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If you’d like to give your home more kerb appeal, chances are you’re thinking along the lines of a new driveway, replacement windows, or a paint refresh. But don’t rule out a roof project when it comes to increasing your property’s exterior look and market value.
Take a look at these ten ideas for transforming an everyday roof into something functional, inspirational, and just plain different to the other houses in your street.
1. Install solar panels
One of the most popular modifications you can make to your roof is to have solar panels fitted.
One surefire way to keep energy costs down is to generate your own energy. Solar panels help you capture the sun’s energy and convert it into a usable form. With solar panels and the associated technology, you can generate electricity for your home, heat your water, and even create a backup source of electricity for use during power cuts.
2. Install skylight windows
Do you have a lot of usable space in your loft? If so, you’ve probably pondered the idea of converting your roof space into one or more bedrooms or living areas. The only problem, of course, is that your roof has no windows!
This is where skylight windows come in. They’re often called Velux windows after the brand name, but skylight windows are simply a style of window fitted to sloped walls (such as tiled roof areas).
You can choose from a wide range of different styles, sizes, and colours, just as you can with ordinary windows fitted elsewhere in a home.
3. Create a rooftop terrace
If you’ve got plenty of space on your roof and already have a loft conversion, how about creating a rooftop terrace?
This is an excellent way to enjoy some breathtaking views from an elevated section of your home – especially if your house faces an attractive point of interest or landmark.
Rooftop terraces will allow you to enjoy a morning coffee, an evening glass of wine, or even a spot of stargazing with a telescope.
4. Make a rooftop garden
Some homeowners don’t have the luxury of a private garden space. If that’s a problem you experience with your house, and you don’t want to move elsewhere, all is not lost.
It’s possible to convert some of your unused roof space into a rooftop garden. Such a modification is very popular and means that you can create some green space where you can grow container plants and relax in the fresh air.
5. Install a rooftop hot tub
A rooftop hot tub might seem like a crazy idea, but it’s ideal for flat roof properties.
Adding one to a house with a standard pitched roof might even be possible, but bear in mind you may need to convince your local council’s planning officers that it’s a good idea for your home.
Logistics aside, imagine soaking in your hot tub on a clear summer’s evening while enjoying the view, all from the confines of your home!
6. Fit a motorised satellite dish
Do you enjoy having access to hundreds of digital TV channels at your fingertips? If so, you likely have a satellite or cable TV subscription to provide such services on demand. However, they usually only offer a limited selection of channels.
In the UK, it’s possible to view TV channels marketed for other regions and countries, and you can easily make that happen by installing a motorised satellite dish on your roof.
Coupled with the right technology, you can access a virtually unlimited selection of satellite TV channels worldwide for a broader, more enhanced entertainment experience.
7. Set up a rainwater harvesting system
What if there was a way you could use some water in and around your home for free? The perfect way to achieve that goal is through a rooftop rainwater harvesting system.
Whenever it rains (which is likely for most of the year in the UK), you can use your roof to collect the rainwater and distribute it via your drain pipes to water butts or storage tanks. You can then use it in the garden and for outdoor cleaning.
8. Create a living roof
Have you ever noticed how some houses have vegetation growing on their roofs? You might think those are extreme cases of homeowners not maintaining their properties, but it’s actually deliberate.
Rooftops covered in grass and plants serve multiple purposes. For example, they help keep homes insulated, and they absorb the sun’s energy which can lower indoor temperatures during the summer months. A living roof can also look really great.
9. Add something artistic
The above examples are undoubtedly practical and functional ideas for your house. But you could also do something completely different and highly unconventional when it comes to roof projects.
One idea might be to unleash your creative freedom on your roof by turning it into a work of art. Take the home of the late BBC Radio Oxford presenter Bill Heine. He commissioned a life-size shark replica and had it installed on his roof, much to the bemusement of his neighbours!
10. Install sun tunnels
Lastly, if you’re looking at ways to keep your energy costs down, one way to reduce your spending on lighting is by installing some sun tunnels or “sun pipes” on your roof.
These use acrylic domes to receive sunlight and magnify it through light diffusers to rooms inside the house. Sun tunnels provide an excellent natural light source and require no electricity to operate, unlike conventional ceiling lighting.
As you can see, there are lots of roof projects that can make your property look good, cut down on utility bills, and improve quality of life in your home. By deciding on your priorities at the start, you’ll be able to choose the best option for your needs and budget.
Catherine
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