Are you wondering how to know what needs to happen (and what could go wrong) during a rooftop deck installation? Are you stressed about making sure you find a contractor you can trust to follow these steps and build your rooftop deck properly?
Over the past few years, we’ve installed more than 30 rooftop decks across a wide range of home styles and roof types in the Seattle area, so we know exactly where things tend to go wrong and, more importantly, how to prevent those issues before they happen.
I’m joined by Chris Koenig, a member of RoofSmart’s sales team, in this article to give an overview of what you can expect to pay when getting your rooftop deck repaired.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly what goes into a rooftop deck installation done by RoofSmart (from demo to decking to railing) so you can ask smarter questions, avoid costly mistakes, and hire a contractor you can trust.
How long does it take to install a rooftop deck?
On average, it takes 2 to 4 weeks to install a rooftop deck. Depending on how much extra work needs to be done or if any unexpected issues arise during installation, it might take longer.
But for the majority of rooftop installations, it will only take a few weeks before you’re enjoying the sunshine during another beautiful Seattle summer.
What do I need to know before installing a rooftop deck?
To avoid any issues with your rooftop deck, you need to make sure that the roofing contractor you hire is competent and experienced. They should be able to explain to you how they’ll take precautions to prevent leaks during installation and their plan for installing insulation to prevent condensation underneath the rooftop deck.
Having a competent and experienced roofer is a non-negotiable for Seattle area homeowners because rooftop decks in this area are susceptible to leaks and condensation build-up.
These are major issues because they can cause mold or rotting wood, both of which are expensive to fix.
It’s important to be aware of these issues ahead of time because rooftop decks are expensive, and you don’t want to have to pay for costly repairs.
What are the steps for installing a rooftop deck?
Installing a rooftop deck requires careful planning. It’s important that your roofing contractor follows each step; otherwise, your rooftop deck will leak, causing costly damage and potentially making your rooftop deck unsafe.
Here are the steps that we at RoofSmart take to ensure your rooftop deck is sturdy, leak-proof, and safe:
1.) Tear off the old deck and address the mold or rot
This process will look different depending on what type of roof you have:
- Sloped roof: If you have a sloped roof, then your roofing contractor will have to tear everything off and start from scratch to make your roof flat. This is a lot of extra work and will add significantly to the labor costs for the job. On the bright side, they’ll definitely get rid of any rotting or moldy areas.
- Flat roof: If your roof is already flat, then that makes the process much easier. As your roofing contractor tears off your roof material, they’ll check for evidence of rot or mold. If your roof was leaking a lot, they might have to replace a lot of it. If your roof is rotten and moldy all over, this will increase labor costs and add time to the project.
In sum, moldy areas will be treated or removed, and new OSB (oriented strand board) or plywood boards will be installed to make sure that the base of your rooftop deck is strong.
If your roof is not currently strong enough to support the rooftop deck, then during this step, your roof will be restructured or reinforced to make sure it can withstand added weight.
2.) Adding insulation and sloping the roof
To avoid condensation build-up underneath your rooftop deck, it is important to properly insulate it. Your roof needs 2 layers of insulation to prevent condensation: a vapor barrier and an air barrier.
- Vapor barrier: This keeps the water vapor in your house from absorbing into the underside of your roof sheathing (the plywood or OSB sheathing that creates the foundation for your rooftop deck). Foam boards work great for this.
- Air barrier: To be extra safe, you want an air barrier that won’t let anything through to the roof. This can be a plastic sheet, spray foam, or ice and water shield underlayment. A qualified roofer can help you decide which one is right for you.
With these two layers in place, your roof will be protected from mold growth and rot.
Because insulating a rooftop deck is such a detailed process with several layers, it often raises the height of the roof a bit. This means that your roofer might also need to raise the doorframe on your rooftop deck.
If needed, this is when they would add a slight slope to your roof to help it drain properly.
3a.) Installing the waterproofing layer and the rooftop deck material
Now that the foundation is properly insulated, you’re ready to seal everything in with a walkable membrane material. It’s crucial that you have some sort of liner (like PVC) on your roof deck to seal out any water and prevent costly leak damage.
It’s the same reason roofers use special materials on flat roofs. Rooftop decks are still technically flat roofs (they’re just a lot fancier!), so they need the same special roofing materials that seal together and keep water out of your home.
Depending on the type of material you choose for your rooftop deck, this might be the final step. You can choose a walkable membrane or a different material, like wood or tile.
- Walkable membranes: These are a similar material to a pool liner, but they are textured to make them safe to walk on. Each brand has different color and design options to match the aesthetic of your home.
Here’s an example:
- Wood or tile decking: With this option, you’ll need to install a layer of PVC to waterproof your roof. Then, your roofer will install pedestals for the tiles to sit on and place the tiles (or other material) on top. This option is much more luxurious, but it’s also a lot more expensive.
Here’s what the finished product looks like:
3b.) Sealing the doorframe and other leak points
While your roofing contractor is installing the flat roof membrane, they’ll need to carefully seal key leak points on the floor of the deck:
- The doorframe
- The area around the scupper (the drain hole in the roof)
- Wherever the floor meets a wall.
4.) Installing the railing
Finally, it’s time to install the railing. Although there are building codes dictating regulations for installing railing on your Seattle home, this process looks different depending on the type of railing you choose and how you choose to install it.
The easiest railing to install is a standard aluminum railing. If you want higher-end products like glass panels or steel cables, then that will add a lot of extra labor to the job.
Railing can be installed on top of the rooftop deck or along the outer perimeter. Having railing installed along the outer perimeter is a good way to maximize the amount of space you have on your deck, but it will increase labor costs because your roofer will have to set up scaffolding around your home to access the outer perimeter.
How can I find a contractor who is qualified to install my rooftop deck?
Installing a rooftop deck isn’t just about creating a beautiful outdoor space — it’s about making sure every layer beneath it is done right, from the insulation to the waterproofing to the final railing.
But here’s the truth: even with the right process, your project is only as good as the person doing the work. Hiring the right contractor is the single most important step in avoiding costly repairs, leaks, and long-term frustration.
That’s why your next move should be to grab our Qualified Roofer Checklist — it’s the exact set of questions we wish every homeowner asked before hiring someone to install a rooftop deck.
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