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also finishing the top of your home. at's a very popular way of utilizing the space. Most anybody wants a garage over a little bit of extra green space, so people are still using that as an opportunity to create an outdoor living space." AZEK Building Products has been following the growth of urban roof-deck spaces since the company ob- served a good amount of interest in the use of its products for such applications, Czachor says. Because it's made from a capped polymer, AZEK decking is resistant to rot, wear and water absorption; is lightweight; and its newest line features Armor Alloy Technology, which provides the product a Class A fire rating and includes a 30-year fade and stain warranty. Foster Dale, AIA, principal, Foster Dale Architects based in Chicago, Illinois, echoes this interest in wood alternatives for roof deck applications. "We're big advo- cates for composite decking because it's low maintenance, you don't get splinters, you don't have to stain it, and I think most people don't want to have to maintain the decking on their roof deck," he says. "Composite decks, we think, is a really good direction. ey cost a little bit more money, but when you think about the long term and return on investment, most of our clients agree it's worth it to spend the extra money." Eric Adams, founding partner of Adams & Beasley Associates, Carlisle, Massachusetts, agrees that material choices should be selected and designed to weather the elements, especially when considering how expensive it can be to replace or repair materials in urban settings. In his experience, ambient pollution and air impurities can cause discoloration on natural materials, so ensuring the surface will be easy to powerwash or clean regardless of material selection is something the company tries to make as easy as possible. hinking upward instead of outward for an outdoor living space requires a dif- ferent design and building mindset, yet many of the desired features for an urban rooftop deck might actually be the same as those found in a more suburban out- door living space. "ere's only so many places you can go, and in the city, the only place for us to go is up so it's really leveraging that available space," says Christopher Czachor, marketing manager, AZEK Building Products. "In an urban setting, there is absolutely a connection between trying to finish the rooftop of a garage and then The Great Urban Outdoors In urban locations, square footage for outdoor spaces can be a challenge, so many people look up for alternative solutions and create their own 'green oasis.' By Kacey Larsen T This Chicago roof deck incorporates deck tiles and pavers, masonry and LiveRoof Hybrid Green Products, and it furthers the idea of private vs. public outdoor spaces. Credit: Foster Dale Architects, Inc. as architect. Photography by Anthony May Photography PROJECTS: QR Outdoors 30 January 2017 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com