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Meaning & use

roof deck

noun·EverydayAmerican

Last updated

UK/ˈruːf ˌdek/
US/ˈruːf ˌdek/

Meanings

  1. nouncountableAmerican

    A flat outdoor area built on the roof of a building where people can sit, relax or entertain.

    Grammar: Takes an or the: the apartment has a roof deck.

    Patterns

    • a roof deck with something
    • on the roof deck

    We had drinks on the roof deck and watched the fireworks.

    The apartment comes with a private roof deck overlooking the river.

    They added a roof deck with planters and string lights.

  2. nouncountabletechnical

    The structural layer of a roof, usually boards or metal sheets, that supports the covering material.

    Grammar: A technical building term: the roofer inspected the roof deck.

    Patterns

    • roof deck damage
    • install a roof deck

    The inspector found rot in the roof deck beneath the old shingles.

    Roofers cleaned the roof deck before laying the new membrane.

    A steel roof deck is common in warehouses.

Word forms

pluralroof decks

Common combinations

private roof deck
The penthouse has a private roof deck.
build a roof deck
They plan to build a roof deck over the garage.
shared roof deck
Residents of the building use the shared roof deck for barbecues.
roof deck access
The apartment includes roof deck access via a spiral stair.
rotted roof deck
A rotted roof deck must be replaced before new shingles go on.

Synonyms and how they differ

rooftop terrace
Rooftop terrace sounds more upscale and is common in British English, while roof deck is plainer and more American.
roof garden
A roof garden stresses plants and greenery, whereas a roof deck focuses on a platform for sitting.
sundeck
A sundeck is any deck for sunbathing, perhaps at ground level, so it is not tied to the roof.

Word family

roof noun
the top covering of a building
deck noun
a flat platform, often outdoors
rooftop noun
the outer surface of a roof
roofing noun
material used to cover a roof

Commonly confused: roof deck or roof deck vs. balcony?

roof deck vs roof deck vs. balcony

A balcony sticks out from an upper wall, while a roof deck sits on top of the building.

Practice

On warm evenings, the tenants gather on the ___ to enjoy views of the city skyline.

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