind deflection.

Can I customise the door position on this model?

You can freely alter the door position on these SIPs garden room kits during checkout to guarantee seamless daily access across your unique property layout. As standard, this model features the end door positioned on the left side, and steel-reinforced uPVC double glazed opening windows. However, you can opt for an end door right side, front door left side, or front door right side during checkout. This helpful flexibility transforms the building into a highly accommodating SIP workshop kit, confirming that these SIP kits will fit perfectly regardless of your garden restrictions.

What are the best ways to utilise this larger space?

An insulated garden workshop or insulated garden office provides a highly versatile, weatherproof footprint that easily adapts to diverse professional and personal daily uses. Many buyers configure the spacious 8 x 12 interior as a multi-desk remote working environment, taking advantage of the 122 mm total thickness roof construction covered in premium exterior EPDM rubber membrane waterproofing to keep sensitive electronics dry and secure. Also, the heavy-duty 12 mm marine plywood structural subfloor comfortably supports the weight of fitness equipment, drafting tables, or machinery, making it an ideal year-round creative studio backed by a 10-year anti rot guarantee.

What makes the LP® SmartSide® exterior and uPVC fixtures superior to standard wood?

Incorporating the advanced SmartGuard® process, the 11 mm LP® SmartSide® engineered wood cladding provides four distinct layers of defence: zinc borate for rot resistance, water-resistant waxes to block moisture, advanced binders and resins for strength, and a resin-saturated surface overlay for flawless paint adhesion. It delivers a stunning embossed wood-grain surface without the flaws of ordinary timber. For security, the steel-reinforced uPVC doors are equipped with a robust multipoint locking system. Furthermore, these steel-reinforced uPVC doors and windows boast improved resistance to swelling and distortion, meaning a severely reduced requirement for seasonal adjustment compared to standard wooden alternatives.

Why is the SIP thermal performance better than a thick log cabin?

The highly efficient 72 mm total thickness wall construction delivers thermal retention equivalent to 200mm of solid softwood log walling, saving you valuable garden space while keeping heating bills low. Because the panels fit together seamlessly, you'll experience fewer gaps and potential draught paths than in a standard shed. The interior boasts a heavy-duty structural OSB internal face ready for tool racks, while the 72 mm insulated floor system actively prevents the cold-floor effect commonly experienced in conventional timber workshops. Topping it off, the 122 mm total thickness roof construction features an EPDM rubber roofing system that completely outperforms traditional materials because it does not become brittle in the same way as many traditional mineral-felt coverings.

What base is required for the heavy-duty workshop flooring?

For ultimate stability, the 72 mm insulated floor system is surfaced with premium 12mm plywood with an EN 314-2 Class 3 exterior bond, resting upon robust 44mm x 70mm pressure-treated timber floor bearers. To ensure longevity, the entire structure must sit on a level, free-draining base with the specified damp-proof separation and underfloor airflow. Thanks to the modular panel design, you will enjoy a faster and more accurate assembly process. The finished building is crowned by a contemporary low-pitch roof design, complete with premium fascia and roof-edge finishing components for a polished, professional look.

Features:

Wall Construction (72 mm total thickness):

• Exterior: 11 mm LP® engineered wood cladding board
• Core: 50 mm EPS-PLUS high-efficiency insulation core
• Interior: 11 mm engineered wood interior lining board

Floor Construction (72 mm total thickness):

• Top Layer: 12 mm marine plywood structural subfloor
• Core: 50 mm EPS-PLUS insulation core
• Underside: 11 mm engineered wood base panel
• Substructure: Supported by 44mm x 70mm pressure-treated timber floor bearers

Roof Construction (122 mm total thickness):

• Covering: Premium exterior EPDM rubber membrane waterproofing
• Core: 100 mm EPS-PLUS thermal insulation core sandwiched between dual 11 mm engineered wood structural panels (top and ceiling)

Windows - Steel-reinforced uPVC double glazed opening windows

Doors - Steel-reinforced uPVC doors

Treatment - Zinc borate-based process with primed external walls with the freedom to select the final exterior colour

Guarantee - 10-year anti rot

About Your Order

The Shire Fortis range is made in the UK with sustainably sourced timber. You get a top-quality timber with a low carbon footprint made from ethically sourced materials. The clean and straightforward design makes it easy to assemble, please note that the fixtures and fittings required are not included as part of your order. The buildings has a 10-year anti-rot guarantee and a 12-month manufacturer's warranty to enjoy it for many seasons.

