Hi all - this my first post - with a tonne of work to do in our new old house probably won't do any real gardening for some time; I am in the ideas/planning phase! So, we have an east facing heavily sloped (poorly terraced) garden. the flat area exiting the house is only about 4.5 to 5 metres wide before hitting the slope starting with 3 tiers of moss rocks. We have no and require an out door living space. First idea was to pave and install a vergola. I am now thinking about a glass house. I would like peoples thoughts if this would work being east facing. House is 2 story so not much direct light in winter. will this heat up house too much in summer or with the right ventilation could it work - could you comfortably sit in this space, again with the right ventilation? could you incorporate outdoor kitchen with BBQ and pizza oven?? would want a glass roof, not polycarbonate sheeting? Look forward to your thoughts
A glass roof in Australia - no go. Simple answer really. Way to much sun, therefore way too hot, even if it was open-walled and just a roof. Admittedly the sun would go behind the house in the afternoon, but you'll have fried in the meantime. Your first idea of paving the area with a Vergola (pergola with slanting and moveable slats) seems perfect. Glass rooms or conservatories were originally used in Northern European homes to capture the sun's warmth in their relatively cool climate, and they do work very well there, a very nice concept that extends their indoor living out. The same goes for Greenhouses - they love them in England but you rarely see them here as they get too hot to be useful.