Description

Why choose this model for your outdoor workspace?

As one of our premium fully insulated garden rooms, the 8 x 8 Shire Fortis provides an outdoor workspace that defends against harsh seasonal weather. Engineered with a 72 mm total thickness wall profile, this structure combines an 11 mm LP® engineered wood cladding board on the exterior with an 11 mm engineered wood interior lining board. Supported by an 11 mm engineered wood base panel, a 12 mm marine plywood structural subfloor, and 44mm x 70mm pressure-treated timber floor bearers, these insulated garden buildings provide a highly stable foundation. The exterior is treated using a zinc borate-based process, presenting primed external walls that give you the freedom to apply your own final colour.

What are the main benefits of the SIP panels?

Building with SIP panel garden rooms ensures exceptional thermal efficiency, helping to resist rapid temperature drops inside your SIP garden office or SIPs shed. The walls and floor both utilise a 50 mm EPS-PLUS high-efficiency insulation core, while the roof upgrades to a 100 mm EPS-PLUS thermal insulation core sandwiched between dual 11 mm engineered wood structural panels. This closed-cell insulation helps regulate the internal climate, significantly reducing heating costs during winter months. As dependable SIP garden rooms, the tightly bonded structural insulated panels also create a highly rigid frame that defends against wind deflection and structural warping over time.

Can I customise the door position on this model?

You can freely alter the door position on these SIPs garden room kits to ensure convenient daily access across your specific garden 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 adaptability makes it an excellent SIP workshop kit, ensuring easy access regardless of where the SIP kits are placed within your outdoor boundary.

What are the best ways to utilise this 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 8 x 8 interior as a dedicated remote working environment, taking advantage of the 122 mm total thickness roof construction covered in a 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, crafting tables, or small machinery, making it an ideal year-round creative studio or hobby room backed by a 10-year anti rot guarantee.

How does the engineered exterior and uPVC security outperform traditional timber?

The 11 mm LP® SmartSide® engineered wood cladding utilises the proprietary SmartGuard® process, featuring four critical layers of protection: zinc borate, water-resistant waxes, advanced binders and resins, and a resin-saturated surface overlay. This creates an embossed wood-grain surface that looks like traditional timber but actively resists moisture, fungal decay, and impacts. Paired with our steel-reinforced uPVC doors featuring a high-security multipoint locking system, you gain incredible peace of mind. Unlike standard wooden doors, these steel-reinforced uPVC doors and windows offer improved resistance to swelling and distortion, resulting in a vastly reduced requirement for seasonal adjustment.

How does the thermal performance compare to a standard log cabin?

Despite its space-efficient design, the 72 mm total thickness wall construction provides thermal performance comparable to approximately 200mm of solid softwood log walling. This means you enjoy maximum internal floor space without compromising on heat retention. The highly precise SIP construction ensures fewer gaps and potential draught paths than conventional timber structures. Inside, the walls feature a practical structural OSB internal face perfectly suited for heavy-duty workshop use, while the 122 mm total thickness roof construction is finished with an EPDM rubber roofing system that does not become brittle in the same way as many traditional mineral-felt coverings. Furthermore, the 72 mm insulated floor system greatly limits the cold-floor effect commonly experienced in conventional timber workshops.

What are the flooring specifications and base requirements?

The 72 mm insulated floor system is topped with a heavy-duty 12mm plywood with an EN 314-2 Class 3 exterior bond, creating an incredibly durable surface for heavy machinery or gym equipment. To maintain structural integrity, the building must be installed on a level, free-draining base with the specified damp-proof separation and underfloor airflow. Supporting the structure are robust 44mm x 70mm pressure-treated timber floor bearers. Because of the precision-engineered panels, you'll also benefit from faster and more accurate assembly compared to traditional builds, complete with sleek fascia and roof-edge finishing components to perfectly frame the low-pitch roof design.

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 8 x 8 Summer Houses »

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 8 Shire Fortis Insulated Workspace & Garden Office is a highly thermal structure tailored for professionals seeking a dependable year-round outdoor work environment. Serving perfectly as an insulated garden office or insulated garden studio, this building offers exceptional temperature regulation and a customisable entryway layout to suit your specific plot. Key features include:

• 72 mm total thickness wall construction: Defends against harsh seasonal weather to maintain a stable internal temperature.
• Premium exterior EPDM rubber membrane waterproofing: Helps resist heavy rainfall to keep your interior space completely dry.
• Steel-reinforced uPVC double glazed opening windows: Enhances natural light while providing excellent thermal efficiency and security.
• Various entryway layouts: You can opt for different steel-reinforced uPVC door positions during checkout to perfectly suit your specific garden boundary.