Deck Over A Flat Roof

[@lessingham93]

I would love to see more detail on that transition at the door to the deck

[@idbcollaborative308]

Bison is THE way to go. Did the same thing (nervously) on the first house we built and it’s awesome, even for a nube-carpenter. Thanks for the vid, Matt.

[@mel1654]

IDB Collaborative Did the Bison end up costing more than a conventional wood sleeper deck?

[@philrabe910]

That's a sweet cut matching the curved parapet wall. In San Francisco the FD makes people use modular decking like this when it's over a living space. I think it's brilliant, we've used it on film shoots because it is the essence of scenery: Looks great, easily usable, durable units built elsewhere, easily installed [and then taken away after the shoot]. Also the leveling legs are very like what they use for modular concert stages.

[@Karenvlee10]

How did you handle the drain on the roof?

[@ArneJohanssonMpls]

On the build show!!! That deck system is awesome. Great video. Liked seeing the install details.

[@mikekruger9561]

Mirage makes a very similar system made for tile but you can adjust from the surface with a small t handle. Did some decks with 24x24 porcelain tiles years later still look like new

[@adamsgrace2012]

How about an in depth best practices video on yearly maintenance on these decking and siding materials. Materials, timing, conditions, what to do, what not to do.

[@1new-man]

Matt great thought process once again. Never imagined something so original put together so well. In a sense Seamless construction! Beautifully Amazing absolutely amazing!

[@laura07059]

WOW! What an amazing product. Matt, you've got quite the talent to show us these great products and innovative ideas! Your clients are so fortunate to have you building their homes.

[@buildshow]

Thanks Laura. Very kind

[@PlanetMojo]

I'll be building one of these this summer on the flat roof I made this last summer. I will be making the deck from rift sawn white oak from our area though. Did the rubber roofing myself and have all of those videos on my channel and the videos from the Bison Pedestal deck will be coming shortly.

[@workinprogress5936]

Glad you tube recommended this video. Need a deck completed soon

[@johnbecich9540]

Marvelous! @4:00 Matt addressed my worry about "remove-ability of palette" in case of need to unplug scupper, drain, etc., from leaf litter or vermin infestation.

[@SunnyCLT]

its does not seem it would be as easy as Matt said. Once you install the next "pallet" the screw wont be accessible, it seems like. Can someone clarify?

[@steverodgers9206]

This looked very interesting for a low profile deck I wanted to do for the 26 foot opening I made for a bi fold system. I needed something low profile enough to make an even transition from inside laminate flooring to the opening of the bi fold doors to the deck outside. I was thinking about making a concrete slab, and purchasing those feet and deck wood. BUT going to the website, it’s one of those where you have to request the price. I hate that. They’re just feet and square panels of wood. I don’t understand why you don’t just put the price up on the website? Lost my business. Too bad seemed like a good way to go...

[@brandonerbschloe5950]

Thanks for saying it will go gray. Love the transparency with the product.

[@BrianBriCurInTheOC]

Looks like an amazing product to use in this application!!!

[@donniestr]

Always seeing and learning something new here. Just awesome thanks again for sharing the knowledge Matt.

[@semidemiurge]

They make very attractive structural tiles that span the distance between the plastic support piers. They will last forever without maintenance in the harshest climates. Looking at them at building shows they appear to get their strength from an integrated fiberglass grid mesh either within the tile or adhered to the lower surface.

[@aayotechnology]

semidemiurge So you wouldn't have to panelize the ipe first? Interesting.

[@fernandog.aguirre2791]

Very Nice! I do work with Ipe and also I have done many projects with Ipe...and he is right, maintenance of Ipe is an every year job! Not for everybody's budget!

[@timothykeith1367]

An excellent north American wood for decking is black locust. In the U.S. the locust borer makes commercial growing of black locus generally unprofitable. The wood is very rot resistant and tough - it can bend nails. Some is harvested from West Virginia. Its widely grown in Europe because the locust borer larvae were never brought to Europe. It also makes lovely furniture. If the locust borer can be controlled it would become one of the most popular woods in the U.S. because the trees grow rapidly, its actually a legume so it grows on poor soils.

