DETAILS
FOR
ROOFTOP
DECKS
Start with a perfect
surface, make no
penetrations, and work
ever so carefully
by Anthony Galeota
The best advice I can give to clients
who want to convert flat roofs to outdoor
living spaces is, "Avoid it if you
can." In my experience as a builder and
home inspector, these spaces create
more problems for both the builder and
homeowner than they are generally
worth.
As an inspector, I often find ponded
water, water penetration into the structure,
and unstable deck platforms and
railings. On the other hand, I have seen
and built a number of these installations
that have worked out well. To get satisfactory
performance, I follow the
guidelines explained below, many of
which are largely common sense.
Rules of