Creating a "beach" on top of our flat rooftop

[16visions]

Hi, my partner and I have a home with a flat rooftop in the heart of Seattle. We want to build a rooftop garden (it will have amazing views) and are considering if it's possible to create a "beach" with sand up there. We would most likely use a skylight as the entryway (we hear there are waterproof ones).

If anyone know where we could go to research it, I'd be grateful. Thank you!

Garrett Fisher

[RWL]

Research:

roofing and flashing systems;

underground or earth-sheltered buildings [with vegetation on roofs];

major skylight manufacturers [although using this for access is questionable since you will need an operable skylight which is more liable to leak.

pond liners and membranes that will retain water/moisture and prevents leaking.

wet sand will be heavy so is the roo framing up to holding up such a load?-- have a structural engineer work on that] aspect

[svenglezz-ASMEIL]

Dear Beach Roof-Top Desires,

Just completed a 24 level building in Toronto Canada and it has a Rooftop garden.

A funny situation happened........the "dirt" from the planters was ending up into one of the suites below (they left the window open).....the "dirt/soil" was blowing down the building and directly into the open window some levels down the building.

Just thought t'a give you a heads up on the issue of "Wind" and your "sand beach" should be sheltered from the wind....otherwise you will have a sandless beach With planters it's easy put "wood chips" over the soil.
You may want to consider a "cover" for the sand when your not using it, similar to pool/whirlpool covers....to ensure the sand stay'zzzz w'r you want it.

Hope it helps,
Sven
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