Flat Roof Over A Deck

A reliable roof membrane and details that minimize any damage to the roof from the deck loads.

Flat roof over a deck.

Unfortunately many homeowners who have a flat deck roof have to deal with frequent leaks. Building a deck on a flat roof is neither difficult nor time consuming. When a roof is flat it actually will have a very slight slope water is going to spend a lot more time in one place giving it more time to find a way underneath the roof surface and into the structure. Another reason is the original design flaw implemented by architects and or builders who have no experience in flat roofing and do not have appropriate roofing technology to use.

First you must make sure the roof is strong enough to support 55 lbs per square foot. Inspect the roof to make sure it is in good condition and acquire any permits that may be required by the local zoning board. On average 300 sq ft. The key is in the word flat.

Building a deck over a flat roof is very similar to building a deck over a concrete patio. So rather than a roofing material like shingles that simply lets water run down it you need a roofing. Two people can install a brand new deck in a weekend with little or no previous construction experience. Build the frame of the roof on the ground.

Then run joists connecting the front of your roof with the rear every two feet along the length of your roof. For those who desire a bit more shade and privacy while soaking up the rays however a deck roof may be in order. Before beginning however it is important to do two things. Summer calls for sultry nights under the stars and sun drenched cocktail gatherings making the backyard deck the ultimate destination this season.

Flat roofs are more susceptible to leaking than pitched roofs. No matter the reason the keys to a long lasting deck above a living space are the same. If you are tying the roof directly to a house wall you can install a ledger board with flashing and install rafter ties to attach the rafters at the appropriate angles or use engineered trusses. Most roof decks leak because they are typically made of flat roofing materials that were created over a century ago and were not designed for use as roofing for residential homes and living areas.

Frame up a box the size of the outer dimensions of your deck using 2 by 4 inch lumber. This is usually because low quality leak prone decking materials such as epdm rubber are used often in an effort to save money. They are merely placed on top of another structure. Shed roofs project as a single plane roof pitched away from the house.