Why A Flat Roof Extension Is A Great Housing Option

Daniel Bracewell • 10 November 2024

Many a home has a flat roof above a porch, a garage, an existing small extension or even a bedroom. In some cases, this may be an addition to an existing home that has a sloped roof, but that does not mean you cannot have a further flat roof extension.

There are many reasons for considering an extension, but one of them is as an alternative to moving house. This approach could have a lot of practical advantages.

This needs to be said because the UK housing market has been picking up, with the recent base rate cut likely to encourage homebuyers more as mortgages will be cheaper. But a strengthening housing market also means rising prices, so while there may be less interest to pay on a home loan, the overall cost may not be less and could easily be more.

If proof of this were needed, the Halifax House Price Index for October has indicated a monthly house price increase of 0.2 per cent, with the quarterly figure up 1.2 per cent and the annual figure up 3.9 per cent.

Cost is not the only reason to think twice about moving home if you want a larger house. This also has the practical advantages that you don’t have to deal with moving costs, nor the risk of fragile or precious items being damaged or lost in a move. You can also stay close to friendly neighbours and your kids won’t have to change schools.

A flat roof can be extended easily enough, ensuring that the whole structure avoids any of the awkward joins that can sometimes detract from the aesthetics of an existing home when it is extended.

Therefore, if you do need more space for an extra car, a new bedroom, or even space for a new buggy because your family has grown, this kind of extension could be just what you need and offers a practical upsizing alternative to moving.

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Why Spring Is An Ideal Time To Replace The Garage Roof

by Daniel Bracewell • 9 February 2026

With winter now nearing its end, now is a good time to start planning garage roof replacement work as the weather starts to get warmer, drier and lighter.

How Can Ice Dams Damage A Flat Roof?

by Daniel Bracewell • 20 January 2026

With 2026 starting with a burst of cold, wintry weather in the north of England, now is a good time to consider what damage snow and sub-zero temperatures can cause to your flat roofing in Manchester . One potential risk is the formation of ice dams – but what are ice dams, how do they cause damage and what can you do to prevent them? What are ice dams? As their name suggests, ice dams are areas of ice that prevent melted snow and ice flowing off of a roof. They form when the warmth from inside your home hits the roof, melting the snow and ice that has settled on the flat roof. This water then runs off the roof, but if temperatures are still below freezing, as it reaches the colder edges, it can re-freeze, creating a dam. These ice walls hold pooled water on the roof, rather than letting it escape – and it’s this that can cause the damage. On flat roofs, ice dams can also form around depressions in the roof – in other words anywhere that water can sit, you could end up with a pool that is unable to drain. They cause damage because standing water on your roof can seep into the underlying structure if there are any cracks or signs of damage in your roofing material. When ice dams form at the edges of roofs, they can also lead to damp penetrating walls if the pools of melted snow last long enough. How can you prevent ice dams from forming? The best way to prevent ice dams is to ensure that your roof is properly insulated. This will prevent the heat from your home melting the snow that’s accumulated on your flat roof while the outside temperature is still below freezing. Keeping your gutters and drainage channels clear is also essential. This helps to ensure that any snow that does melt has somewhere to go and can safely leave your flat roof. It’s one of the reasons why cleaning your gutters in the autumn is a good idea.

Can You Install Solar Panels On A Flat Roof?

by Daniel Bracewell • 10 December 2025

If you’re exploring how to lower your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint, you may be looking at the likes of solar panels for your home. But what if your property has a flat roof rather than a pitched roof? Can you still install solar panels on a flat roof? The short answer is yes, you can! In fact, it is often easier to install solar panels on a flat roof than it is to fit them to a sloped roof, which might make this an even more appealing avenue to explore when you’re looking at flat roof ideas . In many cases, you also don’t need planning permission to install solar panels on your flat roof. Of course, there are exceptions if you have a listed building or live in a conservation area, but if you own your house (different rules apply for flats too), you should be free to add solar panels to your home as you choose. There are different kinds of mounting systems for flat roof solar panels and which is most appropriate for your home will depend on the direction it faces. It is worth noting that the cost of installing solar panels is often higher on flat roofs because of the mounting system, but some of this can be offset by the lower labour costs because the installation process is usually more straightforward. One of the main reasons homeowners install solar panels is to reduce their energy bills. Many report savings of hundreds of pounds each year, which means these panels often pay for themselves relatively quickly. What’s more, under the Smart Export Guarantee , you can sell any energy you don’t use back to the National Grid, which can increase the rate at which your investment in solar panels pays for itself. So, if you are exploring ways to make the most of your flat roof, consider solar panels as an option to reduce your energy bills and do good for the environment.