Nordic garden rooms are insulated backyard buildings made for people to use all year. They pair insulated aluminum wall panels with double-glazed Low-E glass and an insulated roof. You get a bright, quiet room for an office, studio or lounge, without building a home addition.
✅ Quick answer
- We carry three Nordic garden rooms: the Madison (about 11' x 11'), the Melbourne (13'8" x 13'8") and the Greenwich (18' x 10' with a built-in shed).
- Walls are 28mm insulated aluminum composite panels. Windows and doors are 28mm double-glazed Low-E glass.
- Each comes with a Nordic ECO base. You supply a flat, level slab or concrete pad.
- Prices ran from about $38,000 to $60,000 when we wrote this (October 2026), with free curbside shipping.
- A garden room is built for people. If you mainly want to grow plants, a greenhouse is the better buy.
We are a small, woman-owned greenhouse business in Georgia. More and more of our customers ask for a backyard room they can sit in, not just grow in. Here is what we tell them about Nordic garden rooms, using the specs from each product page.
What is a Nordic garden room?
A Nordic garden room is a prefabricated, insulated building for your backyard. It has a clean Scandinavian-style look, with large glass doors and slim frames. In our store, the Nordic line comes from Exaco.
Unlike a greenhouse, most of the walls and the roof are insulated, not clear. That keeps the room comfortable for people in summer and winter. The large glass doors still bring in plenty of daylight.
Each Nordic garden room shares the same core features:
- Insulated walls: 28mm aluminum composite panels with two 2mm powder-coated aluminum skins and a 24mm XPS foam core.
- Double-glazed glass: 28mm Low-E glass in the windows and doors for better heat control and UV protection.
- Insulated roof: 25mm multiwall polycarbonate, with a tile-effect GRP skin on the Greenwich and Melbourne.
- Secure doors: multi-point locking systems on the main doors.
- Nordic ECO base: a 50mm base with channels for power cables, plus a vinyl floor.
- Partly pre-assembled: wall panels, windows and doors arrive pre-assembled to speed up the build.
Is a garden room the same as a greenhouse?
No, and this is the most important choice to get right. A greenhouse is built to let in as much light as possible for plants. A garden room is built to keep people comfortable.
| Feature | Nordic garden room | Greenhouse |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Office, studio, lounge, gym | Growing plants |
| Walls | Mostly insulated panels plus glass doors | Clear glass or polycarbonate all around |
| Roof | Insulated; heat-reflective or tile-effect | Clear, to let in sun |
| Summer comfort | Stays cooler under a solid roof | Gets hot; needs vents, fans, shade |
| Plants | Houseplants near the glass | Vegetables, seedlings, citrus, anything |
Want both light and comfort? An insulated glass greenhouse sits in between. The Hoklartherm Livingten uses 22mm dual-pane glass all around. Many customers use it as a sunroom full of plants.
Which Nordic garden room models can you buy?
We carry three models. Each one fits a different yard and use.
Nordic Madison: the compact square room
The Nordic Madison measures about 11' x 11' outside and 10'2" x 10'2" inside. Two walls are insulated panels. The other two are large sliding glass doors with multi-point locks.
- Roof: 25mm multiwall polycarbonate with heat-reflective technology, 20° pitch, built-in gutters
- Walls: 28mm insulated composite panels (U-value 1.05 W/m²K)
- Finish: Silvery Grey roof, Anthracite Grey walls, white interior
- Made in the UK
It is a great size for a one-person office, a reading room or a small art studio.
Nordic Melbourne: the pavilion with views on every side
The Nordic Melbourne is a multi-sided pavilion. It measures 13'8" x 13'8" x 10'5" high outside, with 155 sq ft of usable space.
- Roof: 32mm insulated tile-effect panels with a 25mm polycarbonate core, 25° pitch (U-value 1.4 W/m²K)
- Frame: steel-reinforced PVCu
- Glass: 28mm Low-E double-glazed safety glass with chrome-effect Georgian bars
- Hinged double doors and four lockable window vents
It makes a lovely garden lounge, fitness room or spot to entertain.
Nordic Greenwich: a garden room plus a storage shed
The Nordic Greenwich is 18' x 10'2" x 9'1" high outside. Inside, it has a 13'1" x 9'2" main room and a separate 4' x 9'2" shed with its own locking door.
- Roof: 32mm insulated black tile-effect panels, 20° pitch (U-value 1.4 W/m²K)
- Walls: 28mm insulated composite panels in Beck Brown, plus an insulated wall between room and shed
- Double sliding glass doors with multi-point locks and one ventilation window
It is the best pick if you need an office and a place to store garden tools.
How much does a Nordic garden room cost?
Here are the three models side by side. Sizes come from each product page.
| Model | Outside size | Usable inside | Best for | Approx. price* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | About 11' x 11' | About 103 sq ft | Small office or studio | about $38,000 |
| Melbourne | 13'8" x 13'8" | 155 sq ft | Lounge, gym, entertaining | about $55,000 |
| Greenwich | 18' x 10'2" | About 120 sq ft room + 37 sq ft shed | Office with storage | about $60,000 |
*Prices checked in October 2026. Prices can change and sales may apply, so click the model name to see today's price.
To compare value across sizes, look at the price for each square foot you can actually use.
📐 Cost per usable square foot
Cost per sq ft = Price ÷ Inside floor area (sq ft)
Inside area = inside length × inside width · Use today's price from the product page
🧮 Worked example: Madison vs. Melbourne vs. Greenwich
- Madison: 10'2" x 10'2" is about 103 sq ft. $38,000 ÷ 103 = about $370 per sq ft
- Melbourne: $55,000 ÷ 155 sq ft = about $355 per sq ft
- Greenwich: about 120 + 37 = 157 sq ft. $60,000 ÷ 157 = about $380 per sq ft
The three land close together. So choose by shape and use, not price per foot. These are estimates from October 2026 prices and don't include your slab, electrical work or furniture.
