Sky’s the limit for rooftop decks
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 like 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. Wind can 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. 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,” says company principal Adam Miller.
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 lateafternoon 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 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.