[@namAehT]

To fix the issue he mentioned about rotting pressure treated sleepers: Use PVC decking material instead of wood, that way the part that is (potentially) sitting in water isn't going to rot.

[@trevormurphy4106]

If he uses pressure treated lumber anywhere near that TPO, like he mentioned using for sleepers, he will be replacing roofs and not decks!!
#facts

[@AR-xu2gg]

@@trevormurphy4106 why would he be replacing the roof and not deck?

[@chasinghorizon]

I was looking to do a floating deck for my flat roof. I'll give this a try.

[@fernandog.aguirre2791]

Think twice before messing with ipe, you must like the rustic grey natural look. The maintenance of Ipe is tedious and always messy. The right top coating hasn't been found yet.

[@jasonmarvin7864]

these stand offs are great. anyone or have you Matt ever done a Living Roof with a floating deck like this?

[@austincutler6193]

That's a really fascinating, cool deck. It's really appealing

[@89Ayten]

Because all the 2'x4' component decks look to be mechanically fastened to the standoffs there is no worry about the standoffs moving over time since they're not fastened to the roof. What that means is you basically have one macro system that's linked at the corners. Because the decking butts up flush to the the inside walls of the roof there doesn't exist the room for the entire system to shift. It's basically a friction-fit flooring system. Neato.

[@LiloUkulele]

CBC requires joist space below a balcony to be ventilated. How was this achieved on your beautiful project? The Bison panels versus decking and joists certainly saves depth. The video is dated April 2018...Any long term feed back yet?

[@peterokuonghae7086]

This looks great. Can this system support a hot tub

[@fin1158]

What type of perimerter rail detail is recommended where the is no parapet ?
Love the look but contemplating this type of system that needs perimeter guard rails an likely perimeter, roof surface to deck surface, dams to stop wind uplift.

[@ac311205]

Awesome video. The Ipe looks incredible. That deck must cost a fortune. Can you give a quick price breakdown for installing a deck like that?

[@robertsteich7362]

When you build stuff like this that covers a drain or whatever. Do you take a picture from above before the decking is installed? Then with the decking installed with markers to mark out where the fasteners, screws, are? If I was the home owner, I would love to have these pictures so I would know where the drains are and how to access those drains. Whether I would personally clean out the drains or hire someone else. Having this information would be helpful on so many fronts.

[@noconz0727]

I wanna see how your Carpenters scribed up to that curved wall and what saw they used to cut it. Looks flawless.

[@williamsmith8767]

If the curve is consistent, a piece of rigid foam cut to match the curve would work or if you have PVC blankets, just make a curved template.

[@noconz0727]

William Smith
Interesting thought. The curve looks consistent in that the arc would have the same radius but that doesn't really help with orientation and also still want to know what tool they used to cut it. I've seen them do curved stair treads before and I think they went as far as CNC'd templates.

[@ben-vf]

Probably a jig saw Smithy . Then possibly a belt sander to finish .

[@noconz0727]

That's some serious skilled jigsaw work. I'm leaning more towards a template with a router and patter bit

[@ben-vf]

In my experience that internal radius will have flat spots here and there if it was hand finished . I cant say for sure obviously but to me I would think it would need a final scribe to sort all the ins and outs . A good jig saw with the right blade would go through those panels like butter . Either way , they did a great job .

[@ARMENAMERIKANE]

wow great product looks very efficient and economical

[@JohnnyMotel99]

We have something similar in Europe. They will take some phenomenal maximum loading (500kg each). I used them to re-support a large timber shed that had shifted in level one end.

[@MultiYlin]

500kg each or 500kg/m2... my mum is a civil eng in China and the roof load is 300+kg/m2 where the floorspace is designed to be 250kg...and I used to work with Canadian architecture and I know their wooden building only design to be 150-200kg/m2 and sometimes the roof space is designed to be 100kg or less to be "not living"
I know a lot of Amsterdam building have living roof space I am not sure if this is applicable to a lot of North American building

[@frankgcorr94]

This looks like a great solution.. I imagine its very expensive considering I haven't found any prices on their website.

