Terrace

A terrace is a level, open-air area directly linked to the inside of a building and used as outdoor living space. It may be paving at ground level opening onto a garden, or it may sit on the roof of a lower storey or on a set-back upper floor of a stepped building. Compared with a balcony, it is usually larger and tends to rest on the structure or ground below rather than on a cantilever.

What to consider when designing one

A terrace built over a lower floor is also that floor’s roof, so waterproofing, insulation and the fall that carries water away are the most critical issues. The threshold between inside and outside needs to be resolved together with how the waterproofing turns under the door and how rainwater is kept out. Finishes are chosen to resist frost, sun and slipping; raised pedestal paving can hide the falls and makes maintenance easier. Edges get a railing or a parapet. Shading, a pergola, planters and outdoor furniture turn a terrace into a real living space, and their weight has to be allowed for in the structure.

Terraces in visualization

In residential marketing, the terrace is often one of the spaces with the most selling power. In a render, the view, evening light and well-chosen outdoor furniture convey what it feels like to live there, while paving joints and subtle reflections add realism to the scene.