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As many of you know, we moved into a three-story townhome with a roof deck earlier this year. The roof deck was a blank canvas, but we are almost complete with our enhancements. Just in time for the holidays and family visiting – along with having some of our HDM team over for lunch!

But first, let’s talk about the difference between a roof deck and other outdoor living. In Florida, because of the intense sun and rain, most outdoor living spaces are covered. This was not the case with our roof deck as there is only minimal cover over the door and the TV wall. This is not by accident as a larger covered area is prohibited under the zoning code. Other than this minimally covered area, our deck also included two wall mounted lights, an outlet for a TV, gas hook up, and a hose bib. A blank slate indeed.

Because the townhome is alley-loaded, the roof is our only outdoor living space. And since my husband, Guy, loves to grill – an outdoor grill was a must. After much investigation, he was able to find an awesome outdoor kitchen assembly that included a sink, marine grade grill, base cabinets for storage, and a couple of under-counter outdoor refrigerators. The layout includes the grill in the uncovered area, so a hood is not required. The TV is mounted on the wall 90 degrees from the grill and away from the heat and smoke.

The L shaped kitchen fit the space beautifully but presented some challenges. It did not come with a countertop, so we selected a granite countertop custom made to our layout. We selected a pattern that wouldn’t show water spots and wanted to avoid black because it the constant sun exposure. The challenge was getting this heavy L-shape slab of granite to the roof. Carrying up four floors of not straight-run stairs wasn’t possible, so we had to use a lift to get it up there.

Another challenge to our awesome roof deck was protection from the sun. We initially looked at a triangular canvas stretching from the outdoor kitchen, over the sitting area, and tied to a couple of poles. Then we researched the best placement to block the sun. We quickly discovered the canvas didn’t cover enough area to shade us from the sun at various parts of the day, not to mention the ever-changing angle of the sun with the seasons. What we needed was flexibility, so we opted instead for two large umbrellas that could move across the deck on wheels and could tilt to block the sun.

The umbrellas offer only minimal protection from the rain, so it’s more of a fair weather solution.

The next challenge to our roof deck living experience is light. The two wall mounted scones weren’t enough to light the entire deck, and with no ceiling to mount any kind of lights, we opted for string lights. I find them a fun form of lighting and at night – they add a “ceiling” and a cozy sense of enclosure.

Like many outdoor living spaces, we divided ours into various zones and functions. Of course, we have a pair of outdoor couches looking at the TV. We also have a dining table and chairs so we can enjoy Guy’s expertly grilled delights.

And with these cooler, shorter days, the addition of a fire table was the perfect touch to add warmth and ambience.

Challenges

Admittedly, the roof deck still presents us with some challenges. Without cover, the outdoor cushions get wet and dirty quickly. We also have to guard against the wind things over – especially during hurricane season (maybe even over the side!) Oh – and since we only had a hose bib for water – we don’t have a drain. Currently the sink is covered and has a bucket underneath. When it gets full, we need to empty it by hand onto the deck where it will flow beneath the decking and into the downspouts. Not ideal, but we’re making the best of it.

A rooftop deck gives townhome living a unique selling point – it’s important to showcase how to make the most of these spaces to prospective buyers and get them envisioning how they would customize to their own liking. I’m certainly looking forward to enjoying mine during the holidays – and especially as it warms up again!

If you’re looking for some more information on how to build a roof deck and the challenges with construction, you could refer to a previous blog on roof decks.