[@corujariousa]

I know this is an old video but hope you'll be able to answer my question. I am considering this system to build a deck on a flat roof in South Florida. My concern is with wind speeds during the hurricane season. How do you ensure the entire structure will be stable and still with high wind conditions without perforating the surface where it will sit?

[@mediaaccount8390]

Love your channel Matt. Please consider more content on types of roofs (decks, garden, green roof?) Any advantage to flat roofs with usable space?

[@bernarrcoletta7419]

Oh man! I need this. Thanks Matt.

[@DoubleA115]

Very interesting. Thanks for the Vid!! Good job

[@omnibuildersnz]

Epay? Looks good nice easy system . Those adjustable feet have been around awhile we used them under floating tiles over a tanked roof cam up mint!

[@AlanW]

"Ipe" =)

[@karenloer7326]

Love your video. We currently are remodeling and would like to install the wooden pie deck. Could I install with 2 inch depth on my flat roof patio?

[@dewanehill1435]

beautiful work!

[@dredeye123]

I like this. My only question is: do you have to remove the entire deck before a hurricane since they’re not attached to a roof?

[@rimalaw77]

please answer this question?

[@eurekozander2585]

thanks for the video. lots of great information

[@digitalCr8]

Locked in with a screw on each corner, but that means in order to remove a panel in the middle you'd have to release 9 surrounding panels to release the middle one. (by the looks of how it locks into each panel). Or am I missing something?

[@jonathanwhite8545]

Just remove a screw in each corner and lift the panel up. He explained this process in his video

[@jsly5473]

I'm assuming this Bison system would not be an option near the coast, being they are not locked down to the main framing of the house. There are to many risks for wind storms for this to be a viable option.

[@brianerdmier9474]

Bison has projects all over the coast. NYC down to FL. Wind testing is available upon request. Contact Bison for more info. 303-892-0400

[@jarrodfrederick4116]

How does this decking pass inspections? No hurricane clips anywhere?

[@cyclopathic998]

Would the drains be sufficient to handle heavy rainfall? What would happen with overflow? How about clogging, when drains get partially clogged? It would be a perfect moscito breeding ground when you get standing water under the deck.

[@AlanW]

The scuppers look well portioned enough to handle anything typical in his climate that the drains can't deal with.

[@cyclopathic998]

Typical or Harvey level? even clogged after a few years?

[@neildees1761]

There are mathematical calculations that would tell you the necessary sizes of drains that would be required to sufficiently remove the water. It would largely be based off of the area that could hold water.

[@geoffreybram4360]

I have an existing flat roof deck that has a torch down roofing material over concrete. Can these pedestals be used to support joists to install a more traditional deck? Additionally, these pedestals just float and are not screwed into the roof… right?

[@scottwhite2379]

Matt, pleas do a video on GRP roofs. I do not understand this country's aversion to them. They are the norm in other countries. 50year roofing

[@Fundean]

Hey Matt, builder from FL... Still hoping you can do a series on hurricane reinforcements?!

[@bassntruck]

This is just what I was thinking.

[@kenmurray4863]

Bison is getting NOI approval in Miami. Bison has the most extensive wind testing in the tile/pedestal industry and they do have a "wind system" for high wind locations and uplift prevention.

[@DriverDude100]

Nice product and superb installation. I let my ipe grey naturally. It is too much work to reseal it every year.

[@cnl1213]

I wonder if so much depth is needed. This is probably spec for this specific product but if there were a standoff product that requires only an inch or two from the roof surface (not including the depth of the deck boards) then a guard rail may not be required to be added...

[@neildees1761]

If you dislike the guard rail, then as opposed to lowering the decking, you would just increase the height of that parapet wall.

[@argon805]

thanks, great video and nice products

[@raytown04]

I'm putting a composite deck on a flay asphalt roof and was curious if Bison makes a stand off for my application.

[@kildli]

Can these installed over membrane roof system? like TPO, deckrite?

