With property prices and urban density increasing across the country, homeowners and property managers are understandably trying to get the most out of their existing homes or apartments. With this surge in maximizing space, many are creating rooftop decks to achieve a relaxation or entertainment space that doesn’t require additional square footage.

If you’re thinking about transforming your rooftop space into a functional roof deck for guests and tenants to enjoy, keep in mind these five important things you should know before you get started.

1. Pick a material that will stay cool

If you’re considering an open-air roof deck for your property, then it’s likely that you live in a warm climate. Whether it’s the arid desert, a tropical oasis or a big city, many parts of the country heat up rapidly in summer, especially as climate change gets more significant. With this in mind, it’s best to choose a rooftop deck paver that won’t get too hot when the sun is out.

Although you’ll likely want to soak up the sun on your new roof deck, you don’t want it to be too warm for comfort. Choose a paver type that will stay cool even under direct sunlight, such as Tile Tech’s Cool Roof pavers. Whereas some wood and synthetic pavers can become uncomfortably hot under direct sunlight, porcelain outdoor deck tiles and Cool Roof paver products will stay at a comfortable temperature all year long.

2. Take advantage of LEED credits

If you’re renovating a large commercial facility, you may be eligible for LEED credits if your project is considered eco-friendly. Having a LEED-certified project will help you attract additional investors and even market to future tenants.

You can earn LEED credits by adopting eco-friendly design features such as Cool Roof porcelain pavers and green roof plant trays. Cool Roof pavers reduce your building’s heat absorption and heat transfer, allowing you to use less energy and reduce your carbon footprint. In addition to offering a valuable visual appeal that attracts tenants, green roofs also improve your building’s energy efficiency and reduce the urban heat island effect.

3. Consider more than just wood pavers

Many people immediately think of wood when beginning their roof deck installation journey, likely due to its rustic outdoor feel. However, hardwood can be temperamental and hard to maintain outdoors, so it’s also best to consider more durable decking materials.

Porcelain outdoor paving tiles are a popular option because they’re specially manufactured to be durable and low-maintenance. They can withstand all four seasons and any weather you throw at them, all without any sealing required. Porcelain deck tiles are slip-resistant, wear-resistant, water-resistant, and more. They also come in hundreds of customizable style variations, including wood-look tiles so that you can bring your exact design vision to life.

4. Make your greenery low-maintenance with rooftop turf

As mentioned before, green roofs are a valuable addition to any rooftop space because of their visual appeal and environmental benefits. However, maintaining live plants can be more work than some are willing to invest. If that’s the case, you can still enjoy a verdant look without the work, thanks to turf trays.

Artificial turf is a popular landscaping solution for roof decks because of its lightweight, low-maintenance practicalities. You don’t need to install soil, you never need to re-sod, and watering is never required to keep your outdoor space green. Use synthetic grass products with Tile Tech’s innovative turf tray installation system to achieve beautiful, perfectly installed rooftop turf in just a matter of hours.

5. Allow for substructure access

No matter what paving product or installation method you use, it’s inevitable that you’ll have to repair or replace your rooftop deck at some point. Roofs have to be replaced every twenty years on average, so installing your roof deck using a method that allows substructure access will save you significant time and money in the future.

By utilizing Tile Tech’s innovative adjustable pedestals, you can remove and replace individual tiles as they become damaged. You can also remove tiles to access the area under your roof deck, allowing you to run electrical wiring, drainage systems, and more under your deck and out of sight of tenants. If you want to work smarter, not harder, Tile Tech’s adjustable pedestal system is the perfect long-term solution.

No matter what you need to transform your rooftop deck, Tile Tech’s dozens of innovative deck pavers will help you bring your vision to life. Paired with our adjustable pedestals, installation is easy, quick and cost-effective. If you’d like to learn more about Tile Tech’s full range of products and services, including porcelain pavers and ipe wood pavers, give us a call at (888) 380-5575 or fill out our online contact form. We’re always happy to provide you with a free product sample, catalog or quote for your next project.