How to Turn a Bare Rooftop or Deck Into a Green Space With Turf

Condo and townhome buyers in the Lower Mainland pay a premium for outdoor space, and then a lot of them end up with a concrete slab or a composite deck they barely use because it's uncomfortable and uninviting. Turf changes that.

You can lay artificial grass directly on a rooftop, balcony, deck, or patio without soil, without complicated structure, and without a lot of mess. Here's how it works and what to look for in the install.

What goes under rooftop and patio turf

The biggest mistake with rooftop turf is laying it directly on a waterproof membrane or composite decking and expecting water to disappear. It won't. You need a drainage underlay between the deck surface and the turf, something that creates a small air gap and lets water run to the deck's existing drains.

We use a drainage mat system that sits between the deck and the turf, keeps airflow underneath to prevent moisture buildup, and preserves the deck's existing drainage paths. It's lightweight enough not to add meaningful load to a standard rooftop or balcony.

How it changes a space

• Soft underfoot — barefoot-friendly in a way that concrete and composite decking aren't
• Warmer in spring and fall when a hard surface feels cold
• Quieter — turf absorbs sound in a way hard surfaces don't
• Green and bright year-round, which changes how you actually use the space

What works well in New Westminster

New Westminster has a lot of older condos and townhomes with concrete balconies and flat rooftop spaces that don't get used. It's also a city with some steep lots where a rooftop terrace may be the only flat outdoor space a property has. Turf is a good fit for both.

The install is straightforward: we cut and fit the turf to the shape of the space, edge it cleanly around railings and features, lay the drainage underlay, and you end up with a green outdoor room that takes no maintenance beyond the occasional rinse.

If you've got a rooftop, balcony, or patio that you want to actually enjoy, call us for a free quote. We'll come look at the space and tell you exactly what's involved.