Latest News Tue, Feb 6, 2018 5:34 PM
Space is often at a premium in the UK. In most of the country, around 20 per cent of households live in flats, many of which have no garden or balcony space. The problem is compounded in areas where most of the accommodation is apartments.
During the early stages of the planning process, it is important for the design team to work closely with the homeowner or developer to determine exactly what is expected of the finished roof terrace and how it will be used.
Questions to ask when planning a roof garden include:
While creating stunning visual elements and unique features within the design is key to unlocking a space that meets and exceeds expectations, safety and functionality must come first; this article outlines some important factors to consider.
Privacy and permissions
Privacy is one of the most common reasons for planning permission to be denied. If there’s a chance that the roof terrace will look out over a neighbour’s property, then you will probably need to find a way to obstruct those views. For example, frosted glass balustrades or privacy screens may be required.
Access and safety
Roof terrace access can be split into two main types:
● Access from the same level – This is often the result of an extension project, where a single-storey extension is added to a property, and the flat roof of the extension is turned into a terrace. In this situation, access can be fairly easy: a set of doors can be built into the existing upper-storey wall to provide access.
● Access via stairs – If the roof is directly above the rest of the accommodation, then a set of stairs will need to be installed to provide a route to the terrace. Rooflights are a popular solution for roof terrace access; boxed or sliding rooflights for example can create the vertical space necessary for the staircase and the associated headspace clearance.
Building Regulations
All of the above will need to be considered when planning your dream roof terrace space. To offer a helping hand, Rooflights.com and Glazing Vision have created a comprehensive guide to planning and specifying roof terraces, which covers a range of issues surrounding design, structure and access.
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