How to turn your roof terrace into a holiday paradise
With every approaching summer, the longing for holidays and relaxation increases. But do you really have to travel far to experience the true holiday feeling? At a time when cities are becoming ever more densely built-up and green spaces are dwindling, the answer to this question is becoming increasingly complex. But there is a solution: roof terraces.
Roof terraces are the key to improving the quality of life in urban areas. They not only offer a place to relax, but also the opportunity to design an open-air oasis according to your own ideas. Urban gardening can turn them into green oases in the centre of the city.
What makes these terraces particularly attractive is their flexibility. They can be taken into consideration at the planning stage of a building already or can be installed on a garage or flat roof later on (structural requirements must be observed). This gives residents the opportunity to enjoy the comfort of their outdoor home without having to leave the city.
The increasing popularity of roof terraces shows that they are not just a trend but can offer an alternative to traditional holidays. They allow you to save money and relax in peace while enjoying the benefits of urban living.
At a time when green spaces are becoming increasingly important in cities, roof terraces offer an innovative way to improve the quality of life while meeting the trend towards urbanisation. The time has come to rethink urban space and turn it into a place for recreation and relaxation - and roof terraces could play a crucial role in this.
Roof terraces in compliance with regulations: Your guide to design
Before a roof terrace is integrated into a building, some important aspects need to be considered. These include, for example, that a building permit must be obtained, which requires an architect or civil engineer in most counties in order to meet the requirements. Only in Bavaria and Hesse the requirements are less stringent; in these regions a building permit can also be issued by a qualified master craftsman.
One of the most important aspects in this context is the statics of the roof. It is important to check whether the roof surface can bear the planned weight. This includes the weight of the roof terrace itself and the weight of the equipment and people on it. Environmental influences such as snow and rain should also be taken into account during planning.
When designing a roof terrace, further points must be observed once planning permission has been granted. One of these is DIN 18531, which regulates the waterproofing of utilised and unutilised roofs. It stipulates that a roof must have a minimum slope of two per cent so that rainwater can run off and no water can get into the building. DIN 18065, on the other hand, focuses on the safety of roof terraces and stipulates a railing height of between 90 and 110 centimetres, depending on the county.
The ideal floor covering for the roof terrace: tips for selection
Once the roof terrace has been built, you need to decide which floor covering to choose. Personal taste, budget and the time and effort planned play a major role here. The advantages and disadvantages of the three most common floor coverings - wood, natural stone and turf - are outlined below.
Wood is a renewable raw material that provides an attractive appearance and pleasant feel due to its natural properties and that does not heat up quickly. As floor coverings on roof terraces are constantly exposed to weather influences like rain, snow or sunlight, regular maintenance of the real wood flooring with a special protective varnish or wood oil is important. Depending on the type of wood, a service life of 10 to 25 years can be achieved this way. In addition, the wooden floorboards should be provided with joints or grooves to allow for the natural movement of the wood with temperature and humidity fluctuations and to ensure good water drainage.
Another option is to lay natural stone slabs. These are available in different variants, sizes and designs, are easy to clean and will last for decades. However, they should only be laid by experts, as natural stone slabs are very heavy. In this context, the statics of the roof terrace must also be taken into consideration.
Turf, on the other hand, can be laid on the roof terrace without a great deal of expert knowledge. It is important that the substrate is well levelled and that the turf rolls are laid carefully and without joints to ensure an even surface. If you opt for a roof garden with real turf, you can also sow it yourself. To do this, the roof terrace should first be covered with a waterproof film with a drainage layer on top. This consists of a porous material that serves to drain water from the surface, prevent waterlogging and protect the ground structure. Soil can then be applied over this layer and the seeds evenly spread out.
The magic of a holiday at home: creating the perfect atmosphere on the roof terrace
To create a holiday atmosphere on your own roof terrace, cosy seating such as lounge furniture or outdoor beanbags that invite you to relax and offer enough space for guests are ideal. For additional warmth on cool summer nights, these should be equipped with plenty of cushions and blankets. Lanterns, storm lanterns and chains of lights provide atmospheric lighting and create a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. Solar lights are particularly useful for places without electricity, as they are charged by the sun during the day.
On hot summer days, it is advisable to set up parasols or awnings outside to provide shade and protection from direct sunlight. For refreshment, not only water bowls are ideal, but also small table fountains or water fountains, which can also serve as decorative elements. The use of shells, baskets and certain colours and patterns can also influence the ambience. Plants complete the design of the roof terrace, with palm trees reminiscent of the sea and climbing plants representing tropical regions (urban gardening).
Easy access to the roof terrace: optimal use of flat roof access hatches
In addition to the design of the roof terrace, access to it is also of great importance when planning. Flat roof access hatches offer a particularly user-friendly solution with good energy values and a high level of comfort. LAMILUX has specialised in this field and offers various versions with different opening systems and sizes. Examples include horizontally sliding flat roof access hatches such as LAMILUX Flat Roof Access Hatch Comfort Solo and LAMILUX Flat Roof Access Hatch Comfort Duo as well as the LAMILUX Flat Roof Access Hatch Comfort Swing and Square variants, which can be opened up to 90 degrees. The lengths vary between three and three and a half metres, depending on the required headroom. The Flat Roof Access Hatch Comfort Square is particularly suitable for access via a spiral staircase.
The opening systems are integrated into the construction to ensure a sleek appearance and increase security. Even in case of power failure, access to the roof terraces is secured by tried and tested mechanisms. To improve heat protection, most systems can be equipped with sun blinds. With the product configurator on the website, all LAMILUX Flat Roof Access Hatches can be customised according to your own ideas.
Spending your holiday at home
Considering the aspects already mentioned, it is quite easy to create a holiday feeling on the roof terrace without having to leave your own four walls. Various design and furnishing elements help to round off the ambience. Above all, roof terraces are a long-term investment with an increase in property value that can be used at any time and does not end after a few days like a holiday trip.
