Comments on: Stacking the decks

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 02:08:13 +0000

Hmm you could be right about the price comparison, Mike. I was thinking a lot of the cost of the deck is in the actual deck material, but you would know better than I how much the foundation costs.

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:35:21 +0000

Eric: Yep, rooftop gardens are definitely cool. Especially with vegetable gardens. Not sure how they aren’t even more expensive than rooftop decks though since you’re basically building the same thing, plus plants and irrigation.

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 06:50:33 +0000

“If you have any sort of view whatsoever, you should have a rooftop deck.”

Or a rooftop garden designed with entertaining guests in mind. It can be costly to build all the foundation required for planting things (even trees) on a roof, but usually for far less than a deck like this, and definitely more wallet- and earth-friendly when it comes to keeping the house naturally insulated in both cold and heat.

And then of course if you were so inclined, you could also grow edible stuff.

By: Nic

Nic — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:48:28 +0000

We have a very slightly sloped metal roof.

In addition, modern roof construction methods, i.e. site-formed continuous metal sheeting, mean much less chance of leaking because there are no seams on the fall.

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:21:53 +0000

Diane: Your roof is made of rock? That sounds interesting. Or is that not what it sounds like?

Jernej: Well, there are flat roofs and there are flat roofs. My neighbors have a “truly flat roof” which exhibits some of the problems you mention. Nowadays, I believe code requires that even flat roofs have enough angle to them (several degrees) such that moisture flows tidily into the gutters. So I guess to say we have a totally flat roof is a bit of a misnomer. We have a very slightly sloped metal roof.

By: Jernej

Jernej — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:20:08 +0000

The reason for few flat roofs is pretty simple… leaking. Let’s face it, water will get through somewhere. Sure they might look good but in general the least complicated the roof is the less problems you’re going to have. I’ll be curious to read about your experience with this house after a year or two.

By: Cameron Maltby

Cameron Maltby — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:30:19 +0000

A most enjoyable and informative blog. Thank you for dedicating the time to communicate the experience! If a client asks me to explain the process of constructing a home, I direct them to this site.

Congratulations on your new home. I hope it brings a lifetime of joy.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:20:30 +0000

Mike, I’ve been keeping up with your blog and this house is so fabulous. The decks and hot tub are awesome. You made the most of the view. We have a flat rock roof and a great view so it’s giving me food for thought. Don’t know if we can manage it but it’s worth considering.

By: Mike D.

Mike D. — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:13:29 +0000

Ha! Yeeeeeeeah, definitely didn’t mean blow of fat. I think the girlfriend just corrected me on this last week but apparently it didn’t sink in. Changing…

By: Julien

Julien — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:53:09 +0000

You probably mean “coup de grâce” (blow of mercy) in the 4th paragraph… right now you’re saying “blow of fat”! Thanks for this inspiring series of posts by the way, the transparency in terms of costs is very useful and the end result is absolutely stunning!