The construction of a terrace or veranda in a country house or a country house is a classic of the genre. Well, if there is not enough space for building on the site, then you can use such a fashionable idea as a rooftop terrace. This option is possible if the house has a flat attic or roof.
Such an architectural solution is quite popular today, however, many developers mistakenly call the resulting structure a balcony, although it does not protrude beyond the walls.
Practical plane of roofs
Device do-it-yourself flat roof belongs to the simplest category. Such a roof can express a certain architectural design, even without being used.
However, neglecting the opportunity to equip an excellent place to relax without taking up a single meter of the site would, perhaps, be unreasonable. Therefore, we will consider the arrangement option if the flat roof is supposed to be exploited.
How to make a slope on a flat roof?
Despite its name, a design such as flat standard roof, involves the device of a slight slope so that it is possible to properly organize the flow of water that falls in the form of precipitation.
To form a slope, the following types of material are used, as a rule:
- Expanded clay concrete.
- Polystyrene concrete.
The device of a flat roof obliges a funnel to drain water in the center of the roof.
Advice! So that in the off-season the water in the weirs does not freeze, the funnels should be equipped with electric heating.
Further construction of the roofing "pie" to form the floor of the future terrace
A layer of heat-insulating material should be placed on the concrete base.
Advice! To protect the insulation from getting wet due to steam coming from the inside, a vapor barrier membrane material should be laid under it.
Mineral wool or expanded polystyrene can be used as a heater. The latter option is even more preferable, as it is able to withstand significant loads during the operation of the roof. As a rule, it is required to lay two layers of insulation.
As a waterproofing layer that protects the insulation from moisture falling out of the atmosphere, modern membrane materials are used.
When laying waterproofing, special attention should be paid to areas where the roof adjoins the wall, since these places are the most vulnerable to moisture penetration.
The following methods are used to attach membranes:
- Ballast attachment. A cheap and effective method, but not suitable where you need to eliminate additional load.
- Fastening on special self-tapping screws. This method is suitable for PVC and TPO membranes.
- Gluing with bituminous glue. This option is used if strong wind loads are applied to the roof.
Terrace floor covering
Most often, wood is used to cover the floor on the terrace located on the roof. Even if the terrace is equipped with a roof, wood that is resistant to moisture, such as teak, should be taken.
Advice! To cover the floor on the terrace, you can purchase a special terrace board, which combines wood and polymer materials.
Also, as a finish for the floor, you can take ceramic tiles or synthetic materials.
Structural elements of the roof terrace
An obligatory element is such a detail as a roof parapet. Its main purpose is to ensure the safety of people. Parapets are carried out as a continuation of the wall or as stair railings. In the latter case, forged gratings can be used.
Another important element is the exit from the house to the terrace. It is advisable to equip it in the form of a covered structure so that the interior of the house is reliably protected from the weather.
The terrace itself can be open, or partially or even completely covered by a roof. An interesting option is a removable or retractable awning.
If you wish, you can make a completely enclosed terrace with glazing and heating or installing a fireplace or a barbecue grill. True, when choosing the latter option, special attention should be paid to fire safety, choosing non-combustible finishing materials.
The most difficult option is, of course, the construction of a closed terrace. The same requirements apply to the installation of a fixed roof of this additional room as to the roof of a house.
That is, it must be durable (withstand snow and wind loads), well waterproofed, and its design must be in harmony with the decoration of the house. At the same time, it is necessary to choose light building materials so as not to create additional load on the supporting structures of the house.
It is much easier to make a temporary fabric canopy, for this it is enough to install supports on which the awning will be stretched.
Conclusion
Terraces can be built in different ways. It can be a simple summer playground, furnished with light furniture. And an impressive building with flower beds, lawns and a mini-pool.
However, what will be the terrace on the roof of the house depends mainly on the desire of the owner. And also, on what load the foundation of the house and the roof structure can withstand.
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