Spring Has Sprung – Making The Most Of Your Roof Terrace

Now that spring has finally arrived, we are all looking towards the future and the potentially warmer and sunnier months ahead.

With the joy of summer comes the ability to take greater advantage of your outdoor areas – be it a garden, balcony or roof terrace. You can’t put a price on spending quality time outside basking in the sun, relaxing with family or enjoying a good BBQ with friends.

For those of you with a roof terrace to speak of, you may be thinking about how you can keep this space in order and prepare for the season. Allow us to provide you with just a few ideas…

Keep the flat roof in good order

Firstly, ask yourself whether the roof terrace in good order. Have you noticed any signs of leakage beneath it? If this is the case, there is likely to be an issue with the roofing membrane. Be it cracking, splitting or any other type of damage. As this will occur beneath your outdoor flooring e.g. paving slabs, decking, the most obvious signs will come from below as the flooring will obscure your view of the roofing system. If your roof terrace sits atop a garage or room within your home, check the ceiling for any signs of damp or water damage.

If the roofing membrane is damaged in such a way, flat roof repairs will need to be undertaken. Depending upon the type of roofing membrane used, it may prove to be more cost-effective or generally efficient, to install an altogether new roofing system.

One option is of course our very own roofing material, ClassicBond EPDM, which is an ideal roofing system for flat roof applications such as roof terraces and balconies.

Once you’ve determined that your roofing membrane is ship shape (and nursed it back to health as necessary!), turn your attention to the outdoor flooring. Be it standard patio slabs, decking or any other paving option, it will be important to ensure these are well placed and in good health for another year of use. Are they safe? Do they provide good walkability? Missing or broken tiles or slabs will need replacing.

The floor may also require a good clean, in which case a power washer may come in very handy!

Show your outdoor furniture some TLC

If your furniture has been outside and exposed to the elements for any length of time, chances are that it shall require some TLC. Be it a good wash, wipe down or polish depending on the material. Alternatively, if your outdoor furniture has been stored away during the colder months, you may have to dust away any cobwebs before resuming their use.

You should also consider your furniture needs for the year ahead – will you require any additional items such as tables and chairs to cater for a growing family or friendship circle? Perhaps your furniture is looking a little dated or no longer in-line with your tastes. If this is the case, shop around for replacements as needed.

Outdoor furniture can be picked up from specialist stores, garden centres, home retailers and even supermarkets. Not to mention online! With so many options, there really are no excuses not to find affordable replacements to suit your tastes.

Spruce things up

Is your old outdoor furniture looking a little shabby or neglected? Why not consider sprucing things up with some new cushions or covers?

Your rooftop makeover doesn’t have to stop there. Is your outdoor lighting up to scratch for another year? How about investing in some nice, new pot plants and flowers to add some life? Or perhaps some garden ornaments, trellises or even a herb garden?

For those of you with children, a small sandpit or paddling pool may be just the ticket.

Whatever you opt for, it is your duty to turn your roof terrace into a personal outdoor retreat, so accessorise and improve it accordingly.

You may also want to turn your attention towards outdoor catering in the form of a BBQ, or invest in that beautiful new set of outdoor dinnerware that you’ve had your eye on…

Safety & security are key

When it comes to roof terrace enjoyment, safety and security needs to be paramount. This is especially vital when children are going to be using the space. So take care to keep the fences and walls or any other protective barrier in place to maximise safety for little ones.

Security wise, consider using a motion sensitive security light to alert you to any intruders. Also be sure to check the access points – are the doors and windows locking securely?

Relax & enjoy the space

Lastly, get outside and take advantage of your outdoor space! Check the weather forecast and next time the sun emerges, why not fire up the BBQ and invite some friends or relatives over for a leisurely afternoon or evening together?

Thanks for reading and here’s to a wonderful Spring/Summer 2013!