This is unlikely to be relevant to the present conversation, but maybe someone else sometime in the future (hello future urban loft builder
)
One of the things I did with my loft extension was to get the flat roof made to a higher spec so I could go up there to sit about and enjoy the view. The architect took me up top to show me the view and talk about how he was grabbing extra headspace with the roof ridge and innovative guttering etc and I said "And how will I be able to access the roof?" He looked at me and went "...?" I said "You can't show me this view and then take it away from me!"
So we added an extra skylight and made sure it was possible to stand on the flat roof without causing damage. Obviously we couldn't put in any kind of retainer (that would make it too high for planning permission) but it was fucking wonderful to be able to go up there and lay about in the sun or have a drink and watch the sun go down over Brixton.
I had a wooden window cleaner's ladder up there (so you could negotiate the top more easily) and a big basket on a rope. It was a bit of a drag to get everything up there by passing shit up through the skylight from the ladder and haul it up with the basket. but oh so worth it.
Had I to do it again, I would design in some kind of disguised step system on the wall beside the skylight to make it easier to get stuff up and down, but it was too late to make such changes by the time I saw the view.
I liked the way it wasn't an official stairway to heaven access route; it took me back to illicit roof parties of my youth. I did think of putting planters up there but decided against it for pretty obvious reasons (maintenance of the plants, maintenance of the roof).
Nothing was higher than the roof in the vicinity, cos it was a residential area, so I could be up there in complete privacy. It was excellent.
It also meant I never had to worry that going up there for inspect or repair would ever cause damage to the flat roof (heavy boots, dropped hammers etc). I know that's unlikely, but flat roofs being what they are, it's always been a niggle for me.
One thing though: someone left a brush loaded with some kind of glue on the edge of the roof, obviously meaning to bring it in at the last moment, and it was fused to the roof like something from the Philadelphia Experiment. Allways, always, always snag after the last snagger has left. Always. Always always.
This wasn't just a loft extension, it was a total renovation of the entire house. Hadn't been touched since the 70s, stripped back to the brick, walls moved around etc. It was essentially a new build inside the old skin. It was a great adventure. Given the right circumstances I'd love to do it again.
We should have a floor-ceiling window on one side though.
