3 Tips for Designing a Deck on a Rooftop
Everyone enjoys outdoor living, and there’s nothing quite like taking in the fresh air and beautiful local scenery on a deck. For people living in urban areas, the opportunity to build a traditional outdoor living space is often challenging or non-existent. That’s where rooftop decks come into play, and why they’ve become more popular in the urban lifestyle. Still, adding a rooftop deck often presents its own set of unique challenges.
The good news is that with Envision composite decking, you can create an unforgettable outdoor living space no matter the location or size. Consider these three tips for adding a rooftop deck to a home.
1. Assess the Workspace Before Building a Rooftop Deck
Before you start building a rooftop deck, make sure to inspect the area and get as much information about the property from the homeowners as you can. When you’re building a rooftop deck, you need to make sure the structure can support the weight of the composite decking and other materials, furniture, and appliances you’re going to install.
When you’re inspecting the home, start to think about the types of rooftop deck designs that would fit nicely in the space. For example, projects that will be multiple stories above the ground will need deck railings. This will add a sense of safety while giving you the opportunity to be more creative with the design.
The best rooftop deck designs also take drainage into consideration. Water management is more critical on rooftop decks because it can impact the integrity of the roof below and even the home within. Before the outdoor living space is built, you’ll need to ensure the roof has and will retain proper drainage. You should pre-plan a drainage strategy, which often involves using drainage mats to keep the roof and composite decking frame separated. You may want to consider hiring a building science consultant or connecting with your roofing and decking manufacturers to ensure proper drainage strategies.
2. Get to Know the Building You’re Working On
There’s no question that building a rooftop deck has its fair share of challenges, so you’ll want to do your due diligence on the project. Take your time learning the building codes for the city you’re working in to avoid unexpected roadblocks. You’ll also want to make note of any unique building features like when the home was constructed.
Once you have that figured out, the next step is deciding how you’re going to get the composite decking materials to the worksite, which may require navigating tight streets and have limited or no on-site storage. If you can’t get all the materials up by using the stairs or elevator, you’ll have to find a more custom solution, including working with your dealer on delivery timing and where materials will be placed. Sometimes, cutting the composite boards into smaller pieces will solve the problem. If that’s not an option, many contractors will rent a crane to hoist the materials to the roof if it’s not a service the lumberyard provides.
It’s important to remember that using a crane will require you to get additional permits from the city. You can also research rooftop deck projects that were done in the neighborhood before for a better idea of the best practices that worked for other contractors.
3. Build a Rooftop Deck Pergola
If you’re trying to set your project apart from the competition, think about adding a rooftop deck pergola to your design. While rooftop decks are known for their scenic views, there are times when the direct sunlight presents some discomfort. A rooftop deck pergola can provide the right amount of shade while adding an eye-catching aspect to the design.
While adding a pergola to your project might seem like a lot of extra work at first, their construction is not complicated. Pergolas are built from using four beams with an open lattice that will give your customers some extra shade and style.
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