fbpx
  • October

    1

    2021
Renovating a Rooftop Terrace in Italy

Renovating a Rooftop Terrace in Italy

Living in a townhouse in one of Le Marche’s small hilltop villages (borghi) guarantees complete immersion into a small Italian community. These historic houses are usually much bigger than they look and several hide hidden treasures such as vaulted basements, period features or large, secret rooftop terraces that can’t be seen from the cobbled streets they reside on.

One of our recent projects was in a 400 year old stone-brick home that spread over three floors and came with a spacious vaulted basement, a multitude of large high-walled rooms, two family bathrooms and the pièce de résistance, a large rooftop terrace that overlooked the entire town and offered sweeping views from the Sibillini Mountains all the way down to the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea.

Italian rooftop renovation views
The views from the Italian rooftop terrace were fantastic
Italian rooftop terrace renovations
The sea view from the Italian rooftop terrace was fantastic

DREAM OF RETIRING TO ITALY?

move to italy experience

Take the first step to your new life in Italy by spending five days with us in Le Marche to gain all the advice you need.

View Italian homes for sale specific to your requirements

Get the facts from our expert property lawyer

House-hunt with trusted real estate agents

– Dine with fellow expats who made the move and hear their stories first-hand

SIGN UP TO JOIN OUR WAITLIST

RENOVATING AN ITALIAN ROOFTOP: DISMANTLING AN UNUSABLE ROOM

When the home’s new owners contacted us, they asked us for ideas about how to utilise the terrace space to create a functioning area for the family to enjoy during their Italian vacations.

A large low-roofed structure (that forced us to duck as we entered it) had been added during the 1980s and took up a vast amount of room, making it difficult for outdoor gatherings and for the family to enjoy one of their favourite pastimes, holding barbecues.

Without this structure that housed a small kitchenette which led into a utility room, the rooftop terrace area would be a vast 27 metres square, so we all agreed that as it served no real purpose, it had to go! We would keep the utility room as it was great for storage and add a doorway to it to create a separate room, with the option of adding a small area for cooking inside it at a later date. As we were having our plumber install a new water system in the house, he recommended fitting a new boiler in this room and plumbed in a new sink and washing machine at the same time, giving the room a practical purpose.

Our ingegnere Gabriele completed the necessary paperwork required to remove the external structure and as soon as permission was granted, our builder Middio would begin to dismantle it.

This would open up the terrace to create a clean, smooth and spacious outdoor area.

Italian rooftop renovation
The rooftop held an unusable room that took up valuable space
Italian rooftop terrace renovation

NEW DOORS & WINDOWS

Our wonderful window and door specialists are true artisans. Creating bespoke pieces from their local workshop, they designed and installed a new exterior door to the balcony to replace the one made of ancient plywood that was currently in use, and customised one that matched as an entrance to the new utility room.

The window that looked out onto the roof terrace allowed light to flood the indoor stairwell that ran through the house but was in poor condition so we asked them to make a new bespoke frame containing double glazed safety tempered light reflective glass, this would ensure that plenty of light entered the house without the glare from the sun and any of the intense midday heat.

REPLASTERING & PAINTING

The terrace walls were white. Brilliant, bright, gleaming white that made our eyes squint when they reflected the sunshine. The family would either need to wear sunglasses at all times up here or we would tone down the glare that emanated from these old structures.

To maintain a uniform look, and ensure that a historically protected area keeps its period feel, each local commune (council) has a list of colours that are permitted to be applied to the exteriors of homes, which includes walls, windows, roofs and window shutters. Ripatransone, the town in which this house is situated, has a palette of pastels to choose from, so together with the home’s new owners we opted to paint the terrace walls in a soft peach that held light pink undertones. This would blend beautifully with the terracotta roof and matching floor tiles, as well as the hues used on neighbouring buildings.

We joined our builder Middio in replastering the terrace walls and balcony columns, blown and flaky from years of cement fixes and tired old paint, to prepare them for a fresh new look.

Finally, the rusty iron rail that enclosed the terrace was sanded and repainted black.

READ MORE: RENOVATING A HOUSE IN ITALY (PART ONE)

Italian rooftop renovation
Once the structure was removed, we were able to have the terrace walls replastered
With walls replastered, we painted them and enjoyed the view at the same time!

RENOVATING AN ITALIAN ROOFTOP TERRACE FLOOR

The floor was the area that needed the most attention. The old cream tiles were cracked and uneven, as no adequate draining or guttering had ever been installed. These would need to be removed before Middio would level the exposed flooring, and finally new tiles would be laid. Our clients chose terracotta brick to keep within the feel of the area and Davide’s expertise in stonemasonry ensured that he laid all tiles evenly and perfectly, before we grouted them.

The long sunny days ensured that we were all very tanned by the end of the project!

READ MORE: ITALIAN BATHROOM DESIGN – BEFORE & AFTER

Italian rooftop terrace renovation
Middio replastered the terrace walls
Italian rooftop terrace renovations
Davide tiled and grouted the new rooftop terrace floor

RENOVATING AN ITALIAN ROOFTOP TERRACE: BEFORE & AFTER

Italian rooftop terrace renovation
We met our clients one wintry morning together with our ingeniere to discuss our ideas for the terrace renovation
Italian rooftop terrace renovation
New windows, doors, tiles and replastered walls ensured that the terrace was now a useable area for the whole family
Italian rooftop terrace renovation
The old roof structure had a low ceiling and served no purpose
Italian rooftop terrace renovation
Now it looks so much better!
Italian rooftop renovation
Once the structure was removed, we were able to have the terrace walls replastered
Italian rooftop terrace renovation
With the works completed, the terrace is now spacious and offers fantastic views

For plenty more before, during, and after images, follow us on Facebook & Instagram.

GET A TASTE OF LIVING IN ITALY

events in italy - move to Italy experience

During our “Move to Italy Experience”, held in our 17th century farmhouse in the quiet hills of Le Marche, receive the latest legal advice from our lawyer, visit homes for sale with our estate agents, meet fellow expats for top tips on moving to Italy, and escape the world for five days while you experience idyllic Italian life.

SIGN UP TO JOIN OUR WAITLIST

Welcome!
free webinar d&g design

We are Davide & Gary, and we renovate vacation homes in Italy’s beautiful Le Marche region.

Latest Posts
As Seen In...
© Copyright 2023 D&G Design