As creatures of comfort, we love to create a comfortable and relaxing space inside our homes. We create cozy living rooms and make our bedrooms as peaceful as possible.
Even our outdoor spaces are not spared from our constant pursuit of comfort, as we try to make patios and decks that allow us to enjoy the outdoors.
But as much as we love our spaces for comfort and relaxation, we also adore functionality. This essentially means that most things and features we incorporate in and on our homes serve a function. And we love it when they are doing what they are supposed to do.
The Rise of the Roof Deck
As the land area becomes scarce in certain areas with rising populations, people have been forced to build upwards. This resulted in tall buildings and high-rises, where more citizens can inhabit a limited land space.
As this was happening, the quest for relaxation spaces did not cease. People had the brilliant idea of making their roofs essentially a place where they can gather with their friends, relax, and enjoy the scenery.
This description now fits what we call a roof deck. Decks are flat, open-spaced structures that are often built outside the home. Roof decks are simply decks that are placed on the roof of a house or building.
So instead of a normal roof, you would have an open space that you could customize to your liking.
What a Roof Deck Can Give You
Essentially, roof decks are a versatile space in your home that can be used however you want. These spaces are much like any room in a normal home, except it is placed on top of your house.
This height can give you a scenic view of your surrounding neighborhood. The possible scenic view may add to its ability to provide comfort and ambiance to its users.
A roof deck can also be functional. Again, this is essentially an additional room that has usable and livable space. This means that you can have placed on your roof deck.
You may have multiple pieces of furniture or a fire pit to warm you when it gets cold in the evenings. You may even have an outdoor kitchen for added convenience when needing to prepare food.
Since roof decks are the acting roof of a structure, it is the place most exposed to the sun, rain, and other weather conditions that may occur in your area. This means homeowners who choose to have roof decks should have some form of protection when atop these structures.
With that, roof decks usually have another roofing structure to protect anything and anyone that is on the deck. Homeowners can choose to have it fully covered or semi-covered.
But since it is an open space, do expect that you are not completely protected against the elements. If you have electrical appliances on deck, you should have them covered always. Your furniture might also get soiled by the rain so be sure to have the upholstery cleaned professionally from time to time.
The Dilemma
While roof decks are shown to be ideal for our comfort preferences, it does not come without a hefty price. A roof deck may run you thousands of dollars and this is without the furniture and other fixtures.
Although it may cost you a significant amount of money, it does make your home value go up by up to 6 to 8 percent. This may come in handy when it is time to sell your home in the future.
Roof decks may also pose a danger. But this is only the case when the lower structures are not meant to carry too much weight on them. If this is the case, there may be a risk of collapse that endangers both people above and below the deck. For this reason, you should always consult professionals before having one built for your home.
Apart from that, it is also possible that water may gather on decks. These puddles of water may seep through small crevices that can damage the inner workings of the structure beneath it. This compromises the main function of a roof and may affect the way you live. This is why roof decks should be well-planned and built to avoid these misfortunes.
A badly-built roof deck negatively affects the functionality of your roof and should be avoided at all costs.
With that, roof decks can be a double-edged blade that can be a burden when it’s made wrong but can be wonderful when done right. It is a perfect marriage between comfort and practical use of space that every homeowner should think about before getting one.
