In many major cities, such as Bordeaux, flat roofs account for a significant portion of a building’s unused space. Property owners may want to make use of this additional living space. To best assist you, L’agencerie, your network of real estate agencies, offers its top tips.
How do you design a rooftop terrace?
Owners of a rooftop terrace can enjoy this special outdoor living space by landscaping it like a garden terrace. Once you have obtained the necessary landscaping permits, you can have outdoor furniture installed on a surface that has been prepared in advance.
After completing the waterproofing work, you’ll need to choose the materials to cover the floor. There is a wide variety of options available, including wood-look tiles, natural stone, and more.
The rooftop terrace can accommodate plants or living walls to block the view from neighboring buildings. Of course, it’s possible to grow flowers, small trees, and all kinds of plants, provided the structure allows for it.
An Insulating Green Roof
If you decide not to develop your rooftop terrace—especially if it’s hard to access—keep in mind that you can put it to another use: a rooftop garden.
By choosing a green roof, you can indeed improve a building’s thermal insulation. Cooler summers and more energy-efficient winters (a gesture for the planet, since we all live under the same roof)—this is possible with rooftop vegetation, provided that various technical constraints (water drainage, structural weight, etc.) are taken into account.
Install solar panels or beehives on the roof
Another idea is to keep bees on your roof. Bees sometimes adapt well to urban weather conditions. Thanks to the nearby rooftop gardens, they’ll also be able to adapt more easily to their environment.
And if you’d like to take advantage of the constant sunshine in a different way, why not install solar panels? Saving energy by utilizing your rooftop space remains a very beneficial option.
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The rooftop terrace of your dreams… and the regulations
A rooftop terrace can, as its name suggests, serve as a terrace and therefore accommodate items such as furniture, decorations, or even a garden.
However, its implementation depends on a number of conditions, particularly administrative and structural ones.
First of all, some city governments prohibit the construction of rooftop terraces. Before you start thinking about where to place your patio chairs, be sure to check your municipality’s local zoning plan first.
Next, please note that you must obtain a building permit to install a rooftop terrace. If the property is part of a condominium complex, you’ll also need to obtain approval from the homeowners’ association.
It is also important to note that studies must be conducted in advance to ensure that the work will not compromise the building’s structural integrity. An architect must certify that the structure is capable of supporting the loads. The terrace must also comply with seismic standards for high-rise buildings.
Before beginning the work, you should also hire a roofer to ensure the roof is watertight. This involves installing a vapor barrier (to prevent moisture), a separation barrier (to keep incompatible chemical elements apart), thermal insulation, and a roof covering (to protect against extreme temperature fluctuations and harsh weather conditions).
Other safety measures: installing a guardrail. The guardrail must be at least 1 meter high, or 80 centimeters if the guardrail is more than 50 centimeters thick. It must have vertical bars spaced no more than 11 centimeters apart, or be solid and opaque. It must also include a 10- to 15-cm-high toe board, a handrail, and an intermediate rail at mid-height. Violating these regulations can result in a fine of up to 15,000 €, but more importantly, it can lead to falls.
A roof can easily become a high-quality living space when the right conditions for its development are met. Whether used as a garden, a terrace, or a green roof, a flat roof remains a space worth utilizing. A few extra square meters of living space high above the ground—why not take advantage of such a rare opportunity?
Do you have a real estate project in Bordeaux? Don’t wait—contact our real estate agency in Les Chartrons today.
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