If you own a house, you know how annoying it is to have spaces that you can’t utilize to their maximum potential. Yes, I’m referring to those awkward cabinets in your kitchen, the space under the stairs, and those unfinished basements. Whether it’s bad design, incompatibility with your lifestyle, or lack of resources to fix it, it’s time to tackle these disappointments and turn them into valuable spaces- starting with your roof!

 

Admit it, the roof is not usually the first place you look when searching for spaces that can give you benefit. However, you’ll soon realize that it’s not only super-underestimated, it’s also has incredible potential for all types of activities.

 

• Solar Panels

If you have a sloped roof, you might find that solar panels, though a hefty investment at the start, can give you incredible returns. Knowing that you are at least partially independent of the power grid and have a significantly reduced, or completely eliminated, energy bill is empowering. You’ll feel great knowing that you are getting your power in a sustainable manner, and are a positive example to your family and friends. If you have a big enough roof area and have small household energy needs, there’s even the option of selling your energy back into the grid, meaning you can actually make money off of these things!

 

• Green Roof

There are many benefits to installing a green roof. The plants that they use on your sloped or flat roof insulate your house in the winter, keep it cool in the summer, and have a great water management role as well. As the plants hold water, there is less run off pouring from your roof and into the storm water management system. If you have the right slope and live in a compatible climate, consider growing harvestable plants that you can use in your own kitchen, or even sell. Herbs and flowers like lavender make great green roof crops and you’ll see that people will be willing to pay a little premium for plants that were grown on an urban rooftop.

 

• Terrace

Homeowners with a flat roof are extremely lucky individuals, especially if it is built in a way to allow for easy access from the house. Not only can they install solar panels or a green roof, they can pretty much add another floor to their house! This is the perfect place to set up a patio, a little vegetable patch, erect a gazebo, or even put your weatherproof workout equipment. Before you set up your little heaven on earth, double check with a building engineer how great of a load you can place on the existing roof. Damage or even possible collapse are the last things you need when you are out looking for value gains. If you can fully utilize your flat terrace roof, make sure that you install all safety features necessary. Before you start assembling anything, look for rooftop guard rail products that provide a safe working environment that you can either leave or replace with something else later on.

 

Value can be found in unexpected places, like roofs for example. Consider different uses of that space not only for their financial or personal benefits, but also their contribution to a more sustainable society. Memories of romantic dinners on the roof or morning Pilates sessions are experiences that don’t come with a price tag, though building an addition on the house to accommodate for those things definitely do. So next time you almost dislocate your shoulder reaching for flour in that awkward cabinet or hit your head in the crawlspace, instead of complaining, start thinking of how to fix it, or just dream bigger all together.