Yes, we convert side garages in Childwall, L16, where inter-war and post-war semis and detached houses commonly have a garage built along one side. These garages tend to be narrow, with thin walls and an old flat roof, so the conversion is mostly about making a cold shell warm, dry and safe. With careful planning they become good bedrooms, studies and playrooms.
Is a narrow side garage worth converting?
For most Childwall homes, yes. A side garage is already joined to the house, often next to the hall or kitchen, so the new room links naturally into the ground floor. The trade-off is width. Lining the walls to bring them up to modern insulation standards takes a little space from each side, and we show you the finished internal size on a drawing before you decide.
If you only need part of the space, a part garage conversion keeps a store at the front for bins, bikes or tools.
Three things we check first in a Childwall side garage
- The wallsMany side garages have single-skin brick walls with piers. We check them for stability and plan an insulated inner leaf or framed lining, tied in where needed.
- The roofFlat felt roofs are common and are usually rebuilt as a warm or cold deck with insulation. Sheet roofs on older garages need an asbestos test first.
- The floor levelGarage floors usually sit lower than the house. A damp-proof membrane, insulation and screed or timber floor bring it up and reduce or remove the step.
If your side garage has a corrugated or flat cement-sheet roof, please do not cut, drill or break it. Old sheets may contain asbestos and must be tested by a qualified surveyor before any work.
Turning the roof into something a room can live under
The roof is often the part people forget. A thin felt deck over joists keeps rain off a car, but it will not keep a bedroom warm. LABC guidance sets a target of 0.15 W/m²K for a converted garage roof, which means a proper build-up of insulation, a vapour control layer and a new waterproof finish. Our garage roof upgrade page explains warm-deck and cold-deck options.
What do Childwall families usually turn their garage into?
Because side garages sit at ground level next to the main rooms, they suit uses where you want to keep an eye on things or keep noise away from the bedrooms upstairs. A playroom is a common choice, as is a study or a downstairs bedroom for a relative who finds stairs difficult. Whatever the use, ventilation, smoke alarms and safe escape are planned with building control.
Before and after the visit
When you get in touch, we ask about the garage type, the age of the house and the room you have in mind. At the visit, we measure up, look at the roof, walls and floor, and check where heating pipes and cables could run. You then get a written quote. The full process is set out on our main page about garage conversion in Liverpool.
Other areas near Childwall
We work in Gateacre and Allerton, both close by, and further out in Woolton and Hunts Cross. To see the full range of rooms and garage types we handle, visit our home page for garage conversions.
Side garage in Childwall going unused?
Ring 07777 659786 with a rough idea of what the room should become. We will call back and arrange to take a look.
Frequently asked questions
Is my narrow side garage too small to convert?
Not usually. Even after an insulated inner wall takes some width, a side garage often makes a workable study, playroom or single bedroom. If width is tight, we can draw a layout so you can see the usable space before committing. In some homes, converting only the front part is a sensible compromise.
My garage has a corrugated roof. Is that a problem?
It needs checking before anything else happens. Old corrugated or flat cement sheets may contain asbestos. They must be tested by a qualified surveyor and, if needed, removed by a suitably qualified asbestos contractor. We never disturb suspected asbestos, and the roof is then rebuilt to suit a habitable room.
Which council deals with planning in Childwall?
Childwall is in Liverpool, so Liverpool City Council is the local planning authority. Building Regulations approval comes from the council’s building control team or a Registered Building Control Approver. We explain both routes at the visit.
Can I keep some storage in a converted side garage?
Yes. A part conversion leaves a store at the front, behind the old garage door, and turns the rear into a room. It suits households who still need space for bikes or tools. The new dividing wall has to meet Building Regulations, including insulation and fire separation where relevant.
Will the room feel cold like the old garage?
It should not, if it is built properly. The floor, walls and roof are all insulated to the standards building control applies, and heating is extended or added. The old single-skin walls are the main reason garages feel cold, so they get the most attention.