[@flfl3969]

Great video - great system.

[@leftistelf]

@matt - what’s your view point on Trex instead of Ipe? Seems like a better product for durability, but have you seen different results in the humid SE?

[@brianmcdowell8021]

what about the uplift, surely without hurricane straps this will fly through the outterspace 🤣

[@thomasbaker9801]

Well done field guys straight ass line

[@thePilgrem]

What do you do about leaves and debris that gets under the deck? Regular removal and cleaning?

[@AR-xu2gg]

This is my biggest concern and what I’m trying to learn about. Need the best way to clean out all the pine needles and duff that will collect underneath

[@marlonbarrezueta6962]

I got my flat roofing with peal stick roofing liberty is it possible to install de deck??

[@stefanbas6181]

It is not cheap but it does work ! Every roof deck I see it’s worse from just a deck being built to stay and now few years later or less it’s leaking but now A gotta pay some one to disassemble the deck just pin point leak then to repair it’s another bill then rebuild deck

[@jvhoef5372]

The price on that must be nuts, also do you have to raise the railing as well?

[@drmachinewerke1]

J Vhoef
39” if OSHA has something to say. He did mention a installation of a guardrail.!
I would fire the person that installed the drain
There is also a tapered plate that can be installed.
I installed this system using stone 2’x2’ pavers. This on the old Kcpl building in Kcmo.

[@hafzamacie8858]

My husband used these plans from Stodoys and he's very satisfied. However. I love Yours !

[@andrewjohnson9279]

Videos are great, but I'd love to see this project up close!

[@AFLolowang]

Great vid. I raised the volume cuz I couldn’t hear a word. And then the outro music came on and I almost had a heart attack.

[@noname_atall]

matt sure loves his beats

[@rick3301958]

Nice. How do you build the rail.

[@JoseGarcia-ki3vw]

So i have a flat rubber roof with a pitch. I want to raise and place a deck. Can a jacuzzi be placed on top of deck and pedestal? I know the structure is able to handle the weight. There is living space below. It was and addition to the house over looking the woods in the back yard. So will it hold a jacuzzi do you think? or should i place directly on the rubber roof.

[@musFuzZ]

Used as the deck in SV Seeker!

Hey Matt! How was the parapet siding finished over the membrane? Also, how was the roof's ventilation handled? I have a similar rooftop terrace over my garage but I'm struggling to get decent finish on the edges of the parapet without having to put an aluminum fascia that will cover the edges of my tiles (and the top of my brick parapet). Thanks for the input! Btw, good job on this roof deck!

[@wildb4206]

How did those walls pass code height? With the deck they are now even lower.

[@ChloexLashay]

I’ve seen builders using a hybrid of Sleepers for framing a desk on the stand-offs so the Entire deck is still free-floating but you’re able to use a wider variety of other decking materials. I’m interested in a bamboo composite decking that isn’t available in longer-length deck panels/tiles. Do you think the decking panels on the standoffs or the sleepers on the stand-offs is a better way of installing a free-floating deck? Or similar are they similar?

[@jimpeterson3633]

Awesome deck

[@TurboLemon]

Other than extra damage protection and fire safety for the actual roof, are there functional benefits to doing this? I know aesthetically it looks great, but if it would be used only by the residents below (and no grilling or fire hazards), is it necessary?

[@ALMX5DP]

I was skeptical at first sight, but looks like a fairly inexpensive and non-intensive way of flat decking an area like that. Still would have some concerns about the plastic standoffs, but since it's all modular as long as they're not expensive could always have a few extra just in case to shore up or fix broken pieces.

[@billfromelma]

Looks awesome, lots of plannig .

[@notsure103]

Great perimeter seem. What's the wind rating?

[@forgotmylogininfo]

What about up lift during a storm since it isn't attached in any way?

[@neildees1761]

Ipe is one of the most dense wood species in the world. There's no way any storm in Austin, Texas would be able to lift those off of the roof. If they were individual boards I would be concerned, but they are 2x4 panels.

