Philadelphia Weekly

Illustration by Elizabeth Graeber

There are a couple "no duh" rules about building the perfect rooftop deck: 1) Make sure whatever you put on top of your crib has significant weight so as not to rain down on you and yours when that big gust of wind inevitably blows. 2) Check that your roof is properly waterproofed.

Other than that, it's a wide-open playing field.

Now more than ever, America is swimming in a Bobby Flay Grillin' and Chillin'-soaked universe where entertaining for friends is as common as talking shit about them. Hell, Oprah dedicates entire shows to it. And in Philadelphia--where backyards are the size of jail cells with views of trash-strewn alleys--would-be barbecue chefs and sangria sippers have taken to rooftops, where the views are spectacular and Billy Penn can be winked at from even the southest of South Philly.

Today's roof decks are being turned into oases, and are often used as a selling point by realtors, "especially in Center City and areas like Queen Village, Bella Vista and Northern Liberties, where outdoor space is limited," says young, hip Coldwell Banker Preferred real estate agent (and former PW arts and entertainment editor) Holly Mack-Ward.

She continues, "Homeowners are making the most of their rooftop decks by making them into another room of the house with gas lines for grills, electrical and plumbing lines, outdoor speakers and nice furniture."

Plumbing lines? Ew.

Mack-Ward has also seen an increase in "green roofs," as people have become more environmentally aware, and says closing deals on homes with viable rooftop decks is easier than closing on homes without them. "If it comes down to two houses a buyer is trying to choose between--and everything else being equal--it's a no-brainer they'll go with the one with the deck, even if it means spending a little more," she says. "Like upgraded kitchens and baths, rooftop decks add value and are one of the better selling points when it comes to resale."

Get thee to Home Depot, grab a hammer, nails and some patio accessories, and get to work. You'll find everything you're looking for and some things you might not have even known about, like weatherproofed tiles made especially for roof decks.

Anna Powers, design maven and owner of Busybee Design, suggests the bright orange tiles with holes cut out for a bit more ooh-la-la. These small wood panels fasten together like life-size puzzle pieces and make turning your vast expanse of drab asphalt into a high church of relaxation and entertainment easier than you might imagine.

But we know. It feels like the underside of Satan's ball sac out there, and you're not even trying to design and build your own deck, no matter how simple.

That's fine. Hire an expert.

Enter Adam Montalbano, principal of Moto DesignShop Inc. He cautions would-be Bob Vilas with this bit of advice: "To create an optimum roof oasis you must examine the costs, existing structure, environmental impact and surrounding conditions, which all factor into what can be accomplished on any particular roof. Probably the most important thing to keep in mind is if the existing house can support the added weight. Many of Philadelphia's old homes have very thin roof joists with little or no insulation, so you should first check with a professional."

Of course if you already have a deck, and are just looking to spruce it up, you're halfway there.

Montalbano suggests a fresh coat of paint and a couple of potted plants. If your deck is old and could use some work, he suggests woods like cedar and teak as replacements for the rotted spots. "They're great for exterior use. They require little to no maintenance, and only get more beautiful as they age," he says.

Powers agrees with Montalbano on the plant front, and suggests tall planters from Ikea that can support topiary trees. Also pertinent: lanterns. "Mood and lighting are so important to the ambience of a roof deck. Buy inexpensive hurricanes to block the wind, and tea lights, and position them on the edges of the deck."

Oh, man. If you need us, we'll be on the roof.