Safety and other concerns when constructing a roof terrace

The added value of a roof terrace
Building a roof terrace on an extension or flat roof, for example, has numerous interesting advantages. One of the most important is of course, that you can relax on your roof terrace when it is sunny. While enjoying a nice snack, with a soft drink or alcoholic refreshment. Other advantages are the possibility of creating a garden on the roof terrace, an interesting increase in the value of your home, being able to quickly seek peace and quiet in an urban environment and, of course, the beautiful view. Reasons enough to build a roof terrace. But what are the most important points to consider if you want to get started?

Safety comes first
The most important feature of a roof terrace should be optimal safety. the risk of accidents should, of course, be minimized. Not only for yourself, but also for your children, partner and guests. A sound roof edge protection is therefore crucial. High balustrades are a good form of eaves protection. Ensure that the balustrade height is sufficient to prevent small children from climbing over the fence. It is also important that garden furniture is secure and heavy enough. This is because roof terraces catch a lot of wind and light and lso furniture can then blow off the terrace, causing damage or even injury. Finally, it is of course crucial to determine whether your roof can withstand the weight of the terrace. Have a structural engineer or contractor figure this out well in advance. One of the problems you can otherwise face are annoying leaks. And this is something you don't want, of course.

Municipal permits are required
Also not unimportant, to use a euphemism, is arranging a permit - usually called an environmental permit - with the municipality. Start this on time, as the application process can take a minimum of two months to up to six months. The cost of the permit depends on the size of the remodeling project. These are calculated via a VAT percentage, known as the legal fees. If building a roof terrace costs you about 10,000 euros, the municipality will charge an average of 200 euros. But this amount can vary from one municipality to another, so check carefully!

What will be on the terrace
Finally, another important consideration is what kind of cladding will go on the roof terrace. There is plenty to choose from here, such as roof tiles, decking, stone tiles or artificial grass. In terms of cost there can be a big difference, so compare the material to be used carefully on price and quality. Good luck and enjoy your roof terrace!