Why Now Is The Time For A Flat Roof Extension

Daniel Bracewell • 28 June 2023

The old saying ‘fix the roof when the sun is shining’ may be heeded by many whose flat roofs need repairs just now, but this is also an excellent time to have extensions added to homes.

Indeed, it is not just the favourable weather conditions of summer that make now a good moment to start planning a flat roof extension. It may also be a good choice if you want more space at home.

Choosing whether to extend your existing home or upsize by moving to a bigger one can be a tricky decision, with all sorts of considerations ranging from location to the impact of upheaval and the cost. That last of these may be paramount now.

The Bank of England has just raised interest rates again, with the latest decision to hike the base rate by 0.5 per cent taken the day after consumer price index inflation was revealed to be at 8.7 per cent for the second month in a row.

This means anyone buying a new home now faces a high mortgage rate, whereas those with an existing mortgage at a fixed rate may not have to refinance at such a high cost when their current deal expires, as by that time inflation may have eased enough for rates to be cut. Clearly now is not a great time to buy.

Some might suggest this expense is offset by cheaper house prices than a year ago; the Halifax House Price Index for May recorded the UK average as one per cent down in May 2023 from 12 months earlier. While prices were up 1.3 per cent over the previous quarter they were static in May, suggesting a brief revival has stalled.

Kim Kinnaird, Halifax's director of mortgages, said this is clearly the case, as rising interest rates will “inevitably impact confidence” in the market and drive prices and demand down.

However, that could also reduce supply as fewer people opt to sell and lead to housing construction firms scaling back their building plans.

Less supply means fewer chances to find a house that sits your needs. That is all the more reason to modify the one you have.

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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.