Roof Terraces – why are they so popular, and what are the typical trends in London?

While the role of cities within society – namely, housing millions of residents – was tested in the recent years, it’s hard to argue against moving to the UK’s greatest metropolitan regions.

London, of course, is  the epicentre and has been for many years. And, although the capital’s population is set to decline for the first time since the 80s, it’s surely a blip on the radar.

The introduction of roof terraces, making green spaces accessible to London’s population, has changed the way people think about city living. In this post, we’ll look at 4 key trends for those terraces that aren’t going away any time soon.

Roof Terraces exploit tall spaces

London residents have had to get creative with limited space.. With almost 10 million people calling the capital home, ground space is at a premium. Therefore people with real estate have decided to exploit the space they have by extending upwards rather than outwards.

There’s an obvious financial incentive for developers, as a access to green space adds significantly to property values. Of course, mental well-being is also a hot topic, and a roof terrace’s greenery provides comfort against the backdrop of skyscrapers and concrete buildings. Combine the stress-relieving aspects of plants and flowers with a hot tub, and it’s not hard to see why this design trend isn’t going away!

Using modern principles

Modernity isn’t anything new. However, it is within the design principles of developers. Mixing classical roof terraces with contemporary blueprints is essential as the typically minimalist styles incentivise space even further, allowing property owners to get more bang for their buck.

Modernist properties are more than clean lines, although they are massively important within the process. What people love is how the likes of outward opening doors connect spaces seamlessly, leaving no room for clunky transitions. Merely open the door and walk out into an outdoor space that’s at one with the rest of the building. Simple and practical is back, and settles in for the long haul.

Roof Terraces & Sky Gardens in London by Valley Provincial

Embracing the environment

The way in which buildings and the planet work together is becoming more and more important every day. With the environment at such a perilous point, developers and property owners need to keep eco-friendly measures in mind.

There’s been a revolution in green technologies in recent years, many of which can be found on London’s roof terraces. For instance, not only are they excellent places for solar panels, but they add another layer of insulation. Also, decorating populated regions and boroughs with plants and flowers helps to reduce the carbon footprint.

Roof Terraces – Safety is key

Like the environment, safety awareness is of all importance. Using Timber on terraces is becoming more problematic, but ingenious design concepts and constantly evolving products are helping these issues.

Switching timber for aluminium is an effective solution, as is using composite materials, ensuring materials are fire-retardant or fire-resistant to limit damage and prevent situations from escalating out of control.

If you’re searching for the best ways to implement current roof terrace trends, Valley Provincial can help. Speak to a dedicated member of our team now to get the ball rolling.