Roof Top Decks

Wind in your hair, sun in your face and a cool drink in your hand — nothing is better than hanging out on your deck in the summertime. Unless it’s a roof top deck!
Adding a roof deck has some advantages over simply building a second-story deck, but first you must ensure that your roof is able to support the deck. You must hire a professional to make certain that your roof is safe to build on but you can do some inspection and planning yourself.
Look for signs of water damage, such as water stains on your home. Cracked brick or similar materials, deteriorating caulk, peeling along the roofing material or areas that seem to have a dip or that allow water to pool are all signs of trouble.
To safely install a roof deck, the roof needs to be able to support about 55 pounds of weight per square foot in general. This calculation can vary depending upon what you plan on using the deck for but regardless of how you plan to use the deck, its construction must meet the minimum requirements of the local building code.
You must ensure that the roof can handle water and hold up a deck without leaking. It’s a good idea to ensure that your roof has a high-quality covering and that the roofing material itself is in good condition. There are several ways to ensure that you don’t have water problems with your new deck like adding membranes that protect the roof or help water roll off the deck surface and make sure you can access beneath it in the case of a leak.
Contact the local building department to discuss your construction plans and learn about the permitting and inspection processes. You will likely need to submit detailed construction drawings and possibly neighbourhood notification materials, which are notices to your adjacent neighbours regarding your plans. Obtaining a permit requires a fee, the cost of which is based on the cost of building your new deck.
Now you’re ready to start your project and before you know it, you’l be enjoying your roof top deck!