Roof terrace/garden

[Random63638]

We have a 1950's semi with a single storey flat roof garage alongside. Our garden is north east facing and gets very little sun from October to March. We would love to make a roof garden over the garage for more growing space and somewhere to sit in the weak winter sun, but I cannot find any similar examples online. All my searches bring up rather fancy London terraces that add value to Chelsea pads, not the same thing at all. I'm wondering why noone else has done what we're thinking of? I assume that the garage would have to be rebuilt for strength and planning permission would be required with some clever screening of neighbours but that doesn't seem insurmountable. We vowed never to move again so don't mind investing in this place.

Has anyone seen a garage roof garden or better has one?!? Would love to hear any words of wisdom to either talk me down or move things along.

I have one I had an flat roof extension and then have a Stamford stone wall and bars on the roof it’s pretty big it’s not a balcony it’s a proper roof terrace, nobody can see in it and it doesn’t look over anybody, I have spotlights built into the brick and it’s a sun trap ☀️

They can be fantastic spaces OP, just make sure your roof structure can bear the additional weight of soil, materials, plants and water! It can be a substantial amount so be very sure

I was going to say the same thing as Loofah. Get a surveyor to check the roof has sufficient strength to support it. I'm guessing that's one reason why they are rare.

I'm guessing the other reason is that they are very overlooked with not much protection from wind etc.

Mainly it's very hard to get planning permission for, if it's going to overlook your neighbours in the slightest way.

Thanks, good to hear they do exist. I think we would need a new structure as the current garage is nothing much really. Some careful design could prevent overlooking, but I think it's time to call the professionals.