Installing Decking on a Roof Terrace

Before: Unfinished Deck

Materials and Tools:

5-1/4" lumber for decking
pressure-treated 2x4s
1-5/8" decking screws
miter saw or circular saw
cordless drill
tape measure
speed square
clamps

Tips:
- Use short screws so that they won't penetrate roof rubber.
- Screw down the decking, instead of nailing it. If you need to repair the roof in the future, it's easier to peel up the decking and put it back down.

Figure A

Steps:

1. Sweep and clean the roof deck. Draw a line down the middle of the deck, marking the floor every 19.2 inches (figure A) so that the supportive beams will be evenly spaced.

Figure B

2. Cut the 2x4s to size and lay perpendicular to the line on the marked spots (figure B).

Figure C

3. Cut the decking to size and screw into 2x4s (figure C).

Figure D

4. If seams of the decking aren't on the 2x4s, add extra support (figure D).

Figure E

5. Use a clamp to keep the wood in place, while you screw it into the support beams (figure E).