Factors to Consider When Building Rooftop Decks

If you don't have the backyard space for a deck, you might want to consider a rooftop deck. Restaurants and bars in dense places in cities use them to take advantage of amazing views. To know whether your home can support a deck, a professional can help you make that determination. You can also do some of the initial inspection yourself.

Weight the Roof can Handle

For a normal roof deck, it should be able to handle 55 pounds per square foot. This will also depend on what you're using the deck for in the future. If you plan on having many people over, or you're considering the installation of a heavy planter, an engineer might have to inspect the roof to ensure it can take all the weight. It's dangerous to miscalculate the weight the roof can handle since it could end up collapsing and hurting you or your guests.

Condition of the Roof

The professional builder will be able to inspect the roof for water damage and cracked tiles or materials that could lead to issues later. He'll look for dips in the roof, ripped materials, cracks tiles or brick, and missing flashing along the roof line. He might head into the attic or top floor to see if there are signs of water damage too.

Waterproofing the Roof

Before the deck is installed, it's important that the existing materials are waterproof. If they are not, the professional will have to waterproof before adding composite decking materials. The company might want to leave space between the deck and the roof for access later, too.

Before a deck can be built on the roof, the contractor will have to ensure they have the proper permits.