📌 About prices: manufacturers update their prices during the year, and we often run sales and promotions. The price on the product page is always the current one. Prices in this article are a guide from when we wrote it (October 2026), not a quote or guarantee. Found a lower price for the same model at an authorized retailer? We offer a Price Match Guarantee - please check the rules first. Call us and we will confirm today's price and any current deals.
Can you really use a Nordic garden room all year?
Yes, that is what the insulation is for. Each part of the building has a published insulation rating. The lower the U-value, the less heat escapes.
- Walls: U-value 1.05 W/m²K on all three models
- Roof: U-value 1.4 W/m²K on the Greenwich and Melbourne
- Glass: 28mm double-glazed Low-E on all three
Insulation slows heat loss, but it doesn't make heat. In most of the US, you will still want a small heater for winter and some cooling for summer. Many owners use a small electric heater or a ductless mini-split.
💡 Plan your power early. The Nordic ECO base has built-in channels for power cables. Have a licensed electrician plan the circuit before the room goes up, so cables can run neatly under the floor. Our greenhouse heater calculator can give you a rough idea of heater size.
What can you use a garden room for?
Our customers have plans for every season. These are the most popular uses we hear about:
- Home office. A short walk across the yard puts a door between work and home.
- Art or music studio. Natural light and a quiet space to focus.
- Home gym or yoga room. The Melbourne's open floor works well for this.
- Guest lounge. A place to gather with friends on cool evenings.
- Houseplant room. Keep tender houseplants near the big glass doors through winter.
Thinking about a workspace? Our guide to the backyard greenhouse office covers desks, glare, power and Wi-Fi.
What foundation does a Nordic garden room need?
Every Nordic garden room comes with the Nordic ECO base and a vinyl floor. You only need to provide a flat, level slab or concrete pad for it to sit on.
The ECO base helps in a few ways:
- Better drainage under the building
- Built-in channels for power cables
- The option to add a second layer with insulation boards
- Pre-cut to fit your exact model
Before you pour, ask us for the base drawing for your model. Use it to set the slab size. Here is how to estimate the concrete.
📐 Concrete for a slab
Cubic yards = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Thickness (ft) ÷ 27
4 inches = 0.33 ft · Add about 10% extra for waste and uneven ground
🧮 Worked example: a slab for the Madison
The Madison's base is listed at 10'9" x 10'9" (3,300 mm). Say you pour an 11 x 11 ft slab, 4 inches thick. 11 × 11 × 0.33 ÷ 27 = about 1.5 cubic yards. Add 10% = about 1.65 cubic yards. This is an example only. Your installer and local code set the final slab size and thickness.
For more on slabs, pavers and footings, see our practical guide to a greenhouse foundation.
Do you need a permit for a garden room?
It depends on where you live. Many US towns let you build a small backyard building without a permit, but the size limit varies. Larger buildings, and any electrical work, often need one.
- Call your local building department. Ask about size limits, setbacks from property lines and height.
- Check with your HOA if you have one. Some have rules on materials and colors.
- Ask about electrical permits. Wiring a heater, lights or outlets usually needs one.
- Keep the spec sheet handy. Officials may ask for dimensions and drawings. We can send them to you.
How is a Nordic garden room delivered and installed?
Shipping is free curbside delivery by LTL freight in most of the continental US. Very remote areas, like some islands, may have extra fees.
- Delivery comes on an 18-wheeler. Tell us about tight roads or low wires ahead of time.
- Someone must be home to receive it. We will call to set up a delivery window.
- You will need a flatbed and forklift to unload the delivery. These are your responsibility, so plan ahead. We are happy to help you think it through.
Wall panels, windows and doors arrive pre-assembled, which saves a lot of time. Want help with the build? Ask us about our assembly crews in your area.
What warranty comes with it?
The Nordic warranty, as listed on each product page:
- 10 years: PVC-u frames, glazing and stainless steel hardware
- 5 years: tile-effect roofs and painted profiles
- 2 years: non-stainless steel hardware
- 1 year: external Georgian bars and ventilation vents
💡 Still deciding between a garden room and a greenhouse? Browse all three models in our Nordic garden rooms collection. If plants come first, our guide on wooden vs. aluminum frame greenhouses is a good next read.
As a small business, we answer every question personally. We ship free to the continental US and can connect you with an assembly crew. Call us any time to talk through your plans.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Nordic garden room?
It is a prefabricated, insulated backyard building with large double-glazed doors and a Scandinavian look. It is made for people to use all year, as an office, studio or lounge.
Can I grow plants in a Nordic garden room?
Houseplants near the glass will do well. But the insulated roof and walls block much of the light vegetables need. For real growing, choose a greenhouse such as the Livingten or a Riga.
How much does a Nordic garden room cost?
Our three models ran from about $38,000 to $60,000 when we wrote this (October 2026). Check each product page for today's price and any current sale.
Do I need a foundation?
Yes. Each room comes with a Nordic ECO base, which needs a flat, level slab or concrete pad. Ask us for the base drawing before you pour.
Will a garden room stay warm in winter?
The insulated walls, roof and double glazing hold heat well. You will still want a small heater in cold weather. Plan the electrical circuit before installation.
What warranty do Nordic garden rooms have?
Ten years on PVC-u frames, glazing and stainless steel hardware. Shorter terms apply to roof finishes, other hardware, Georgian bars and vents.
Picturing a garden room in your yard?
Tell us how you want to use it and how much space you have. We will help you pick the right model and let you know about any current sales.