The Roof top access window

Unique and immensely popular - The roof top access window is a game changer

We thought we start a series of articles highlighting some of the unique Barclay RV design ideas that are not commonly found in RVs. In this first one we will discuss the roof top access.

Whether sitting up there seeing the sunrise with a cup of coffee, enjoying a glass of wine overlooking a vineyard in the early evening, or having a front row seat to the Albuquerque ballon festival as 100's of ballons majestically floated above our heads, the roof top is one unique feature that gets a lot of attention. It provides a sanctuary, especially if you are in an area with many other RVers. While many RVs do have ladders on the back of their units so that can access the roof for service or in an emergency, access from the inside the rig is perhaps even more unique.

So what did it take to make this happen. The ability to access the roof from the inside required some out of the box thinking. First was the opening itself. It needed to be large enough so a person could easily get through, and it needed to be accessible with permanent steps that you could walk up on carrying something with you. We were lucky to find Velux, which make a roof access window, that easily opens and provides clear access.

Velux Roof Access Window

For the steps, we knew we did not want a permanent or removable ladder. We also did not want a solid staircase that would cut up the space below. Designing a floating staircase was the answer and not only does it serve the purpose, it fits well with the open concept airy design, and it adds hugely to the ambience.

Ok, getting access to the roof is one thing and with solar panels as well as the wood stove chimney up there, we needed to ensure it was solid. Consider also that we have a 13' wide opening below, and this thing needs some engineering review. With the steel framing and 3/4" rooftop sheathing, the roof was designed to handle the snowload as well as having several people on it. The roofing material is not made of a membrane or fiberglass, it is a residential standing seam metal roof. If I recall, it has a 30 year warranty.

Now on our prototype model, we do not have railings and we would definitely have to add that to any production unit. Fold up posts with horizontal railings would be easiest.

We often place some chairs up there and also have a collapsible table. Our portable Sonos speaker provide the background tunes.

All in all, it is possibly one of our favorite features of our Travel Home.