The Province

The sky’s the limit for rooftop decks

Weatherpro­of materials and simple colours make for restful space right above your home

- KIM COOK

Backyards and balconies are great places to enjoy an al fresco meal or a sun bath, but to really elevate your outdoor lifestyle, consider going up. To the roof.

Rooftop decks were fairly common in early 20th-century Craftsman and modernist homes, particular­ly on the West Coast. More recently, the trend has moved to city cores, where ground-floor outdoor space is minimal.

A rooftop deck is nice if you’re lucky enough to have expansive nature views — water, mountains, desert, forest. But it’s also attractive to city dwellers keen to escape the confines of the concrete jungle without decamping to the wilderness. A vista of evening lights, with the city quite literally at one’s feet, can be captivatin­g, and add value to your home.

Privacy

Urban rooftop decks might need to be screened from nearby buildings, or from unsightly elements such as water towers or air-conditioni­ng units. Laser-cut steel, wood or tempered glass do the job and add a decorative element.

Los Angeles architect Dan Brunn has done several beach-adjacent rooftop projects. He cautions that seaside decks need good wind screening, and homeowners must be mindful of community height restrictio­ns. Wind can also be a problem for outdoor grills, keeping them from heating up properly.

Use planters, pergolas and gazebos to define areas of a rooftop deck, Brunn says.

“The other great thing about a gazebo structure is that it can house heating elements and lighting,” he says.

Pergolas provide some privacy and shade, too. Ipe (Brazilian walnut) is a popular wood because it’s durable and insect-resistant.

Chicago Roof Deck & Garden has even made them out of reclaimed barn wood.

“With the client, we developed a material palette that mimicked the contempora­ry, steel-and-beam loft feel of the interior,” company principal Adam Miller says.

Personaliz­ed space

Everyone has a different use for outdoor space, so feel free to customize.

Miller recalls one beer-loving client who wanted his rooftop deck to feel like a bar.

“He had this great collection of growler jugs,” Miller says. “So we built a growler wall on the west end of the deck. It picks up the late-afternoon sun to give the space a really cool glow.”

For a family with children, the company custom-built a hanging daybed and installed a hot tub on the roof.

Design considerat­ions

Echoing the esthetic of the home’s interior can create a cohesive feel. Use a similar colour palette in weather-resistant fabrics and paint, and incorporat­e design elements like industrial shelving or a comfy rattan sectional.

Miller says space and weight are two of the biggest challenges on rooftop decks. A kitchen, lounge space and dining area can be a lot to fit on a roof. And you can’t use heavy pavers or counters.

He and his team have developed a lightweigh­t concrete that holds up well even in a cold climate.

Anthony Carrino, a builder in Jersey City, N.J., likes to use engineered quartz products, like Dekton, for outdoor kitchens and entertainm­ent counters, because it’s durable.

“We’re hit with every type of weather possible, from blizzards to summers with 100-degree heat,” he says. “To have a product that looks just like natural stone and requires no maintenanc­e is a dream when creating an outdoor kitchen.”

For cabinetry, the Wallingfor­d, Conn., company Danver Outdoor Kitchens makes a powder-coated stainless steel line that can be ordered in a range of colours and finishes. Besides regular storage, you can use cabinets to house smokers, fridges and other outdoor appliances, for a streamline­d look that mimics an indoor kitchen.

Dining and lounge furniture now resembles interior furniture more than ever. Look for big, comfy sectionals, cool bar stools and finishes ranging from weathered wood looks to textural weaves and sleek modern silhouette­s. For rooftops, look for heavy pieces that won’t sail off on a windy day.

While ipe and other marine-grade woods make beautiful decking, a less costly flooring to consider is tile. Slate, granite, ceramic, plastic and simulated wood squares are easier to lay on an uneven rooftop. HandyDeck, Fiberon and Greatmats are some options.

Homeowners need to check regulation­s on fuel sources for rooftop fireplaces and cooking appliances.

Gardens in the sky

Weather is a considerat­ion not just for the deck’s structural and decorative elements, but for landscapin­g.

“Hardy plants that can take a lot of wind — and salt, in coastal areas — are a must,” Miami designer Fernando Wong says. “I have an 80-20 rule for my landscapes: 80 per cent hardy, and 20 per cent flowers and other plants that add beauty but are more fragile. We sometimes use the same plants on the ground, to create cohesion between the two spaces.”

The goal is to use greenery that softens the roof ’s hard materials.

Wong says he likes to use a limited colour palette in creating lush spaces: two colours, and one is green.

“I’ll incorporat­e lots of flowering vines and things that cascade out of pots and planters,” he says. “I like rooftop gardens because they’re so unexpected. There is something so wonderful about being high up off the ground, and seeing a lush garden in such an inhospitab­le place for plants.”

 ?? — CHICAGO ROOF DECK AND GARDEN ?? Urban dwellers are looking up for outdoor living spaces, installing rooftop decks complete with kitchens, lounges and gardens — but choosing the right materials is vital.
— CHICAGO ROOF DECK AND GARDEN Urban dwellers are looking up for outdoor living spaces, installing rooftop decks complete with kitchens, lounges and gardens — but choosing the right materials is vital.
 ?? — CHICAGO ROOF DECK AND GARDEN ?? Screens and overhangin­g elements such as a pergola help preserve privacy on a rooftop deck, protect residents against the elements and also help define the outdoor space.
— CHICAGO ROOF DECK AND GARDEN Screens and overhangin­g elements such as a pergola help preserve privacy on a rooftop deck, protect residents against the elements and also help define the outdoor space.

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