Garden Office Aftercare:

The home garden office workshop has been treated using a proprietary zinc borate-based process. The exterior is supplied factory primed and ready to receive compatible exterior-grade paint with the freedom to select the final exterior colour choice. Light general maintenance required with the customer to apply final top coat with suitable roller. 

About Shire

Shire is one of the UK's leading manufacturers of garden buildings. It is the proud manufacturer of the most extensive UK timber garden building range, which includes Garden Sheds, Log Cabins, eco homes, Home Offices, Sheds, Workshops, Summerhouses, Playhouses, Arbours, Storage units, and Pet houses.

Their UK production facilities cover 23 acres, including stock holding facilities and an advanced high-speed timber planing mill. There is also a modern, well-equipped joinery production facility and semi-automated production lines. All Shire garden buildings are manufactured in the UK using the finest spruce timber, imported directly, and manufactured using the most up-to-date machines to ensure the best quality and best value for money garden sheds in the UK.

View other products in Home »

Delivery

We provide FREE delivery to most mainland UK postcodes; however, certain regions might have an additional surcharge, and a few postcode areas are outside our coverage. To verify availability and potential surcharges, please use the 'Delivery cost checker' tool above with your postcode.

Delivery and Installation Timeframes

We offer same-day delivery and installation services. While we strive to complete the installation on the same day, larger buildings may require more than one day for installation. You can find the estimated delivery and installation lead time for this product on the product page above. Our lead times are calculated in working days (Monday - Friday) and do not include Bank Holidays. These estimates are sourced from the manufacturers and serve as a general guideline, subject to fluctuations in demand. We provide this information in good faith to represent the expected delivery during that period. Please note that some remote areas might experience slightly longer lead times.

Booking Delivery and Installation

By entering your postal code in the ‘Pick a delivery day. ENTER POSTCODE’ Box above you can select a delivery/installation date. 

Delivery and Installation Procedure

Within five working days, Shire, the manufacturer, will contact you via text message or an automated phone call. If a mobile number is unavailable, the automated call will be used. This message will include a link to shire’s website where you can review and accept the installation terms and conditions. To avoid delays, it is essential to promptly review and agree to these terms.

After you accept the terms, Shire will contact you within the specified period to schedule the delivery and installation of your order. Please be aware that during peak seasons, this process may take additional time.

For the installation, the team will require:

• Unobstructed external access to your garden.
• At least 18 inches of clearance around the building.
• A solid, level foundation.

Important Note: The installation team cannot carry the building through your home, garage, or any other type of dwelling.

Delivery Day

The manufacturer, Shire, handles the delivery process. Typically, this item will be delivered using a 17-ton flat-bed vehicle, similar in size to a council refuse lorry. Deliveries are scheduled within the time frame of 7 am to 7 pm."

Specification

Quickview

The 8 x 12 Shire Fortis Insulated Workspace & Garden Office delivers a spacious, highly thermal environment designed for professionals requiring a permanent outdoor base. Functioning beautifully as an insulated garden office or an expansive insulated garden studio, this structure provides superior climate control alongside adaptable entry configurations. Key features include:

• 72 mm total thickness wall construction: Defends against harsh external temperatures to sustain a comfortable working climate.
• Premium exterior EPDM rubber membrane waterproofing: Helps resist severe weather to keep your internal belongings completely dry.
• Steel-reinforced uPVC double glazed opening windows: Promotes excellent natural light whilst ensuring dependable thermal efficiency and building security.
• Selectable entryway layouts: Choose your preferred steel-reinforced uPVC door placement during checkout to complement your exact garden boundaries.