Deck on a Rubber Roof

[zeruel]

I have a small balcony on my house. It already has a railing around it, but it only has a rubber roof as a surface, not suitable for any more use than occasionally walking out there to clean the gutters.

What is the simplest way to put a deck out there? I see lots of deck tile products, but I don't know which is suitable for placing directly on a rubber roof. It has a slight incline, so that water flows off it it, but not so much that I am concerned about leveling it. If the deck as the same incline as the underling floor, its fine with me, if that makes it significantly easier to do.

Also, what other things do I need to consider?

[Fishindude]

They make walk pads for rubber roofing, they look kind of like thick heavy rubber floor mats.   These are commonly installed around rooftop HVAC equipment, etc. so technicians can service the units without walking directly on the rubber roof.

I wouldn't recommend a wood deck as you'll have to put runners down to support it and fasten decking to and these runners will wear on the rubber roofing, plus they will dam the flow of water and create a whole lot more work if you ever have to re-roof.

[lthenderson]

Another consideration is that the balcony might not be built to withstand the weight of a deck and people on it. If someone were to get hurt in a collapse and sue, it might be an insurance nightmare.

[zeruel]

Another consideration is that the balcony might not be built to withstand the weight of a deck and people on it. If someone were to get hurt in a collapse and sue, it might be an insurance nightmare.

I am fairly certain that given the railing, the porch door, and just looking at the structure of the thing it was designed to be used as a porch. Although that does make me wonder why the previous home owners never put a deck out there.

What is the right type of professional to tell me if it is suitable for this use? Do you think hiring a structural engineer is necessary, or is that over kill?

[Fishindude]

I am fairly certain that given the railing, the porch door, and just looking at the structure of the thing it was designed to be used as a porch. Although that does make me wonder why the previous home owners never put a deck out there.

What is the right type of professional to tell me if it is suitable for this use? Do you think hiring a structural engineer is necessary, or is that over kill?

Any decent builder, engineer or architect could tell pretty quickly if it is made for routine use.

[lthenderson]

Another consideration is that the balcony might not be built to withstand the weight of a deck and people on it. If someone were to get hurt in a collapse and sue, it might be an insurance nightmare.

I am fairly certain that given the railing, the porch door, and just looking at the structure of the thing it was designed to be used as a porch. Although that does make me wonder why the previous home owners never put a deck out there.

You never mentioned what type of house you have but I do know some Victorian houses have balconies like that with railings and doors that are not made to be functional as far as having a number of people stand out there. I have always assumed it was for people to stand out there on occasion when something of importance passed by. I've seen lots of old photographs with people standing on all parts of a house with something going on in the foreground. My guess is that even something like that is probably safe for several people to be out there as is, but if you were to add the weight of a deck and structure and then a number of people such as in a party situation, you might have problems. Of course, it may have originally been a true balcony and someone did a quick fix. Hard to say without seeing pictures.