How To Build A Rooftop Deck On A Sloped Roof

Since most roof decks are floating structures that sit on top of flat roofs it s crucial to weatherproof the roof below the deck to prevent water from seeping into the home.

How to build a rooftop deck on a sloped roof.

On average 300 sq ft. Photo by dave holbrook. Unfortunately many homeowners who have a flat deck roof have to deal with frequent leaks. Of roof decking costs 800 2 800 to install depending on the material you choose.

Hardwood decking is then fastened to tapered pressure treated sleepers that rest on additional strips. Careful detailing of membrane roofs at corners doorways and penetrations is critical for long term performance. This is usually because low quality leak prone decking materials such as epdm rubber are used often in an effort to save money. But the rooftop location does offer some unique challenges particularly in regard to the deck s foundation.

Plan to space the 2x4 purlins parallel to the house and 3 ft. Some key details for a leakproof rooftop deck are. The roof must be able to support 55 pounds per square foot at a minimum. Building a deck over a flat roof is very similar to building a deck over a concrete patio.

Roof deck framing unlike for decks at ground level doesn t entail a ledger attached to the rim joist of a house. First you must make sure the roof is strong enough to support 55 lbs per square foot. If the span under your deck is 12 ft for example the purlin at the outer end of the deck should be 3. In this article builder emanuel silva shares his method for building such a deck which begins with a leak proof low slope roof of epdm rubber.

These decks are often referred to as floating as they are not secured in place as a stand alone structure. My plan is to open up the roof and sit a couple of 4x4 posts on top of the outside wall. Building a deck on a sloped roof. Much of the work that s being done here is identical to what you would see on any deck built in a suburban backyard.

Tie your existing deck posts into the roof by extending your corner posts with the 4 by 4 lumber. The roof deck surface should sloped away from the house a minimum 1 8 inch per foot so the water will. How do i flash between post and roof. By john fenton n b canada i want to build a deck on a sloped roof.

A deck on a sloped roof requires a different approach to the framing underneath the joists. Instead a pair of beams rest on supports called sill plates to create a frame for the deck. They are merely placed on top of another structure. Epdm is the best choice for most rooftop decks.

Building a deck above a porch roof allows for sheltered space below and views from above. To provide drainage the panels should slope toward the outside edge of the deck about 1 4 in. Before installing a roof deck you must be certain the roof is stable and weatherproofed.