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

They were a common sight on city rooftops: the roof house. A small structure that offered a convenient alternative to a roof hatch: you could easily access the stairs and still have room to store cushions. With a maximum area of ​​2 by 3 meters, there's plenty of room. It seems ideal, but in most districts, it's no longer permitted because a roof house is too high. Where a maximum height of 2,5 meters used to be permitted, this is no longer permitted.

What are the new rules?

The rules for roof terraces and extensions are not the same for every city and district.
First of all, the roof terrace must be 1,20 meters from the roof edge. This prevents any obstructing fencing from being visible. Furthermore, the maximum height of a roof extension is 1,20 meters. This is measured from the roof terrace floor. Because many houses require an additional load-bearing structure to support the terrace, a maximum height of 30 centimeters is possible for this structure. This 30 centimeters consists of a joist layer and the roof terrace floor.
The maximum surface area is 2 by 3 meters, otherwise it would be considered as a construction for a new floor.

What now? The Sliding Box as an alternative

Dutch Roof Design offers the unique Sliding Box: optimal access to the roof terrace. It's larger than a roof hatch and lower than a dormer. A breakthrough in roof terrace living, it's available as a freestanding, fully glazed unit or as a three-walled unit. 

• Customizable up to a maximum of 6 m2 (and even a maximum of 8,4 m2 for the freestanding Sliding Box)
• Height to be determined by yourself: 1200mm above the terrace floor is no problem
• Luxurious appearance increases value
• Can be opened electrically, can also be used for ventilation

Inspiration: view our projects

This 3-Wall Box adds enormous value to the house on Middenweg in Amsterdam. It provides convenient access, within the permit requirements, to a very spacious roof terrace. Every additional meter of living space counts.

We install the Sliding Boxes not only in major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, but also in the most beautiful locations throughout Europe. Like the one pictured below, for example, in Mallorca. What a dreamy view.

The Sliding Box not only provides a comfortable exit, but also brings plenty of skylight into the apartment.

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

Another example of a Three Wall Box. The two side walls are often easy to add yourself, and this even provides extra shelter.

In one of the busiest shopping streets in Ghent, apartments have been given convenient access to the roof terrace.

Poland has its own Riviera, and this beautiful rooftop terrace offers water views. Easy access with the Sliding Box, super deluxe.

Imagine living there, with a view of the Rijksmuseum. This Sliding Box opens onto a spacious roof terrace in the heart of Amsterdam.