What is a roof house and why is it not allowed?

There were plenty of them on city rooftops: the roof house. A small structure of as a fine alternative to a roof hatch: you can easily climb the stairs and there is still room to store cushions. With a maximum area of 2 by 3 metres, there is plenty of room for this. It seems ideal, but in most parts of the city it is no longer allowed because a roof hatch is too high. Where previously a maximum of 2.5 metres was allowed, it is no longer allowed.

What are the new rules?

The rules for roof terrace and construction are not the same for every city and district.

First of all, the roof terrace must have a distance of 1.20m from the edge of the roof. This way, no annoying fencing is visible. In addition, the maximum height of a roof structure is 1.20m. This is measured from the floor of the roof terrace. Because many houses require an extra load-bearing structure to support the terrace, a maximum height of 30 centimetres is possible for this structure. That 30 centimetres then consists of a beam layer with the roof terrace floor.

The maximum area is 2 by 3 metres, otherwise it would be seen as a build-up for a new floor.

What next? The Sliding Box as an alternative

Dutch Roof Design offers the unique Sliding Box: the optimal access to the roof terrace: larger than a roof hatch and lower than a roof house. It is a breakthrough in roof terrace life and can be supplied both freestanding fully glazed and between 3 walls.

• Can be made to measure up to a maximum of 6m2 (and even up to 8.4m2 for the freestanding Sliding Box)
• Customisable height: 1200mm above the terrace floor is no problem
• Luxury appearance increases value
• Electric opening, can also be used as ventilation

Inspiration: view our projects

This 3 Wall Box adds enormous value to the house on the Middenweg in Amsterdam. A comfortable access within the permit conditions to a very spacious roof terrace. Every metre of extra living pleasure counts.

We install the Sliding Boxes not only in major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, but also in the most beautiful places throughout Europe. As below, for example, on Mallorca. What a dream view.

The Sliding Box not only provides a comfortable exit, but also brings a lot of roof light into the apartment.

Want to see how such an installation works? Watch the video with beautiful drone footage of how the installation team installs this box on one of Amsterdam’s highest roof terraces.

Another example of a Three Wall Box. Often the two side walls are easy to add yourself and even provide additional shelter

In one of Gent’s busiest shopping streets, flats have been given access to a deluxe rooftop terrace.

Poland has its own Riviera, this beautiful rooftop terrace overlooks the water. Fine access with the Sliding Box, superdeluxe.

Just imagine living there, overlooking the Rijksmuseum. This Sliding Box gives access to a spacious roof terrace in the heart of Amsterdam.