[@PlanetMojo]

I am putting one of these in this summer on my channel and the system requires a parapet that keeps wind -- for the most part -- from getting under the deck. Not enough air can get under to lift. I sure hope it works, I already built the addition with the flat roof and will be installing the deck this spring 😉

[@malisha1]

Can this deck be installed over a GAF Liberty SBS Self-Adhering Cap Sheet? I live in NYC so we have cold winters and hot summers.

[@45dgrs]

great informative video as always. What's the S.F cost for installation of the bison's?

[@docwaring]

Really curious if you think it would be possible to create your own platforms to sit on the Bison feet. I'm really wanting to do a herringbone design and they don't offer that.

[@jasonhunter6125]

what if you want a concrete deck over living space? How would you do that?;)

[@Upliftyourbrothers]

Jason Hunter I’m wondering the same thing. My guess is rebar, slope, fiber mesh, and 6 inch slab. Once cured maybe a few coats of epoxy paint? Other suggestions?

[@chefmonstro7411]

I’d like to do this but the top of my garage isn’t flush what can I do?

[@user-qy1ie4fp8l]

Is it safe to put a pedestal deck over a bitumen flat roof? I’m concerned with slippage due to heat pulling on seams.

[@triggerwarning4746]

Does this work on lean to roofs?

[@damiantwardus6767]

Can you install a rail system directly onto this system? If so, how is it attached and supported?

[@jeremywestburg4375]

That’s awesome!

[@michaeldonahue7178]

Can composite decking be installed over the Bison supports ?

[@Dave-ek2jx]

Heh, I didn't notice the laser at first and I kept going, "WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY EVEN MEASURING?!”

[@dandinca310]

what's holding the whole deck down? Is it just its own weight?

[@viscom2789]

Those little plastic fins look pretty fragile, and the whole deck is not even anchored to the roof... what happens during a storm when there is uplift? Or what if some kind of lateral force causes the wood panels to misalign? I can imagine the 1/8 inch little black plastic fins breaking like twigs...
I’m just speculating though. Am I missing something obvious? Please someone tell me if and how I am wrong.

[@williamhanson53]

Excellent!

[@jellyboy123]

i been thinking about doing this for years but i don't know if i can do it in the uk whats the laws?? and regs ?

[@pengli7432]

Hi Matt, do you know a contractor in New York Long Island area that can do this? This is exactly what i need t do. I have done EPDM waterproofing on the roof, but need to find someone who can help me with the Bison pedestal system. Thanks!

[@greg925911]

Could something like this be done in the Basement floor instead of Concrete

[@commentingonshit]

Its a constant level lake because its not a lake! Its a river with dams on either end.

[@Dipper964]

With this, you could run pool pvc pipes underneath for a rooftop pool

[@marcosantonocito8876]

What do you suggest with yearly maintenance to maintain the color?

[@ddgiant]

I know you say the panels are removable, just have to remove the 4 screws, but it looks like there is a disk at each corner that the screw goes through locking all 4 panels together. How do you handle the disk during removal and reinstall?

[@OHSCrifle]

Sawzall 😁

[@kenmurray4863]

You actually don't need to remove the 4 screws because the biscuit has a notch cut out of it. All you need is a flathead screwdriver to align the notches to all face one tile... then you can pull that tile out without backing out the screws. The disk typically stays in place the whole time.

[@StevenCavanaugh]

Is there any reason I shouldn't lay evp plank flooring over an epdm "flat" roof?
Or if you'd prefer, is there any way this would be advisable?
I'm looking for an option for a lighter weight rooftop deck.

[@aunderthesun3929]

Would you recommend this for a penthouse with a lot of roof space around it. We are told that we can build a deck since it is part of the penthouse but they will need to have the roof inspected every year so they need something that can be removed. Will this be also be not noisy for our neighbors below?

[@Ghudda_]

It's been 3 years since you made this comment but this will work, though you'll need a system that is fits your building's height wind resistance and they can inspect it everyday if they want, manufacturers warranty is anywhere from 20-30years lol

[@mel1654]

Anyone know how the price of Bison compares to conventional wood sleepers?