As many Canadians have opted to spend their downtime closer to home this summer, some have become painfully aware of how limited their outdoor living space is. Densely packed homes in urban centres don’t often come with a great deal of land, making it difficult to build the deck or patio of your dreams.
One option that is becoming more popular with each passing year is to build up, above your home. Rooftop patios are excellent entertaining spaces and often the envy of one’s neighbourhood. When you’re up that high you’ll not only enjoy additional living space with excellent views but also cool breezes and an absence of insects, all features you’re sure to appreciate.
At the same time that rooftop patios are becoming more popular, technology is making the construction of rooftop patios and decks easier than ever. One can now build a rooftop patio with relative ease, even on a roof that is not flat. There are now a variety of products and systems designed for the building of raised floors, decks and yes, rooftop patios. Now, virtually no space is off-limits, and these great products can help you to create the perfect rooftop patio you’ve always dreamed of.
While you’ll need to clear a few hurdles including zoning, building permits and fire codes, constructing a rooftop is easier than ever with the right components.
Underneath it all, you’ll want to use a pedestal system. Adjustable pedestals are uncomplicated, comprising of only a handful of elements including adjustable pedestal heads, which can reach a slope of up to 5%. Perfect for addressing slopes or uneven surfaces, they are both durable and weather-resistant. Consider adjustable pedestal systems offered by Canada Pedestal Systems where you’ll find a wide selection of quality pedestal systems from the most reputable manufacturers including Uptec by Profilitec, Eterno Ivica and Bison Innovative Products. Each of these pedestal systems is straightforward and effortless to use, whether you are an experienced contractor or a DIY’er.
When using pedestals, you’ll also be able to hide plumbing and electrical underneath your rooftop patio, yet have easy access to it when needed. Pedestals offer impressive load-bearing strength and also allow water to drain away quickly for improved safety, make it easy to replace a tile if necessary.
While at ground level pedestals do a fine job of supporting surface materials on their own, when building a rooftop patio, it is suggested that you integrate a mid-level component to properly support your stone or tile. This helps to reduce the load on any particular point while avoiding putting too much pressure on your home’s roof. Silca Grates are the perfect solution, acting as a subfloor for your chosen surface while distributing the weight over a wider area. Each Silca Grate covers a 2 sq-ft area, works perfectly with pedestal systems below, and can easily support surface materials of any size, including popular 6-inch planks.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to surface materials for your rooftop patio. Of course, you’ll need something weather-resistant and ideally something durable and long-lasting. Surfaces such as natural stone, ceramic or porcelain tile are not only on-trend but will remain level year after year and are virtually maintenance-free. We recommend looking into high-quality products including Kronos Porcelain Pavers, Frontier20 Porcelain Pavers from Landmark Ceramics or Del Conca Porcelain Pavers & Tiles for perfect, durable results that offer unlimited design options.
Whether you’re making the most of your property by creating additional living space or are looking to improve your home’s value, building a rooftop patio is easier than you might think. Opening a world of fresh new design ideas, pedestal systems make what was previously impossible, easily achievable. Suddenly, no location is off-limits or wasted space when it comes to expanding your outdoor living area. Maximize your unused space, enjoy it more and improve the value of your home with the help of pedestal systems.