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Building a rooftop terrace is a huge commitment. You are making a change to your home which can be almost permanent in nature, so it is imperative that you consider all angles of the same before going ahead with the project. The view from the top is going to be excellent, but there are quite a lot of things to keep in mind and check off before you start building the rooftop terrace. Let us have a look at what these points are:
1. The Pros of a rooftop terrace
The view! The biggest perk of having a rooftop terrace is that you can get an excellent view of the place, be it in the morning, or at night. Also, in the case of urban areas, houses are built close to each other, which gives no scope for an outdoor area on the ground. This can be compensated by building a rooftop terrace, as you can get loads and loads of sun and an extra space this way.
2. The Cons of a rooftop terrace
Building a rooftop terrace is no child’s play. You will have to spend quite some money on the project and it is overall, a big change that is to happen to your house. If it is not properly designed and efficiently built, the whole essence of building a rooftop terrace would be lost.
3. Does it suit your home?
This is a crucial question. Having your own rooftop terrace can sound alluring, but you will have to check if the same would suit the kind of home you have. Houses with a high parapet would be apt for building a rooftop terrace as it helps in hiding your terrace from the street view. But if you have a hip roof, maybe it is better to drop the idea as it is too much to convert it to a rooftop terrace.
4. How much will it cost?
It depends on a lot of factors, but one thing is for sure: Building a rooftop terrace is an expensive business. There are a lot of things to be done, including flooring and insulation, which will cost money. Also, hiring architects and people to work on your rooftop is an additional source of expense.
5. Do I need council approval for this?
Of course, you will. Building a rooftop terrace is a major change and it would need the approval of the council. The rules and regulations that you have to follow depend on the locality that you stay in. So get in touch with the local authorities to know more about the same.
6. What are the common challenges that I may encounter?
Depending on the structure of your building and its age, the changes that are to be done to it also change. It can be more challenging to build a rooftop terrace when your house is on the older side of the spectrum and has a chimney, the process can get a bit tedious.
7. What about the flooring?
You will have to remember that the floors of rooftops are exposed to the harsh eternal weather, be it sun or rain. You will have to choose the flooring that can withstand all these. One of the most popular choices for flooring is timber. You can also go for tile flooring and your choices can include granite, concrete, or even sandstone.
8. What can I use it for?
The sky is the limit! A rooftop terrace can be used for a wide range of things, starting from hosting parties to spending some quality time alone with yourself. One thing to keep in mind is that no matter how extravagant or how simple your rooftop terrace is, you will have to keep it clean. You can hire professional house cleaners to tackle the stubborn dirt on your terrace once every few months.
9. Will weight be an issue?
Yes, weight can be an issue. This can be even more problematic when you plan to build a garden on top, as one cubic meter of soil can be over one tonne in weight. You can seek the help of artificial turf instead, which helps decrease the weight to a huge extend.
10. Can it be shaded?
Yes, it can be shaded, and you must consider getting it done for your rooftop terrace as well. There can be harsh summers where going to the rooftops can be really dangerous, because of how hot things can get. To prevent such a situation, you can build a shade for your rooftop terrace.
