How to Design Roof Decks for Kids

Assess your children's ability to obey and follow boundaries, an important first qualifier when thinking about designing a children's roof deck. Tall fences are strong safety measures, but as school psychologist Barbara L. Minton writes in Natural News.com, “Many parents have a hard time setting boundaries for their children because they are afraid that if they do, their child won't like them. Some parents also feel that setting limits restricts their child's creativity or sense of exploration.” Ponder this before you proceed.

Measure the roof deck space that’s earmarked for the project and either plug the dimensions into a computer-driven CAD layout software program or sketch the parameters of the layout on a pad of paper. Ask a roofing professional for his expert review to identify areas that could be problematic down the road. Address these issues.

Apply for permits and/or licenses that local government requires for architectural build-outs. You may be asked to present your building project plan to a city board, zoning commission or another agency. While you’re there, ask about restrictions on types and styles of fencing permissible on rooftops in your area to avoid buying safety fencing that’s not in compliance with local codes.

Compare various grades of recycled rubber product surfaces to find one that fits your budget. Recycled tires ground down and poured into sheets of surfacing carpet or mulch-like products are gaining popularity on school playgrounds and recreation areas around the globe. Price other rooftop surface materials if you like, but before you write the check, read more on the topic of how recycled rubber surfacing products have reduced the risk of injury to kids.

Devote one section of the roof deck to a children's garden by framing up sections of lumber to create beds for flowers and plants. Line the bottom of the beds with tarps or other industrial waterproof sheeting and lay down a piping system that will allow water runoff to be routed along the lines of the building’s rainwater diversion system. Add soil and let the kids select their plants.

Install the fence and add the fun. Your amenities are limited only by your budget, the age of your children and size of the roof deck. Pop-up tents don’t cost a fortune and they make fun play, nap and out-of-the-sun enclaves. Add beefy, waterproof storage bins to stow toys, sleeping mats and gardening tools.