Perched above Seattle’s beautiful Westlake neighborhood, with sprawling views of Lake Union and the city’s surrounding hills, this rooftop deck remodel set out to do one thing perfectly: turn an aging, underused deck into a dreamy spot for entertaining, weekend barbeques, and easy everyday outdoor living. The result is a tidy, durable, and comfortable outdoor room that works year‑round.
At a high level, the project focused on updating the layout, integrating a true outdoor kitchen, and adding comfort systems so the space is as usable in March as it is in August. The scope included extending a protective roof/awning over the deck, building new cabinetry and a concrete bar, running hot and cold plumbing for a real sink, adding electric ceiling heaters, upgrading lighting and controls, and making a small but impactful decking extension.
Layout that finally “clicks”
A subtle geometry fix made a big difference. By kicking out the cut‑in and expanding the floor, we smoothed a pinch point and squared up circulation. It’s a small change, about 15 square feet, but it makes the whole deck feel more natural and even. That tweak, paired with the new awning cover and gorgeous new outdoor furniture, visually organizes the space into cooking, serving, lounging, and view‑soaking zones.
We also added built‑in bar seating at the far end of the deck. It’s an easy perch for morning coffee, sunset cocktails, or keeping the grill‑master company without dragging furniture around every time friends come over.
The Perfect Outdoor Grill Kitchen
Previously, the deck relied on detached/portable pieces, a freestanding grill and space heaters, and there was no sink at all. Now, everything’s integrated and durable:
- Cabinetry by Zah Built, slab fronts in Cocoa Bean (Windswept) with brushed‑aluminum accents. Clean lines, weather‑ready finishes, and proper storage for utensils and serving ware.
- Concrete bar elements provide a tough, easy‑clean surface that anchors the cooking wall and gives guests a natural spot to gather.
- The new American Made Grills built‑in natural‑gas grill sits perfectly at the side of the outdoor workspace.
- Dual True Residential under‑counter units: a 24″ stainless drawer fridge and a 15″ glass‑door wine/beverage center make for the most convenient way to relax and entertain outdoors.
- A large and convenient sink paired with a Brizo Odin pull‑down faucet plus a Delta glass rinser; small upgrade, big quality‑of‑life improvement for quick rinses.
BEFORE & AFTER
Comfort you can feel (and control)
Seattle weather can be fickle, so the deck’s comfort systems matter as much as the finishes:
- Electric ceiling heaters tucked under the new cover, tied to an Infratech relay universal panel for reliable control.
- A low‑profile ceiling fan to move air on warm days (and help push heat down on cool evenings).
- A refreshed lighting layout with recessed downlights and dimmers, bright for cooking, mellow for lingering.
Materials that earn their keep
The new deck flooring replaces a worn, mildewy surface with one that’s clean underfoot, drains properly, and stands up to Northwest seasons. It’s a practical upgrade you notice every time you step outside. The cabinetry and bar surfaces are selected to shrug off spills, smoke, and weather, so the space stays crisp with minimal fuss.
We used custom powder‑coated metal accents that echo existing site metals for a cohesive look (and long‑term durability). These small bits of craft help the deck feel finished without getting fussy.
Time to Relax and Enjoy the Seattle Sunshine
These homeowners finally got the dream rooftop deck they deserve. They now have a spot that hosts lively barbeques, quiet morning coffees, and everything in between, all with those Lake Union views doing their thing in the background. What used to be a weather‑dependent, piecemeal setup is now a confident, all‑season outdoor oasis that feels effortless to use and easy to love.
